WINTER HELSINKI

Top things to do in Helsinki in December and January

facebook
twitter
Google+
Contents [show]

HELSINKI IN WINTER


Winter Helsinki is magical and silent. Do not be afraid to visit the city during cold months. There are a lot of interesting and fun things to do and see. Some of them are listed below with inspiration videos.

Europe Video Productions video / Winter Helsinki & Christmas Helsinki in Finland
helsinki christmas market

HELSINKI CATHEDRAL


Place to visit while walking around the city. Looks magical at winter evening twilight. Nice place to relax on the legendary Cathedral steps and taking a break enjoying the view.

All Helsinki excursions buses pick up and drop off here, including the Hop-On Hop-Off buses.
Helsinki Cathedral
1 / 4

HELSINKI CHRISTMAS MARKET


Helsinki Christmas Market is a must see place to charge you with Christmas spirit, gift ideas and home decoration items. It is annual Christmas event at the Senate Square, heart of Helsinki.

Open 6.–22.12.2019.

Finnish craft, design, food and sweets, can be found there. Also entertainments for kids.
Torikorttelit video
HELSINKI CHRISTMAS MARKET
1 / 5
Igloos

FREE OUTDOOR CHRISTMAS SAUNA HELSINKI


Free Christmas Sauna is located just 100 m from Senate Square, historical centre of Helsinki. It is an annual city tradition and special sauna experience.

Address: Bock's courtyard, Katariinankatu 4, Helsinki. Idyllic inner yard.
Open December 9th to 22nd (days may vary depending on year).

The Sauna is free of charge, no reservations.
Towels and warm tents for changing clothes are available for sauna lovers.

AP Archive video
1 / 3
Igloos

LUX HELSINKI LIGHT FESTIVAL


Lux Helsinki transforms Helsinki into a winter wonderland. Amazing light artworks and a festival atmosphere at the darkest time of the year makes Helsinki special during those 5 days of January.

Lux Helsinki is suitable for the whole family. Entry is free of charge.
Installations can be viewed from 5pm to 10pm.
More info: www.luxhelsinki.fi
Visit Helsinki video / Lux Helsinki 2017
lux helsinki

HELSINKI OLD MARKET HALL / Vanha Kauppahalli


Old Market Hall in central Helsinki is a meeting place for gourmets since 1889. Here at the Old Market Hall you can enjoy traditional gastronomic products, as well as Lappish delicacies, buy seasonal berries, mushrooms and local vegetables.

In the Helsinki Old Market Hall can be found cafes and small restaurants for a light snack, as well as for a real dinner. Visit the place during your Helsinki sightseeing to get warm and try soup lunch here.
Monocle Magazine video / Market Value, Helsinki
sauna

KARL FAZER CAFE HELSINKI


Finland is Home of Fazer. Do not miss the chance to discover the secret of Fazer and try all Fazer tastes at one place!

Central Helsinki Fazer cafe address: Kluuvikatu 3, 00100 Helsinki

TheFazerGroup video
sauna

ALLAS SEA POOL HELSINKI


Allas sea pool Helsinki - outdoor sea SPA at Katajanokka, in the heart of Helsinki by the Market Square, next to the Skywheel. The unique complex with swimming, saunas, great views (even from saunas) and atmosphere in the best possible place in Helsinki.

3 pools: Fresh water pool; Sea water pool are in use also in winter time (The water temperature 27 °C (80.5 °F)). Kids pool.

Address: Katajanokanlaituri 2a, Helsinki.
Allas Sea Pool video
public sauna

KAPPELI RESTAURANT HELSINKI


The Kappeli restaurant serves classical Finnish dishes since 1867.

Kappeli is located in Helsinki's historic centre and Esplandi, an early 19th century park. For the best view of the Esplandi statues, grab yourself a window seat and immerse yourself in the twists and turns of Finnish history.

