Pienten Helsinki
The search for Christmas atmosphere in gray Helsinki in 2020 takes a somewhat different form, as traditional Christmas events have been cancelled and many events have changed shape due to the pandemic. Fortunately, not all traditions have been cancelled and wonderful experiences are available to discover independently in surprisingly large quantities. So admire the light reindeer in Espa Park, venture along the Fortress Elf route and the Uutela Star Trail, experience the Seurasaari Christmas trail independently and enjoy performances even from your home couch.
Little Helsinki wishes you
a wonderful Christmas and
a better new year 2021!
Lights in the city
Helsinki's parks, streets and buildings are illuminated to bring light to the darkness and Christmas atmosphere to the city. The illuminated Christmas trees on Keskuskatu, the lights and animal figures in Espa Park, the Christmas lights on Aleksanterinkatu and numerous Christmas lights and various Christmas decorations shine in many shopping centers and their surroundings.
Annantalo (Annakatu 30) has large and colorful window paintings created using old schoolhouse techniques (colored tissue paper and black paper) in the upper windows of its front side, which are the handiwork of nine building artist teachers. These can be seen until January 6, 2021 (Epiphany).
The Vanhankaupunginkoski dam is illuminated with LED color lights from August to May. The color of the lights changes according to the season.
Christmas windows
Large shopping centers have traditionally decorated their Christmas windows to appeal to children. The Christmas classic, Stockmann's fairytale window in the center, is a wonderful experience again this year and you can admire forest animals celebrating Christmas until Epiphany at the corner of Aleksanterinkatu and Keskuskatu. For example, Fazer's Christmas window on Kluuvikatu is also worth visiting.
Festive Window Trail on Aleksi Street
The Festive Window Trail can be experienced on Aleksanterinkatu and in its surroundings until December 30, 2020.
Various Christmas events
Uutela Star Trail
The Uutela Star Trail is a self-guided reflector trail containing Ursa constellations in Uutela, Vuosaari. Bring a flashlight and venture boldly into the dark forest. Reflectors attached to the trail and a mobile map guide you to Ursa's constellation checkpoints and the wonders of the starry sky. The one-kilometer Uutela Star Trail starts on a forest path next to Kahvila Kampela and ends at the Niemenpaja cooking shelter (round trip is 2 km).
Adventurous star evenings are available in Uutela from December 14, 2020 to January 31, 2021.
Seurasaari Christmas Trail
On the Seurasaari self-guided Christmas trail you can venture through checkpoints until Christmas and some points of the Christmas trail can be experienced after that. The City of Helsinki delivers wood to the Festival Field grilling area, where you can grill your own delicacies while trekking.
On the Seurasaari virtual Christmas trail you can get into the Christmas spirit through daily greetings.
Fortress Elf Route in Suomenlinna
Follow the Fortress Elf route in Suomenlinna from November 28, 2020 to January 6, 2021. The elf of Suomenlinna fortress starts preparing for Christmas well in advance of the celebration. The Fortress Elf route is a self-guided task trail where you can follow the elves' activities in different parts of the fortress. Maps and signs guide you to points, each telling about the activities of Suomenlinna's elves. The route starts from the Rantakasarmi tourist information.
Christmas at the Fortress in Suomenlinna until January 6, 2020.
Suomenlinna's star trail can be experienced until December 20, 2020.
Marttila Christmas Village
Marttila Christmas Village in Helsinki's Pitäjänmäki is the villagers' own joint event aimed at bringing light and joy to the pre-Christmas season. A event map guides visitors to the festive route.
Animals' Christmas
At Haltiala and Fallkulla farm animal areas you can see farm animals in outdoor pens also in December. At Fallkulla, cattle and horses are usually outdoors daily around 10:00-14:30, weather permitting, and at Haltiala throughout the day. The Haltiala playground is also open according to Little Helsinki's information. The indoor areas of the farm animal facilities remain closed.
Due to the exceptional situation, Korkeasaari Zoo is closed at least until January.
Christmas concerts and performances
Little Grandpa's virtual Christmas concert can be watched for free as provided by Espoo's Culture and Leisure Department until December 20, 2020.
The Little Ones' Christmas Carols from Temple Square with Siina and Taikaradio Orchestra can be sung virtually this year.
The puppet theater Sytkytin Christmas performance traditionally seen at the City of Helsinki's Winter Garden during the Christmas holiday can be watched virtually.
