Cultural centres are hosting Pride-themed events for both adults and young people. The Youth Pride pre-party at Cultural Centre Stoa will take place on Thursday 25 June from 16.00 to 19.00, featuring summer fun, workshops, music, care dogs and a free vegetarian hot dog buffet. The mood is set by DJ Riekko and the indie artist Carma.
During the Pride Afternoon at Cultural Centre Vuotalo on Friday 26 June from 15.00 to 18.00 you can make flower crowns and jewellery, participate in an improv workshop at the library and try your hand at circus tricks under the guidance of Sirkus Magenta. Meanwhile, spectacular headpieces for the Helsinki Pride parade will be created at the Pride workshops at Annantalo from 23 to 24 June at 10.00–15.00. The nonstop workshops are aimed at young people aged 13 to 17.
On Wednesday 24 June, the indie rock band Itcevät (17.00) that has become a phenomenon in queer circles and Liisa Akimof & Yökerho (18.00), known for their energetic performances, will take the Espa stage. On Friday 26 June, drag artist Marko Vainio’s Divet Show (15.00) will bring glitz and glamour to the stage, followed by a soulful performance by Jesse Kaikuranta (17.00).
Caisa will host ‘The Art of Diversity’ club night on Friday 26 June starting from 19.00, featuring dance, singing, drag, burlesque, cabaret and circus. The event includes banter and nudity (age limit: 16+). Tickets: €20/7 ( lippu.fi(Link leads to external service)).
Karaoke, knitting and crafts at libraries
Helsinki Pride Week events will be held in libraries across the city. At Central Library Oodi, there will be a cinema karaoke session hosted by the karaoke angel Aleksi Kolmonen on Monday 22 June, a workshop for making rainbow earrings and key rings on Tuesday 23 June and a Pride book club on Friday 26 June.
Itäkeskus Library will host a Senior Pride event on Wednesday 24 June. The programme includes knitting in the colours of the rainbow, a sing-along session on the themes of love and courage and Pride-themed improv led by Opera Tellus. There will also be a button pin workshop at Laajasalo Library on Wednesday 24 June and an LGBTQIA+ craft workshop at Kontula Library on Friday 26 June. A more detailed programme of the events at the libraries can be found at helmet.fi/tapahtumat(Link leads to external service).
In addition to this, Rainbow Shelves in libraries highlight queer literature. A Rainbow Shelf featuring books and films related to sexual and gender minorities can be found in almost every library in Helsinki. The materials on the Rainbow Shelves provide important opportunities to identify with others and understand the diversity of gender and sexuality.
Youth Pride House at the Caisa Cultural Centre
Youth Pride Week is an event intended for 13–25-year-olds, held at the same time as Helsinki Pride Week. The Youth Pride House is a dedicated meeting place for young people at Cultural Centre Caisa that is open during Pride Week from Monday to Friday, 14.00–20.00, offering a free programme ranging from performances and workshops to games and hanging out casually.
The park festival closing Pride Week in Kaivopuisto Park on Saturday 27 June will have a dedicated area and programme for young people. On the same day, the City Museum will be hosting the Youth Pride closing party starting from 15.00. The stage of Valkoinen Sali will feature the singer-songwriter Hannaeerika, pop artist Sonia and DJ Koolla, known for playing energetic and colourful sets. The City's youth workers will be present throughout the evening.
The aim of Youth Pride Week is to increase wellbeing, prevent loneliness and boost self-confidence among young people. The event is organised by the Helsinki Pride Community and the City of Helsinki.
Discussion event at City Hall
Helsinki City Hall will host a panel discussion entitled “Ei ihan normiperhe – kokemuksia sateenkaarevasta arjesta” (“Not Quite a ‘Normal’ Family – Experiences of LGBTQIA+ Everyday Life”), in which parents and young adult children from LGBTQIA+ families share their own experiences of navigating the service system, schools and societal norms.
The event will present examples of real-life encounters, highlight structural challenges and provide space for families to share their own voices and stories. The discussion is part of the programme of Helsinki Pride Week and the City of Helsinki’s work to promote equality.
The event will take place at the City Hall Event Square on Thursday 25 June 2026 from 16.00 to 18.00. If you intend to attend in person, please register by Thursday 18 June at the latest by using the Webropol form(Link leads to external service). You are very welcome to join the event even without registering in advance, but in that case we cannot guarantee that there will be enough food and drink for everyone. You can also watch the event remotely via the Helsinki Channel.
The Pride Lounge glitters at the Swimming Stadium
In honour of Pride Week, the Pride Lounge will be set up on the lawn at the Swimming Stadium on Saturday 27 June from 10.00 to 13.00, featuring sun loungers, canopies, rugs and beanbags. The DJs from Tiivistämö’s DJ Academy will create a party mood with music to suit the theme, and a bouncy castle and a fun obstacle course will keep the children entertained near the lounge.
Staff from Glitternisti will also be present to do free Pride-themed make-up, face gems, hair accessories and glitter tattoos. You should wait until after swimming to apply the glitter, because you always need to go to the shower before dipping into the swimming pool. At the Lounge, you can also find out more about the City’s wide range of sports facilities in addition to soaking up the Pride atmosphere. The full programme for the day is included in the entrance fee for the outdoor swimming pool (single entry: adults €6 / children and discount groups €3.30).
City of Helsinki cultural and leisure services also offer a year-round programme of events that take sexual and gender minorities into consideration in theme and performer selection, among other things.