Midsummer 2018 in Helsinki

Updated 22.6.2018

What to do or where to go during midsummer in Helsinki? During midsummer, many travel to the countryside to celebrate the summer solstice, and the quieting Helsinki brings its own charm to celebrating midsummer in the city. Little Helsinki has compiled tips for celebrating midsummer in the city with children. The tips include both events and activities during the summer solstice.

Cover image: Seurasaari’s fading bonfire on midsummer morning dawning in 1976. Photographer Olavi Ahonen, Helsinki City Museum archive. www.helsinkikuvia.fi

Where this week article has tips for weekdays during midsummer week.

Things to Do

What to do on midsummer in Helsinki?

Little Helsinki recommends: Midsummer eve morning is worth starting at Hakaniemi Market Hall and market square in the summer solstice market atmosphere. Enjoy midsummer porridges at Kahvisiskot's booth with accordion music playing, buy celebratory treats from the hall and market sellers, strawberries and birch branches to decorate your city midsummer. City midsummer atmosphere!

The quiet Helsinki city center is an experience in itself. Also, for example, Kaisaniemi Botanical Garden outdoor garden can be visited on midsummer holidays every day from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Korkeasaari Zoo is also open on midsummer: midsummer eve 22.6.2018 10-17, midsummer day and Sunday 23-24.6 10-20. Read more on the zoo’s website. Korkeasaari entrance fee applies.

Fallkulla Farm’s animals can be petted throughout midsummer daily from 10-15. Admission to the farm is free.

Linnanmäki Amusement Park invites you to have fun on midsummer too: midsummer eve the park is open 11-21, midsummer day and Sunday 11-22. On midsummer eve Lintsi offers midsummer dances, on midsummer day and Sunday Maddaleena performs in the park.

Swimming: Helsinki’s public swimming beaches have plenty of space even on sunny midsummer days. Also Kumpula and Swimming Stadium open-air pools are also open on midsummer holidays (entrance fee applies).

Allas Sea Pool is open for sauna and swimming on midsummer holidays. Expect at least birch branches, music, and warm water for swimming. The area also has a children’s pool. More information on Allas Sea Pool’s website. Entrance fee applies.

Helsinki’s islands are excellent day trip destinations, even if you don’t feel like exploring until evening. For example, Pihlajasaari and Kaunissaari on the Sipoo side, owned by Helsinki city, are nice day trip destinations. You can stay on the islands longer, as camping is available on weekends in Pihlajasaari and cottages can be rented from Kaunissaari. Kaunissaari also has public saunas, read more on the island’s website. Also remember, for example, Vartiosaari (summer sheep!) and Isosaari. Islands are free to visit, but ferry charges usually apply.

Uutela Kota is open midsummer eve, midsummer day, and Sunday from 12-18. The kota guardians keep the fire burning, so pack snacks in your backpack and come with the whole family to enjoy the atmosphere of a living fire. Read more on Uutela Kota’s Facebook page.

Espoo’s beautiful islands and beaches offer midsummer atmosphere and activities, read Espoo city’s tips for celebrating archipelago midsummer here.

On the Vantaa side, for example Heureka Science Center and Flamingo Spa are also open on midsummer.

Events

Summer solstice celebrations in Helsinki

Midsummer celebrations in playgrounds are held in several playgrounds during midsummer week. Playground event information can be found on the playgrounds' website or the playgrounds' own Facebook pages.

Mustasaari Midsummer Eve is a whole family celebration. Sauna (small sauna fee, note registration required), swimming weather permitting, food, and lots of activities on a lovely summer island. Mustasaari’s summer animals are also enjoyed by children. A ferry to the island departs from Taivallahti shore (small ferry fee). More information about Mustasaari’s midsummer can be found on the event’s Facebook page. Mustasaari is closed 23.6-25.6.2018.

At Lapinlahti Spring a cheerful midsummer event is held for all ages on midsummer eve 22.6.2018 from 2-7 p.m. The event also includes children’s programs. More information on the Spring’s midsummer Facebook page.

Kivinokka holds a traditional midsummer celebration near the swimming beach and is child-friendly. Midsummer work starts at Kivinokka at noon, festivities begin at 6 p.m.

In Lauttasaari on HKL’s summer cabin area traditional midsummer celebrations are held Friday evening. (Information from Facebook group and previous years, more information being sought).

