Lux Helsinki, 3–7 January
The Lux Helsinki light festival lights up Helsinki at the start of the year. Lux Helsinki presents each year a diverse range of light art. In addition to lighting up famous buildings in Helsinki, the festival also often showcases lesser-known courtyards and façades.
luxhelsinki.fi
DocPoint – Helsinki Documentary Film Festival, 30 January - 2 February
Founded in 2001, DocPoint is one of the largest documentary festivals in the Nordic countries. In Finland, it is the only festival solely dedicated to documentary films. Once a year it brings more than a hundred of the best and most talked-about creative documentary films from all over the world and Finland to the screens of Helsinki.
docpointfestival.fi
May Day, 1 May
The traditional spring festival for workers and students begins already on 30 April. May Day itself is celebrated in the city with numerous markets selling balloons, fans and masks. Students and academics gather in the Kaivopuisto park for a champagne picnic in the morning or a May Day brunch at a local restaurant. Workers in turn take part in political marches and listen to speeches and songs in the city’s market squares. All the traditions combine to create a colourful two-day spring carnival for all to enjoy.
Read more about May Day traditions in Helsinki
Helsinki City Running Day, 11 May
Helsinki City Running Day combines five running events into one day. There is something for everyone; Finland’s largest half marathon Helsinki City Run, the legendary 44th Saucony Helsinki City Marathon, Saucony Helsinki City Marathon Relay which features a great team spirit, the short but sweet Ice Power Helsinki City 5. The novelty of 2024 is Ice Power Helsinki City 5 Walk, a 5 k walk without timing. Also, completing the half marathon and marathon on the same day is possible, the event is called Helsinki City Double.
helsinkicityrunningday.fi
World Village Festival, 25–26 May
The World Village Festival is Finland’s leading event for global action for the whole family, an admission free cultural festival-, and a trade fair for sustainable development. The theme for the 2024 festival is Courage.
maailmakylassa.fi
Sideways Festival, 13–15 June
Kicking of the summer of music festivals, Sideways takes place in the area of Nordis, near the Helsinki Ice Hall and Eläintarha Sports Field. It offers an impressive range of Finnish and international artists, food, drinks and various sideshows.
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 Bonfires, 21 June
Seurasaari Midsummer Bonfires 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 celebration has accommodated traditional as well as fresh perspectives on the Finnish Midsummer holiday.
juhannusvalkeat.fi
Helsinki Pride, 29 June
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.
pride.fi
Tuska, 28-30 June
The biggest heavy metal festival in Northern Europe takes place in Suvilahti. The festival features some of the biggest Finnish and international names in metal. In 2023 the festival attracted 63,000 metalheads over three days, setting a new record since Tuska was first organised in 1998.
tuska.fi
Tall Ships Races Helsinki, 4-7 July
The annual Tall Ships Races, an international competition for thousands of young people, takes place in the Baltic Sea every four years. Helsinki will serve as one of the race’s host ports from 4–7 July 2024, and the event is expected to attract around 500,000 visitors to the city. The event area is in the immediate city centre, the area of Eteläsatama, Kauppatori, Katajanokka, Kanavaranta and Pohjoisranta.
tallshipsraceshelsinki2024.fi
Helsinki Cup, 8–13 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 49th Helsinki Cup takes place in summer 2024. 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, 9–11 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 2023 the sold-out festival gathered a record-breaking 90 000 attendees to enjoy the unique atmosphere during the three festival days.
flowfestival.com
Helsinki Festival, 15 August - 1 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
Helsinki Design Week, 6-15 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, 11-15 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, 19–29 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, 6 – 12 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
Helsinki International Horse Show, 23–27 October
Helsinki International Horse Show welcomes the equestrian community to Helsinki in October! The show is an exciting mix of ultimate top sport and entertainment. Our huge crowd of over 50 000 visitors are true horse lovers and fans, eager to meet the world´s best riders.
helsinkihorseshow.fi
Moving in November Dance Festival, 7–17 November
Moving in November is a contemporary dance festival organised yearly in the Helsinki area. The festival is an invitation to come together. To experience artistic works from the local scene and abroad.
movinginnovember.fi
Baltic Circle, 15–23 November
Baltic Circle is an international festival for contemporary theatre and performance organised annually in November in Helsinki.
balticcircle.fi
Slush, 20-21 November
The biggest two-day startup event in Europe, Slush attracts hundreds of technology and business leaders.
slush.org
Helsinki Christmas Market, December
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, 31 December
Helsinki rings in 2025 with a huge party with performances by top artists.
helsinginuusivuosi.fi