Christmas in Helsinki: so much more than jingles and bells!

Christmas in Helsinki is made up of saunas, the proximity of the sea and nature, small-scale appeal, delicious food, design, relaxing, fun and new traditions.

Christmas retreat combines saunas, traditions and nature

The sauna is an essential part of the Finnish Christmas, and Helsinki offers numerous Christmas saunas to choose from. The city’s public saunas, from the immensely popular design sauna Löyly to the literally brand-new Uusi Sauna, remain hot throughout the Christmas holidays for locals and visitors alike to enjoy. In the city centre you can also visit a pop-up sauna that lets you enjoy a beautiful view to Helsinki Cathedral or Allas Sea Pool, where you take in the city’s skyline while swimming in the heated open-air pool right in the main harbour.

Around the end of November and beginning of December, Helsinki is taken over by Christmas markets selling lots of seasonal treats alongside Finnish design and handicrafts. The legendary Helsinki Christmas Market opens in the historic Senate Square on Saturday 1 December and is open daily all the way until Saturday 22 December. In addition to great gift ideas, the Helsinki Christmas Market also offers ten varieties of glögi (mulled wine), plus Christmas karaoke and seasonal delicacies. Helsinki also has dozens of smaller Christmas markets and fairs that are listed here.

Helsinki is surrounded by beautiful nature, and getting from the city centre to the islands in the archipelago the forests to enjoy the fresh air and magical atmosphere could not be simpler. Helsinki’s nature attractions are especially popular during the Christmas season, when families can enjoy the many Christmas paths throughout the city. Hundreds of candles light up the Christmas path along the Uutela Nature Trail in Vuosaari, East Helsinki, while the Christmas path on the recreational island of Seurasaari is full of fun surprises, elves and forest animals.

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Clubbers Christmas

In addition to all the traditional classical music concerts, church concerts and choir performances, Helsinki also offers seasonal entertainment for electronic music fans and clubbers. Some of the best clubs in Europe can be found in Helsinki, providing alternative entertainment throughout the Christmas season that you can find on the Clubbers’ Christmas Calendar.

Helsinki greets in 2019 with its official New Year’s Eve celebrations in Senate Square on 31 December. The programme includes lots of entertaining music, dance and fire performances, as well as a spectacular firework display.

INFO: MyHelsinki

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