1. Shrovetide: Adrenaline and sweet treats

Things to do 

Shrovetide (Laskiainen), the first traditional holiday of the year, takes place seven weeks before Easter, starting off the time of lent. In celebration, Helsinki vibrates with wintry Finnish holiday traditions. Head to sledding hills, from Sinebrychoff Park to Kaisaniemi, for snowy downhill rides on a pulkka (sled in Finnish). Buy one from any big supermarket or Kierrätyskeskus recycling centre, or try an old-school trick and slide down on a plastic bag! If the nerves get you, watch others compete at Laskiaisrieha, a student event in Kaivopuisto. 

Food to try

Treat yourself to a Shrove bun at a Helsinkian café: the fluffy bun with whipped cream and almond paste or jam is a Finnish favourite! (In fact, people are usually divided on this and we are not kidding: “which filling do you have your shrove with” is a regular job interview question!)

2. Easter: Witches and rye pudding

Things to do

Easter in Helsinki brings festive markets, a bonfire in Seurasaari and daffodils at Töölönlahti’s Winter Garden. 

On Easter Saturday, watch the traditional performance of Via Crucis at Senate Square. On Palm Sunday, little witches and wizards roam the streets swaying pussy willow branches and exchanging chants for sugary rewards in a trick-or-treat-like tradition.

Food to try

Taste mämmi: a rye pudding served with cream and sugar. Be prepared – some find eating it is as much of a challenge as pronouncing it! Like the Finnish salmiakki (salty liquorice), you either love it or hate it!

3. May Day: Street parties and picnics

Things to do

May Day (Vappu) is one of the biggest traditional festivities in Helsinki. On April 30th, Helsinkians gather at the statue of Havis Amanda near the Market Square for its ceremonial washing and crowning (with a huge graduation cap!), followed by a night of parties at venues like Korjaamo in Töölö or Tavastia in Kamppi. 

On May 1st, thousands gather for a picnic in Kaivopuisto, or other green areas like Taivaskallio in Käpylä and Stansvik park in Laajasalo, while others head to a “vappu brunch”.

For those in Helsinki with kids, streets fill with carnival and balloon stands. Linnanmäki amusement park opens for the season, and Kumpula’s Botanic Garden organises fun activities.

Food to try

Head to market halls to try tippaleipä (crispy funnel cake), munkki (sugar-dusted doughnuts), and sima (mead). 

4. Midsummer: Bonfires and midnight sun

Things to do

Midsummer (Juhannus) marks the longest day of the year. While many Finns retreat to their rural cottages, Midsummer in Helsinki has its own charm.

Spend Midsummer Eve at Seurasaari’s bonfire or camping in Pihlajasaari. Jump on a midnight cruise from the Market Square, join juhannustanssit (a traditional outdoors dance gathering), or attend a concert at Allas Sea Pool.

No Midsummer is complete without sauna! Visit Helsinki’s public saunas and one of the city’s beautiful beaches.

Food to try

Try out Finnish herring or vendace with young potatoes. Maybe wash it down with rye gin or whiskey from Kyrö Distillery!

5. Finnish Independence Day: Traditions and togetherness  

Things to do

December 6th starts with a Finnish flag-raising in Tähtitorninmäki at 9am. You can then attend a mid-day mass at Helsinki Cathedral, and in the evening, watch a torchlight procession march from Hietalahti cemetery to Senate Square. Another fitting activity is a visit to the Military Museum in Suomenlinna, a ferry ride away.

The day culminates in Linnanjuhlat (the Presidential Independence Day reception), broadcast live. At home, Helsinkians sit down to critique the guests’ gowns and suits – a lighthearted tradition.

Food to try

Enjoy Independence Day lunch at one of Helsinki’s authentic restaurants.

6. Christmas: Markets and mulled wine

Things to do

Christmas in Helsinki is like a fairytale – as expected in Santa’s homeland! The season kicks off late November with festive lights and a parade for the Christmas Street opening of Aleksanterinkatu. Another iconic tradition is the Stockmann department store’s Christmas window display.

On December 13th, St. Lucia’s Day, Lucia graces the steps of Helsinki Cathedral, leading a light procession.

Through December, enjoy Christmas carols at local churches and concerts at the National Opera or Helsinki Music Centre. Helsinki University Symphony Orchestra’s annual concert is another festive highlight.

Helsinki’s oldest Christmas market at Senate Square offers gifts and seasonal treats, with another festive market in Kalasatama’s Teurastamo. Seurasaari’s Christmas path event is perfect for families, alongside Santa sightings at various places.

Of course, a celebration or just a Tuesday – in Finland, sauna is part of it. Complete the season’s spirit with a Christmas sauna.

Food to try

Visit markets and food halls for glögi (mulled wine), gingerbread cookies, plum pastries and rice porridge. Many restaurants also serve lavish Christmas buffets, including salmon and herring, ham, and vegetable casseroles and mashes.

7. New Year’s Eve: Fireworks and fortunes

Things to do

Cold or not, Helsinki knows how to welcome the New Year! The main event takes place at Kansalaistori by Oodi library: activities for children, followed by an evening of music performances, culminating in fireworks or a pyrotechnics display. 

Families can catch earlier fireworks for example in Kruununhaka, Herttoniemi, or Käpylä. For more family fun, visit Korkeasaari Zoo’s Lux light display.

Explore Helsinki’s nightlife with a midnight view at rooftop bars like Torni’s Atelier Bar or Ravintola 10. Kerros. Keep in mind, queues grow long before midnight!

New Year’s Day is quiet in Helsinki. With most restaurants and shops closed, take a ferry to Suomenlinna, or go for a crispy walk in Mustikkamaa.

Food to try

Buy the not-so-glamorous, traditional NYE meal from a supermarket: sausages with potato salad.

Holiday traditions, our way

While commercial holidays like Halloween and Valentine’s Day are growing in Finland, we like to do things our way.

Over here, Valentine’s Day is called Ystävänpäivä (Friend’s Day), a more inclusive celebration of meaningful relationships. Grab your dearest for a joyful day at Helsinki’s ice rinks, museums, or winter markets!

Halloween time is for Kekri, a historic holiday to honour ancestors and cast spells for a successful harvest, which has since blended with All Saints’ Day (Pyhäinpäivä). Visit Hietaniemi Cemetery to experience a breathtaking sea of candle lights, as Helsinkians gather to remember their loved ones, or celebrate the season’s change at Viapori Kekri Festival in Suomenlinna.

Whichever season, we can’t wait to see you!