OmaStadi brought films under the Helsinki sky
At the suggestion of residents, outdoor films were screened at the Malmi Summer of Events, Koffarin Kinofest festival and the Kino Caisa goes Arabia event. The Koffarin Kinofest programme, produced by Savoy Theatre, was widely acclaimed, and city residents hope the festival will continue in the coming years. The festival featured upbeat rhythm music by some of Finland's best jazz, blues and soul artists. Each evening, a music-themed film was shown. The event also featured films and concerts suitable for the little ones in the family.
The Youth Council election showed that young people have a strong desire to make a difference
The Youth Council election attracted a record number of candidates – as many as 116 hopefuls – and the interest was reflected in the historically high voter turnout of 44.8 per cent. A total of 15,098 young people from all over the city voted, and as a result the whole city was represented. The young people were united by courage, activity and a desire to make a difference in common issues such as mental health, safety and equality.
The new Youth Council was announced and €150,000 allocated to young people's ideas at the Youth Gala.
Children celebrated Independence Day at Oodi
Central Library Oodi launched a new Independence Day tradition in Helsinki by organising a party for children and families. More than 7,500 visitors enjoyed the programme and the festive atmosphere. The biggest hit was the opportunity to shake hands with Oodi Director Anna-Maria Soininvaara and Moomintroll, with a line snaking through the lobby. The Independence Day celebration Oodi Kid Fest for the little residents of Helsinki was a success!
Record attendance at Malmi Summer of Events
Held for the fourth year in a row, Malmi Summer of Events attracted a record number of 24,250 visitors to Ala-Malmin puisto park. The free summer event spread over 16 days featured artists such as Goldielocks, TheValkyrians and Mutaveijarit. Residents could also enjoy the heat of the mobile sauna, outdoor exercise, workshops and city dances. The biggest attraction of the festival was the world-famous blues guitarist Erja Lyytinen, who attracted some 2,000 listeners and filled the park to the brim.
More than 39,000 young people have the Jässäri membership card
The Helsinki Youth Services membership card, better known as Jässäri, is the key to youth centres, events and activities. To celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Helsinki City Council, the Council decided to offer free access for young residents of Helsinki to dozens of the City's cultural events and outdoor pools throughout the year. The benefits of the jubilee year were welcomed happily: At best, there were over 1,000 Jässäri card holders at the Uimastadion Swimming Stadium and 900 at the Kumpula outdoor swimming pool during the same day. More than 39,000 young people have the Jässäri membership card.
Hundreds of young people celebrated Finnish Swedish Heritage Day at Tiivistämö
The 25th anniversary of Swedish Week was seen and heard around Helsinki from 3 to 9 November. Dozens of events were held in museums and cultural centres, and a new Helsinki Finnish Swedish Heritage Day tradition, the Vibes party for young people, was held for the first time. Hundreds of ninth graders from Swedish-language schools and language immersion schools in Helsinki gathered at Tiivistämö in Suvilahti to celebrate Finnish Swedish Heritage Day with a relaxed party, featuring performances by DJ PCKT, Murder Corpse, xylz and Rebo. The Helsinki-themed quiz was narrowly won by teachers. What will happen in 2026?
Children made the most of arts and culture events throughout Helsinki
The Culture Kids, i.e. children born in Helsinki in 2020 and after, were once again able to enjoy a wide range of artistic and cultural events in their home city. Around 30 sponsors organised a total of 988 events in different parts of Helsinki, offering as many as 23,622 seats for Culture Kids and their close relatives. Each Culture Kid is invited to at least two events organised by their cultural sponsors each year until the child starts school. Children born in Helsinki in 2026 will be sponsored by the Finnish National Opera and Ballet. You can register at kummilapset.hel.fi/en/home – Welcome aboard!
A silent candlelight procession gathered hundreds of people in Esplanade Park
Helsinki held a silent candlelight procession and illuminated the iconic Havis Amanda with orange light on 25 November 2025 as part of the UN's International Orange Days campaign to end violence against women. The candlelight procession was led by Suzanne Innes-Stubb, wife of the President of the Republic and patron of the Orange Days campaign, and Daniel Sazonov, Mayor of Helsinki. The event was organised in cooperation with UN Women Finland.
Stefan Bremer's photographs draw the public to Villa Hakasalmi
The Helsinki by Night photography exhibition at Villa Hakasalmi became the cultural highlight of autumn 2025, with over 20,000 visitors visiting the exhibition already during its first month. Stefan Bremer’s distinctive images offer a fascinating look at Helsinki at night in the 80s and the city's diverse youth cultures – from teddy boys at the train station to punks in Lepakko. The exhibition will be on display until August 2026.
New residents got to know their neighbourhoods at Welcome Day events
In September, four cultural centres held Welcome Day events for the first time to welcome recent immigrants to Helsinki. The events in Vuotalo, Kanneltalo, Stoa and Malmitalo attracted over a thousand participants. During the events, newcomers to the city were able to discover the leisure activities on offer in the area, take part in workshops, watch performances and enjoy a cup of coffee served with a traditional Finnish sweet bun.
Service centres for the elderly in Vuotalo and Malmitalo were filled with joy, interactions and movement
The Week of Older People brought together hundreds of elderly people to enjoy spending time together, trying new things and finding joy in everyday life.
At the Palvelutori senior service event, different City services and third and private sector operators presented their operations.
The Palvelutori senior service event also included a wide range of meaningful activities on offer, including workshops, exercise sessions, disco and the chance to listen to interesting speeches.
