Christmas in Helsinki
Joulusauna. Joulunavajaiset. Joulupöytä. Joululaulut. Joulumarkkinat. Joulunpyhät…Pikkujoulut! Guessing already what joulu means? Yes! Christmas! So what is Helsinki joulu made of?
It’s made of the sea breeze and islands, winter time swimming, romantic getaways and parties, festivals for every taste. It’s made of dark starry nights, candles and criss-crossing lights (the latter making up for the darkness and, well, for the occasional slushy Christmas when the snow did not fall as anticipated!).
It’s also made of local bazaars, crazy art and libraries that stay open late. It’s made of public saunas, heated throughout the holidays. It’s made of singing Christmas carols – or karaoke, if you prefer! It’s made of lutefish and lanttulaatikko – or opting out from tradition and eating whatever you want (a cold vegan pizza perhaps).
Most of all, Helsinki Christmas is about peace and freedom to do whatever you want and to be whoever you want.
What is Helsinki Christmas made of?
Lights and spice
…all things nice. As Christmas markets and stalls come to life, selling seasonal treats, hot glögi and locally hand-made arts and crafts.
Steam and ice
No need to think twice. During Christmas-time, Helsinkians love to go to sauna – and a dip in the cold sea!
Sledding and skating
Once the snow arrives there is no stopping us! Sledding down the hills of Helsinki or -ice-skating around town. Now those are the best Christmas activitivies one can think of! (if you exclude sauna and swim, of course!)
Island adventures
Christmas-time calls for a venture to the snowy Helsinki islands. Seurasaari Island’s Christmas path is one of season’s highlights!
Helsinki during Christmas-time:
What is Christmas in Helsinki all about? What to do with kids in Helsinki when they eagerly await for Santa and there is still sooooo much time left before The Eve? Where to go when you yearn for silence and darkness amidst the fervent preparations? And where to go when you want action? What to eat and drink – and where? And where to buy locally-made, beautiful presents for loved-ones?
That is the question.
Snow? Or no snow?
Some Christmas market picks:
If you wish to get into a truly Helsinkian holiday spirit, head to a cozy Christmas bazaar or outdoor market. They offer everything from seasonal delicacies and local produce to Finnish design, art and crafts.
Tuomaan Markkinat
Helsinki’s oldest outdoor Christmas market – Tuomaan Markkinat – offers delicious eating experiences and unique locally made gifts. In the heart of the Market is a beloved old-time carousel and an atmospheric food court.
Helsinki Christmas Market 2025 Vanhan Joulutori
Held at the historic venue, Old Student House, the legendary Vanhan Joulutori Christmas Market offers two floors full of skillfully created interior items, graphics, ceramics, jewelry, delicacy and much more.
Vanhan Joulutori Christmas Market 2025 Annala Villa and Garden
Christmas market by the Annala farm is focusing on home-made Christmas delicacies and handicraft.
Teurastamo Christmas Market
A melting pot of food and urban culture, Teurastamo is the place to go! Christmas market at Teurastamo gathers both entrepreneurs and artisans selling Christmas delicacies and handicraft.
Teurastamo Christmas Market Design Christmas at Finlandia Hall
Design Christmas brings together the most delightful creators and responsible brands of Finnish design at the iconic Finlandia Hall. Visitors can also enjoy Finnish Christmas treats at the cozy Finlandia Cafe & Wine.
Designkaverit x Finlandia Hall: Design Christmas Mantan joulutori
By the legendary Havis Amanda statue next to the Market Square you can find Mantan joulutori Christmas market. At the heart of the square is a Christmas pavilion for meeting friends and enjoying small performances on stage whilst enjoying Christmas delicacies. Open till 6 January!
Mantan joulutori 
Christmas concert picks:
Helsinkian Christmas is all about music too! People gather into big concert halls, iconic churches and small local venues to listen to timeless pieces or more contemporary interpretations of Christmas classics. It is also a very Finnish thing to sing carols together. Be prepared to queue for a place in the Cathedral’s Most beautiful Christmas Carols event on 16 December!
Traditional English Carols
Join a festive evening of traditional English carols, anthems, and readings at Helsinki Cathedral. The Service is sung by St Nicholas Chamber Choir with the children’s choir of the International School of Music.
