After two exceptional years, we can once again celebrate May Day (Vappu) in our traditional ways. The Havis Amanda statue at the Market Square will be crowned as usual on May Day Eve on Saturday.
One of Helsinki’s most cherished May Day Eve traditions, the crowning of the Havis Amanda (Manta) statue , will once again take place in front of a large crowd. This year, the Student Union of the University of Helsinki has the honour of crowning Manta. The last crowning of Manta in front of an audience took place in spring 2019.
On Sunday, city residents will gather in great numbers to celebrate May Day at Kaivopuisto. In addition, different May Day events, such as concerts, May Day marches and lunches will be organised throughout the city.
Even if we are bubbling with excitement, the coronavirus has not disappeared. So, observe health safety and stay at home if you feel at all ill.
City to prepare for May Day with toilets and waste containers
The city will provide waste containers, open skips, open skips for sparkling wine bottles and metal drums for smouldering barbecue waste in the city centre and at Kaivopuisto. There will be toilets at Kaivopuisto, the Esplanade Park, Railway Square, Market Square by the Market Hall, Kaisaniemi Park, Tähtitorninmäki, Ruttopuisto and Sinebrychoff Park. There will also be some accessible toilets.
A possible strike by employees in the municipal sector can affect the post-May Day cleaning schedule. The strike is scheduled to start on 3 May.
Music, theatre and circus
During the May Day weekend, the cultural centres will organise many events for residents and people visiting Helsinki. On May Day Eve, Circo Aereo’s Lion – The Weird and Magical Abracadabra Circus Show will entertain the audience by seasoning traditional circus with virtuoso mimicry and the splatter stylings borrowed from horror films. Vuosaari House will host Johanna Försti and the Antti Koivula Band. Sirius will take the stage with The Noidat performance at Annantalo Spring Festival, and you can also take part in the Peculiar creatures workshop. HAM Helsinki Art Museum’s Saturday workshop is all about making mechanical toys using paper clips.
A more detailed programme can be found on the tapahtumat.hel.fi(Link leads to external service) website.
The My Helsinki website also includes many ideas for celebrating First of May: https://www.myhelsinki.fi/see-and-do/events/first-of-may-is-a-celebration-of-spring(Link leads to external service)
Helsinki City Museum presents: Havis Amanda and May Day — May Day celebrations from past decades(Link leads to external service)
HPO’s May Day Matinees is a must! This year, conductor Markus Lehtinen and tenor Tuomas Katajala will create a bubbly atmosphere together with the orchestra. Concert programme(Link leads to external service)
Social and health care services in Helsinki on May Day
Do you suspect a coronavirus infection?
You can make a coronavirus assessment at omaolo.fi. Based on your symptoms, you will get instructions on what to do. If needed, you can make an appointment to a coronavirus test. Another way to access a coronavirus test is to contact the Coronavirus Helpline (everyday 8–18, tel. 09 310 10024).
Information about the coronavirus vaccinations in Helsinki can be found at koronarokotus.hel.fi.
Health Stations
Health stations are open on Friday 29 April 8–16. Health stations are closed on the 30 April and 1 May.
24 h Telephone Health Service, tel. 09 310 10023
Information is provided about Helsinki’s health services and treatment instructions 24 hours a day at the cost of a normal phone call.
Emergency services - tel. 116 117
When local health stations are closed, patients in need of urgent care are treated by emergency services.
Call Medical Helpline 116 117 before you go to the emergency clinic. The service is open 24/7 and free of charge.
Adults (over 16 years of age)
Meilahti Emergency Department, Haartman Hospital, Haartmaninkatu 4, building 12
Malmi Emergency Department, Talvelantie 6 J
When local health stations are closed, residents of Helsinki with serious illnesses and in urgent need for care can also go to the Jorvi Hospital emergency room in Espoo, Turuntie 150 or to the Peijas Hospital emergency room in Vantaa, Sairaalakatu 1, Vantaa.
Children
New Children’s Hospital, Stenbäckinkatu 11.
Emergency Dental Care
Emergency dental care is provided on 30 April and 1 May from 9 to 21 at Park Hospital, Stenbäckinkatu 9, door C. Appointments can be booked from 8 to 21 at 09 471 71110. Night emergency duty is at Töölö Hospital Emergency Department, Töölönkatu 40, tel. 116 117.
Please always make an appointment by phone before seeking treatment for Emergency Dental Care.
Emergency Social Services and Crisis emergency support 24/7
Emergency Social Services and Crisis emergency support serve 24/7 also during the May Day. Emergency Social Services tel. 020 696 006 and Crisis emergency support tel. 09 310 44222.
In life-threatening emergencies – call 112
In the event of a severe and life-threatening illness or accident situation at any time of the day, call 112 for help.
Public transport over the May Day bank holiday
On 30 April, a Saturday service will operate. On May Day (May 1), a Sunday service will operate. There will be additional transport services on both 30 April and on May Day. There will be diversions to tram routes in downtown Helsinki on 30 April from 3.30pm.
On the eve of May Day, 30 April, a Saturday service will operate. On May Day (May 1), a Sunday service will operate. There will be additional transport services on both 30 April and on May Day. There will be diversions to tram routes in downtown Helsinki on 30 April from 3.30pm due to May Eve celebrations. May Day parades may cause delays to traffic on Sunday. For detailed timetables and diversion routes, see the Journey Planner.
Read more(Link leads to external service) in a news article of HSL(Link leads to external service)