Where to go this week? 13.12.-16.12.2017

What child-friendly activities can you find in Helsinki? Where to go with small children on the weekend? What can you do on a rainy day? Little Helsinki's weekly series searches for activity tips and recommends child-friendly places in Helsinki and the surrounding area. The website's target audience is children under school age and families with children.

NOTE! Wait a moment, the article will be updated for the weekend during nap time!


THURSDAY 13.12.2018

St. Lucia's Day

Things happening in libraries:

Story time at Suutarila Library at 9:30 a.m.
Story time at Tapulinkaupunki Library at 9:30 a.m.
Christmas story time
at Kontula Library at 9:30 a.m.
Toddler time at Kallio Library at 9:30 a.m.
Toddlers' rhyme circle at Oulunkylä Library at 10 a.m.
Lucia markets at Viiki Info Center 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Waiting for Christmas together at Oulunkylä Library 3–6:30 p.m.
Little Christmas Party at Vuosaari Library 5–7 p.m.
Let Christmas Come… group singing event at Laajasalo Library 5:30–6:30 p.m.
Story time at Vallila Library at 6 p.m.

FOR BABIES:
Babies' rhyme time
at Roihuvuori Library at 10:30 a.m.
Babies' rhyme circle at Oulunkylä Library at 11 a.m.
Babies' art sampling at Oodi, in the Loru play park area 11 a.m.–1 p.m.

Things happening in play parks:

Other events:

Last family ball games of the autumn season at the Pallolyly indoor hall in Myllypuro Sports Park. In family ball games, all children under 9 years old move with an adult on the soft artificial turf. Free play, stunts, running or learning to walk. Family ball games on Thursdays 4–5 p.m. The afternoon ball games cost adults the Pallolyly entrance fee (€3.50). Read more in Little Helsinki's Helsinki on the Move tips for children.

St. Lucia's Day: Finland's Lucia is crowned at the Cathedral at a ceremony starting at 5 p.m. Entry to the Cathedral ceremony is free, but places are limited so it's best to arrive early.
The Lucia procession descends the Cathedral steps at 6 p.m. and the Christmas procession travels through the city. Read more from Folkhälsan's website, and Lucia events can be found at the bottom of the page.

[caption id="attachment_2152" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]St. Lucia's Day procession at Senate Square in December 2017. St. Lucia's Day procession at Senate Square in December 2017.[/caption]

At Helix Cinema in Malmintalo, Viiru and Pesonen – Viiru Moves movie is showing at 6 p.m. Tickets €6. The film is approved for all ages. More information from Malmintalo's website.

Little Christmas at the Workshop - Children's interactive Christmas exhibition at the Workshop 8–15.12.2018. Read more from the event's Facebook page.

Skating is already happening on Helsinki's artificial ice rinks! More detailed opening hours and information from the Helsinki on the Move website. Small entrance fee. Also Rautatientori Ice Park has also opened for this winter.

Skidilä Christmas in Annantalo 10–20.12.2018. More detailed daily program from the event's Facebook page.

Also visit: The new Central Library Oodi is an experience for young and old. Read Little Helsinki's background team's first visit to Oodi.


FRIDAY 14.12.2018

Things happening in libraries:

Toddler time at Malmi Library at 10 a.m.
Babies' rhyme time at South Haaga Library at 10 a.m.
Christmas story hour at Laajasalo Library on Friday at 10 a.m.
Babies' rhyme time at Malmi Library at 11 a.m.

Tip for Vantaa: Let's sing together with children at Tikkurila Library at 10 a.m.

Things happening in play parks:

Other events:

Naper Cinema at Annantalo on Fridays at 10 a.m. Age recommendation: 0–3 years old with an adult, older children also welcome. Entry to the films is free. This week's theme is city and society. More information from Annantalo's website.

St. Lucia with her choir performs in the National Museum's central hall on Friday at 12:30 p.m. Entry to the event is free. More information from the event's Facebook page.

Little Christmas at the Workshop - Children's interactive Christmas exhibition at the Workshop 8–15.12.2018. Read more from the event's Facebook page.

Skidilä Christmas in Annantalo 10–20.12.2018. More detailed daily program from the event's Facebook page.

