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Activity tips from Christmas to Epiphany 22.12.2025-6.1.2026 in the Helsinki metropolitan area for families with children seeking adventures
The Little Helsinki Christmas to Epiphany article offers versatile event tips and ideas for independent activities in Helsinki between Christmas and New Year 22.12.2025-6.1.2026. In other words, what to do and where to go with children in Helsinki and the surrounding area during Christmas and New Year's time.
Little Helsinki wishes you a wonderful and peaceful Christmas!
This article replaces the regular Where to Go This Week tips for the Christmas week and days between New Year due to the small number of actual events.
Where to go on Christmas Eve 24.12.2025?
- Fallkulla Farm Animals is open to the public from Christmas Eve to Boxing Day 24.-26.12.2025 10 am-2 pm. Free admission.
- Korkeasaari Zoo is open on Christmas Eve 10 am-2 pm. Zoo admission fee.
- Libraries open on Christmas Eve are Itäkeskus, Kallio and Rikhardinkatu libraries in Helsinki from 10 am–4 pm as well as self-service libraries.
- The Very Best Christmas - a shared celebration at Käpylä village hall on Christmas Eve at 6 pm. Free admission.
- The Lighthouse Keeper's Route in Suomenlinna 28.11.2025-29.1.2026. You can get the map for the Lighthouse Keeper's Route from Suomenlinna Visitor Centre, located in the pale pink Rantakasarmi near the HSL ferry dock. Note possible schedule changes in ferry traffic and Suomenlinna services on Christmas Eve.
- Tuusula: Lotta Museum's self-guided elf trail can be experienced until 6.1.2026.
Activities and events between Christmas and New Year
- St. Thomas Market at Senate Square will be open until Monday 22.12.2025. This year the market also has a free carousel! Free admission.
- The Old Christmas Market at the Old Students' House will be open until Monday 22.12.2025. Free admission.
- Manta Christmas Market is open until 6.1.2026 next to Market Square, around the Havis Amanda statue. Free admission.
- Playground Loru at the central library Oodi is open Monday and Tuesday 22.12.-23.12.2025 and between 29.12.2025-5.1.2026 (closed on New Year's Day).
- Winter Garden decorated for Christmas is open to the public at Christmas as follows: - Monday and Tuesday 22.-23.12.2025 10 am-4 pm
- 24. -25.12.2025 closed
- Boxing Day 26.12.2025 10 am-4 pm
- Saturday and Sunday 27.-28.12.2025 10 am-4 pm
Free admission.
- Fallkulla Farm Animals' indoor areas are open to the public at Christmas as follows:
- 24.-26.12.2025 10 am-2 pm
- Sunday 28.12.2025 10 am-2 pm
- New Year's Day Thursday 1.1.2026 10 am-2 pm
- Sunday 4.1.2026 10 am-2 pm
- Epiphany 6.1.2026 10 am-2 pm
Fallkulla café is not open during Christmas and New Year. Free admission. - Haltiala Farm Animals' paddock opens its doors to the public again in a festive Christmas atmosphere.
The paddock is open during Christmas and New Year as follows:
- Saturday 20.12.2025 10 am-2 pm
- Sunday 21.12.2025 10 am–2 pm
- Tuesday 23.12.2025 9 am–1 pm
- Saturday 27.12.2025 10 am–2 pm
- Sunday 28.12.2025 10 am–2 pm
- Tuesday 30.12.2025 9 am–1 pm
- Saturday 3.1.2026 10 am–2 pm
- Sunday 4.1.2026 10 am–2 pm
Some other animals at the farm graze outdoors even in winter, and Haltiala area is part of the central park's outdoor recreation area. The farm's outdoor area is open year-round 7 am–8 pm. There is no admission fee for the area. Note that the farm no longer has café operations after 21.12.2025. - Boxing Day sleigh rides in Seurasaari Friday 26.12.2025 12 pm-4 pm. Sleigh rides are paid, admission to the island is free. Seurasaari and adjacent Pukki Island have great adventure spots!