Address: Eteläesplanadi 1, 00130 Helsinki

Vain ravintolaa video
KAPPELI RESTAURANT HELSINKI
helsinki

DAY CRUISE TO TALLIN FROM HELSINKI


Tallinn (Estonia capital and beautiful old town) is located just opposite shore from Helsinki, about 2 hours ferry journey. It is possible to take morning ferry from Helsinki - spend a day in Tallinn - and then travel back the same evening, having about 5-10 hours in Tallinn depending on departures.

Tallin is beautiful and romantic medieval town. Cruise journey will add some new experience to Helsinki visit.
Kari Gröhn video
helsinki

IGLUHUT – SLEEP WITH REINDEER


Unique accommodation at Nuuksio Reindeer Park, 50 km to Helsinki. Handcrafted Iglu cabins are made from natural materials. You can watch and feed the reindeer from the huts window. The guide will take you in the reindeer park.

Accommodation for 2 persons. Ecotoilet, limited washing facilities, a mini fridge, electric kettle, coffee/tea/water and a bucketful of lichen for feeding reindeer.

See: Igluhut with reindeer
See: Igluhut with reindeer
Igluhut – Sleep with reindeer
1 / 10

COTTAGE LIFE EXPERIENCE


To feel the real slow Finland stay overnight in a countryside holiday cottage. Holiday cottages are an essential part of Finnish life. They have fireplace and sauna, which are more than perfect in a cold winter evening. Cottages are located lakeside and you can try ice-fishing there or dip into the ice water or snow after sauna.

helsinki

HELSINKI HOTELS


Check available hotels and prices to stay in Helsinki in winter

helsinki hotels
Our Finland experts ready to help planning a trip to Finland.
Get advice about Christmas trip to Helsinki:
By clicking the button, you agree to our Terms of Use, and consent to our collection and use your personal data in accordance with our Privacy policy.

WHERE TO STAY IN HELSINKI

We've selected 5 hotels in Helsinki for a different budget we could recommend. Scroll through the hotel list below to get an idea where to stay.

1 / 5

1. Hotel Kämp is a luxurious SPA hotel in very heart of Helsinki. Senate Square - the main Helsinki place to visit - 350m from the hotel. Kämp Spa os free for guests: traditional Finnish sauna, steam bath and a spa lounge.
Hotel Kämp >
Kamp hotel Helsinki
Tips to plan Helsinki trip:
Helsinki center city hotels
Arport Hotels
Boutique Hotels

HELSINKI EVENTS

Helsinki Baltic Herring Market 2019

The Helsinki Baltic Herring Market is one of the oldest ongoing event traditions in Finland, it has been held since 1743. Throughout the years, the Market has changed from a marketplace to a wider public event bringing together archipelago traditions and modern food culture.

The aim of the City of Helsinki is to hold on to the tradition, and to support the livelihood of fishers. A new focus will be placed on widening the scope of the event into a celebration for all citizens.

Helsinki airport hotels
Date: 06 October 2019 - 12 October 2019
Address: Market Square, Ullanlinna and Kaisaniemi, Eteläranta, 00170 Helsinki, Finland
Traditional Sailing Day 2019

Traditional Sailing Days gather the large Finnish sailing ships at South Harbour.

Then the audience is welcome to visit the ships and meet the crews.

Market Square / South Harbour 13.10. 10.00-16.00

Free entry

Traditional Sailing Day
Date: 13 October 2019
Address: Market Square, Ullanlinna and Kaisaniemi, Eteläranta, 00170 Helsinki, Finland
Allas Moonlight Swim

Allas Sea Pool is organizing moonlight swim outdoors in a heated pool during autumn season under the glooming light of the full moon.

Allas Sea Pool
12.11. 19.00-22.00
12.12. 19.00-22.00

Tickets 14€ at the entrance

Allas Moonlight Swim
Date: 12 Novembr 2019
Address: Allas Sea Pool, 00160 Helsinki, Finland
Viaporin Kekri. Suomenlinna Helsinki

Created with respect and consideration for Suomenlinna’s past, Viaporin Kekri is an opportunity to explore Finnish history, a modern interpretation of an old Kekri tradition, and an experiment in creating new meanings out of centuries-old believes and customs.