On the Seurasaari virtual Christmas trail you can get into the Christmas spirit through daily greetings.
Things to do at home
Your child's first ballet experience from the home couch? The National Ballet's Pippi Longstocking ballet can now be watched in full on the Stage24 service. A strong recommendation for the performance from Little Helsinki's background team!
Yle Areena offers a wonderful selection of Finnish children's films to honor Christmas! It's also worth watching the episodes of Elf Academy!
Outdoors and activities
Ice skating and sledding
The City of Helsinki's and Espoo's ice skating rinks are mostly in good condition and open to skaters also during the Christmas holidays. However, it's a good idea to check the exact opening hours and note that the number of skaters is limited due to the exceptional situation, so be prepared for queues. Skating on Helsinki and Espoo ice rinks is free.
Current skating rink condition information is updated on the ulkoliikunta.fi service.
Sledding is possible in some parts of southern Finland. Current slope information can be found in the Ski.fi service.
Adventure in unique places
Uunisaari off Kaivopuisto has gained a bridge connection for the winter months and on this rocky island you can gaze at the horizon, marvel at passing ships and enjoy warm drinks and other delicacies at Restaurant Uunisaari.
For independent winter trips away from the Christmas crowds in the shops, you can head to, for example, Lammassaari, the peace of Kruunuvuorenlammi or the Kivinokas trails.
Also remember Little Helsinki's Helsinki places article.
Hiking trips
Hiking is also possible at Christmas! Sipoonkorpi, Nuuksio, Luukki, Talosaari and even Suomenlinna are wonderful hiking destinations in winter as well. Pack snacks in your backpack and dress warmly!
In Sipoonkorpi you can find, for example, the easily accessible Tasakallio - Storträsk route and the Byabäcken nature trail, formerly known as the Ponu tradition post route, which leads to a grilling area and a cabin for warming up. A tip based on experience: with little ones, it's best to walk this route from the beginning to the grilling area and return by the same route, not completing the full loop. The grilling area usually has plenty of ready-made firewood, so bring matches and snacks.
The route from Kuusijärvi to Sipoonkorpi is also worth trying and experiencing a new bridge connection to the national park.
New and interesting hiking destinations can also be found in Uusimaa Recreation Area Association's attractions.
Christmas towns in nearby areas
At least Porvoo, Loviisa, Tammisaari (for example, Elf Trail), Fiskars village (and a great playground in the center of the village!) in Raasepori and Mathildedal have invested in Christmas atmosphere.
New Year in Helsinki
Official fireworks organized by the cities have been cancelled for this year's turn.
Fireworks will be replaced by, for example, laser beams broadcast from the Olympic Stadium tower in Helsinki. The Time Telegraph artwork is visible in all directions from December 31 at 3:30 PM to January 1 at 9:30 AM. It's worth climbing to high places to observe the artwork as it is believed to be visible from far away. The public can also participate in the artwork by sending their hopes for the coming year through the page describing the artwork.
Children's New Year on Helsinki Channel takes you to Unikeho's New Year's Eve party on Thursday, December 31 at 5:30 PM-6:00 PM. Unikeho's New Year's Eve party is a cheerful home celebration for the whole family, where you create art, dance and play bingo together with the program's heroes. Atmosphere-building preparations can be made together according to instructions shared online. The wordless and family-friendly celebration broadcast was created by the art collective Skidit, known from Skidit Festivals and other creative children's events. You can access Unikeho's New Year's Eve party through this link (Helsinki Channel).
Järvenpää city celebrates the year change with a Light and Happiness campaign, inviting residents to find flashlights, lanterns, candles and other light sources and point them at the sky on New Year's Eve, December 31, 2020 at 7 PM. The sea of light will be photographed from above and images of the Järvenpää residents' illuminated city will be broadcast live on Järvenpää's YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/r-p9mUk95bo
The Uutela Star Trail is a different way to spend New Year. It takes you adventuring in nature and on Uutela trails with a flashlight and the glow of stars. Pack snacks in your backpack and enjoy them at the trail's fireplace. The one-kilometer Uutela Star Trail starts on a forest path next to Kahvila Kampela and ends at the Niemenpaja cooking shelter (round trip is 2 km).
Adventurous star evenings are available in Uutela from December 14, 2020 to January 31, 2021.
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