- Swimming pools are partially closed during Christmas holidays.
Helsinki city swimming pools - Itäkeskus pool is open on Boxing Day 26.12.2025 8 am-8:30 pm. Little Helsinki note: Remember also the Itik pool's unisex changing room, which is convenient especially with younger children for pool visits.
Sports halls' swimming pools are closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Days, but open (except Pasila pool) on Boxing Day 26.12.2025 according to Sunday opening times. Swimming pool admission fee. - Public ice skating at ice halls: Vantaa ice halls and Kerava have extra public skating sessions during school winter break!
This year there doesn't seem to be any public skating at ice halls on Christmas holidays as Malmi ice hall is closed. - Korttels - a new outdoor event bringing contemporary art by young artists to Tori Korttels' showcase windows, balconies and courtyards 24/7 until 7.1. 2026. Free admission.
- The Lighthouse Keeper's Route in Suomenlinna 28.11.2025-29.1.2026. You can get the map for the Lighthouse Keeper's Route from Suomenlinna Visitor Centre, located in the pale pink Rantakasarmi near the HSL ferry dock.
- Tuusula: Lotta Museum's self-guided elf trail can be experienced until 6.1.2026.
- Libraries have special opening hours during Christmas and more detailed information can be found in the library announcement.
- Helmet libraries' children's events can be found on Helmet's event page. - Espoo: Workshops for holiday visitors in Espoo at Children's Cultural Centre Aurora:
- Reflective felt ornaments workshop Monday 29.12.2025 10 am-1 pm. Free admission.
- New Year magic wands workshop Tuesday 30.12.2025 10 am-1 pm. Free admission. - Espoo: Espoo city offers varied programs during the break days. Read more on Espoo city website.
- Christmas in Helsinki article series brings together all the best tips for Christmas adventures with children in Helsinki..
Secret Helsinki article reveals little and big secrets about Helsinki! - What should we do today? Check out the tips for boring days from Little Helsinki!
- New Year activity tips will be published at Little Helsinki during Christmas week!
Events during 5.1.-7.1.2026
- SOLI Winter Wonderland K-pop event at Tiivistämö in Suvila Monday 5.1.2026 3 pm-7 pm. Tickets €10.
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Lights in the city
- Helsinki's parks, streets and buildings are lit to bring light to the darkness and create a festive Christmas atmosphere. Keskuskatu's illuminated Christmas trees, Espa Park's lights and animal figures, Aleksanterinkatu's Christmas street lights and numerous Christmas lights and decorations in and around shopping centers delight small and large passersby.
- Senate Square's large Christmas tree will remain in place until early January.
- Lux Helsinki is held 6.-11.1.2026. Installations are located in Helsinki's center from Citizen's Square to Hietalahti Square, Old Church Park and Espa stage. The "Stop time!" themed light art also spreads to Kanneltal and ten downtown art galleries. Free admission.
Christmas windows
- Large shopping centers have traditionally decorated their Christmas windows in kid-friendly ways.
- In Stockmann's story window in Helsinki's center at the corner of Aleksanterinkatu and Keskuskatu, the Moomins adventure until Epiphany.
- Fazer's Christmas window on Kluuvikatu has often been amazing!
the Moomins adventure at Christmas 2025.
Animals in the city
- Haltiala Farm Animals' paddock opens its doors to the public again in a festive Christmas atmosphere.
The paddock is open during Christmas and New Year as follows:
- Saturday 20.12.2025 10 am-2 pm
- Sunday 21.12.2025 10 am–2 pm
- Tuesday 23.12.2025 9 am–1 pm
- Saturday 27.12.2025 10 am–2 pm
- Sunday 28.12.2025 10 am–2 pm
- Tuesday 30.12.2025 9 am–1 pm
- Saturday 3.1.2026 10 am–2 pm
- Sunday 4.1.2026 10 am–2 pm
Some other animals at the farm graze outdoors even in winter, and Haltiala area is part of the central park's outdoor recreation area. The farm's outdoor area is open year-round 7 am–8 pm. There is no admission fee for the area. Note that the farm no longer has café operations after 21.12.2025. - Fallkulla Farm Animals' indoor areas are open to the public at Christmas as follows:
- 24.-26.12.2025 10 am-2 pm
- Sunday 28.12.2025 10 am-2 pm
- New Year's Day Thursday 1.1.2026 10 am-2 pm
- Sunday 4.1.2026 10 am-2 pm
- Epiphany 6.1.2026 10 am-2 pm
Fallkulla café is not open during Christmas and New Year. Free admission.
