Where to go this Christmas week? 15.-21.12.2025

Where to go with children in Helsinki? What child-friendly activities can you find in Helsinki this week? Pienten Helsinki's weekly "Where to go this week" series finds tips and highlights family-friendly events and activities in Helsinki and the surrounding area.

The article's cover image is from the Winter Garden's Christmas celebrations.

Current highlights

The Winter Garden is once again full of Christmas spirit! Note! Closed on Fridays! Free entry.

Want more visibility for your event at Pienten Helsinki? Read more about our media kit!
Want to go ice skating? Our wish list article about public skating times at ice halls in the Helsinki metropolitan area has been updated!
Outdoor ice rinks now open in Helsinki include Oulunkylä, Johanneksenkentän, Kontula and Lassilna outdoor ice rinks, as well as the Lauttasaari ice skating area. In Espoo, for example, the Tapiola ice garden is open. Current condition information for the rinks can be found on the ulkoliikunta.fi map service.
The bridge to Uunisaari has opened and the island is once again easily accessible for adventures!
Read more about Pienten Helsinki's Uunisaari feature article!
Pienten Suomi - over 1000 reasons to explore Finland with children!
Lighthouse Keeper's Route at Suomenlinna from 28.11.2025 to 29.1.2026. You can get a map of the Lighthouse Keeper's Route from the Suomenlinna Visitor Centre, located in the light pink Rantakasarmi building near the HSL ferry dock.

MLL's Family House Unikko (Unikkotie 8, Pukinmäki) is an open meeting place for families and children aged 0-12. Read more on the family house's Facebook page!
MLL's family café schedule can be found on MLL Uusimaa's website.
All of Pienten Helsinki's playground tips can be found via this link!
New! The playground at Haakoninlahdenpuisto in Kruunuvuorenranta and the playground at Säätytalon puistikko in Kruunuhaka have opened!
Museum tips for visits with children can be read in Pienten Helsinki's feature article!
Museum passes for the Natural History Museum or admission tickets to Korkeasaari can also be borrowed from the library! From Viiki Library you can borrow an admission ticket to the Natural History Museum. From Kalasatama Library you can borrow an admission ticket to Korkeasaari Zoo.

Porvoo: Children's Art Hall at Porvoo Art Hall in the Art Factory spaces from 12.9.2025 to 13.1.2026. Open according to Art Hall opening hours. Free entry.

MONDAY 15.12.2025

Events and activities

At the playground Loru in Central Library Oodi, Monday's program:
- 10.30–11.15 Loru's games for children over 1 year old
- 13–13.30 Kukkuluuruu baby time session
Helmet library's events for children can be found on Helmet's events page.
Dance and play workshop for toddlers (ages 1–3) and their parents at Caisa on Monday at 9.15 am and 10.15 am. Free entry, first 12 participants welcome.
Thomas Market on Senate Square from 28.11. to 22.12.2025. This year the market also has a free carousel! Free entry.
Vantaa: Vantaa Christmas Market on Tikkurila Square from 6.-21.12.2025. Vantaa's Christmas market also has a carousel! Free entry.
HELSINKI MUSEUMS open on Mondays include the Marks and Pippi Longstocking exhibition, Helsinki City Museum and Children's City, Tram Museum, TAHTO and Amos Rex. More museum tips for visits with children can be found in Pienten Helsinki's feature article!

TUESDAY 16.12.2025

Events and activities

At the playground Loru in Central Library Oodi, Tuesday's program:
- 10.30–11 Loru moves, gentle movement for parents with babies (0-9 months)
- 13–13.30 In Loru's warmth baby time session
- 15–15.30 I Ramsans värme, musik, rim och ramsor för bebisar
Helmet library's events for children can be found on Helmet's events page.
Haltiala farm's petting farm opens to the public again with Christmas spirit. The petting farm is open Tuesdays and Thursdays 9am-1pm and Saturdays and Sundays 10am-2pm from 16.12.2025 to 4.1.2026 (excluding Christmas holidays). Free entry.
Kindergarten Museum is open Tuesdays 12pm-7pm. Small entrance fee.
Art for toddlers workshop (Open Studio for Toddlers Workshops) at Caisa Cultural Centre (Kaikukatu 4 B) on Tuesdays 1:30pm-3:30pm. The workshops are suitable for children aged 1.5–3 years with their own adult. No advance registration required, free entry. You can participate for the full duration or just drop in.
Thomas Market on Senate Square from 28.11. to 22.12.2025. This year the market also has a free carousel! Free entry.

