Pienten Helsinki
If you are looking for Independence Day activity tips for 2018, you can find them here.
Finland at 100: Celebration activities for families in Helsinki 5-6.12.2017
"Here grows a Finnish tree, a Finnish tree! The trunk rises, grows strong, grows strong, branches for children, branches for children, branches for children to shelter.A hundred branches, a hundred roots, a hundred nests for birds, a hundred white winters, a hundred blue summers."
Excerpt from the Finland at 100 jubilee year commissioned composition by the Association of Early Childhood Music Teachers. Composition by Soili Perkiö, lyrics by Hannele Huovi.
The Independence Day celebrations extend over two days this year as Finland celebrates 100 years of its journey. There are many programs around the Finland at 100 theme, and events are already being held throughout Helsinki on Independence Day Eve, December 5, 2017. The celebrations culminate in fireworks on December 6, 2017.
Official Celebrations
The official opening ceremony of Finland's centennial independence celebrations will be held at Market Square on Tuesday, December 5, 2017 at 6 p.m. From this event, official flag raising begins throughout Finland. You can admire the festive illuminations on buildings in downtown Helsinki until Thursday morning, December 7, 2017. Check My Helsinki website to find out where you can see the festively illuminated buildings.The Presidential Palace celebrations can be watched on television and online as usual, starting at 6:30 p.m. on December 6, 2017. This year the celebrations will run an hour longer.
The traditional torchlit procession of students departs from Hietaniemi Cemetery on December 6, 2017 at 5 p.m. and passes the Presidential Palace to greet the presidential couple. You can join the procession. Note! Schedule information updated December 4, 2017.
Many museums are open on Independence Day, December 6, 2017. Museums are free to enter on the holiday. For example, the National Museum has special programming in honor of the holiday.
Fireworks
Fireworks for the 100-year-old Finland on December 5, 2017 at 9:30 p.m. Fireworks will be launched from the tip of Hernesaari. Organized by Eckerö Line. Read more from the event's Facebook page.The jubilee year culminates in celebration fireworks on Independence Day, December 6, 2017 at 10 p.m., when fireworks light up the South Harbor sky. You can also watch the fireworks on TV1.
Library Celebrations
Libraries throughout Helsinki are hosting Independence Day celebrations on December 5, 2017.- At Roihuvuori Library, Bulaboi (actor Jani Karvinen) will entertain children from 9-11 a.m.
- At Lauttasaari Library, morning coffee is served from 9-11 a.m. and a winter story hour is held at 10 a.m.
- At Kannelmäki Library, Independence Day celebration coffee from 2-4 p.m.
- At Laajasalo Library, celebrations from 2-5 p.m.
- At South Haaga Library, celebrations from 2-6 p.m.
- At Töölö Library, children's music at 4 p.m. Other programs for the whole family from 4-9 p.m.
- At Rikhardinkatu Library, celebrations from 4-9 p.m. Diverse programming and refreshments.
- At Malmi Library, celebrations from 5-7:30 p.m. Also check Malmitalo's other celebration programs.
- At Vuosaari Library, celebrations from 6-9 p.m.
- At Vallila Library, viewing of the Presidential Palace celebrations on December 6, 2017 from 6:30-10 p.m.
Celebrations at Cultural Centers
- At Stoa, Independence Day Eve is celebrated on December 5, 2017 from 2-6:30 p.m. Programs and refreshments for the whole family. Read more from Stoa's website.
- At Vuotalo, Independence Day Eve is celebrated on December 5, 2017 from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Read more about the day's program from Vuotalo's website.
- At Kanneltalo, everyone's Independence Day celebration is held on December 6, 2017 from 4-9 p.m. Joint celebration buffet and programs for the whole family. Read more from Kanneltalo's website.
- At Malmitalo, Independence Day is celebrated on December 6, 2017 starting at 3 p.m. Read more from Malmitalo's website.
Independence Day Eve at Playgrounds
Many playgrounds are hosting Finland at 100 celebrations on Independence Day Eve, December 5, 2017. For example, at playgrounds Tuorinniemi, Myllysiivä, Taivallahti, and family center Sahra, day-themed programming is being held. At Jakomäki Playground, Finland at 100 programming for families on Monday, December 4, 2017 starting at 10 a.m.Ask the instructors at your local playground about their celebration programs or follow the playgrounds’ websites. You can also send us tips about events, so everyone can enjoy the information.
Finland's 100th Birthday Party for Children
Fallkulla Farm is open on Wednesday, December 6, 2017 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Finland at 100 café and live music at 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Ice Skating
Helsinki's free outdoor ice rinks (Käpylä, Kontula, Brahe, Lassila, and Pukinmäki) are open for ice skating free of charge on Independence Day, December 6, 2017 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. You can also ice skate free of charge at Railway Square Ice Park from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.At Helsinki Ice Challenge Arena in Kaisaniemi Park, you can ice skate during public skating hours on Independence Day, December 6, 2017 from 12-5 p.m. Read more from the event’s Facebook page.
At Oulunkylä Sports Park, Independence Day is celebrated along with the sports park’s 40th anniversary. At this event for the whole family, ice skating is available on both outdoor ice and in the ice hall, with programs and instruction for all ages from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Read more from Helsinki Moves website.
Tip for Espoo
Badger Forest Story Hour at Villa Elfvik at 11 a.m. Read more from Villa Elfvik's website.
