Helsinki invites you to enjoy the lights, sustainable shopping and a sense of togetherness this Christmas
Christmas in Helsinki gets underway on Saturday 18 November with the lighting of the festive lights along Aleksanterinkatu and a Christmas parade with Santa Claus bringing greetings from beyond the Arctic Circle. Visitors to Helsinki can get into the spirit of the season at its Christmas markets, the largest of which is the Helsinki Christmas Market in Senate Square, where you can find sustainable gifts and support local artisans.
Christmas in Helsinki is characterised by the scent of mulled wine, spiced coffees, homemade gingerbread cookies and fir branches. The dark time of the year and wintery temperatures create a soothing atmosphere that is lit up by festive lights and warmed up by savoury Christmas foods and drinks, lots of candles and, of course, the sauna. Christmas in Helsinki is also characterised by charming Christmas markets, concerts and events, and getting together with friends and family. The Christmas season lets you unwind while enjoying new and old traditions.
Step into a fairytale Christmas atmosphere
The Christmas season in Helsinki gets underway on Saturday 18 November with the lighting of the festive lights along Aleksanterinkatu and a Christmas parade with Santa Claus bringing greetings from beyond the Arctic Circle. The festive lights will be turned on by the Mayor of Helsinki, who invites everyone to take part in the celebrations and enjoy the parade that passes through the city. At one end of the Aleksanterinkatu shopping street you can also enjoy the Christmas window display at Stockmann’s department store, a tradition that is as long as the festive lights – both have delighted children and the young at heart since 1949. The theme of the Christmas window display changes each year; this year, you can see elves helping fairytale forest animals, while glittering hummingbirds flutter in the sky carrying small Christmas gifts in their beaks.
A magical atmosphere can also be experienced at the new Moomin Shop on the Esplanade, which opens on Friday 17 November, bringing the world of Midsummer Madness to life in captivating detail. The interior of the shop is a tribute to the classic Moomin book by Helsinki-based author and artist Tove Jansson, which tells a story about finding yourself and your dreams through theatre. The new experiential shop is situated suitably right in the city center in connection with the Swedish Theatre at the end of Esplanade Park, where Tove Jansson’s first ever theatre production of her book Comet in Moominland premiered in 1949 – the same year as the first Christmas lights in Helsinki! 
Helsinki Christmas Market, photo: Dorits Salutskij
Christmas markets offer sustainable and unique gifts
The Helsinki Christmas Market, known locally as “Tuomaan Markkinat” or the “St. Thomas Market”, is the largest and most beautiful open-air Christmas market in Helsinki. At the heart of the Helsinki Christmas Market in Senate Square is an old-fashion wooden carousel that is an established tradition for many local families. Kids can ride the carousel free of charge, and the wooden horses are eagerly ridden by groups of kindergarteners and school children throughout the day. Visitors to the market can enjoy mulled wine and local Christmas treats. The Helsinki Christmas Market highlights sustainable development, and the environmental impacts of this popular urban event are assessed in accordance with EcoCompass certification. The vendors and restaurants at the market have been selected with an emphasis on responsible production and operations. The market features lots of primary producers and small artisans whose product selection offers a sustainable alternative to mass-produced gifts and decorations. The Helsinki Christmas Market is open 1-22 December 2023.
Other Christmas markets are held throughout the city during the runup to Christmas. Fans of Finnish design should head to Little Finlandia by the iconic Finlandia Hall, where Ornamo’s Design Christmas X Designkaverit event will bring together Finnish design makers and brands on the weekend of 9-10 December 2023. If you are looking for vegan treats and ethical gifts, head for the VegeXmas event at Suvilahti on the following weekend, 16-17 December. At the same time, you can also check out the Christmas market at the adjacent Teurastamo, which promises to be filled with delicious seasonal scents, wonderful handicrafts and a fun atmosphere. More Christmas markets and other events can be found on the MyHelsinki event calendar.
Suomenlinna in winter, photo: Arttu Kokkonen, image: Hanna Siira
Experience a unique Christmas atmosphere by the sea and in the nature at Suomenlinna and Seurasaari
A big part of Christmas in Helsinki involves spending time together and unwinding. The surrounding sea and nature are important to locals. The Christmas season is indeed the perfect time to hop on the ferry to the Suomenlinna Sea Fortress, where you can experience the winter atmosphere in the archipelago and even learn more about Suomenlinna’s past and present along the Lighthouse Keeper’s Route. This educational trail can be walked by yourself or together with a guided tour. The authentic Christmas atmosphere can also be experienced at the Suomenlinna Toy Museum with all its Christmas elves and decorations. The museum and its cosy café will be open on weekends from 25 November to 17 December and daily from 26 December 2023 to 7 January 2024.
Helsinki has over 300 islands, and another unique destination where you can enjoy the nature and get into the Christmas spirit is the recreational island of Seurasaari. The Christmas Path at Seurasaari is a free-of-charge attraction for families that offers visitors glimpses of Finnish Christmas traditions. The event takes place this year on Sunday 10 December.
Find more events and tips for enjoying Christmas in Helsinki at MyHelsinki.fi!
More Information
Leena Karppinen
Senior Manager, PR & Communications
tel. +358 40 334 6384
leena.karppinen@helsinkipartners.com
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