Where to go this week? 1.1.-7.1.2018

Tips for the first week of 2018

Updated 6.1.2018

What kid-friendly activities can you find in Helsinki? Where to go with small children on weekends? 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 is aimed at pre-school children and their families.

Happy New Year 2018! Little Helsinki’s “Where to go this week” articles will also appear in 2018, always on Mondays, suggesting all the things happening in the city for families with children. The first “Where to go” article of the year consists mainly of Also remember these tips at the end of the article, as during the week between New Year and Epiphany, most of the city’s children’s event organizers are still on holiday. Christmas and New Year in Helsinki - the article has current tips for the days between New Year and Epiphany.

Also check out Little Helsinki’s new list of upcoming events, which will be updated with upcoming events for spring 2018.

Some of Helsinki’s playgrounds are open on weekdays between New Year and Epiphany from 9 am to 4 pm. Open playgrounds offer activities and guided programs for all ages under the Ipanakimara theme. Check out what playgrounds Linja, Arabia, Lehdokki and Intia offer and what fun activities have been created at playgrounds Nurkka, Jalopeura, Jakomäki and Tapuli. Also playgrounds Ruoholahti, Seppä and Lahnalahti are open for most of the holidays.

MONDAY 1.1.2018

Events:

Tip for Vantaa: Children’s New Year Celebration at Art Hall Pessi in Vantaa on Monday 1.1.2018 at 3-4 pm. The program features the Vahtikoira’s Guest - a musical theater adventure. Free entry, but note that only 80 viewers can fit inside.

Tip for Espoo: Villa Elfvik invites you to adventure during the Christmas and New Year holidays too!

Tip: Also see the “Also remember these” tips at the bottom of the article, which has many ideas for spending your free day!

TUESDAY 2.1.2018

Events:

Theater Kitten is on holiday at the Theater Museum 2.-5.1.2018 from 12-4 pm and organizes programs for vacationers at the museum’s admission price. Read more about Theater Kitten’s holiday adventures on the museum’s website.

Also read: The West Metro has brought new opportunities, so Little Helsinki lists the best tips around West Metro stops in the Metro to the West! series. The first part has already been published on the Little Helsinki website and takes you to Lauttasaari and Koivusaari.

Tip: Also see the “Also remember these” tips at the bottom of the article, which has many ideas for spending the holidays!

WEDNESDAY 3.1.2018

Events:

Tuiskutempaus at playground Tapuli at 10 am-1 pm. Read more on the event’s Facebook page.

FOR BABIES and parents: BabyKino is also held at Töölö Library during the holidays. Wednesday BabyKino screenings at 12 pm and 2:30 pm. Read more on the library’s website .

Free family Christmas holiday movies at Kanneltalo on 3.-4.1.2018. Wednesday’s film is Onnelin and Annelin’s Winter at 2 pm and 5 pm. Read more on Kanneltalo’s website.

Tip: Also see the “Also remember these” tips at the bottom of the article, which has many ideas for spending the holidays!

THURSDAY 4.1.2018

Events:

Story time at Suutarila Library at 9:30 am.

Free family Christmas holiday movies at Kanneltalo on 3.-4.1.2018. Thursday’s film is Cinnamon in my Pocket, Tatu and Patu at 2 pm and 5 pm. Read more on Kanneltalo’s website.

Tip: Also see the “Also remember these” tips at the bottom of the article, which has many ideas for spending the holidays!

FRIDAY 5.1.2018

Events:

Adventure course for children on Friday 5.1.2017 at Circus Helsinki’s premises in Suvilahti. Price 10€/child. Read more about schedules and pre-registration on Circus Helsinki’s website.

Also remember: Helsinki and the Helsinki Metropolitan Area’s museums! Tips for museum visits in PH: Christmas and New Year in Helsinki and in Little Helsinki’s Museum Buddy and I article series.

Tip: Also see the “Also remember these” tips at the bottom of the article, which has many ideas for spending the holidays!

SATURDAY 6.1.2018

Epiphany

Events:

Sytkyt puppet theater performance The Nutcracker can be seen at the Winter Garden on Saturday at 1 pm and 3 pm. Entry is free and it’s suitable for all ages. Read more about the Winter Garden on the City of Helsinki’s website and about Sytkyt on the puppet theater’s own website.

LUX Helsinki illuminates the city again on 6.1.-10.1.2018. Read more on the LUX Helsinki website, where you can see light art. Light Paint Box on Senate Square during all of LUX’s festival days from 5-9 pm. In the light studio, light art groups paint light paintings around the audience. Read more on the festival’s own website.

