Skip to content sitemap
The Tall Ships Races Turku logo and old sailor with parrot on shoulder and girl on his lap.

SAIL TRAINING INTERNATIONAL AND THE CITY OF TURKU HAVE SIGNED AN ANCHOR PORT AGREEMENT ON 17 JULY 2024

The biggest event of the summer

Over 60 impressive sailing vessels from a total of 16 different countries arrived in Turku for the 2024 event. The event offered a nearly endless view of sailing ships, some of which were over a hundred years old. In addition to participants from the European area, ships from as far as South America were seen in Aura River.

In addition to numerous large sailing boat, the maritime summer event offered the audience an immersive program, including crew competitions, music performances, and a parade. From Friday to Saturday, a music festival called Slot Festival was held in Turku Castle Park.

The largest free family event in Europe, The Tall Ships Races, is held in the Baltic Sea every four years. In 2017, The Tall Ships Races Turku attracted 500,000 visitors, making it the largest public event in Finland.

Contact information

Questions about the biggest public event in Finland?

For information contact:

Kimmo Hyyppä
Project Manager
kimmo.hyyppa@turku.fi

Sari Haavisto
Project Coordinator
sari.haavisto@turku.fi

Slot Festival

The evenings of the event culminated in Slot Festival, which was held in the Turku Castle Park from 19 to 20 July

The two-day festival featured international top performers such as Sugababes, The Cardigans, Paloma Faith, Aqua, and Hanson, as well as high-quality artists from Finland like Kwan, Egotrippi, Don Huonot, and Vesterinen Yhtyeineen.

Ships

Over 60 impressive sailing ships from a total of 16 different countries visited Turku in the summer of 2024. During the event, ships from as far as South America were seen in the Aura River.

See all the ships that visited Turku here!

Get to know the ships

 As a Guest of the Archipelago Sea

Our event venue is located at the lower reaches of the Aura River, which opens up to the unique and delicate Archipelago Sea. The sea’s biodiversity is greatest near the coast, but at the same time, it is burdened by human activities. As Finland’s largest public event, we too must take responsibility for the well-being of the Archipelago Sea. The protection of the Archipelago Sea is also part of the city’s strategy, and this goal has been pursued in the city through long-term and ambitious efforts, including the Baltic Sea Challenge action programs.

“As the capital of the archipelago, we have a special responsibility to preserve the unique nature.” an excerpt from the city’s strategy.

We will enhance cleaning measures in the Aura River throughout the event week in collaboration with local sports clubs and the Keep the Archipelago Tidy Association. The association’s garbage collection boat, Roska-Roope, will clean the Aura River on event days. We will also inform our visitors before the event on how to avoid littering the area and why it is important.

WHAT’S HAPPENING ON SOCIAL MEDIA?

Follow us on social media

MORE EVENTS IN TURKU


Get to Know the Partners