Skating is already happening on Helsinki's artificial ice rinks! More detailed opening hours and information from the Helsinki on the Move website. Small entrance fee. Also Rautatientori Ice Park has also opened for this winter.

Also visit: The new Central Library Oodi is an experience for young and old. Read Little Helsinki's background team's first visit to Oodi.


SATURDAY 15.12.2018

Things happening in libraries:

Toddler time at Roihuvuori Library at 10:30 a.m.
Christmas story hour
at Laajasalo Library on Saturday at 11 a.m.
Story time at Munkkiniemi Library at 11 a.m.
Töölö Conservatory Concert at Töölö Library at 12 p.m.

Other events:

Christmasmarkets all around the city, check the day's markets from Little Helsinki's list.

St. Thomas's Markets at Senate Square 1–22.12.2018. A merry-go-round runs daily in the center of the square for free! You can find the markets' program here.

Christmas at the Winter Garden 15.12–6.1.2019.

Little Christmas at the Workshop - Children's interactive Christmas exhibition at the Workshop 8–15.12.2018. Read more from the event's Facebook page.

Fallkullan Christmas Event at Fallkullan's farm on Saturday 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Christmas programs and the farm's animals can be petted. Read more from the event's Facebook page.

Christmas Park at the play area in Säätytalo Park in Kruunuhaka, right behind the Cathedral on Saturday 11 a.m.–3 p.m. More information about the Christmas Park program on the event's Facebook page.

Comic Center's Christmas - Children's Saturday & Zine Market at the Slaughterhouse on Saturday 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Read more from the event's Facebook page.

Christmas evenings for the whole family at Kontula Library on Saturday 12–3 p.m. The program includes circus-like activities for the whole family. More information from the event's Facebook page.

Dream Gingerbread House workshops at the Hotel and Restaurant Museum on Saturday 12–3 p.m. The museum is open 11 a.m.–6 p.m. and entry to the exhibition is free on workshop days. Read more from the Hotel and Restaurant Museum's website.

Puksun circus Christmas show at Malmintalo on Saturday at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Tickets €13.50/€10.50. Tickets and more information from Malmintalo's website.

Little ones' Christmas carols led by Siina Hirvonen and Taikaradio at Temppeliaukio Church on Saturday at 2 p.m. Read more from the Töölö parish's website.

St. Lucia with her choir performs at Stockmann department store downtown on Saturday at 3 p.m. More information from Folkhälsan's website.

Pukinmäki Art School's Beauty or Beast production at Malmintalo on Saturday at 4 p.m. Tickets €13.50/€10.50. Tickets and more information from Malmintalo's website.

Fortress Christmas on Suomenlinna:
Fortress Santa's self-guided route
on Suomenlinna 1.12.2018–6.1.2019.
Fortress Santa Charles Tour on Suomenlinna on Saturdays 1–22.12.2018. Tickets €7.
Suomenlinna Toy Museum and the Café Samovarbar located next to the museum are open in December 1.12.2018 – 6.1.2019 daily from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets to the museum €2–7, Museum Card venue.

Tip for Espoo: Children's Culture Center Pikku-Aurora hosts Christmas District event and Meijari Market sales on Saturday 10 a.m.–2 p.m. More information from Pikku-Aurora's website.

Tip for Espoo: Old-fashioned Christmas atmosphere at Talomuseo Glimis 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Museum entrance fee. More information from Glimis's website.

Tip for Espoo: Whole family Christmas fun at Nokkalamajak on Saturday 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Read more from the event's Facebook page.

Tip for Espoo: Jazz for Kids: Varre Vartiainen & Arttu Takalo perform jazz for children at Espoo Cultural Center in Tapiola on Saturday at 11 a.m. Free entry. Read more from Espoo culture's website.

Tip for Vantaa: Puimala Christmas and Christmas markets around Backas restaurant on Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Read more from the event's Facebook page.

Tip for Tuusula: Christmas atmosphere at Koiramäki Pajutalli's yard daily until Christmas 10 a.m.–7 p.m. More information from Pajutalli's website.

Tip for Kerava: Winter Magic in Kerava on Saturday and Sunday. Lots of Christmas programs for the whole family. More information from the event's Facebook page.

