Helsinki Celebrates World Sauna Day on 25 April with Variety of Sauna Experiences
World Sauna Day in Helsinki 2025. Photo: Henri Sinisalmi, Saunavision
Helsinki, 23 April 2026 – World Sauna Day is a global celebration of one of Finland’s most cherished traditions and part of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage, sauna. Helsinki invites residents and visitors alike on 25th of April to experience the warmth, wellbeing, and community that define its vibrant sauna culture and open the doors to many saunas that are not open for the public, and even private home saunas can take part.
World Sauna Day was created in Helsinki to make sauna culture more visible and accessible globally by opening sauna doors and inviting people everywhere to share the communal sauna experience. The event highlights the idea that sauna is at its best when shared, bringing people together across cultures and borders. Now held for the fifth time, the event takes place twice a year and continues to grow in popularity, connecting sauna hosts and sauna-goers around the world. “Sauna Day exists to open the doors of sauna culture globally and locally – connecting people through shared heat, relaxation and community,” says Tea Lindberg, the founder of World Sauna Day.
World Sauna Day has become a global phenomenon, with hundreds of saunas participating across continents; from Japan and New Zealand to Mexico and even Antarctica. While many participating saunas are public or community spaces opened especially for the occasion, the event is also known for its growing number of private saunas. In Finland in particular, private sauna participation has increased steadily, adding a unique and intimate dimension to the event.
One of the defining features of World Sauna Day is its creativity. Participants are encouraged to open any kind of sauna, resulting in a wide variety of imaginative and unexpected experiences from phone booth saunas to football-themed saunas and other unconventional setups. This playful openness contributes to the event’s distinctive and inclusive atmosphere. “What makes Sauna Day truly special is its openness. Anyone can participate, whether by opening their sauna or simply joining in. It creates a rare moment where private spaces become shared, and sauna becomes a genuine social bridge,” Lindberg adds. International visitors consistently highlight the authenticity and accessibility of the experience. For many, World Sauna Day offers a rare opportunity to discover local sauna traditions in their many forms, beyond a single standardised concept. The strong sense of community and the low threshold for participation are frequently praised.
Furuvik Sauna is a social space for Helsinkians. Photo: Aleksi Poutanen, Helsinki Partners
Helsinkians are craving for more sauna experiences
Strong connection to sauna is deeply rooted in everyday life in Finland, with estimation of over three million saunas for a population of around 5.6 million people, most Finns have access to a sauna at home or in their building. In addition to that, in Helsinki the locals have a growing demand for public and shared saunas.
Through the City of Helsinki’s participatory budgeting initiative, “OmaStadi”, residents have again actively driven the development of new sauna and winter swimming facilities across the city. Several projects such as new public saunas, swimming spots, and supporting infrastructure have been selected and funded based on citizen votes, reflecting the rapidly growing popularity of sea swimming and sauna culture. The initiatives aim to make these experiences more accessible year-round and across different neighbourhoods, often in collaboration with local operators and associations.
While participatory budgeting is widely used in cities around the world, Helsinki’s “OmaStadi” stands out for its scale and consistency. With one of the largest budgets in Europe and repeated funding rounds, it has become an established way for residents to directly shape the city including its growing network of shared sauna spaces.
Sauna session in Uunisaari. Photo: Sakari Röyskö, Helsinki Partners
In Helsinki, sauna experiences are as diverse as the city itself. Visitors can unwind in traditional wood-heated saunas, take a dip in the Baltic Sea between sessions, or explore contemporary public saunas that combine architecture with social spaces. Whether it’s a quiet moment alone or a shared experience with friends, there is a sauna for every preference and mood. New public saunas are to open in the Helsinki Archipelago this summer.
“Helsinki’s sauna culture is constantly growing and adapting, while staying true to its roots. World Sauna Day is the perfect moment to celebrate this living tradition and invite the world to experience it with us. 1 euro for every participating sauna will be donated to Sauna Aid, that takes saunas to crisis areas to bring concrete relief and a moment of respite in difficult circumstances”, concludes Lindberg.
For more information, please visit: www.saunaday.com & https://www.myhelsinki.fi/visit-helsinki/why-helsinki/helsinki-saunas/
Media Contact:
Sara Jäntti
Senior Manager, PR & Communications, Helsinki Partners
sara.jantti@helsinkipartners.com
Helsinki Partners is a city marketing, investment and talent attraction company owned by the City of Helsinki. Their mission is to promote the city’s sustainable growth; attract international investment, businesses, talent and visitors, and to conduct international sales and marketing, as well as build Helsinki’s brand globally.
For more information, please visit www.myhelsinki.fi
