Pienten Helsinki
What to do and where to go with children during Christmas week, between Christmas days, and on New Year's Eve in Helsinki and the surrounding area? Christmas atmosphere is being sought in gray Helsinki in 2021, still somewhat different from tradition due to the exceptional circumstances that continue to prevail. Fortunately, not all traditions have been cancelled and wonderful experiences are available for independent exploration in surprisingly large numbers! So admire the light reindeer in Espa Park, adventure along the Fortress Elf route and Uutela Star Path, experience Seurasaari's Christmas trail independently, and take a spin on the carousel at Tuomas Markets during Christmas week!
NOTE! Always check the latest event information and
any changes on the organizer's websites. Some events
may require a COVID certificate for those over 16 years old.
The cover image of this article features Little Helsinki's gingerbread version of Kruunuvuori Waterfront's Oil Tank 468, which is also worth experiencing!
Lights in the City
Helsinki's parks and streets as well as buildings are illuminated to bring light to the darkness and create a Christmas atmosphere in the city. The illuminated Christmas trees on Keskuskatu, the lights and animal figures in Espa Park, the Christmas street lights on Aleksanterinkatu and numerous Christmas lights and various Christmas decorations shine in many shopping centers and their surroundings.
Vanhankaupunginkoski dam is illuminated with LED colored lights from August to May. The light color changes with the seasons (complete certainty about the 2021 lighting is not available).
Lux Korkeasaari is held 25.12.2021-9.1.2022, when the zoo is open daily from 10 am to 7 pm. Entrance fee applies.
Christmas Windows
Large shopping centers have traditionally decorated their Christmas windows to appeal to children as well. The Christmas classic, Stockmann's fairy tale window in the center, is a wonderful experience again this year, and the Christmas window can be admired until Epiphany in the corner of Aleksanterinkatu and Keskuskatu. Also, for example, Fazer's Christmas window on Kluuvikatu is worth visiting.
Helsinki's Christmas Adventure Trail in the city center takes you on a narrative Christmas adventure. The Christmas trail story can be accessed and viewed via NFC or QR code until 19.12.2021.
Christmas Events and Activities
From the "Where This Week" article series you'll find daily tips at least until week 50.
Christmas markets and bazaars list.
Tuomas Markets at Market Square 27.11.—22.12.2021. Markets will delight children again this year with the traditional carousel. Free entry.
Uutela Star Path
The Uutela Star Path is again available on the Uutela waterfront trail! This year the Star Path stations are guided by a mobile map, so there are no checkpoint markers on the ground.
Seurasaari Christmas Trail
Seurasaari's independent Christmas trail allows you to adventure with checkpoints even between Christmas days. Part of Seurasaari's Christmas trail can also be experienced virtually.
Puppet Theater in the Winter Garden
Puppet Theater Sytkyt: The Nutcracker puppet theater performance in the Winter Garden (Hammarskjöldintie 1 A). Free entry to the performance.
Performance times:
Tuesday 21.12.2021 at 9:30 am and 10:30 am
Sunday 26.12.2021 at 1 pm and 3 pmSunday 2.1.2022 at 1 pm and 3 pm cancelled
Thursday 6.1.2022 at 1 pm and 3 pm
The Winter Garden is also open to the public during Christmas. For more detailed opening hours, see the garden's website. Free entry.
Fortress Elf Route in Suomenlinna
The Fortress Elf route in Suomenlinna 27.11.2021-6.1.2022.
The Fortress Elf route is an independent task trail where you can follow the activities of elves in different parts of the winter fortress. Maps and signs guide you to points, each telling about the deeds of Suomenlinna's elves. The route starts from the Waterfront Barracks tourism information.
Fortress Christmas in Suomenlinna until 6.1.2020.
Boxing Day Sleigh Ride
On Boxing Day, there is a horse ride at Seurasaari's festival field from 2 pm to 5 pm. Depending on the weather, rides will be by sleigh or cart. Ride fee is 5 €/person. The ride has weather reservation and a frost limit of -15°C. At Seurasaari, the Festival Field kiosk (11-4 pm) with grills and Kahvihuone Mieritz (11-4 pm) also serve customers.
To the Library
On Christmas Eve 24.12.2021, open are Entresse Library (Espoo) 8 am-4 pm, Kallio Library 10 am-4 pm and Rikhardinkatu Library 10 am-4 pm as well as some self-service libraries. More information about library opening hours for Christmas and New Year can be found on the Helmet website.