It gives its visitors a unique chance to explore and experience Suomenlinna islands from a new perspective and see its darkest corners that are usually closed for the general public.

Suomenlinna 2.11. 14.00-23.00

Free entry

Viaporin Kekri.  Suomenlinna Helsinki
Date: 2 November 2019
Address: Suomenlinna, 00190 Suomimenlinna Helsinki, Finland
Lucia Parade 2019

Each year a young maiden is chosen to represent St. Lucia on Lucia Day 13 December. Lucia is crowned in the Cathedral at 17:00 after that she will descend the Cathedral stairs to the Senate Square.

The Lucia parade starts from the Senate Square at approx. 18:00, route: Aleksanterinkatu-Mannerheimintie-Eteläesplanadi-Market Square

Lucia Parade
Date: 13 Desember 2019
Address: Senate Square, 00170 Helsinki, Finland
Helsinki Christmas Market 2019

Helsinki Christmas Market is the oldest and largest event of its kind in Helsinki. Taking place in the centre of Helsinki in the Senate Square the Christmas Market attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

The centre of the market is home to a cluster of licensed food courts focusing on regional specialities. In the gift alleys surrounding the food courts, there are over a hundred vendors selling traditional handicraft, the latest design and utility products, as well as produce from primary producers and farms.

The heart of the market beats to a hugely popular, old-fashioned merry-go-round offering free rides to children and others who are young at heart.

Senate Square 6.-22.12.

Helsinki Christmas Market
Date: 06 Desember 2019 - 22 Desember 2019
Address: Senate Square, 00170 Helsinki, Finland
New Year's Eve at the Senate Square in Helsinki 2020

Helsinki’s official New Year’s Eve celebrations will kick off once again with a special programme.

Senate Square Helsinki 31.12.

Free entry

New Year Eve at the Senate Square in Helsinki
Date: 31 Desember 2019
Address: Senate Square, 00170 Helsinki, Finland

FAQs about Helsinki in winter

IS THERE ANY CHANCE TO SEE NORTHERN LIGHTS IN HELSINKI?

Only if you are very very lucky and well prepared for this, you might see the Northern Lights in Helsinki. There are too much light pollution in the city, sky view is blocked with clouds most of the time and Helsinki is too much south from the Aurora zone. But once or twice a year there is so strong solar activity that the Northern Lights might be visible even in Helsinki.

IS IT DARK IN HELSINKI IN WINTER?

The sunrise in helsinki in winter is around 9 in the morning. The sunset is around 3-4 in the evening. So daylight in December- January lasts about 5-6 hours.

WHAT IS THE CHANCE OF WHITE CHRISTMAS IN HELSINKI?

The chance of white Christmas in Helsinki is around 30-40% (once in 4-5 years recently). Stable snow in December is rare nowadays. It might be quite dark and most likely wet.

Viber: 358 45 8557055
Skype chat
WhatsAPP: +358 45 8557055
Facebook Messenger
    Check-in
    Check-out
    I NEED COTTAGE
    I NEED HOTEL ROOM
COTTAGES
    Check-in
    Check-out
    SEARCH
HOTELS
    Check-in
    Check-out
    SEARCH
Viber: 358 45 8557055
Skype chat
WhatsAPP: +358 45 8557055
Facebook Messenger
+358 45 8557055
booking[a]suomi-holiday.fi
SUOMI-HOLIDAY OY
+358 45 8557055
booking[a]suomi-holiday.fi
We are located in Kemijärvi/Lapland and Helsinki.
Planning your trip to Finland? Ask us!
SEE MORE...
Helsinki hotels
HELSINKI HOTELS >>
Glass Igloo Finland
GLASS IGLOO FINLAND
The Northern Light
Northern Lights Tutorial >>
Glass Igloo
Glass Igloos Tutorial
© SUOMI-HOLIDAY OY
Terms & Conditions
Privacy Policy
Disclaimer
About