10 Things to Do in Helsinki at Christmas

Finland is one of the countries where the typical Western Christmas holiday customs were moulded and Helsinki is the epicentre of these celebrations on the eve of Christmas. Located not far from Finnish Lapland, the home of Father Christmas, the country's capital offers a wealth of activities for locals and visitors alike, ranging from the popular flea markets to festive decorations and lights.

Some of the best things to do in Helsinki at Christmas include visiting the city's themed markets, discovering the decorative street lights, enjoying the Linnanmaki Christmas carousel, attending a carol concert, touring the local saunas, taking part in the Santa Lucia Festival, shopping for gifts at Stockmann and discovering the Joulupolku on the island of Seurasaari.

Linnanmaki amusement park is Helsinki's largest and most famous amusement park, but at Christmas time its size and tradition take a back seat as it becomes a stage that comes alive with its ice slide and Christmas carousel. With a history dating back to its opening in 1950, Linnanmaki has evolved into a cultural landmark during the festive season.

The Linnanmaki Ice Slide is an attraction that combines the fun of a typical game with the winter scenery that characterises the city. Here you can slide down the slide surrounded by festive lights, and next to it you can also find the Christmas carousel that adds a classic and nostalgic touch to the experience, with decorated horses and carol music warming up the atmosphere.

In addition to the Christmas rides, Linnanmaki has year-round roller coasters, rides and live shows, making it a must-see destination for the whole family. Due to its central location, it is also a place you can combine with other nearby activities, such as the Flying Cinema experience or the Finnish National Opera concerts.

Helsinki, during the Christmas season, is famous for its decorations and lights, which flood the city with colour. One of the best ways to get a unique perspective of this custom is to take a ride in one of the cabins of SkyWheel, the Ferris wheel in the heart of the Finnish capital, which allows you to discover the skyline of this destination from its 40-metre height.

SkyWheel is a relatively modern attraction in the city, but since it opened in 2014 it has become one of the must-see sites during Christmas, as it is, along with the helicopter rides, the ideal alternative to discover the Senate Square adorned with festive lights, the Helsinki Cathedral with its seasonal illumination and the bustling Christmas stalls of the Market Square from above.

In addition, the SkyWheel not only provides a panoramic view of Helsinki's iconic sites, but also captures the magical essence of the city during the festive season. Streets illuminated with twinkling lights, decorated historic buildings and a Christmas energy that combines modernity with traditional architecture make this attraction one of the epicentres of celebrations in the Finnish capital.

One of Helsinki's winter traditions is to enjoy a sauna, an experience that combines relaxation and the properties of the local climate. During Christmas, this custom becomes one of the most famous activities for locals, who seek to unwind before the celebrations in what they call "a Christmas sauna".

The Christmas sauna, then, is an integral part of local traditions, and is designed to offer purification and rest before the Christmas Eve festivities. It is therefore common for locals and visitors alike to organise gatherings with family and friends in these saunas in the weeks leading up to Christmas.

Among the many public saunas available are places such as Kotiharju in the Kallio neighbourhood, the cultural sauna Kulttuurisauna Kulttuurisauna and the Uusi sauna in Jätkäsaari. These spaces are open all day and offer services that go beyond the traditional sauna experience, including massages, steam baths and special treatments. You can also make the most of this custom on a full-day excursion from Helsinki to Porvoo or Espoo.

One of the best things to do in a destination that makes a cult of artistic expression is to attend concerts at various venues around the city. The highlight is the annual Christmas Concert at the Helsinki Music House, where some of the best local musicians and orchestras come together to offer a moving performance of Christmas carols and seasonal classics.

Another not-to-be-missed event is the Helsinki University Symphony Orchestra's annual Christmas Concert. Held in the main hall of the university's music building, this concert presents some of the masterpieces of Finnish classical music. The audience of students, teachers and music lovers is swelled by tourists and visitors who come to watch the talented Finnish musicians perform.

In addition to these main events, the city's churches and concert halls also host carol concerts that are open to the public. Many of these events are often included in the itineraries of the best tours of Helsinki.

These sites can be reached by local public transport or on Helsinki's hop-on-hop-off buses, which include the concert venues at nearby stops.

If you want to experience the true spirit of Christmas in Helsinki, you can't miss the city's themed Christmas markets, which bear similarities to the popular German Christkindlmarkets and mark the beginning of winter in the Finnish capital with their opening in early December.

Helsinki is a city of profound cultural and religious diversity, but Christmas markets are a much-anticipated tradition for Finns of all faiths, who turn these sites into a space for gathering and celebration. One of the most famous is Tuomaan, held in the Market Square for four weeks and featuring craft and food stalls next to the statue of Havis Amanda.