Many allotment gardens organize open midsummer celebrations. For example, Marjaniemi, Talin, Pakila, and Kumpula allotment gardens celebrate.

Seurasaari Midsummer Celebrations from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. with lots of programs and traditions. Read more on the Seurasaari Foundation’s website. Entrance fee applies.

Midsummer Day dances on Seurasaari’s Antti square on midsummer day Saturday 23.6.2018 from 2-4 p.m. Free admission.

Seurasaari Foundation’s free midsummer week events can be found on the foundation’s website.

Espoo’s beautiful islands and beaches offer midsummer atmosphere and activities, read Espoo city’s tips for celebrating archipelago midsummer here.

In Espoo, Villa Elfvik Nature House is open on midsummer day and Sunday 24.6.2018 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. More information on the nature house’s website.

Tip for Hyvinkää: Children’s Midsummer Event at One Star Story Hostel area in Hyvinkää on midsummer eve from 12-4 p.m. Free admission, some event stations have fees. More information on the event’s Facebook page.

Tip for Järvenpää: Family Midsummer Eve Celebration at Vanhankylä Manor area Friday from 3 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Programs for the whole family. Admission to the event is free, bus service for those needing rides from Järvenpää bus station (paid). More information on the event’s Facebook page.

Midsummer Bonfires in Helsinki

Note that strong winds may prevent bonfire lighting at events (situation 22.6.2018).

At the southern tip of Lauttasaari, Särkiniemi cottage residents’ bonfire is lit on the bonfire rock at 8 p.m. In the vicinity, café-restaurant Paseo is open on midsummer and a nice playground for children is located near the café and swimming beach.

At Karelian Culture Summer Home Villa Salmela’s midsummer celebration a children’s bonfire is also lit at 8 p.m., larger bonfire at 9 p.m. The summer home is located in Jolla.

Kaivopuisto beach traditional bonfire is lit at 9:30 p.m.

Stansviks Manor Park’s bonfire in Kruunuvuori is lit at 10 p.m. Stansviks Manor Park is otherwise a nice place for an excursion, and the peninsula shore offers plenty to marvel at and beautiful archipelago scenery. The Stansviks area is known from the Risto Räppää and Cool Venla movies.

Remember Also

Park mysteries can be found during midsummer too.

Suomenlinna ferries carry adventurers on midsummer too, but some of the island’s services may be closed during midsummer. So pack snacks and enjoy Suomenlinna’s unique atmosphere and explore the caves in peace.

On midsummer the quieting city is an excellent place to explore new places and go on excursions to interesting locations. From Little Helsinki’s Helsinki Places article you can find more places worth experiencing in Helsinki.

Uusimaa Recreation Area Association’s outdoor areas are found by the dozens near Helsinki. Hiking in magnificent natural sites is a great alternative to celebrating midsummer in a cottage. Open fires are prohibited due to forest fire warnings (situation 16.6.2018), so this should be considered when packing snacks.

Talosaari outdoor area is a nice excursion spot for families. The area offers beautiful archipelago views, at the beginning of the route you almost certainly meet horses at Husö riding stables, and the place is usually not crowded. The main route of Talosaari can be easily traveled with strollers too.

Sheep Island and Kuusiluoto take you to nature in the middle of the city. Sheep Island is easily accessible even with strollers, but for an excursion to Kuusiluoto, you should leave strollers waiting on the Sheep Island side. On Kuusiluoto you can meet sheep roaming free on the island, admire Helsinki, eat snacks, and enjoy nature.

[caption id=“attachment_1604” align=“aligncenter” width=“2000”] Kuusiluoto sheep in autumn 2017.[/caption]

Happy summer solstice celebration!

FOLLOW LITTLE HELSINKI

Little Helsinki on Facebook

Little Helsinki on Instagram

Little Helsinki on Twitter

New: Little Helsinki app for your phone!

Little Helsinki now also works as a PWA app. You can install Little Helsinki on your Android or iPhone simply by opening the page in Chrome or Safari browser and selecting Add to home screen from the share button. A PWA app differs from a traditional app in that it doesn't need to be separately installed from the App Store or similar. In practice, the content is exactly the same as in the browser, but theoretically loads faster. Little Helsinki does not require registration to work now, nor ever.