Tip for Espoo: WeeGee Exhibition Center’s Epiphany program can be found here.

Tip: Also see the “Also remember these” tips at the bottom of the article, which has many ideas for spending the holidays!

SUNDAY 7.1.2017

Events:

Tip for Espoo: Badger’s Forest Story Time at Villa Elfvik at 11 am.

Ice Fairy-themed opening at Pakila Dance Studio on Sunday at 11 am-3 pm. The program includes dance classes, ice disco, face painting, among other things. Free entry. Read more on the event’s Facebook page.

Sytkyt puppet theater performance The Nutcracker can be seen at the Winter Garden on Sunday at 1 pm and 3 pm. Entry is free and it’s suitable for all ages. Read more about the Winter Garden on the City of Helsinki’s website and about Sytkyt on the puppet theater’s own website.

Flowers of Life children’s disco at culture arena Gloria on Sunday at 1-5 pm. Free entry. Read more and request songs on the event’s Facebook page.

Tip: Also see the “Also remember these” tips at the bottom of the article, which has many ideas for spending the holidays!

Also remember these:

Children's own art exhibition opens at Library 10 on 27.12.2017. Sisters Aava and Armas open their art exhibition right after Christmas and the opening celebration will be held on 27.12.2017 at 5 pm in the children's department exhibition space. You can admire Aava and Armas's art during the library's opening hours. Children's own art exhibition activities are reportedly a unique concept in Finland and any child can hold the exhibition. More information about the event and Library 10's exhibition activities.

Winter Garden is full of Christmas branches and decorations and the Christmas atmosphere can be enjoyed until Epiphany. Between Christmas and Epiphany. Check the Winter Garden’s Christmas opening hours on the City of Helsinki’s website. Free entry. Sytkyt puppet theater performance The Nutcracker can be seen at the Winter Garden on the Epiphany weekend on 6.1.2018 and 7.1.2018 at 1 pm and 3 pm. Entry is free and it’s suitable for all ages.

Fallkulla Farm is open daily until Epiphany from 10 am-3 pm.

Korkeasaari Zoo is open daily between Christmas and New Year from 10 am-4 pm. Paid entry. Read more on the zoo’s own website.

Sealife at Merimaailma you can peek below the surface and into the world of fish. Admission fee. Read more on Sealife’s website.

Manta Markets around the Havis Amanda statue until 9.1.2018. Read more on the event’s Facebook page.

Fortress Elf Trail in Suomenlinna until 7.1.2017. Read more about the self-guided elf adventure on Suomenlinna’s website.

Suomenlinna Fortress Christmas offers experiences and Christmas atmosphere until 7.1.2017. The island’s museums, cafes and restaurants serve visitors, you can sing Christmas carols during the holidays, and the island’s Christmas trees delight visitors until Epiphany. A nice destination for the whole family with lots to see and explore! Read more and check the opening hours of the island’s services on Suomenlinna’s website.

Christmas Tree Forest at the National Museum courtyard until Epiphany on 6.1.2018. Entry to the tree forest is free. Read more on the National Museum’s website.

Movies: Heinähattu, Vilttitossu and the Rubens Brothers as well as Moomin’s Magic Winter are currently playing in cinemas and are suitable for small children’s first cinema experience. Finnkino cinemas are open on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

To the Circus: Dance theater Hurjaruuth’s Winter Circus Play performances continue until mid-January at the Cable Factory. Paid entry. Check the performance schedule and ticket prices on Hurjaruuth’s website.

Espoo: Finland’s largest miniature railway in Sello shopping center during December-January. Exact opening hours on the Alpine Railway Enthusiasts’ website.

Pomppimaa: Finland’s largest indoor amusement park takes over the Fair Center on 26.12.2017-7.1.2018. Read more on Finland’s largest indoor amusement park’s website. The event is paid.

Ice Park at Railway Square is open between Christmas and New Year and skating is available daily from 10 am-9 pm. Paid entry. Read more on the Ice Park’s own website.

At the Ski Hall in Kivikko you can also ski during the holidays, so skis received as gifts can be tested right after Christmas, even if the ground is not yet white. Paid entry. Read more about Christmas opening hours and admission fees on the City of Helsinki’s website.

Ice Rinks are open during Christmas all over Helsinki. Paid entry. Read more about admission fees and opening hours on the City of Helsinki’s website.

Swimming pools all over Helsinki are open between Christmas and New Year. Paid entry. Check the exact opening hours of swimming pools on the City of Helsinki’s website.

Tip for Espoo: Villa Elfvik invites you to adventure during the Christmas and New Year holidays!