Skating is already happening on Helsinki's artificial ice rinks! More detailed opening hours and information from the Helsinki on the Move website. Small entrance fee. Also Rautatientori Ice Park has also opened for this winter.

Also visit: The new Central Library Oodi is an experience for young and old. Read Little Helsinki's background team's first visit to Oodi.

[caption id="attachment_2223" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]A merry-go-round runs at St. Thomas's Markets! A merry-go-round runs at St. Thomas's Markets![/caption]


SUNDAY 16.12.2018

Other events:

Christmasmarkets all around the city, check the day's markets from Little Helsinki's list.

St. Thomas's Markets at Senate Square 1–22.12.2018. A merry-go-round runs daily in the center of the square for free! You can find the markets' program here.

Christmas at the Winter Garden 15.12–6.1.2019.

Little Christmas at the Workshop - Children's interactive Christmas exhibition at the Workshop 8–15.12.2018. Read more from the event's Facebook page.

Fortress Santa's self-guided route on Suomenlinna 1.12.2018–6.1.2019.

Suomenlinna Toy Museum and the Café Samovarbar located next to the museum are open in December 1.12.2018 – 6.1.2019 daily from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets to the museum €2–7, Museum Card venue. Read more from Suomenlinna tourism's website.

Seurasaari Christmas trail 2018 on Sunday 12–6 p.m. A lovely Christmas trail in the charming Seurasaari is suitable for all ages. Children are offered Christmas porridge, so bring your own utensils. The event also offers the opportunity to donate your own pacifiers to reindeer calves, send mail to Santa Claus and bring handmade decorations to Christmas trees. More information about the Christmas trail can be found on Seurasaari Foundation's website.

Pukinmäki Art School's Beauty or Beast production at Malmintalo on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. Tickets €13.50/€10.50. Tickets and more information from Malmintalo's website.

Puksun circus Christmas show at Malmintalo on Sunday at 3 p.m. Tickets €13.50/€10.50. Tickets and more information from Malmintalo's website.

Skating is already happening on Helsinki's artificial ice rinks! More detailed opening hours and information from the Helsinki on the Move website. Small entrance fee. Also Rautatientori Ice Park has also opened for this winter.

Also visit: The new Central Library Oodi is an experience for young and old. Read Little Helsinki's background team's first visit to Oodi.

Tip for Espoo: Old-fashioned Christmas atmosphere at Talomuseo Glimis 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Museum entrance fee. More information from Glimis's website.

Tip for Vantaa: Puimala Christmas and Christmas markets around Backas restaurant on Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Read more from the event's Facebook page.

Tip for Vantaa: Christmas trail at Korso around Ankkalammi on Sunday 3–6 p.m. More information from the event's Facebook page.

Tip for Tuusula: Christmas atmosphere at Koiramäki Pajutalli's yard daily until Christmas 10 a.m.–7 p.m. More information from Pajutalli's website.

Sports tip for Espoo: Sunday's stick-free public skating at Metro Arena on Sundays 9 a.m.–12 p.m. Read more from Espoo city's website. Free entry. Also Tapiola ice garden is open (small entrance fee)!


Also remember these:

St. Thomas's Markets at Senate Square 1–22.12.2018. A merry-go-round runs daily in the center of the square for free! You can find the markets' program here.

Christmas at the Winter Garden 15.12–6.1.2019.

Little Christmas at the Workshop - Children's interactive Christmas exhibition at the Workshop 8–15.12.2018. Read more from the event's Facebook page.

Skidilä Christmas in Annantalo 10–20.12.2018. More detailed daily program from the event's Facebook page.

Fortress Santa's self-guided route on Suomenlinna 1.12.2018–6.1.2019.

Suomenlinna Toy Museum and the Café Samovarbar located next to the museum are open in December 1.12.2018 – 6.1.2019 daily from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets to the museum €2–7, Museum Card venue. Read more from Suomenlinna tourism's website.

To exhibitions! Rosamaría Bolomn Joy is a Child's Right. Rights for Everyone! paper sculpture exhibition is on display at Annantalo's art gallery 4.11.2018–16.12.2018. Read more from Annantalo's website.

Helsinki places article is a lifesaver on boring days!


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