Kaustinen (Swedish: Kaustby) in Central Ostrobothnia is known for its huge yearly folk music festival. The municipality with some 4,300 inhabitants welcomes thousands of guests during the festival. The municipality of Veteli to the south of Kaustinen is also handled in this article.

Understand

Folk musician ensemble playing in Pelimannitalo, the "folk musicians' house"

The folk music festival has become the main draw of the municipality. While otherwise perhaps typical countryside, with farming and some industry, the festival has led to a disproportionate number of skilled musicians. Many have grown up with the folk music tradition, continued music studies in the Sibelius Akademy, now fusing their classical music carrier with their interest in folk music. This makes for some surprising twists in some of the concerts, while otherwise true to a living folk music tradition. Also interest in related fields, such as folk dance and local history has greatly benefited from the development.

Tourist information from the municipal office:

• 1 Town Hall, Kappelintie 13 (opposite the church), ☏ +358 40-652-7692, kaustisen.kunta@kaustinen.fi. M–F 08:00–15:00. 

Get in

By car

Kaustinen is at the crossing of national roads 13 and 63. From Kokkola, just follow road 13. From Seinäjoki, take road 19 towards Lapua and Kauhava and change to road 63 before the centre of the latter. From Jyväskylä, take national road 4 northward and change to road 13 before Äänekoski centre.

By bus

Kaustinen has direct coaches from Helsinki, Jyväskylä and Saarijärvi. In schooldays there are several services from Kokkola via Kaustinen, sparse services in winter weekends. The Osmo Aho route Pohjanmaan pikavuoro between Tampere and Kokkola stops at Kaustinen.

Get around

Veteli is some 10 km south of Kaustinen by national road 13.

See

• 1 Folk Arts Centre Kaustinen (Kaustisen kansantaiteenkeskus), Jyväskyläntie 3, ☏ +358 40-136-1161, info@kansantaiteenkeskus.fi. M–F 10:00–15:00. Several institutions, including a museum on folk music instruments. Shop with music and souvenirs. Café.  
• 2 Kaustisten kirkko, Siltatie 3 (in the centre, 300 m west from the bridge), ☏ +358 50-314-7212. Services Su 10:00. Wooden church, the current look from 1859. 
• Kaustisten kotiseutumuseo, Siltatie 7 (in a storehouse by the churchyard), ☏ +358 50-407-9409. Local history museum. 
• 3 Kraatarimuseo, Kraatarinpolku 2, ☏ +358 500-500-928. Local history museum in a 19th century tailor's home. 

Do

Kaustinen centre during the festival

• Downhill or Cross-country skiing – yes there are hills in Kaustinen, and a ski slope. There is a network of cross-country skiing tracks.
• Fishing at the rapids. Permits and instructions from Eräkellari (an outdooring equipment shop) or Teboil (see below).
• Rowing along the river.
• Hiking. There is a network of trails, with lean-tos and campfire places (no fire during wildfire warnings!).

Events

• Kaustisen ravit (in the village Nikula). Monthly. Harness racing 
• Kaustinen Chamber Music Week, ☏ +358 50-540-7391, kamariviikko@gmail.com.  

Kaustinen Folk Music Festival

Concert on the main arena in 2019

While the event is massive, with several thousand people attending, there are also concerts in several small locales, with intimate atmosphere. The festival is an important meeting place for folk musicians from around the country and from farther away – and most is arranged by volunteers. Local folk music still plays an important role.

• Kaustinen Folk Music Festival (Kaustisen kansanmusiikkijuhlat, Kaustby folkmusikfestival), ☏ +358 40-170-1966, info@kaustinen.net. 2021: 12–18 July.  

Buy

Kaustinen has a quite good assortment of shops for not being a city.

Eat and drink

• 1 Kappelin grilli, Kaustintie 4, ☏ +358 6 861-1289, kappelin.grilli@gmail.fi. Grill. 
• 2 Teboil Kaustinen, Terveystie 2, ☏ +358 6 861-1590. Kitchen daily 09:00–20:00. Fuel station. Fuel, service, groceries. Restaurant/café. 
• 3 Ravintola Pelimanni, Kaustintie 2, ☏ +358 6 861-1005. M–F 10:00–23:00 L 12:00–23:00, lunch M–F 10:30–15:00, dinner M–F 15:00–20:00, L 12:00–20:00. €11–30. 

Sleep

During the festival, there are more lodging and camping options. Check the festival's web pages.

• 1 Neste Kaustinen, Teerijärventie 1, ☏ +358 6 860-7711, posti@nestekaustinen.fi. M–F 07:00–21:30, Sa 08:00–21:30, Su 10:00–21:30. Fuel station. Restaurant. Lodging. single €60, double €90 (in festival week €85/100); meals €10–16, children's meatballs €6.50, lunch 10:00–14:00. 
• 2 Koskelan Lomatalo, Känsäläntie 123 (in the village Känsälä, 5 km from the centre), ☏ +358 6 8611-338, +358 400-269-710, koskelan.lomatalo@kaustinen.fi. Rooms for 1–5 persons, cottage sleeping 4. 
• 3 Tastulan Lomakylä, Mökkitie 7 (Pertuntie 7), ☏ +358 6 861-4118, +358 400-733-331, info@tastulanlomakyla.fi. Camping and cottages. Also apartments. Tent €10+€5/2 per person (children 3–16); caravan €20+€5/2; cottages €55 (3 pers.), €95–110 (4/6 pers.), peaks €80/135–150, linen €10. 
• 4 Hotelli Kaustinen, Pajalantie 24, ☏ +358 40-168-6906, info@hotellikaustinen.fi. Also apartments. 
• 5 Agrotourism Hirsikangas, Rahkosentie 809 (by Ullavanjärvi, some 25 km north-east from the centre, midway between Kaustinen and Toholampi), ☏ +358 50-584-5245, pasi.hirsikangas@gmail.com. Two cottages by the Ullava lake. 

Connect

• 2 Library, Kappelintie 13 (by the city hall, opposite the church), kaustinen.kirjasto@kaustinen.fi. M Tu 12:00–18:00 W 09:00–18:00 Th 09:00–16:00 F 12:00–16:00 Sa–Su closed. Public computers, free Wi-Fi ("Kirjasto"), printer-scanner (available from one of the computers). Changing exhibition. Mostly accessible by wheelchair (the exhibition via the town hall, gallery by stairs only). Printouts €0.50–2/page. (updated Nov 2022)