WEDNESDAY 17.12.2025

Events and activities

At the playground Loru in Central Library Oodi, Wednesday's program:
- 10:30–11:30 Loru enchanted, play and sensory experiences for all ages
- 13–14:30 Loru enchanted, play and sensory experiences for all ages
Helmet library's events for children can be found on Helmet's events page.
Fire Museum at Erottaja Fire Station is open Wednesdays 12pm-4pm. Small entrance fee.
Kindergarten Museum is open Tuesdays 12pm-7pm. Small entrance fee.
Last week! Espoo: Finland's largest model railway is on display in Tapiola, Espoo, in the Länsituuli shopping center on the 1st floor, next to Ainoa shopping center. Open Wednesdays and Fridays 2pm-6pm, Saturdays 11am-5pm and Sundays 12pm-4pm. Free entry.
Family House Unikko's traditional Christmas path in Unikko's courtyard in Pukinmäki on Wednesday from 4pm-7pm. Free entry.
Thomas Market on Senate Square from 28.11. to 22.12.2025. This year the market also has a free carousel! Free entry.
Vantaa: Vantaa Christmas Market on Tikkurila Square from 6.-21.12.2025. Vantaa's Christmas market also has a carousel! Free entry.

Want more visibility for your event at Pienten Helsinki?
Read more about our media kit!

THURSDAY 18.12.2025

Events and activities

At the playground Loru in Central Library Oodi, Thursday's program:
- 10:30–11 Loru moves, jumps and dances for parents and babies
- 13–13:30 Loru's songs, bilingual music session for all ages (Finnish-Swedish)
Helmet library's events for children can be found on Helmet's events page.
Haltiala farm's petting farm opens to the public again with Christmas spirit. The petting farm is open Tuesdays and Thursdays 9am-1pm and Saturdays and Sundays 10am-2pm from 16.12.2025 to 4.1.2026 (excluding Christmas holidays). Free entry.
Art for toddlers workshops (Open Studio for Toddlers Workshops) at Caisa Cultural Centre (Kaikukatu 4 B) on Thursdays 10am-12pm. The workshops are suitable for children aged 1.5–3 years with their own adult. No advance registration required, free entry. You can participate for the full duration or just drop in.
Lovisa's Christmas puppet theatre performance at Kallio Library on Thursday at 6pm. Free entry.
University of Helsinki Observatory on Tähtitorninmäki is open Thursdays 12pm–8pm. Museum entrance fee.
Thomas Market on Senate Square from 28.11. to 22.12.2025. This year the market also has a free carousel! Free entry.

FRIDAY 19.12.2025

Events and activities

At the playground Loru in Central Library Oodi, Friday's program:
- 1:30pm–3pm Loru's Christmas party at Maijansali on Oodi 1st floor
Helmet library's events for children can be found on Helmet's events page.
Stuffed animals' Christmas night at Malminkartano Library. Stuffed animals are accepted on Friday 9am-4pm. Your own stuffed animal can be picked up at home on Monday 22.12. from 9am-8pm.
University of Helsinki Observatory on Tähtitorninmäki is open Fridays 12pm–4pm. Museum entrance fee.
Thomas Market on Senate Square from 28.11. to 22.12.2025. This year the market also has a free carousel! Free entry.
Last week! Espoo: Finland's largest model railway is on display in Tapiola, Espoo, in the Länsituuli shopping center on the 1st floor, next to Ainoa shopping center. Open Wednesdays and Fridays 2pm-6pm, Saturdays 11am-5pm and Sundays 12pm-4pm. Free entry.
Vantaa: Aviation Museum's free evenings on Friday 4pm-8pm.
Tapanila Living Christmas Calendar: A Christmas Story Moment at Tapanila village farm on Friday at 6:30pm. Free entry.

SATURDAY 20.12.2025

Events and activities

Helmet library's events for children can be found on Helmet's events page.
Haltiala farm's petting farm opens to the public again with Christmas spirit. The petting farm is open Tuesdays and Thursdays 9am-1pm and Saturdays and Sundays 10am-2pm from 16.12.2025 to 4.1.2026 (excluding Christmas holidays). Free entry.
Espoo: Christmas spirit at manor museum Glims on Saturday 10am-4pm. Museum entrance fee.
Espoo: Axxell Överby Christmas markets at Marketanpuisto on Saturday and Sunday 11am-3pm. Free entry, parking fee 2 €.

