Pienten Helsinki
The busiest week of events of the year
What fun activities for children can you find in Helsinki? Where to go with small children on weekends? What to 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 targets children under school age and families with small children.The last weekend of August and the end of summer celebrations, ancient bonfires night and Venetian celebrations - the weekend is known by different names throughout Finland. The end of summer can at least be celebrated at numerous events, as this week is the busiest in terms of events all year. Thursday’s Night of the Arts brings hundreds of events throughout the city and on the weekend there are so many interesting events that you won’t be able to make it to all the things you’re interested in. The super week includes harvest festivals, family cafes, baby rhyme sessions and dozens of major summer events. Espoo, Kirkkonummi and Loviisa also join in the super weekend festivities by offering a wealth of events for the whole family on this last summer weekend. The end of summer is signaled by the closing of Fallkulla farm’s summer opening hours, the end of Kumpula outdoor pool’s summer season and the National Museum’s Barbie exhibition last week begins. Little Helsinki’s Where to Go This Week article is published weekly, at the latest on Mondays, and suggests what’s happening in the city for families with children under school age.
What’s New in Little Helsinki: First autumn events coming up have been listed under one link. If your event is missing from the list or you want to suggest a fall highlight for others too, all tips are welcome. The list will be updated throughout the fall!
FEEDBACK: Criticism, praise, comments and suggestions: tell us what you think of Little Helsinki! Or feel free to contact us: share your wishes, opinions, tips or suggest collaboration! mari (a) pientenhelsinki.fi
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MONDAY 20.8.2018
Library Events:
Toddler Time at Maunula Library at 9:30. Story Time at Puistola Library at 10. FOR BABIES: Baby Rhyme Time at Maunula Library at 10:30.Playgrounds:
FOR BABIES: Baby Morning at Nurka Playground 9:30-11:30.All playgrounds and family centers have returned to their regular schedules and extended opening hours for playgrounds. Now is the perfect time to share your hopes and ideas for activities at playgrounds - tell the playground staff your wishes or send an email!
Family Cafes:
MLL Family Cafe at Itäkatu Family Center Mondays 9:30-11:30.Little Helsinki’s list of MLL family cafes in Helsinki is being updated and all information is welcome!
Other Events:
Helsinki Festival: Future Superplants and Animals Workshop at Annantalo Monday 4-7:30 pm. Free admission, no pre-registration required. Read more on Annantalo's website.Summer Theater: Taivallahti Summer Theater presents Tiina and Sinikka Nopola’s Risto Räppääjä and Freezer Elvi play. Performance Monday at 7 pm. Tickets €16. Read more: on Taivallahti Summer Theater’s website.
Helsinki City Museum and Children’s City open their doors at 9 am during summer. Perfect play venue for early risers! Read more on the museum’s website. Children’s City also features May 29-Aug 31 an illustrated art exhibition by illustrator Jenni Isotoff Dream Mäykkynen & Helsinki.
Other museums open on Mondays include Päivälehti Museum and during summer also National Museum and Haltia Nature Center in Espoo.
Tip for the week: Haltiala Farm is a wonderful place even on August evenings and it’s especially worth stopping by now: sunflowers are blooming in the field, and you can pick a few to brighten up your everyday life. A wonderful experience for children!
TUESDAY 21.8.2018
Library Events:
Playgrounds:
All playgrounds and family centers have returned to their regular schedules and extended opening hours for playgrounds. Now is the perfect time to share your hopes and ideas for activities at playgrounds - tell the playground staff your wishes or send an email!Family Cafes:
Tip for Espoo: International Family Cafe at Sello Library Tuesdays 10 am-12 pm.Little Helsinki’s list of MLL family cafes in Helsinki is being updated and all information is welcome!
Other Events:
Taskari, a dance version of Muskari at Annantalo's A•stage Tuesday at 10:15 am. Taskari is aimed at 0-5 year old children accompanied by an adult. Free admission, no pre-registration required. More information on Annantalo's website.Memory Garden non-stop workshop at Herttoniemi Manor on Stadin Gardener’s fields Tuesday 2-6 pm. The event is part of the Poetry Month festival and organized in cooperation with Stadin Gardener. More information on the event’s Facebook page.
