In July, the scenic Valasranta in Ylänes once again becomes the center of Finnish partner dancing as the 23rd edition of Valasrannan Tanssileiri opens on Friday, July 24, 2026. Over the course of ten days, the area is expected to receive around 15,000 day visitors, further strengthening the camp’s position as the largest partner dance camp in Finland.
The camp, organized by Suomen Tanssipuoti Oy, offers an impressive program: participants can choose from over 300 dance lessons held on seven different dance floors. The courses cover the entire spectrum of partner dances danced on Finnish dance pavilions, and the instruction is led by nearly 40 experienced teachers. Among the well-known names are Anssi Heikkilä, Kia Lehmuskoski, Sami and Jutta Helenius, and Liisa Setälä, many of whom are familiar from national TV.
A distinguishing feature of the camp is its openness. Dancers of all levels are welcome, whether you want to attend a single lesson, come for a day, or stay for the entire camp. The evening dance parties are open to everyone, even those who have not taken any courses. No advance registration or partner is required, making it easy for both beginners and experienced dancers to participate.
New Main Tent After Storm – More Space for Dancing
Before this year’s camp, a summer storm in June posed challenges when the roof of the traditional dance pavilion in Valasranta was destroyed. The organizers acted quickly and set up a spacious dance tent of 1,000 square meters, equipped with over 200 seats, which now becomes the main venue for the event.
Additional dance areas stretch out over the beautiful Valasranta area. These include the Pyhäjärvi Hall, the Pöytyä Tent, a forest tent, and several spaces at Yhtenäiskoulu: the sports hall, the ice rink tent, and the large banquet hall. Together, these offer about 2,500 square meters of dance floor, ensuring plenty of space for both instruction and social dancing from morning to evening.
The daytime program focuses on the extensive dance lessons, while evenings are filled with performances and dance to popular dance orchestras and artists – including Antti Ahopelto, Energia, Hurma, Keiski & ENO, Kyösti Mäkimattila, Vili Mustalampi, Antti Railio, Sinitaivas, Saija Tuupanen, and Weranta. The program also features special evenings such as Latin parties and karaoke challenges.
Among the camp’s popular traditions are the so-called “järvitanssit,” where participants dance down in the shallow water by the shore and enjoy a genuinely Finnish summer experience in the open air.
Valasrannan Tanssileiri’s history is closely intertwined with founder Niina Tammelin, who fell in love with partner dance as a teenager at Valasranta and organized her first camp in 2001. She founded Valasrannan Tanssileiri in 2003 and since then has made it her life’s work, with a strong passion to share the joy of dance further – especially with future generations.
Today, Suomen Tanssipuoti Oy organizes dance events throughout Finland and, in addition to Tammelin, has six full-time employees. Valasrannan Tanssileiri is the flagship event and gathers the country’s dance community year after year for a grand celebration of movement, music, and togetherness by the lake.
