Finland’s biggest gospel music celebration, Glow Festival, will fill Nokia Arena again in August 2025

The biggest gospel music celebration in Finland will return to the Nokia Arena in Tampere on August 22, 2025. After selling out last August, Glow Festival has established itself as the country’s premier gospel music event and will once again bring together over 20 top gospel artists from both Finland and the United States. One of the best-selling American gospel bands and internationally renowned Newsboys will be seen on stage along with many Finnish favorites such as Lasse Heikkilä’s Missa Concordiae, Jepa Lambert, Pekka Simojoki, and the widely known Diandra.

Gospel music has always been a uniting force and gospel songs bring to life memories that touch the heart deeply. Glow Festival brings together multiple generations from different backgrounds to enjoy a never-before-seen lineups of gospel music, with a perfect blend of nostalgia.

“The program will feature one-of-a-kind performances and collaborations specifically created for this event. Well-known artists will team up in new and exciting ways, making gospel history. This is the very essence of a gospel music celebration at its finest”, says the event’s producer, Johanna Vauto.

The event will kick off with Glow Honor: Pekka Simojoki, a concert paying tribute to the life and work of this pioneer of gospel music. The concert will feature some of Simojoki’s most beloved classics, performed by the artist himself, accompanied by Make Perttilä’s band, with special guests adding a fresh and new perspective to these timeless melodies.

The Glow Legends: Hard Gospel concert will bring together the most famous voices from the heavier side of gospel music on one stage, as they perform each other’s classics with Lasse Sakara’s Glow Band. Performers include Harri Helenius (bass’n Helen), Petri Lassila (Tera), Miika Partala (Deuteronomium), Sami Haveri (The Rain), Johanna Kultalahti (HB), and Sami Asp. Come and experience the most unforgettable moments of heavy gospel in a way that will leave a lasting impression.

The Glow Celebration main concert promises a spectacular gospel music extravaganza. Diandra, one of Finland’s most successful female artists, known from various TV shows, will perform world-famous gospel classics, featuring Jepa Lambert and the Sounds of Mercy gospelchoir. The Glow Festival stage will also see the powerful Gospel Sisters, starring Jippu, Elna Romberg, and Jepa Lambert with Sounds of Mercy, in a performance that blends strength and sensitivity in a deeply moving way. The nostalgia continues with the much-loved Missa Concordiae by Lasse Heikkilä, with soloists Elna Romberg, Heidi Simelius, Juhani Tikkanen, and Kimmo Virtanen. Additionally, the concert will feature Tommi Kalenius’ moving Elämänpuu (Tree of Life), the wonderful Eve & Ossi and the energetic Immanuel. The concert will also include Lasse Sakara’s Glow Band.

In the Glow Favorites concert, the lights will dim to a warm glow as the arena transforms into a heartwarming gathering place, reminiscent of a campfire. The talented Glow artists, along with Lasse Sakara’s campfire band, will create an intimate atmosphere by performing the most beloved songs, some of which will be chosen by public vote in early 2025. This concert will resemble the biggest campfire ever seen in Finland.

The night will be crowned by Newsboys, the Christian pop-rock pioneers who formed in 1985 and have since become one of the most successful and best-selling Christian bands of the last two decades. Known for hits like I Speak Jesus, God’s Not Dead, and Your Love Never Fails, their performance will be the grand finale of the festival.

Glow Festival will also once again present the Glow Gospel Awards, recognizing outstanding contributions to the gospel music scene.

Based on customer feedback, the event will feature extended intervals and improved food services to ensure everyone can fully enjoy the experience.

The event is produced by Ohjelmatoimisto Kristalli.