Helsinki Festival: Future Superplants and Animals Workshop at Annantalo Tuesday 4-7:30 pm. Free admission, no pre-registration required. Read more on Annantalo’s website.
Summer Theater: Taivallahti Summer Theater presents Tiina and Sinikka Nopola’s Risto Räppääjä and Freezer Elvi play. Performance Tuesday at 6 pm. Tickets €16. Read more: on Taivallahti Summer Theater’s website.
Tip for the week: Little Helsinki’s Helsinki Places article contains 116 ideas for boring days, inspiration for adventures and encouragement to explore Helsinki.
WEDNESDAY 22.8.2018
Library Events:
FOR BABIES: Baby Rhyme Time at Vuosaari Library at 10:30.Töölö Library and Stadi Pilots Summer Tour, meet Stadi pilot Jarkko Laaksonen and Töölö Library staff on a library bike Wednesday 1-6 pm at the following locations (in case of rain at Töölö Library reception): - 1-2 pm behind the Opera House in Hesperiankaksi Park
- 3-4 pm next to Töölö Sports Hall parking lot near Lasse Virén’s runner statue
- 5-6 pm by the Stadium’s bike parking, Uimastadioninpolku/Hammarskjöldintie
Playgrounds:
All playgrounds and family centers have returned to their regular schedules and extended opening hours for playgrounds. Now is the perfect time to share your hopes and ideas for activities at playgrounds - tell the playground staff your wishes or send an email!Family Cafes:
Little Helsinki's list of MLL family cafes in Helsinki is being updated and all information is welcome!Other Events:
Helsinki Festival: Sampo 2018 - International Puppet Theater Festival Wednesday to Sunday. Performances for all ages, including free programs. Read more about the festival and explore the program on the event's own website.Harvest Festival at Kumpula School’s Botanical Garden Wednesday 4-8 pm. A wonderful garden event for young and old. The location is also beautiful - a secret garden in the middle of the city, so it’s worth a visit! Read more about the festival program on the event’s Facebook page.
Climb the National Museum’s tower on summer Wednesdays at 4:30 pm. Tower tour ticket costs €5 and can be purchased from the ticket office on Wednesdays (no advance sales). Read more on the event’s Facebook page.
Tip for Espoo: Glimsby Manor Museum’s 4H Farm Pasture Visits continue on Wednesdays 3:30-4:30 pm. Read more on the manor museum’s website. Free admission.
Tip for the week: The playground at Köydenpunojanpuistikon features a wonderful innovation: a shared swing!
THURSDAY 23.8.2018
Night of the ArtsLibrary Events:
Story Time at Suutarila Library at 9:30. FOR BABIES: Baby Rhyme Time at Roihuvuori Library at 10:30. Pre-registration required, details at the link.Night of the Arts: Band Workshop for Toddlers at Oulunkylä Library at 5 pm and 6 pm. More information on the library’s website. Night of the Arts: Children’s Night of the Arts at Viiki Library 5-7 pm. More information on the library’s website. Night of the Arts: Vallila Takes Over! - Night of the Arts at Vallila Library 5-7 pm. More information on the library’s website.
Playgrounds:
All playgrounds and family centers have returned to their regular schedules and extended opening hours for playgrounds. Now is the perfect time to share your hopes and ideas for activities at playgrounds - tell the playground staff your wishes or send an email!Family Cafes:
MLL Family Cafe in Kruunuhaka at Krunan mesta (Meritullinkatu 6) Thursdays 9:30-11:30. Tip for Espoo: MLL Leppäväärä Family Cafe at Sello Library's Lastenmaassa Thursdays 10 am-12 pm.Little Helsinki’s list of MLL family cafes in Helsinki is being updated and all information is welcome!
Other Events:
Night of the Arts events take over Helsinki! Little Helsinki's 19+1 picks for Night of the Arts with children can be found here. All day and night events can be found on the Festival's website.Helsinki Festival: Sampo 2018 - International Puppet Theater Festival Wednesday to Sunday. Performances for all ages, including free programs. Read more about the festival and explore the program on the event’s own website.
