Easter in Helsinki
Easter time is when the daffodils blossom in Helsinki. On Palm Sunday children dressed up as Easter witches go from door to door handing out pussy willow branches and wishing you good luck and health. In return they expect candies and chocolate eggs.
Pääsiäinen
When the long winter begins to loosen its grip, Helsinki lights up—literally. On Easter Saturday, bonfires blaze on Seurasaari island, echoing age-old beliefs from Ostrobothnia in northwest Finland. Back in the day, the open flames and pungent smoke were said to keep witches at bay. Today, the tradition lives on with a delightful twist: children dressed as playful little witches arrive in droves, coffee pots in hand and broomsticks trailing, for one of Helsinki’s most enchanting springtime celebrations.
What’s the deal with witches and bonfires?
This quirky custom is part folklore, part family fun. Locals and visitors gather on Seurasaari to welcome spring with fire, laughter, and the kind of memories that stick—like marshmallows in your mittens.
Easter
Happy
Follow the footsteps to Helsinki Cathedral
In the heart of the city, the Via Crucis procession brings another layer of Easter tradition. Inspired by medieval church customs, this moving theatrical event winds from Kaisaniemi Park past the historic House of the Estates and up to the iconic steps of Helsinki Cathedral. It’s a powerful moment of reflection amid the buzz of the city.
Say it with tulips—and chocolate
Craving colour after months of grey? Step into the Winter Garden, where Easter lilies and tulips bloom in joyful defiance of any lingering snow. Around town, Easter markets pop up like spring flowers. Expect daffodils, local crafts, saplings, design items, and enough handmade chocolates to keep the Easter bunny very busy.
Whether you’re here to soak in traditions, stock up on tulips, or simply follow your nose to the nearest bonfire, Easter in Helsinki is a season of renewal, community, and—of course—plenty of photo ops.
