Find tips for Midsummer 2025 here!

What to do and where to go with children during Midsummer

What to do or where to go during Midsummer in Helsinki and the metropolitan area? Where are the Midsummer bonfires lit?
During Midsummer, many travel to the countryside to celebrate the summer solstice, and a quieter Helsinki offers its own charm for celebrating Midsummer in the city. Pienten Helsinki has compiled tips for celebrating Midsummer Eve and Midsummer Day in the city with children. The tips include both events and other activities during the summer solstice.

Pienten Helsinki wishes you a wonderful Midsummer!

Midsummer celebrations in Helsinki

  • Helsinki City Folk at Espa Stage on Monday, June 17, 2024 at 6 p.m. The folk dancers and musicians of the capital region in colorful national costumes bring their Midsummer greetings to Espa Stage. 
  • Fox Käreittäri's Magic Path on Seurasaari on Tuesday, June 18 and Wednesday, June 19 at 2 p.m. Departure from Seurasaari from the Karuna Church square. No prior registration required for the tours. Free admission.
  • Midsummer Willow Work Bees on Seurasaari at Antin Square on Wednesday, June 19 and Thursday, June 20 from 12-4 p.m.
    At the work bee, materials are gathered for the Midsummer bonfires and the willows are decorated. The work is light and does not require craft skills. You can participate on both days or just one day, for the full time or part of it! The Seurasaari Foundation provides participants with coffee and light refreshments. Due to catering, advance registration with the bonfire master: iiris.maki@seurasaarisaatio.fi
    A Midsummer bonfire in the Ulvila style will be raised at Seurasaari's Midsummer bonfires on Midsummer Eve (paid event).
  • Traditional Midsummer celebrations are organized in playgrounds mainly during Midsummer week on Wednesday and Thursday. More detailed information from the playgrounds' own websites and the City of Helsinki's event calendar.

Midsummer Eve events

  • Pienten Helsinki recommends: Midsummer Eve morning is best started at Hakaniemi Market Hall and market square with summer solstice market atmosphere. The market has summer delicacies, strawberries, and birch branches for decorating city Midsummer. Accordion music plays at the coffee sisters' tent.
  • Mustasaari Midsummer is celebrated on Friday, June 21, 2024, from 12-8 p.m.
    At the Midsummer celebration aimed at families with children, the program includes at least sauna, swimming, delicacies, and summer activities on a wonderful summer island. Mustasaari is also home to farm animals during the summer months and sheep on the neighboring island. Ferries to the island depart from Taivallahti shore (paid ferry, free entry to the island).
    Read more from Pienten Helsinki: A Hot Day on Mustasaari
  • Vantaa: Midsummer celebration for the whole family at St. Lawrence Church Park on Midsummer Eve, Friday, June 21, from 3-5 p.m. Organized by Kirkko Vantaalla. Free admission.
  • Summer in Helsinki – Pienten Helsinki's summer series contains over 50 articles and hundreds of tips for spending summer in Helsinki!

Midsummer bonfires in Helsinki

Note! Forest fire warning is in effect in Uusimaa, so bonfires CANNOT be lit this Midsummer in the metropolitan area.

  • Karelians' Summer House Villa Salmela in Jollaksi, bonfire at 8 p.m.
  • At Länsiulapanniemi in Lauttasaari in the HKL summer accommodation area, there has been a bonfire in previous years.
  • At Särkiniemi Bonfire Rock at the southern tip of Lauttasaari there has traditionally been a Midsummer bonfire.
  • At Seurasaari Midsummer Bonfires event children's bonfire at 7:30 p.m. and main bonfire at 9 p.m. (the event is paid).
  • At Kaivopuisto by Cafe Ursula on the beach rocks at 9:30 p.m.
  • Talin Community Garden's Midsummer celebrations on Midsummer Eve from 6-10 p.m. (bonfire depending on forest fire warning).

However, ALWAYS check the latest information from the organizer's website!

Things to do during Midsummer

Summer in Helsinki – over 50 articles and hundreds of tips for spending summer in Helsinki!

Linnanmäki Amusement Park is also open during Midsummer. Free admission.

Korkeasaari is also open during Midsummer. Admission fee.

To Vartiosaar a solar-powered ferry carrying visitors also operates during Midsummer. Ferry fee.

On Seurasaari you can see the Midsummer bonfire and enjoy the free atmosphere of the island on Midsummer Day, June 22, 2024. Only the museum buildings have an admission fee for adults; children visit Seurasaari Open-Air Museum free of charge this summer. Children's guided tour on Midsummer Day at 12 p.m. (free for children, adult participation in the tour costs the museum's admission fee).

Horse riding and pony riding on Seurasaari on Midsummer Day, Saturday, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Paid activity.

Meilahti Rose Garden is blooming with Midsummer roses. Free admission.

Helsinki's quieter city center is an experience in itself. You can also visit for example the Kaisaniemi Botanical Garden outdoor section during Midsummer holidays every day from 9 a.m.–8 p.m. The greenhouses are closed on Midsummer.

Playpark during Midsummer? You can find all of Pienten Helsinki's playground tips here.

Fallkulla and Haltiala farm animal farm's animals grazing outside are open to view throughout Midsummer. At Fallkulla, animals go out daily around 10 a.m.-2 p.m., weather permitting; at Haltiala also generally at other times. Entry to the farm animal farms is free. Read more from Pienten Helsinki's Animals in the City article.

Sheep Island offers nature peace in the middle of the city! Sheep Island is also accessible without obstacles with strollers. Note! Kuusiluoto's boardwalks are currently being renovated, so you may not be able to visit the island (situation as of June 16, 2024).

Suomenlinna ferries also carry adventurers during Midsummer, but some of the island's services may be closed during Midsummer. So bring packed food with you and enjoy Suomenlinna's unique atmosphere and explore caves in peace.

To Vartiosaar you can get there this summer by solar ferry across Reposalmi and there is plenty of nature and summer solstice atmosphere on the island. Vartiosaar's summer cottages have also arrived. For more information about the boat trip and fees, visit the ferry's own website.

Espoo: Espoo's beautiful islands and beaches offer Midsummer atmosphere and things to do, read more from Visit Espoo's website.

Uusimaa Recreation Area Association's outdoor areas there are dozens near Helsinki. Hiking in beautiful natural sites is a great alternative to celebrating cottage Midsummer.

What should we do today? Check out tips for boring days from Pienten Helsinki!

Secrets of Helsinki article reveals small and big secrets about Helsinki!

Swimming

Pienten Helsinki's Swimming? article recommends child-friendly beaches in Helsinki.

Swimming places for hot days article compiles tips for outdoor pools and other places that often remain free of blue-green algae.

Kumpula Outdoor Pool and Swimming Stadium are open during Midsummer with slightly different opening hours (admission fee). In Espoo, Leppävaara Outdoor Pool is open during Midsummer (admission fee). Also the splash pool located in Tapiola (no lifeguard on Midsummer) is open.

Little Finland

Renewed Little Finland recommends things to do and experience with children in Finland. It also includes plenty of tips for the surrounding area and day trips, as well as a large list of the best playgrounds throughout Finland. There are currently over 700 tips on the journey map! 
Read more about renewed Little Finland!

www.pientensuomi.fi
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