Midsummer in Helsinki is full of both old and newer local midsummer traditions. The Seurasaari Midsummer Bonfire makes living cultural heritage visible, and the idyllic museum area makes for an excellent setting for celebrating midsummer. Modern midsummer traditions are offered by events such as the We Love Helsinki Midsummer Ball, Allas Live Midsummer, and Italo Midsummer at Lasipalatsikortteli, among others. The traditional midsummer film screening at cinema WHS Union will feature the film Teerenpeliä (Finland, 1963).
Seurasaari Midsummer Bonfire(Link leads to external service)
We Love Helsinki Midsummer Ball(Link leads to external service)
Allas Live Midsummer(External link)(Link leads to external service)
Midsummer – Lasipalatsikortteli goes italodisco(Link leads to external service)
Screening of the film Teerenpeliä(Link leads to external service)
During midsummer, sauna bathers can enjoy the heat at least in the wood-burning Kotiharju Sauna and Löyly. The Swimming Stadium and Kumpula Outdoor Swimming Pools will be open on Midsummer Eve, Midsummer Day and Sunday.
Kotiharju Sauna(Link leads to external service)
Löyly(Link leads to external service)
Swimming Stadium Outdoor Swimming Pool(Link leads to external service)
Kumpula Outdoor Swimming Pool(Link leads to external service)
Korkeasaari Zoo and Linnanmäki will be open throughout midsummer. You can also come and see animals at Fallkulla Domestic Animal Farm every day from 10.00 to 14.00.
Korkeasaari Zoo(Link leads to external service)
Linnanmäki(Link leads to external service)
Fallkulla Domestic Animal Farm(Link leads to external service)
Midsummer checklist
If you would like to celebrate midsummer near the water or in the great outdoors, you can find comprehensive information about the recreational islands, public beaches and outdoor recreation areas, as well as their services, on the ‘Outdoor activities, parks and nature destinations’ website. The Ulkoliikunta.fi service map provides up-to-date information on the status of public beaches in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area – including their blue-green algae situation and water temperature. As always, please keep the principles of responsible camping and the general rules and regulations for outdoor recreation areas in mind during midsummer as well. Check for any warnings on the Finnish Meteorological Institute’s website before making a fire.
Outdoor activities, parks and nature destinations
Ulkoliikunta.fi(Link leads to external service)
Principles of responsible camping
General rules and regulations for outdoor recreation areas(Link leads to external service)
Warnings in effect(Link leads to external service)
Read more about how to light a fire responsibly
The indoor sports facilities of the City of Helsinki Sports Services will mostly be closed on Midsummer Eve and Midsummer Day, and the opening hours may also differ from the regular hours on other days. You should still always check the opening hours of sports facilities on the Helsinki liikkuu website. However, you will be able to exercise, free of charge, throughout midsummer at outdoor gyms, for example.
Helsinki liikkuu(Link leads to external service)
Outdoor gyms(Link leads to external service)
During midsummer, the majority of Helsinki’s museums will be closed on Friday and Saturday. The City Museum, Villa Hakasalmi, the Burgher’s House and the Tram Museum will be closed during midsummer on Friday 21 and Saturday 22 June but open normally from Sunday 23 June onwards. Then you will be able to experience Helsinki of the past through the ‘A Glimpse of Helsinki – Volker von Bonin’s photos’ exhibition at Villa Hakasalmi or see Helsinki in a new light at the ‘Places and Hoods’ exhibition at Helsinki City Museum.
A Glimpse of Helsinki – Volker von Bonin’s photos(Link leads to external service)
Places and Hoods(Link leads to external service)
Midsummer will impact libraries’ opening hours. Several libraries will close earlier than usual on Thursday 20 June. See your local library’s opening hours on the Helmet.fi website. Helsinki’s libraries will be closed for midsummer, from 21 to 22 June 2024, with the exception of several self-service libraries, which will also be accessible during midsummer. You can visit the E-library to borrow books and magazines online as well as take online courses and listen to music. The E-library is always open.
Helmet.fi(Link leads to external service)
Self-service libraries(Link leads to external service)
E-Library(Link leads to external service)
Youth centres will be closed during midsummer. However, outreach youth workers will be working throughout midsummer, wherever the young people are. Outreach youth workers will be on duty on Midsummer Eve and Midsummer Day from 15.30 to 23.30 and on Sunday from 13.30 to 21.30. You can contact outreach youth workers via Instagram and Snapchat, among other channels.
Helsinki’s outreach youth work on Instagram(Link leads to external service)
Get into the spirit of midsummer in advance
Summer cafés run by young people around Helsinki offer an unhurried summer feel and a guaranteed unique atmosphere. The cafés are designed by and employ young people, and they offer homemade summer treats.
Locations and opening hours of summer cafés(Link leads to external service)
Kannelmäki Youth Centre’s art space Värkkäämö will host the ‘Summer art with plants’ course on midsummer week, from Tuesday to Friday from 12.00 to 16.00. The Magical Midsummer preparty will be held at Mustikkamaa’s Edible Park on Thursday 19 June, from 11.00 to 14.00. During the event, the participants will get to decorate the park’s midsummer pole, enjoy the park’s yields and relax with midsummer magic. The activities are intended for young people over the age of 12.
Registration for the ‘Summer art with plants’ course(Link leads to external service)
Magical Midsummer preparty at the Edible Park(Link leads to external service)
A performance called ‘Läpi kesäillan valssin’ (Through the Summer Evening Waltz) will take the stage at Vuosaari House on Monday 17 June and at Cultural Space Merirasti on Tuesday 18 June. The performance is an atmospheric combination of nostalgic tunes and impressive circus art. It features juggling, balancing on top of glass bottles, skilful rope skipping and light-footed dance performances as well as live music accompanied by a bass and ukulele. The humorous and captivating performance is perfect for older generations recalling the open air dance events of their youth as well as child audiences.
Performance: Läpi kesäillan valssin(Link leads to external service)
A midsummer preparty for the whole family will be held in the summer yard of Maunula House on Tuesday 18 June. The programme will feature grilling and teaching of partner dances, among other things.
Midsummer preparty for the whole family in the summer yard of Maunula House(Link leads to external service)
Free-of-charge city dance events offer dance teaching around Helsinki throughout the summer. On midsummer week, you can learn samba on Sitratori Square on Monday 17 June, single-time swing on Puustellinaukio Square on Tuesday 18 June, waltz at Ala-Malmi Park on Wednesday 19 June, and humppa on Stoa Square on Thursday 20 June.
Samba on Sitratori Square(Link leads to external service)
Single-time swing on Puustellinaukio Square(Link leads to external service)
Waltz at Ala-Malmi Park(Link leads to external service)
Humppa on Stoa Square(Link leads to external service)
You can hang out at Espa throughout the week, and Espa Stage will feature free-of-charge concerts from Monday to Thursday. And best of all, Wednesday 19 June will see Arja Saijonmaa take the Espa Stage for the first time ever!
Events on Espa Stage(Link leads to external service)