Animals' Christmas
At Haltiala farm you can see farm animals in outdoor enclosures in December as well. At Falkulla, cattle and horses are exercised outdoors when weather permits, usually daily around 10 am-2:30 pm, at Haltiala throughout the day. Haltiala playground is also open according to Little Helsinki information. Haltiala's indoor facilities remain closed, Fallkulla farm is closed to the public due to exceptional circumstances.
Korkeasaari Zoo is also open during Christmas.
Lux Korkeasaari is held 25.12.2021-9.1.2022, when the zoo is open daily from 10 am to 7 pm. Entrance fee applies.
Things to Do and Experience at Home
First ballet experience with children on the home sofa? Child-friendly performances from the National Ballet are available to watch on the Stage24 service.
Yle Areena has Finnish children's films in honor of Christmas! Little Helsinki especially recommends Jari and Kari's Christmas Story, which is filmed on the beautiful lighthouse island of Söderskär.
Outdoors and Physical Activity
To the Playground
Tips for the best playgrounds and a review of Helsinki's newest playgrounds can be found at Little Helsinki.
Ice Skating and Sledding
Ice skating? Many Helsinki, Espoo and Vantaa ice rinks and natural ice rinks are available for skating! Artificial ice rinks are free to skate this year as well. Current rink condition information can be found at the Ulkoliikunta.fi service.
Sledding is available in parts of southern Finland. Current slope information can be found at the Ski.fi service.
Orienteering
Children's checkpoints for the Elf Rally to find in Maunula 1-31.12.2021.
On the Espoo side, children's checkpoints can be found in Puolarmaari throughout December.
In Espoo in Villa Elfvik's forest, flashlight orienteering on Tuesday 28.12.2021 at 3-6 pm.
In Espoo in Karhuisaari forest, flashlight orienteering is held on Thursday 30.12.2021 at 3-6 pm.
Adventure in Helsinki
Have you already spotted the new Supercell game characters in Jätkäsaari?
The characters familiar from Supercell games delight on Jätkäsaarenlaituri in front of the game company's headquarters and peek from the roofs of surrounding buildings at passersby. Close to Supercell you'll also find several nice playgrounds. More about other Jätkäsaari attractions can be read in Little Helsinki's previous Jätkäsaari article.
Uunisaari in front of Kaivopuisto has gained a bridge connection for the winter months, and on the rocky island you can gaze at the horizon and marvel at passing ships and shore swells.
For an independent winter outing far from the Christmas shopping crowds, it's worth heading, for example, along boardwalks to Lammassaari Island, to Suomenlinna fortress, to the peace of Kruunuvuori Lake, or to the Kivinokka trails. More tips for Helsinki adventures can be found in Little Helsinki's Helsinki Places article.
Trek in the Surrounding Area
You can also hike at Christmas! Sipoonkorpi, Nuuksio, Luukki and Talosaari are wonderful hiking destinations in winter too. Pack a lunch and dress warmly!
From Sipoonkorpi you'll find, for example, an easy-access Tasakallio - Storträsk route and the Byabäckenin nature trail, formerly known as the Ponu post route, which leads to a grill site and a cottage for warming up. Tip from experience: with small children, the Byabäcken route is best walked to the grill site and back the same way, not as a loop. From the grill site there are usually plenty of firewood available, so bring matches and snacks.
Also the route from Kuusijärvi to Sipoonkorpi is worth trying and experiencing a new bridge connection to the national park at the same time.
New and interesting hiking destinations can also be found in Uusimaa Recreation Area Association's destinations.
Christmas Cities in the Surrounding Area
At least Porvoo, Loviisa, Tammisaari (and Tammisaari's wonderful Elf Trail), Fiskars Village (and a wonderful playground in the village center!) in Raasepori, and Mathildedal have invested in creating a Christmas atmosphere.
Also remember Little Finland's travel tips map, where you'll find suitable destination tips for the winter season too! Little Finland is the sister site of Little Helsinki, offering activities and experiences throughout Finland. Also includes many tips for the surrounding area and day trips, plus a comprehensive list of the best playgrounds throughout Finland!
New Year 2022 in Helsinki and the Surrounding Area
Tips for celebrating New Year's Eve with children have been moved HERE.
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