- Korkeasaari Zoo is open almost year-round daily. Zoo admission fee.
- Winter Garden's pond has carp swimming year-round!
Winter Garden decorated for Christmas is open to the public at Christmas as follows: - Monday and Tuesday 22.-23.12.2025 10 am-4 pm
- 24. -25.12.2025 closed
- Boxing Day 26.12.2025 10 am-4 pm
- Saturday and Sunday 27.-28.12.2025 10 am-4 pm
Free admission.
- Also remember: Little Helsinki's Animals in the City article!
Museum visits with children
Tip! Many HELSINKI MUSEUMS are open on Mondays including the Merkkii and Pippi Longstocking exhibition (last day Tuesday 30.12.!), Helsinki City Museum and Children's City, Tram Museum, TAHTO and Amos Rex (closed Tuesdays).
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- Museum tips for visits with children can be found in Little Helsinki's themed article!
- Media Museum and Archive Merkki on Ludviginkatu and the timeless Pippi Longstocking exhibition is open at Merkki until 30.12.2025.
Merkki is open during Christmas and Epiphany as follows:
- Tuesday 23.12.2025 11 am-5 pm
- Christmas and Boxing Day 24.–26.12. 2025 closed
- During 27.–30.12.2025 open 11 am-5 pm (last chance to experience Pippi exhibition!)
- New Year's Eve 31.12.2025 closed
- New Year's Day 1.1.2026 closed
- Friday 2.1.2026 closed
- Epiphany 6.1.2026 closed
Admission to Merkki is always free. - Helsinki City Museum's Christmas special opening hours:
- 24.–25.12.2025 Christmas Eve and Christmas Day: closed
- 26.12.2025 Boxing Day 11 am–5 pm
- 31.12.2025 New Year's Eve 11 am–5 pm
- 1.1.2026 New Year's Day: closed
- 6.1.2026 Epiphany 11 am–5 pm
- Weekdays during break with regular opening hours
Always free admission. - Tram Museum's Christmas special opening hours:
- 24.–25.12.2025 Christmas Eve and Christmas Day: closed
- 26.12.2025 Boxing Day 11 am–5 pm
- 31.12.2025 New Year's Eve 11 am–5 pm
- 1.1.2026 New Year's Day: closed
- 6.1.2026 Epiphany 11 am–5 pm
- Weekdays during break with regular opening hours
Always free admission.
- Espoo: Winter break at Museum Play 26.12.2025-6.1.2026. Museum admission fee.
- Vantaa: Vantaa Art Museum Artsi always has free admission. More detailed opening hours are available at the link.
- Christmas Atmosphere on the Boulevard at Sinebrychoff Home Museum until 6.1.2026. More detailed opening hours can be found on the museum's website. Museum admission fee.
- Winter break fun for families at the Theatre Museum at Kaapeli Factory 27.12.2025–6.1.2026. More detailed opening hours can be found on the museum's website. Museum admission fee.
- Christmas Atmosphere at the Hotel and Restaurant Museum at Kaapeli Factory until 11.1.2026.
More detailed opening hours can be found on the museum's website. Museum admission fee. - Sports Adventure Museum TAHTO at the Olympic Stadium continues during winter break too. More detailed opening hours can be found at the link. Museum admission fee.
You can also climb the Olympic Stadium tower (paid). - Design Museum free evening Tuesday 30.12.2025 4 pm-8 pm.
