Lux Helsinki, 5-9 January
The Lux Helsinki light festival lights up Helsinki at the start of the year. Lux Helsinki presents a diverse range of light art in different formats along a new route each year that stretches over a kilometre through the city centre. In addition to lighting up famous buildings in Helsinki, the festival also showcases lesser-known courtyards and façades.
luxhelsinki.fi
May Day, 1 May
Leading up to the Vappu celebrations, there will be a bunch of events organised virtually and locals will indulge in traditional activities on the day itself.
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Helsinki City Running Day, 13-14 May
Helsinki City Running Day is the biggest running event in Finland that includes the Helsinki City Run, Finland’s largest half marathon, the 42nd annual Helsinki City Marathon, Helsinki City Marathon Relay which features a great team spirit, the short but sweet Helsinki City 5 and the adorable Minimarathon. Also, completing the half marathon and marathon on the same day is possible, the event is called Helsinki City Double.
helsinkicityrunningday.fi
Sideways Festival, 16-18 June
Sideways kicks off Helsinki’s summer of music festivals, having established its place in Helsinki. The three-day festival takes place in and around Helsinki Ice Hall and presents a broad and impressive range of Finnish and international artists.
sidewayshelsinki.fi
Helsinki Day, 12 June
Helsinki has celebrated its birthday on 12 June since 1959. The day is packed with free events that are open to everyone organised by local associations, businesses, clubs, organisations and active residents. The programme includes both big and small events, music, the performing arts, guided tours, exhibitions, open doors and special activities for kids and the elderly.
helsinkipaiva.fi
Seurasaari Midsummer's Eve festival, 24 June
Seurasaari Midsummer's Eve festival offers much to see and experience. This urban celebration is a living part of Finland`s national cultural heritage that brings nostalgia to the fore. Organised in a museum setting, the festival has accommodated traditional as well as fresh perspectives on the Finnish Midsummer holiday.
juhannusvalkeat.fi/
Helsinki Pride, 27 June - 3 July
The Helsinki Pride human rights march traditionally takes place on the Saturday after Midsummer, bringing together people every year to support equal rights. The city is also filled with events during the preceding Pride Week.
tapahtumat.hel.fi
Tuska, 1-3 July
The biggest heavy metal festival in Northern Europe takes place in Suvilahti at the beginning of July. In 2019 the festival attracted 43,000 metalheads over three days, setting a new record since Tuska was first organised in 1998.
tuska.fi
Helsinki Cup, 11-16 July
The Helsinki Cup is one of the biggest football tournaments in Europe, attracting over 20,000 youth footballers from around the world to compete against each other. The 45th Helsinki Cup takes place in summer 2022. Since it was first organised in 1976, the tournament has continued to promote the wellbeing of children and young people, as well as a sense of community.
helsinkicup.fi
Flow Festival, 12-14 August
Since 2004, Flow Festival in the heart of Helsinki has grown to become one of the most acclaimed and interesting music and art festivals in Europe. In addition to top international and Finnish artists, the festival also presents a wide range of more marginal music and art. In 2019 over 170 artists performed at the festival in Suvilahti, watched by audiences numbering more than 83,000 over the three days. Flow Festival is also one of the world’s first carbon-neutral festivals.
flowfestival.com
Outsider Art Festival, 12 August – 21 August
The second Outsider Art Festival gives voice to outsider artists by presenting a conquering lineup of music, visual arts, performing arts, films, literature and life stories. OAF 2022 offers a diverse art program with more than 20 events all around Helsinki and online.
outsiderart.fi
Helsinki Festival, 12 August – 4 September
The Helsinki Festival is the biggest multi-arts festival in the entire Nordic region and takes place annually in late August and early September. The festival aims to make art accessible to a broad Finnish and international audience.
helsinkifestival.fi
Viapori Jazz, 23-27 August
As August approaches, the city is again full of art that extends its musical tentacles as far as the nearest islands. Located at postal code 00190 is the World Heritage Site Suomenlinna and its summertime jazz celebration Viapori Jazz.
viaporijazz.fi/
Helsinki Design Week, 1-11 September
The largest design event in the Nordic countries, Helsinki Design Week will take over the city in the first half of September.
helsinkidesignweek.com
Habitare, 7-9 September
Habitare lays focus on the functionality and visuals of decoration, homes and facilities and explores the work of new and experienced designers. Habitare offers inspiration and experiences for five days and takes place at Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre.
habitare.fi
Helsinki International Film Festival - Love & Anarchy, 15-25 September
Finland’s biggest film festival takes place each year in September. Fans of culture and the most dedicated cinephiles congregate at the Finnish capital’s cinemas, creating a very special and warm festival atmosphere at the start of the autumn. Established in 1988, the festival celebrates the art of filmmaking and presents bold, controversial and visually stunning new films.
hiff.fi
Helsinki Baltic Herring Market, October
The oldest traditional event in Helsinki has been held since 1743. Fish vendors arrive at the Market Square to sell their goods directly from their fishing boats or from market stalls. The mouthwatering selection includes salt herring and a huge range of marinated herring, from rowanberry to red pepper varieties, not to mention all the other tasty market food. In addition to seafood treats, you can also buy delicious black archipelago bread, as well as lambswool fashion and other handicrafts.
silakkamarkkinat.fi
Slush, 17-18 November
The biggest two-day startup event in Europe, Slush attracts hundreds of technology and business leaders.
slush.org
Helsinki Christmas Market, 1–22 December 2022
The Helsinki Christmas Market is the oldest outdoor Christmas market in Helsinki. The stalls at the atmospheric Christmas market in Senate Square are full of unique gifts sold by the craftsmen and women themselves. The restaurant yard treats visitors to wintertime classics, such as Christmas porridge, blini and mulled wine. At the heart of the Helsinki Christmas Market is a beloved old-time carousel.
tuomaanmarkkinat.fi
Helsinki New Year 2022, 31 December
Helsinki rings in 2023 with a huge party with performances by top artists.
helsinginuusivuosi.fi/en/