Visit Vuosaari Weekend August 23-26, 2018. More information about the entire weekend program can be found on the event’s Facebook page. Thursday programming for the event weekend in Vuotalo Night of the Arts event.
Loota is also a family-friendly experiential comic exhibition at Annantalo’s art gallery. The exhibition features numerous comic pages from the Kiste series in both Finnish and German. The book’s world continues in the space as a three-dimensional and playable experience. The exhibition can be visited during Annantalo’s opening hours August 4-September 2, 2018. The event is organized by the Comic Center and is part of the 2018 Helsinki Comic Festivals program. A free workshop related to the exhibition will be held August 23, 4-7 pm. More information on Annantalo’s website.
Finnish Defense Forces 100 Summer Tour at Santahamina Thursday 6-9:30 pm. Music on a closed military island on an August evening. Admission is free, but access to the island requires pre-registration and ID will be checked at the gate (children with adults). Free shuttle buses transport concert-goers every 15 minutes between Herttoniemi and Santahamina. Private cars are not permitted. More information about the program and a link to the registration form on the Finnish Defense Forces website.
Summer Theater: Taivallahti Summer Theater presents Tiina and Sinikka Nopola’s Risto Räppääjä and Freezer Elvi play. Performance Thursday at 6 pm. Tickets €16. Read more: on Taivallahti Summer Theater’s website.
Tip for Espoo: Glimsby Manor Museum’s 4H Farm Pasture Visits continue on Thursdays 3:30-4:30 pm. Read more on the manor museum’s website. Free admission.
Tip for the week: Helsinki Moves tips has been updated with fall children’s sports information.
FRIDAY 24.8.2018
Library Events:
For Babies: Baby Rhyme Time at South Haaga Library at 10.Playgrounds:
All playgrounds and family centers have returned to their regular schedules and extended opening hours for playgrounds. Now is the perfect time to share your hopes and ideas for activities at playgrounds - tell the playground staff your wishes or send an email!Family Cafes:
MLL Family Cafe at Itäkatu Family Center Fridays 9:30-11:30.Little Helsinki’s list of MLL family cafes in Helsinki is being updated and all information is welcome!
Other Events:
Helsinki Festival: Sampo 2018 - International Puppet Theater Festival Wednesday to Sunday. Performances for all ages, including free programs. Read more about the festival and explore the program on the event's own website.Summer Theater: Taivallahti Summer Theater presents Tiina and Sinikka Nopola’s Risto Räppääjä and Freezer Elvi play. Performance Friday at 7 pm. Tickets €16. Read more: on Taivallahti Summer Theater’s website.
Visit Vuosaari Weekend August 23-26, 2018. More information about the entire weekend program can be found on the event’s Facebook page.
Helsinki Festival August 17-September 2, 2018. The complete Festival program is available on the event’s website.
Tip for Espoo: Espoo Day is celebrated Friday and Saturday August 24-25, 2018. LOTS of programming throughout Espoo for all ages. The complete program for the event days can be found on the event's own website.
Tip for Kirkkonummi: Kirkkonummi Days is a three-day event this year. Activities for all ages and tastes: for example the Sariola carnival, fireworks, family sauna and fire brigade parade plus much more. See the full event program on the Kirkkonummi municipality website.Tip for the week: Movies with children! PuluBBoin and Poni’s Movie premiered Friday! Other all-ages movies in theaters include for example Maija Bee and the Honeycomb Games and Supermarsu.
SATURDAY 25.8.2018
Finland's Nature Day & Police Day
Other Events:
Finland's Nature Day is celebrated Saturday throughout Finland. In Helsinki, the day is visible at least at More information on the event's own website.- Finland's Nature Day at Kumpula Botanical Garden Saturday 11 am-6 pm.
- Finland's Nature Day at Haltia Nature Center in Espoo.
- Finland's Nature Day at Organic Farms throughout Finland.
- Scouts and Rangers at Central Station at Central Station Saturday 11 am-3 pm.
- Police Day 2018 in Jokiniemi, Vantaa Saturday 10 am-3 pm.
- Vuosaari Summer Festival at Mustakivi Playground 9:30 am-1 pm.