Last week! Espoo: Finland's largest model railway is on display in Tapiola, Espoo, in the Länsituuli shopping center on the 1st floor, next to Ainoa shopping center. Open Wednesdays and Fridays 2pm-6pm, Saturdays 11am-5pm and Sundays 12pm-4pm. Free entry.
Teurastamo Christmas Markets on Saturday and Sunday 11am-6pm. Free entry.
University of Helsinki Observatory on Tähtitorninmäki is open Saturdays 12pm–4pm. Museum entrance fee.
Vantaa: Free guided tours for families at the "Ikikallio's Stories" exhibition at Vantaa City Museum on Saturday at 1pm. Free entry.
HSK Helsingfors Skridskoklubb rf - Helsinki Skating Club celebrates its 150th anniversary at Johanneksenkentän on Saturday 3pm–5pm. Bring your own ice skates! Free entry.
Philomela's family Christmas - Stars' Journey concert at Temppeliaukio Church on Saturday at 5pm. Tickets 20 €, under 18s free.
Thomas Market on Senate Square from 28.11. to 22.12.2025. This year the market also has a free carousel! Free entry.
Vantaa: Vantaa Christmas Market on Tikkurila Square from 6.-21.12.2025. Vantaa's Christmas market also has a carousel! Free entry.
Porvoo: Porvoo Christmas Path brings joy to the downtown area with colorful carousels and interesting vendors as well as experiences from 29.11.-21.12.2025. Open Wednesdays to Sundays 11am-7pm (closed Mondays and Tuesdays). Free entry.
Porvoo: Children's Art Hall at Porvoo Art Hall in the Art Factory spaces from 12.9.2025 to 13.1.2026. Open according to Art Hall opening hours. Free entry.

SUNDAY 21.12.2025

Winter solstice, the shortest day of the year

Events and activities

Want to go ice skating? Our wish list article about public skating times at ice halls in the Helsinki metropolitan area has been updated!
Haltiala farm's petting farm opens to the public again with Christmas spirit. The petting farm is open Tuesdays and Thursdays 9am-1pm and Saturdays and Sundays 10am-2pm from 16.12.2025 to 4.1.2026 (excluding Christmas holidays). Free entry.
Espoo: Axxell Överby Christmas markets at Marketanpuisto on Saturday and Sunday 11am-3pm. Free entry, parking fee 2 €.
Porvoo: Island Christmas at Pellinge Island in Porvoo is a real Christmas experience. The ferry ride from the mainland is short but all the more exciting. At the Pellinge Christmas market you can buy local Christmas delicacies and gifts to take home, and there are also Christmas trees and other festive items for sale. Island Christmas on Sunday 11am-3pm. Guidance is also available if the ferry ride to the island seems exciting. Strong recommendation from Pienten Helsinki to ease Christmas stress!
Teurastamo Christmas Markets on Saturday and Sunday 11am-6pm. Free entry.
Fire Museum at Erottaja Fire Station is open Sundays 12pm-4pm. Small entrance fee.
Last day! Espoo: Finland's largest model railway is on display in Tapiola, Espoo, in the Länsituuli shopping center on the 1st floor, next to Ainoa shopping center. Open Wednesdays and Fridays 2pm-6pm, Saturdays 11am-5pm and Sundays 12pm-4pm. Free entry.
Pippi's Gingerbread Parade at Museum Marks on Sunday 2pm-4pm. Don't forget to also see the wonderful Pippi Longstocking exhibition! Free entry.
Thomas Market on Senate Square from 28.11. to 22.12.2025. This year the market also has a free carousel! Free entry.
Vantaa: Vantaa Christmas Market on Tikkurila Square from 6.-21.12.2025. Vantaa's Christmas market also has a carousel! Free entry.
Porvoo: Porvoo Christmas Path brings joy to the downtown area with colorful carousels and interesting vendors as well as experiences from 29.11.-21.12.2025. Open Wednesdays to Sundays 11am-7pm (closed Mondays and Tuesdays). Free entry.
Porvoo: Children's Art Hall at Porvoo Art Hall in the Art Factory spaces from 12.9.2025 to 13.1.2026. Open according to Art Hall opening hours. Free entry.