Helsinki LGBTQ+ activities: Hobbies, clubs and queer community beyond nightlife
LGBTQ+ culture is often associated with nightlife—but in Helsinki, the rainbow extends far beyond the dance floor. Whether you’re looking to express yourself through music, meet people over a shared love of books, or find community in movement and craft, Helsinki LGBTQ+ activities offer meaningful ways to connect. From long-standing choirs to new dance collectives, here’s how to join the city’s thriving queer hobby culture.
Choirs and theatre: Voices in harmony
For many, creativity is the clearest path to community. In Helsinki, choirs and theatre groups bring LGBTQ+ people together through shared passion and performance.
Out ’n Loud, founded in 2004, is a bilingual choir made up exclusively of gay men. Known for its blend of humour, romance and original material, the choir performs everything from gay schlager to contemporary compositions. Learn more at outnloud.fi.
Kaupungin Naiset (“The Townswomen”) is Finland’s only lesbian choir. Founded in 2014, the group performs songs based on poems by contemporary Finnish authors. Their original repertoire centres on themes of love, life and its endings.
The Queer-Feminist Choir of Helsinki (HQFK) welcomes singers of all genders across the LGBTQ+ spectrum. Their performances range from folk music and Eurovision hits to activist-inspired compositions. Follow them on Instagram for concert news and membership updates.
For fans of the stage, Helsinki Gay Theatre (HGT) has been promoting equality through performance since 2007. The group stages 2–3 shows each year, often highlighting LGBTQ+ voices. Follow HGT on Facebook for audition calls and show announcements.
Dance and other sports
The HOT Sports Club provides athletic opportunities for sexual and gender minorities in Helsinki. Established in 1997, HOT supports LGBTQ+ athletes both mentally and financially, offering training environments where individuals can freely be themselves. Popular activities include aerobics, volleyball, floorball, and badminton. New participants are warmly welcomed – find out more about their schedule on Facebook.
For dance enthusiasts, Queer Latin Dance Helsinki offers Latin dance classes and parties in a queer-friendly environment. Their aim is to create safe spaces to learn and dance without gender roles. Classes include beginner and advanced Cuban salsa, reggaeton, Dominican bachata, and more. Follow their Instagram page for the latest updates.
The Queer Dance Group (QDG), founded in spring 2022, is a community led by queer artists in collaboration with participants. QDG organises group sessions that explore movement, deepen body awareness, and offer peer support in a safer space. Sessions are open to queer and/or trans individuals of all ages. Details and registration are available on the art collective Reality Research Center’s website.
Literature
As a nation renowned for its libraries and love of books, Finland offers several LGBTQ+ book clubs. Note that most events are in Finnish, but some groups occasionally include English-language activities.
The Mummolaakso (Granny Valley) association organises a book club for lesbian and bisexual women of all ages. Meetings take place every few months at the Finnish Association of Women’s Union premises on Bulevardi. Visit Mummolaakso’s website for details on upcoming books and events.
The Helsinki Pride community’s Queer Book Club is open to anyone interested in reading and discussing LGBTQ+ literature. Books can be read in any language, but discussions are held in English. Meetings take place monthly on Sundays from 1–3 pm. Check the Helsinki Pride website for specific dates.
The Kallio Library hosts the Rainbow Shelf Book Club, focusing on LGBTQ+ literature chosen by participants. Details are available on the Facebook group Sateenkaarihylly. The library also runs a Feminist Book Club, covering both classic and contemporary feminist literature. Pre-registration is required; find more information on Kallio Library’s Facebook page.
Helsinki Pride also hosts a Creative Writing Group, meeting on designated Mondays from 5:30–7:30 pm. Participants can share their work and receive feedback in a supportive environment. No prior writing experience is required, and all materials are provided. Check the Helsinki Pride website for further details.
Handicrafts
Radical Cross-Stitch is a queer-feminist craftivist group. Their informal gatherings focus on creating statement-making crafts, discussing political and social issues, and providing peer support. Meetings are typically held at the Museum of Impossible Forms. Check their Facebook page for updates and schedules.
The Helsinki Pride Community’s Kvääri Kässäkerho (Queer Crafts Club) offers a safe and welcoming space for crafting enthusiasts. Participants can join guided projects or work on their own unfinished crafts in good company. Event details are available on the Helsinki Pride website.
Activities for rainbow families
Rainbow Families Finland organises a range of family-friendly activities for the LGBTQ+ community, including a weekly family café at their Sörnäinen location. The programme includes everything from play and art activities to circus classes, family camps, and theatre excursions. Parents also have opportunities to join adult-only activities. Visit the community’s website (mainly in Finnish) for more information.
Karaoke
Queereoke, as the name suggests, is karaoke for queer people and their friends. Hosted by Slaya Bitin, Susi Siriyan, and 12 Months of Pride in the basement of the hip Harju8 restaurant in Kallio, it offers a safe and encouraging space to dress up, enjoy drinks, and sing karaoke. Queereoke events are semi-regular; follow their Instagram page for dates.
Queer-Friendly, Feminist Stand-Up
If you’re into stand-up comedy, check out the feminist collective Ilonpilaajat (The Party Poopers). Their motto, “better to spoil the fun than settle for cheap laughs,” highlights their commitment to feminist and LGBTQ+-friendly humour. The stage is open to beginners, making it an inclusive space for aspiring comedians. Find out more on their Facebook page.