Escape to Moomin Valley exhibition is great to experience with younger children! - Natural History Museum evening Tuesday 30.12.2025 4 pm-8 pm. Natural History Museum's opening hours for Christmas and New Year breaks can be found at the link too. Museum admission fee.
- Kiasma free day 2.1.2026 10 am–8 pm.
Outdoor activities and exercise
- All of Little Helsinki's playground tips can be found at this link.
- Helsinki's newest playgrounds are located at Kruunuvuorenranta at the north side of Haakonin Bay Park and at Säätytalon Park!
- Sledding hills? IF Helsinki gets snow, a list of our team's favorite sledding spots is available at this link!
- Ice skating at an ice hall? Public skating times at ice halls in Helsinki and the metropolitan area can be found in Little Helsinki's themed article.
- Vantaa ice halls and Kerava have extra public skating sessions during school winter break!
This year there doesn't seem to be any public skating at ice halls on Christmas holidays as Malmi ice hall is closed.
- Ice skating on outdoor ice? At several Helsinki, Espoo and Vantaa artificial ice rinks, you can skate when conditions permit! Outdoor skating at artificial ice rinks is free this year too. Current rink condition reports are available at Ulkoliikunta.fi service.
- Espoo: Espoo city offers sports programs during break days, including swimming at ice and pools. Also self-guided activities and skating lessons are on offer. Read more on Espoo city website.
Explore Helsinki
- Helsinki's perhaps most impressive viewpoint is now more easily accessible, as the old oil tank on top of Kruunuvuorenranta cliff now has stairs! Access to the stairs is from the Koirasaarentieitin end, near the beginning of Kruunusilta.
- Kruunuvuorenranta also has many other adventure spots!
- The old Kaivoskalli quarries can now be explored more easily with new boardwalks and stairs! The route starts from Koirasaarentie, diagonally opposite the old villas near the Stansvikinti intersection.
- Fortune Temple cottage is a great hiking destination at Stansvik!
- Kruunuvuori's magical pond is now more accessible thanks to new boardwalk routes, in part accessible to people with limited mobility. The accessible route starts from Kultakruununkaarelta, a more challenging one from Päätiella. - What should we do today? Check out the tips for boring days from Little Helsinki!
- Secret Helsinki article reveals little and big secrets about Helsinki!
- Uunisaari in front of Kaivopuisto has gained a bridge connection for winter months, and on the rocky island you can peer into the horizon and marvel at passing ships and the waves on the shore.
- For self-guided winter hikes it's worth heading, for example, along boardwalks to Lammassaari, to Suomenlinna's fortifications, to Seurasaari and Kivivuoka trails. More tips for Helsinki adventures can be found in Little Helsinki's Helsinki places article.
Hike the surrounding area
- Hiking is possible even in winter! Sipoonkorpi, Nuuksio, Luukki and Talosaari are wonderful hiking places even in winter. Pack snacks and warm clothes!
- Sipoonkorpi has, for example, an easy-to-walk Tasakallio - Storträsk route and the previously known as Ponun's Heritage Post route, now called Byabäcken nature trail, which leads to a grill area and cottage for warming up. Tip from experience: with small children, Byabäcken route should be hiked from the beginning to the grill site and returned the same way, not circled, as the route partially goes along a road. The grill site usually has plenty of firewood ready, so bring matches and snacks. However, note that some routes may be slippery in winter.
- Also try the route from Kuusijärvi to Sipoonkorpi and experience a beautiful bridge route to the national park.
- New and interesting hiking spots can also be found at Uusimaa Recreation Areas Association's locations.
Festive towns in the surrounding area
- Little Finland - over 1000 reasons to explore Finland with children!
- At least Porvoo, Loviisa, Tammisaari (and Tammisaari's wonderful Elf trail (now paid)), Fiskars village (with a great play area in the village center!) in Raasepori and Mathildedal have invested in Christmas season atmosphere.
New Year in Helsinki with children
New Year activity tips can be found in Little Helsinki's themed article!
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