Introduced a year ago by the City of Helsinki, the best remote May Day celebration of all time returns. As was the case last year, remote May Day revellers are urged to celebrate the opening of the spring season with immediate family and friends, observing the restrictions imposed on gatherings. Helsinki will organise a range of virtual programming to get everyone in the holiday spirit. May Day Eve will culminate in the ‘Vapun päällä vappu’ show, which will be arranged in Virtual Helsinki in partnership with Nelonen Media and Zoan Oy. You can watch the concert for free on May Day Eve on the Nelonen channel and the Ruutu streaming service.
— The current state of the epidemic provides hope of a more normal summer, but we want to urge locals to comply with gathering restrictions through the May Day celebrations. We hope that everyone will limit the celebrations to their closest circle of friends and family to prevent a surge in infections afterwards. As the May Day capital of Finland, Helsinki, along with its partners, is extremely proud and pleased to be able to provide everyone across the country with wonderful May Day programming to enjoy from the safety of their homes, Mayor Jan Vapaavuori states happily.
May Day Eve will be celebrated with performances by Apulanta and Stig in Virtual Helsinki
The City of Helsinki is one of the partners helping Zoan Oy, a company specialising virtual technology, to organise a May Day Eve concert. The ‘Vapun päällä vappu’ show, which will take place virtually on Senate square and in Vallisaari, will feature two of Finland’s most popular artists, Apulanta and Stig, to raise the roof for the festivities.
— High-quality entertainment has become more important and needed than ever during the pandemic, which is why it is exhilarating to be involved in creating a virtual May Day celebration for all Finns through Nelonen and Ruutu. We are obviously eager to get back to large-scale live events but, in the meantime, we will do our very best to make the remote May Day celebrations as fun as possible for everyone, says Kari Laakso, President at Nelonen Media.
— We are extremely grateful to be able to work with amazing partners to put together a virtual concert for the second time now. This year’s spectacle will, without a doubt, have enough excitement and good vibes to pick up anyone’s spirits, rejoices Miikka Rosendahl, CEO of Zoan Oy, which will handle the implementation of the concert.
The official main partners for the ‘Vapun päällä vappu’ concert are the City of Helsinki, VR, Xiaomi, Radio Suomipop and Nelonen Media. Wolt is also involved in the activities.
The ‘Vapun päällä vappu’ show will be broadcast on Nelonen and Ruutu at 7 pm on 30 April.
The City of Helsinki will also be organising its own digital May Day programming to provide entertainment for the holidays. The schedule will be specified later on the tapahtumat.hel.fi web page.
“Manta” statue to receive her cap in advance and then be protected with fences
The Havis Amanda statue will receive her cap this year, too, in the traditional ceremony. The student union of Hanken Svenska Handelshögskolan, which is responsible for this year’s ceremony, will place the cap on the Manta’s head before May Day. Yle will record the event, which will then be made available for viewing early in the evening on May Day Eve through the Yle Areena service.
For the May Day holidays, the Havis Amanda statue will be protected with a fence. The City of Helsinki will not be deploying extra rubbish bins or portable toilets for May Day revellers. New permits for commercial activities during the holidays will not be granted, nor will seasonal sales sites be rented out.
“Helsinki is happy to be involved in creating fun and hopefully even empowering content for May Day in cooperation with Finland’s top artists and partners. Last year, Helsinki residents observed the effective restrictions and recommendation very diligently, and no large groups were seen around town. I believe that, despite the coronavirus fatigue, we can still get through one May Day remotely. Hopefully next year we will be able to celebrate the spring in the traditional locations we Helsinki residents so dearly love,” Sanna Forsström, head of the City of Helsinki brand unit, says encouragingly.
More information about May Day arrangements and programming
Coronavirus updates from Helsinki
Events(Link leads to external service)
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Social and health care services in Helsinki on May Day 2021
Do you suspect a coronavirus infection?