If you're looking for an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city and want a local experience, visit the Fiskars Christmas Market, an hour's drive from Helsinki, which combines two events in one. The traditional craft centre in Fiskars hosts the Maan Maut food festival on Christmas Eve, and around the market you'll find seasonal decorations and a giant Christmas tree.

These markets are usually included in the best guided tours of Helsinki on Christmas Eve, and as well as enjoying the atmosphere, you'll be able to sample some typical food and drink of the season, such as glühwein, the spiced mulled wine that's also popular in Germany and Denmark.

Taking part in Helsinki's St Lucia Day parade will give you an insight into a popular tradition that brightens up the city's dark winter months. Held annually on 13 December, this parade is a local event that attracts locals and visitors alike with its magnetic, folkloric charm.

The parade begins with a procession of children dressed in white, carrying candles that create a warm glow in the darkness. At the forefront, a girl represents Lucia, the Queen of Light, followed by a children's choir singing a traditional carol that ushers in Christmas. Throughout the procession, other performers join in, including marching bands, dancers and various performances, culminating in the appearance of Father Christmas, who often shares the festivities with the children.

The Father Christmas parade, which is also popular in other cities around the world, has become an event that attracts people of all ages and allows you to fully immerse yourself in the city's distinct Christmas spirit.

If you want to take part in a typical Helsinki experience, you can't miss Stockmann's Christmas gift shopping. This iconic department store, founded in 1862, is a symbol of the city that has endured for generations and for Finns visiting during the Christmas season is a long-established tradition, where the search for gifts becomes a unique experience.

Exploring the dedicated Christmas products sections at Stockmann will immerse you in the festive atmosphere that is typical of the place. From decorations for the Christmas tree to toys for the kids, the store becomes a paradise of gift-giving options.

Beyond shopping, Stockmann offers a unique opportunity to explore the history and culture of the city. There you can enjoy the variety of Finnish products, from fashion and design to gourmet food, and also share with the locals the custom of buying gifts in this popular century-old shop.

There are many ways to discover Helsinki's Christmas decorations, but the most traditional is to take a walking tour of the streets and watch the city turn into a winter wonderland during the festive season. From the main shopping arteries to the quiet residential areas, the Finnish capital is completely captured by the essence of Christmas.

In the Finnish capital, decorative lights are not just an ornament, but a true icon of the festive landscape and include not only the facades of locals' houses but also public buildings, such as the Helsinki Cathedral and the Senate. Therefore, a tour of the decorations will allow you to discover the city's architecture as well, either on your own or as part of some of the city's best tours.

During the tour, make sure you visit Alekanterinkatu Street, one of Helsinki's shopping epicentres, where the light show is combined with shop windows decorated with Christmas motifs. Esplanadi Park is also an ideal spot for a stroll along decorated paths that reflect the magic of the season.

For a magical experience that soaks up the true essence of Finnish Christmas, you can't miss the tradition of Joulupolku on Seurasaari Island. Joulupolku, which translates as Christmas Road, is a celebration that takes place in this picturesque corner of Helsinki and elsewhere in the country and involves creating decorated paths to find the Christmas spirit.

This annual event has its roots in the 1920s and has become one of the city's most beloved celebrations. The Joulupolku on the island of Seurasaari transports visitors along candle-lit paths and festive decorations that also feature traditional Finnish characters such as Tuomo-karhu, the Christmas bear.

You can also visit the Seurasaari Open Air Museum, which is considered one of the best museums in Helsinki.

During the tour you can enjoy the interpretation of scenes from local life and Finnish Christmas traditions, providing an authentic and endearing insight into the culture of the country. The island's old wooden houses, transported from different parts of Finland, are opened to the public during this event, providing a glimpse into local history and customs.

In Helsinki the Christmas season coincides with the start of winter in the city, so one of the most traditional activities you'll find throughout this destination is the ice skating experience. Taking part in this winter sport is an ideal way to combine a traditional custom with the spirit of Christmas.

Helsinki offers several ice skating rinks scattered throughout the city, providing options for all skill levels and ages. The popular Esplanadi Park has an outdoor ice rink surrounded by elegant local architecture, offering a picturesque and central experience. Similarly, Malmi Ice Park and Töölön rink are perfect places to enjoy skating with the family, with well-maintained facilities and a festive atmosphere in the surrounding area.

Ice skating in Helsinki is not only a fun activity, but also an opportunity to connect with Finnish tradition and the joy of the holiday season. The ice rinks are often surrounded by festive decorations, giant Christmas trees as well as concerts and musical performances, carols and Finnish folk genres. And if you're on your lucky day, you might even meet Father Christmas.