Baltic Sea Day celebrated with jazz, sea shanties and activities for the whole family
The free event for the whole family offers a diverse programme, including performances of traditional sailors' work songs and an entertaining show featuring clowns in distress at sea.
26 August 2026, City of Turku.- Baltic Sea Day is celebrated annually on the last Thursday of August across Finland. In Turku, this year’s celebration will take place in the courtyard of Forum Marinum on 27 August from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The event will be opened by Mayor Piia Elo.
The free event for the whole family offers a diverse programme, including performances of traditional sailors’ work songs and an entertaining show featuring clowns in distress at sea. Performers include Archipelago Sea Jazz: Helmi Antila Quartet, Turku Rock Academy: The Blind, Elämä- ja taidekoulu Hehkumahku, and Shanty Singers.
Turku’s Baltic Sea organisations take part in the event
In front of the Suomen Joutsen, visitors will have the opportunity to explore stands hosted by organisations and initiatives working on Baltic Sea-related issues in the Turku region.
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Activities include discovering marine nature by examining an aquarium, listening to underwater soundscapes and taking part in a fun Baltic Sea activity trail. Children can also spin a prize wheel and enjoy dance sessions with the mascot Ville Viking.
More information about the activities at the stands is available through the City of Turku’s Baltic Sea Programme and the Baltic Sea Challenge website.
Forum Marinum exhibitions open to the public
Forum Marinum’s exhibitions will be open free of charge from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The 40,000+ exhibition complements the theme of the day by bringing the marine nature of the archipelago within visitors’ reach. The new exhibition Sigyn - The Lucky Ship also invites visitors to reflect on their own thoughts about and relationship with the sea.
Those interested in protecting the Archipelago Sea are encouraged to visit the Ruuma auditorium, where a video featuring dives carried out in the Archipelago Sea last summer will be shown. Did the divers discover treasures beneath the surface, or did what they found raise concerns?
Baltic Sea Day is a nationwide celebration launched by the John Nurminen Foundation. Its aim is to increase awareness of the Baltic Sea’s nature, culture and history, while inspiring people to enjoy and appreciate the sea.
In Turku, the day’s programme is coordinated by the City of Turku and Forum Marinum.