- Vuosaari Harbor Day in the harbor area 11 am-3 pm. There's lots to see and experience, including viewing large machines up close and visiting ships.
- Helsinki Venetians 2018 around Cafe Kampela Saturday 5-10 pm. The evening ends with fireworks.
Wool and Linen Weekend explores traditional crafts at Seurasaari Saturday and Sunday. Read more on Seurasaari’s website.
Käpylä Summer Party goes Blues at Käpylä in Meumani Park and surrounding areas: workshops, music, flea markets and more programming starting Saturday 9 am. More information on the Käpylä Cultural Association website.
Water Festival at Allas Sea Pool by the Market Square Saturday and Sunday. Free admission to the entire family event, only a paid pool ticket is needed for the pool area. See the day’s program on the event’s Facebook page.
Fathers and Sons Saturday at Old Church Park (Ruttopuisto) Saturday 10 am-2 pm. The event is organized by MLL Uusimaa Region and Mensikot ry. More information on the event’s Facebook page.
LPS Days - a family sports event weekend at Laajasalo Sports Park Saturday and Sunday 10 am-4 pm. The complete weekend program can be found on the event’s Facebook page.
Herttoniemi Block Party 2018 at Herttoniemi’s Asentajanpuisto and surroundings starting Saturday 10 am. This year children’s and family program is part of the main event south of the metro line (no programming at Oravapuisto). Music and lots to see and experience for the whole family. Read more on the event’s own website.
Vallisaari Day Saturday 10 am-7 pm. A family event with activities and music for all ages (some paid). Ferry to the island is paid (under 7 years free). More information about ferries and the day’s program on the event’s Facebook page.
Taitaliikunta Center’s Energy Days Saturdays and Sundays for preschoolers: 1-3 year olds 10-11 am and 3-6 year olds 11 am-12 pm. Tickets €10/child. More information on Taitaliikunta Center’s website.
Malminkartano’s Apple Orchard Apple Picking Saturday 12-4 pm. You can pick apples for your own use - one 10-liter bucket or one cloth bag full. Read more on the event’s Facebook page.
Children’s Maritime Adventure –family sailing Saturdays at 12:30. Tickets €25 (adult), €12 (child). More information on the event’s Facebook page.
Meeting Cafe, Meetingpoint Café at Annantalo Saturday 1-4 pm. Read more on Annantalo’s website.
Helsinki Festival: Children’s Movies at Orion Saturday at 2 pm and 4 pm. Real classics on the big screen. Tickets €6.50, children under 12 €3. More information on the Festival’s website.
Summer Theater: Taivallahti Summer Theater presents Tiina and Sinikka Nopola’s Risto Räppääjä and Freezer Elvi play. Performance Saturday at 2 pm. Tickets €16. Read more: on Taivallahti Summer Theater’s website.
Tip for Espoo: Espoo Day is celebrated Friday and Saturday. LOTS of programming throughout Espoo for all ages. The complete program for the event days can be found on the event’s own website.
Tip for Kirkkonummi: Kirkkonummi Days is a three-day event this year. Activities for all ages and tastes: for example the Sariola carnival, fireworks, family sauna and fire brigade parade plus much more. See the full event program on the Kirkkonummi municipality website.
Tip for Loviisa: Loviisa Old Houses Event Saturday and Sunday 10 am-5 pm. Read more on the event’s own website. Also remember Loviisa’s wonderful Onneli and Anneli playgrounds!
Tip for Porvoo: Emasalo Summer Fun at Adventure Valley Saturday 10:30 am-4:30 pm. Admission is free for the entire family event. More information on the event’s Facebook page.
Helsinki Festival August 17-September 2, 2018. The complete Festival program is available on the event’s website.
SUNDAY 26.8.2018
Other Events:
Helsinki Festival: Sampo 2018 - International Puppet Theater Festival Wednesday to Sunday. Performances for all ages, including free programs. Read more about the festival and explore the program on the event's own website.Water Festival at Allas Sea Pool by the Market Square Saturday and Sunday. Free admission to the entire family event, only a paid pool ticket is needed for the pool area. See the day’s program on the event’s Facebook page.