You can make a coronavirus assessment at omaolo.fi(Link leads to external service). Based on your symptoms, you will get instructions on what to do. If needed, you can make an appointment to a coronavirus test.
Another way to access a coronavirus test is to contact the Coronavirus Helpline (everyday 8–18), tel. 09 310 10024).
You can also get tested for coronavirus during the May Day. If you have symptoms of coronavirus, get tested.
Information about the coronavirus vaccinations in Helsinki can be found at coronavaccination-en.hel.fi.
Health Stations
Health stations are open on Friday 30 April 8–16. Health stations are closed on the First of May.
Emergency services – tel. 116 117
When local health stations are closed, patients in need of urgent care are treated by emergency services.
Call 116 117 before you go to the emergency clinic. The service is open 24/7 and free of charge.
Adults (residents over 16 years of age)
Haartman Hospital and Emergency Room, Haartmaninkatu 4, building 12
Malmi Hospital and Emergency Room, Talvelantie 6 J.
When local health stations are closed, residents of Helsinki with serious illnesses and in urgent need for care can also go to the Jorvi Hospital emergency room in Espoo, Turuntie 150 or to the Peijas Hospital emergency room in Vantaa, Sairaalakatu 1, Vantaa.
Children
New Children’s Hospital, Stenbäckinkatu 9.
Emergency Dental Care
Emergency dental care is provided on Wednesday on 1st of May 9–21 at Haartman Hospital, Haartmaninkatu 4, building 12. Appointments can be booked 8–21 at 09 471 71110. Night emergency duty is at Tölö hospital emergency department, Töölönkatu 40, tel. 040 621 5699.
Please always make an appointment by phone before seeking treatment for Emergency Dental Care.
Emergency Social Services and Crisis emergency support 24/7
Emergency Social Services and Crisis emergency support serve 24/7 also during the May Day. Emergency Social Services tel. 020 696 006 and Crisis emergency support tel. 09 310 44222.
In life-threatening emergencies – call 112
In the event of a severe and life-threatening illness or accident situation at any time of the day, call 112 for help.
HSL public transport over the May Day bank holiday
On 30 April, a Friday service will operate. There will be no additional services.
On May Day Saturday 1 a Sunday service will operate. Night buses will run until about 2.20am. Commuter trains will operate a normal Saturday/Sunday night service. Changes to U line bus services are possible.
On the night of Saturday 1 May, platforms 9 and 10 at Pasila station will be closed. On Sunday morning 2 May, some trains to Helsinki will not stop at Ilmala station.
More information on HSL page(Link leads to external service)
Other tips for May Day celebrations
Helsinki City Museum presents: (Link leads to external service)Havis Amanda and May Day — May Day moods from past(Link leads to external service)
decades(Link leads to external service)
Don't miss HPO’s May Day matinee! This year, conductor Emilia Hoving will lead the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra. The programme includes the group Uusi Kipparikvartetti, which performs nostalgic hits. Concert programme(Link leads to external service)
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Helsinki Music Centre's events(Link leads to external service) during May Day week on the web. Munkkiterassi(Link leads to external service) Friday 30 April - Saturday 1 May Free entry.
The Student Union of the University of Helsinki has its own broadcast on May Day eve with music, May Day stories and cheerful programme numbers. 30 April, 15.00-21.00. HYY’s May Day broadcast(Link leads to external service)
You can find more programme on the Helsinki Channel. For example, Wednesday's gig at Stoa M + Hulda Huima & Hitaat sekunnit Musiikkia(Link leads to external service) will be available as a recording until 5 May.
On May Day, you can enjoy the captivatingly cute and lively partying all night until the wee hours. Neonya!!(Link leads to external service)Wappu~Stream!(Link leads to external service) Read more: www.tiivistamo.fi(Link leads to external service) and www.facebook.com/neonyaparty(Link leads to external service)
Article has been updated 29th and 30th of April.