Midsummer in Helsinki

At the moment, it seems that there will not be a wildfire warning in place this Midsummer, which means that we will also be able to enjoy bonfires in Helsinki this Midsummer’s Eve.  

Seurasaari Midsummer Bonfires is one of the most beloved Midsummer traditions in Helsinki. On Midsummer's Eve, you'll be entertained by colourful national costumes, skilled folk dancers and musicians, while the bonfires burn.

A Midsummer bonfire will also be lit at approximately 20:00 on Pihlajasaari, where a water bus will take you on an extended schedule on Midsummer’s Eve.

At the Karelian summer home Villa Salmela, the programme will also include a bonfire, weather permitting, as well as magic, a comedy show, joint singing, accordion music and dancing. 
 

Seurasaari Midsummer Bonfire (Link leads to external service)   
Pihlajasaari water bus - Midsummer timetable (Link leads to external service)  
Midsummer’s Eve at Villa Salmela (Link leads to external service)  

The archipelago invites you to also enjoy nature during Midsummer 

The Helsinki archipelago offers an excellent setting to celebrate Midsummer.  For example, three new island destinations have been added to the Eastern Archipelago Route this summer, as well as the starting point being Meritullintori near the Market Square.

The Eastern Archipelago Route is operated by FRS Finland. 
Eastern Archipelago Route schedule and route (Link leads to external service)

The operator to Kaunissaari is FRS Finland 
See the Kaunissaari timetable (Link leads to external service)  
Kaunissaari 

The operator to Harakka Island is Merenkävijät 
See the Harakka Island timetable (Link leads to external service)  
Harakka Island 

The operator to Uunisaari is the ferry of Uunisaari Restaurant 
See the Uunisaari timetable (Link leads to external service)  
Uunisaari 

The operator to Vallisaari is FRS Finland 
See the Vallisaari timetable (External link) (Link leads to external service)

The operator to Lonna is FRS Finland 
See the Lonna timetable(Link leads to external service)

Suomenlinna 
Suomenlinna event calendar (Link leads to external service)

In addition, there are dozens of other islands off Helsinki that allow for independent hiking – either during the day or by camping overnight. 
Explore all the islands   

To the market and the movies

Start your Midsummer morning in a cosy atmosphere at the market square, sip market coffee and purchase some strawberries and potatoes for your Midsummer table. There are vendors present in the morning and before noon on Midsummer’s Eve, at least at Hakaniemi Market Square and Helsinki Market Square.  

This year, the traditional Finnish Midsummer film at the WHS Union Cinema is Rokkidiggeri (Finland, 1981). The Midsummer Disco, which has already become a tradition, will be held again this year at Lasipalatsi Square. Hämeentien Kaiku, on the other hand, will host the two-day We Love Helsinki Midsummer Ball, another modern city Midsummer tradition.
 

See Helsinki market squares (Link leads to external service)  
WHS Union: Rokkidiggari(Link leads to external service)  
Midsummer disco at Lasipalatsi Square(Link leads to external service)  
We Love Helsinki Midsummer Ball(Link leads to external service)

Borrow games and something to read from a library

It is worth borrowing games and equipment for the Midsummer Olympics from a library. You can borrow e.g. mölkky, petanque, croquet, badminton sets or hoops from a library. The selection of items to borrow varies from library to library; their availability can be checked via the Helmet search service.  
Helsinki libraries will close earlier than usual on Thursday 19 June. The libraries will be closed throughout the Midsummer weekend, except for self-service libraries, which are also open on Midsummer. The self-service libraries in Helsinki are Herttoniemi, Laajasalo, Lauttasaari, Myllypuro, Paloheinä, Suomenlinna and Viikki. Registered users can access self-service libraries with a library card and PIN code; opening hours are displayed on each library's own Helmet page.  
You can also enjoy the e-library's books, magazines and music on Midsummer's Eve - even while lounging in a hammock.
 

Get to know the E-Library (Link leads to external service)  
See library opening hours (Link leads to external service)  
 

The Helsinki City Museum, Tram Museum and Ruiskumestari House are closed on Midsummer’s Eve and Midsummer’s Day, but open on Sunday 22 June from 11:00 to 17:00. The City Museum opens at 10:00 in the summer.

Helsinki City Museum(Link leads to external service)

Outreach youth workers will be working throughout Midsummer, wherever the young people are. Outreach youth workers will be on duty on Midsummer’s Eve and Midsummer’s Day from 15:30 to 23:30 and on Sunday from 13:30 to 21:30. You can contact outreach youth workers via Instagram and Snapchat, among other channels.

Helsinki’s outreach youth work on Instagram(Link leads to external service)

To swim, sauna and exercise

The swimming stadium and Kumpula outdoor swimming pool will be open with reduced opening hours throughout the entire Midsummer weekend. On Midsummer’s Eve, you can also enjoy the sauna at least in the Kotiharju sauna and Allas Seapool.

Indoor gyms are largely closed during Midsummer, but you can work out for free at the City's numerous outdoor gyms. Comprehensive tips and routes for outdoor activities and hiking can be found on the sports and recreation pages.

Outdoor swimming pools (Link leads to external service)  
Kotiharju Sauna(Link leads to external service)  
Allas Seapool(Link leads to external service)  
Outdoor gyms(Link leads to external service)  
Outdoor activities, parks and nature destinations

Get into the spirit of Midsummer in advance

Espa Stage's Midsummer Week will kick off on Monday 16 June in a festive atmosphere, when Helsinki City Folk, a group of folk dancers and musicians from the Helsinki metropolitan area, will take to the stage wearing colourful national costumes. Inspiration for the performances comes from the folk music and dance theme for this year: “We together”.

A community read aloud event in English from Dostoevsky's White Nights will be held in Kalasatamanpuisto. One chapter, every evening, for five summer evenings will gently lead you towards Midsummer.

Cultural centres will get into the spirit of the Midsummer celebration with Midsummer celebrations on Wednesday 18 June. At Maunula House, there will be Midsummer dances accompanied by accordionist Teemu Harrinkari.  In Kannelmäki, on the other hand, saunas will be heated at Sitratori next to Kanneltalo, Mari Kätkä will sing Midsummer folk songs accompanied by the accordion, and there will also be a performance by the folk music band Polenta. The Kaarela youth work unit is involved in organising the event, and a fun time is also promised for young people. The sauna will be heated from 16:00 onwards. Bring your swimwear and towel with you!

Helsingin Kansantanssin Ystävät ry (Friends of Helsinki Folk Dance Association) will organise traditional dances on Wednesday 18 June at Merimelojien maja. The programme also includes dance lessons.
The Kipinä Youth Activity House will organise Midsummer Fest at the Cultural Centre Stoa square on Thursday 19 June at 13:00–16:00. Midsummer Fest is an event organised by young people, where you can try out things like sumo wrestling, make flower crowns, play yard games and much more. The event will also feature artist Carma and DJ Blurred Boy. The event is aimed at the whole family, and everyone will surely find something fun to do.

On Thursday 19 June. The Finnish folk supergroup Ne Lintuizet will appear on Espa Stage.

Helsinki City Folk on Espa Stage (Link leads to external service)  
White Nights – a public reading event for dreamers (Link leads to external service)  
Pre-Midsummer party at Maunula House(Link leads to external service)  
Pre-Midsummer party on Sitratori square (Link leads to external service)  
Open-air dancing by the sea(Link leads to external service)  
indiespa: Ne Lintuizet(Link leads to external service)