Light and warmth for the end of the year – the Christmas season fills Helsinki with events and traditions

There is plenty to do and see in Helsinki during the Christmas season. Why not visit one of the city's many Christmas markets, immerse yourself in crafting cards and decorations in libraries and cultural centres, or get a head start on Christmas with events for the whole family?

Sustainable and distinctive gift options

The famous Helsinki Christmas Market once again invites visitors to enjoy its offerings every day until 22 December. A diverse group of Finnish small entrepreneurs provides ideas for sustainable gifts, with a wide selection of traditional and modern Christmas delicacies to enjoy on site. The entertainment programme includes everything from Christmas carols to swinging jazz evenings. At the heart of the market is the glittering no-cost carousel, a favourite among children, and the heated Restaurant and Deli Yards. In addition to visits by Santa Claus, activities include a circus adventure for children and music ranging from jazz to a cappella. 

The nearly 30 restaurants and cafés in the market offer favourites such as spiced Christmas porridges, handmade lörtsy pastries and khachapuris. There are also tasty fish and game dishes on hand, in addition to Korean corn dogs, sweet bubble waffles, croffles and cookies, and mulled wines and glühweins in various flavours – plus more unusual specialties like spruce shoot and chaga lattes.

At the gift stalls, visitors can once again discover sustainable and distinctive alternatives to mass-produced gift items, with many beloved handmade classics as well as fresh new ideas.

Helsinki Christmas Market is open at Helsinki’s Senate Square from 28 November to 22 December 2025, Sunday–Thursday 11:00–19:00 and Friday–Saturday 11:00–20:00. Admission to the market is free. On Independence Day, 6 December, the university students’ Torchlight Procession ends at the square, and on St Lucy's Day, 13 December, the Lucia procession departs from the square.

New Manta’s Christmas Market to open for the holiday season

This year, the famous Helsinki Christmas Market in Senate Square will be joined by several other Christmas markets with delightful holiday fare. One new addition is the first-ever Christmas Market organised near Helsinki’s iconic Havis Amanda statue and fountain, affectionately referred to as ‘Manta’. Situated next to the Market Square in the city centre, Manta’s Christmas Market will feature traditional seasonal treats and exciting new tastes. Manta’s Christmas Market will open on 5 December and welcome visitors everyday between 11.00 and 19.00.

Teurastamo, the trendy former abattoir area in Helsinki’s Kalasatama district, will host its traditional Christmas Market on 20-21 December 11.00–18.00, offering delicious food in a festive holiday milieu.

For a holiday market with a French twist, look no further than the Institut français de Finlande's Christmas Market in the district of Eira on 13 December 11.00–16.00. This year’s market will focus on holiday traditions from the eastern region of France.

Learn more about Manta’s Christmas Market(Link leads to external service)

Libraries, museums and cultural centres will have visitors craft the finest Christmas cards of the season

Whether you are a novice or an experienced creator of arts and crafts, you will have plenty of opportunities to let your creativity run wild during the festive season. The City’s libraries and cultural centres will hold various Christmas workshops where you can craft decorations and cards with your own hands.

Those looking to create Christmas cards can come to embroider beautiful Christmas images at Helsinki’s community houses on Thursday evenings until 11 December. On 8 December from 12.30 to 15.30, the Kanneltalo Cultural Centre will organise a guided Christmas card workshop.

 In addition, Helsinki’s community houses are arranging many workshops and winter excursions this holiday season. For example, a workshop to create macramé candle holders is planned for 3 December from 12.00 to 14.00.

Get a head start on Christmas with events for the whole family

The Oodi Central Library will offer a wide range of exciting activities for young children on 6 December, when the whole building will be transformed into a children's party venue for the library’s annual Kids Fest.

On Saturday 13 December, St Lucy’s Day, Finland will crown its next ‘Lucia maiden’ with a wreath of candles, a centuries-old tradition that brings light to the darkness. The crowning ceremony will take place at the Helsinki Cathedral at 17.00, followed by the traditional Lucia procession, which departs from Senate Square at 18.00.

Residents can also get in the winter mood at outdoor events. The Seurasaari Christmas Path is a popular event for the whole family that will provide experiences and glimpses into Christmas traditions on Sunday 14 December from 12.00 to 17.00.

Korttelit is a new open-air art event that brings contemporary art by young artists to the shop windows, balconies and courtyards of the Torikorttelit area, creating a 24/7 open-air gallery in the heart of Helsinki.

The works featured in the exhibition include video art, sculptures, participatory art and colourful graphic illustrations utilising light. The exhibition is curated by the young Helsinki-based artist and gallerist Miro-Benjamin Lindström and organised in collaboration with the City of Helsinki and the operators of the Torikorttelit area.

The Korttelit exhibition literally puts art in the middle of the bustling Christmas City, being located between the Helsinki Christmas Market, the Market Square and Manta’s Christmas Market.  

“Korttelit is like a breather from the Christmas rush – a chance to see the city in a new light, to discover unexpected experiences and tranquillity. The exhibition will also continue after Christmas, so you can still visit with your family or friends for a walk on the days between Christmas and New Year’s,” points out the producer of the exhibition, Project Manager Sonja Immonen from Helsinki City Premises Ltd.
Learn more about the Korttelit exhibition (Link leads to external service)