Midsummer in Helsinki 2023

What to do and where to go with children at midsummer in Helsinki and the greater metropolitan area?

What to do or where to go during midsummer in Helsinki? Where are the midsummer bonfires lit?
At midsummer, many travel to the countryside to celebrate midsummer, and the quieting Helsinki brings its own charm to celebrating midsummer in the city. Pienten Helsinki's tips for celebrating midsummer's eve and midsummer day in the city with children. The tips include both events and other activities during midsummer.

Midsummer celebrations in Helsinki

Helsinki City Folk on Espa's stage on Monday, June 19, 2023 at 6 p.m. Folk dancers and musicians from the capital region bring their midsummer greetings to city residents and tourists visiting Helsinki.

Kettu Käreittären's Magic Trail on Seurasaari on Tuesday and Wednesday at 2 p.m. Free entry.

Midsummer Salko Work Bee on Seurasaari at Antin square on Wednesday, June 21 and Thursday, June 22 from 12-4 p.m. Free entry.
Following the model of Föglö island (Åland), a midsummer salko is raised on midsummer's eve at Seurasaari's midsummer white nights (paid event).

Traditional midsummer celebrations are held in playgrounds mainly during midsummer week on Wednesday and Thursday. More detailed information can be found on the playgrounds' own websites.

Mustasaari Midsummer is celebrated on Friday, June 23, 2023 from 12-8 p.m.
Sauna bathing, swimming, treats, and summer activities on a lovely summer island. Mustasaari is also home to farm animals during the summer months, and a neighboring island has sheep. A ferry to the island departs from Taivallahti beach (paid, free entry to the island).
Read more from Pienten Helsinki: A Hot Day on Mustasaari

Vantaa: Midsummer Party for the whole family at St. Laurence Church Park on midsummer's eve, Friday, from 3-6 p.m. The event is organized by Church Vantaa. Free entry.

Also in Espoo, church parishes organize midsummer celebrations.

Vantaa: Vantaa Summer Stage: Midsummer Dances at Myyr York Park on Friday, June 23, 2023 at 6 p.m. Free entry.

Midsummer celebration at Karelians' summer home Villa Salmela on Jollakso on Friday, June 23, 2023. Various programs, sauna turns, treats from the cafe, and flag hoisting at 6 p.m. The bonfire is lit at 8 p.m., if burning is permitted.

Seurasaari Midsummer White Nights on Friday, June 23, 2023 from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tickets €28, children under 12 free.

Talin Allotment Garden Midsummer Party at the club house on June 23, 2023 from 6-10 p.m. Free entry.

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Secrets of Helsinki article reveals small and big secrets of Helsinki!

Midsummer Bonfires in Helsinki

Note! Forest fire warnings prevent bonfire lighting!

Karelians' summer home Villa Salmela at Jollakso bonfire at 8 p.m.
On Lauttasaari's Länsiulapanniemi in the HKL summer accommodation area there has been a bonfire in previous years.
At the southern tip of Lauttasaari at Särkiniemi bonfire rock.
At Seurasaari's Midsummer White Nights event children's bonfire at 7:35 p.m. and main bonfire at 10 p.m. (the event is paid).
On Isosaari midsummer has traditionally been celebrated and bonfires lit.
On Kaivopuisto beach near Cafe Ursula.
Talin Allotment Garden Midsummer Party on midsummer's eve from 6-10 p.m. (bonfire weather permitting).

Always check the latest information from the organizer's website!

Things to do during midsummer

Summer in Helsinki – over 45 articles and hundreds of tips for enjoying summer in Helsinki!

Pienten Helsinki recommends: The morning of midsummer's eve is best started at Hakaniemi Market Hall and square in the midsummer market atmosphere. The market sells midsummer treats, strawberries, and birch twigs to decorate your city midsummer. The Coffee Sisters' tent features accordion music.

Linnanmäki amusement park is also open during midsummer. Free entry.

Korkeasaari is also open during midsummer. Entry fee.

Porvoo: Archipelago atmosphere for midsummer at Pellinge Summer Market on midsummer's eve, Friday, June 23, 2023 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. The trip also includes a short ferry ride, so the outing is sure to be an experience for little ones.

To Vartiosaar a solar-powered ferry carrying visitors also operates during midsummer from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Ferry fee.

At Seurasaari you can see a midsummer salko and enjoy the free atmosphere of the island on midsummer day, June 24, 2023. Only museum buildings have an entry fee for adults; children visit Seurasaari's open-air museum free of charge this summer. Children's guided tour on midsummer day at noon (free for children, adults pay the museum entry fee to participate).

Horse riding and pony rides at Seurasaari on midsummer day, Saturday, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Paid.

Meilahti Rose Garden features blooming midsummer roses. Free entry.

Secrets of Helsinki article reveals small and big secrets of Helsinki!

The quieting Helsinki city center is an experience in itself. Also, for example, the Kaisaniemi Botanical Outdoor Garden is open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. during midsummer holidays. Greenhouses are closed during midsummer.

Playground during midsummer? Tips for the best playgrounds and introduction to Helsinki's newest playgrounds can be found in Pienten Helsinki. Helsinki's newest playground can be found at Kruunuvuorenranta!

Fallkulla and Haltiala farm animal facilities where you can see animals grazing outside throughout midsummer. At Fallkulla, animals usually go outside around 10 a.m.-2 p.m. when weather permits; at Haltiala usually at other times as well. Farm animal facilities have free entry. Read more from Pienten Helsinki's Animals in the City article.

Sheep Island and Kuusiluoto take you to nature's peace in the middle of the city. You can reach Sheep Island easily with strollers, but for the Kuusiluoto trip it's best to leave strollers waiting on the Sheep Island side. On Kuusiluoto, you can meet sheep roaming freely on the island, admire Helsinki, eat packed lunches, and enjoy nature.

Suomenlinna ferries transport adventurers also during midsummer, but some of the island's services may be closed during midsummer. So bring packed food with you and enjoy Suomenlinna's unique atmosphere and explore the caves in peace.

To Vartiosaar you can travel this summer via solar ferry across Reposalmi, and the island has plenty of nature and midsummer atmosphere. Vartiosaar's summer shacks have also arrived. For more information on the boat trip and fees, check the ferry's own website.

Espoo's wonderful islands and beaches offer midsummer atmosphere and activities, read more on Visit Espoo's website.

Uusimaa Recreation Area Association's outdoor areas can be found dozens close to Helsinki. Hiking in beautiful natural sites is a great alternative to celebrating midsummer at a cottage.

The quieting city at midsummer is the perfect place to explore new places and hike interesting spots. From Pienten Helsinki's Helsinki Places article you'll find more places worth experiencing in Helsinki. Secrets of Helsinki article reveals small and big secrets of Helsinki!

What to do today? Check out tips for boring days from Pienten Helsinki!

Swimming

Pienten Helsinki's Swimming? -article recommends child-friendly beaches in Helsinki.

Swimming spots for hot days article compiles tips for outdoor pools and other often blue algae-free swimming spots. The sandy-bottomed children's own swimming spot, Pirkkolan Plotti, is back in use!

Kumpula Open-air Pool and Swimming Stadium are also open during midsummer with slightly modified opening hours (entry fee). Leppävaara Open-air Pool in Espoo is open during midsummer (entry fee). Also the wading pool located in Tapiola (no supervision during midsummer) is open.

Small Finland

Small Finland suggests things to do and experience with children throughout Finland. Also includes many tips for nearby areas and day trips as well as a large list of the best playgrounds around Finland. The tip map currently has over 700 tips!