A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols Medieval Christmas Concert
Munx Gregoriana is a new Finnish vocal ensemble that combines medieval music with 21st-century video game soundtracks – quite amazing! Helsinki concerts are held in Olaus Petri Church in Töölö neighbourhood and in the lighthouse church of Suomenlinna Island.
Medieval Christmas Concert Rajaton Joulu
Experience the magic of the season with Rajaton, the crown jewel of Finnish a cappella music, as they return to stages across the country with their beloved Christmas tour.
Rajaton Joulu 2025 Nallekopla
The children’s group Nallekopla’s musical storytelling session is all about caring for others and friendship. The performance also features Father Christmas and Helsinki’s police lion mascot!
A Christmas Concert by Helsinki Police Band’s Children’s Group Nallekopla Aventur
This unique Helsinkian showchoir takes Christmas songs to new heights, boldly combining pop- and rock classics a cappella, spiced up with beatbox and sound effects, both in Finnish and English.
Aventur – Let It Show – Christmas concerts 2025 Jarkko Ahola
Finnish heavy singer Jarkko Ahola gives his Christmas concert at Helsinki Cathedral in December.
Jarkko Ahola, Christmas Concert Suomalaisen klubin kuoro
A traditional Christmas concert held in the Old Church with choir music from composers such as Jean Sibelius and Toivo Kuula. Come and experience the warm, classic atmosphere in one of Helsinki’s most beautiful churches.
Suomalaisen klubin kuoro. Christmas Concert Advent Concert
Helsinki’s traditional Advent concert at the spectacular Temppeliaukio Church features beloved and familiar melodies of the Christmas season, performed by a choir.
Christmas of Fairytales
Come experience the fairytale magic of Christmas with the Musiikkitalo organ. The concert features familiar Christmas carols, organ music with Christmas themes, and sing-alongs accompanied by the large concert organ.
Christmas of Fairytales Christmas concert picks:
Helsinkian Christmas is all about music too! People gather into big concert halls, iconic churches and small local venues to listen to timeless pieces or more contemporary interpretations of Christmas classics. It is also a very Finnish thing to sing carols together. Be prepared to queue for a place in the Cathedral’s Most beautiful Christmas Carols event on 16 December!
Traditional English Carols
Join a festive evening of traditional English carols, anthems, and readings at Helsinki Cathedral. The Service is sung by St Nicholas Chamber Choir with the children’s choir of the International School of Music.
A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols Medieval Christmas Concert
Munx Gregoriana is a new Finnish vocal ensemble that combines medieval music with 21st-century video game soundtracks – quite amazing! Helsinki concerts are held in Olaus Petri Church in Töölö neighbourhood and in the lighthouse church of Suomenlinna Island.
Medieval Christmas Concert Rajaton Joulu
Experience the magic of the season with Rajaton, the crown jewel of Finnish a cappella music, as they return to stages across the country with their beloved Christmas tour.
Rajaton Joulu 2025 Nallekopla
The children’s group Nallekopla’s musical storytelling session is all about caring for others and friendship. The performance also features Father Christmas and Helsinki’s police lion mascot!
A Christmas Concert by Helsinki Police Band’s Children’s Group Nallekopla Aventur
This unique Helsinkian showchoir takes Christmas songs to new heights, boldly combining pop- and rock classics a cappella, spiced up with beatbox and sound effects, both in Finnish and English.
Aventur – Let It Show – Christmas concerts 2025 Jarkko Ahola
Finnish heavy singer Jarkko Ahola gives his Christmas concert at Helsinki Cathedral in December.
Jarkko Ahola, Christmas Concert Suomalaisen klubin kuoro
A traditional Christmas concert held in the Old Church with choir music from composers such as Jean Sibelius and Toivo Kuula. Come and experience the warm, classic atmosphere in one of Helsinki’s most beautiful churches.
Suomalaisen klubin kuoro. Christmas Concert Advent Concert
Helsinki’s traditional Advent concert at the spectacular Temppeliaukio Church features beloved and familiar melodies of the Christmas season, performed by a choir.
Christmas of Fairytales
Come experience the fairytale magic of Christmas with the Musiikkitalo organ. The concert features familiar Christmas carols, organ music with Christmas themes, and sing-alongs accompanied by the large concert organ.
Christmas of Fairytales 