Herttoniemi Village Festival 2018 as tradition dictates at Herttoniemi Sports Park Sunday 10 am-2:30 pm. Read more on the event’s Facebook page.
LPS Days - a family sports event weekend at Laajasalo Sports Park Saturday and Sunday 10 am-4 pm. The complete weekend program can be found on the event’s Facebook page.
Visit Vuosaari Weekend August 23-26, 2018. More information about the entire weekend program can be found on the event’s Facebook page.
Taitaliikunta Center’s Energy Days Saturdays and Sundays for preschoolers: 1-3 year olds 10-11 am and 3-6 year olds 11 am-12 pm. Tickets €10/child. More information on Taitaliikunta Center’s website.
India Day at Kaisaniemi Park Sunday starting 10 am. Read more on the event’s Facebook page.
Circular Line Dances event at Annantalo Sunday 11:30 am-2:30 pm. The whole family can participate in many ways: watching performances, dancing themselves or simply enjoying the summer, dance and music in the open city space. More information on Annantalo’s website.
Helsinki Festival: Little Pappa’s Orchestra in the Pavilion Tent Sunday at 1 pm. Tickets starting at €17.50, also family packages available. Read more and reserve tickets on the Festival’s website.
Summer Theater: Tomppeli at Tervasaari Summer Theater Sunday at 1 pm and 3 pm. Tickets €14, under 2 years free, also family ticket packages. Read more about the performance on the theater’s own website.
Summer Theater: Taivallahti Summer Theater presents Tiina and Sinikka Nopola’s Risto Räppääjä and Freezer Elvi play. Performance Sunday at 6 pm. Tickets €16. Read more: on Taivallahti Summer Theater’s website.
Helsinki Festival: Children’s Movies at Orion Sunday at 2 pm. Real classics on the big screen. Tickets €6.50, children under 12 €3. More information on the Festival’s website.
Tip for Kirkkonummi: Kirkkonummi Days is a three-day event this year. Activities for all ages and tastes. See the full event program on the Kirkkonummi municipality website.
Tip for Loviisa: Loviisa Old Houses Event Saturday and Sunday 10 am-5 pm. Read more on the event’s own website. Also remember Loviisa’s wonderful Onneli and Anneli playgrounds!
Also Remember These:
Sampo 2018 - International Puppet Theater Festival Wednesday to Sunday. Performances for all ages, including free programs. Read more about the festival and explore the program on the event's own website.Helsinki Festival August 17-September 2, 2018. The complete Festival program is available on the event’s website.
Park Treasures Extended August Hours!
Loota is also a family-friendly experiential comic exhibition at Annantalo’s art gallery. The exhibition features numerous comic pages from the Kiste series in both Finnish and German. The book’s world continues in the space as a three-dimensional and playable experience. The exhibition can be visited during Annantalo’s opening hours August 4-September 2, 2018. The event is organized by the Comic Center and is part of the 2018 Helsinki Comic Festivals program. Free workshops related to the exhibition are held August 6, 12-4 pm and August 23, 4-7 pm. More information on Annantalo’s website.
Espa Stage features almost daily concerts and performances during the summer. Read more and see the summer concert program on the Helsinki Culture Department’s website.
Fallkulla Farm is open daily throughout the summer May 26-August 26, 10 am-3 pm. Read more on the farm’s website. Linnunrata Playground in Helsinki, Glimsby Manor Museum in Espoo and Katrineberg Manor in Vantaa have farm animals as summer guests!
Helsinki City Museum and Children’s City open their doors at 9 am starting June 4, 2018 during summer. Perfect play venue for early risers! Read more on the museum’s website. Children’s City also features May 29-August 31 an illustrated art exhibition by illustrator Jenni Isotoff Dream Mäykkynen & Helsinki. Children’s City offers summer crafts for families every day during the summer - simple paper crafts for families. Starting June 1, Helsinki city chain crafts and other decorations with Helsinki animals are being made. More information on the city museum’s website.
Linnanmäki Amusement Park is open daily still in August and Lintsi Stage features programming almost daily. Check summer hours on the amusement park’s website.
Current museum tips from Little Helsinki’s Museum News.
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