Where to Go This Week: Summer in Helsinki 2020

Even during this exceptional summer of 2020, there is plenty to do and experience in Helsinki. Little Helsinki compiles events and activity tips for this different summer 2020. Regular weekly "Where to Go" articles are not being published, but summer tips will be compiled under this article throughout the season. The article will be updated weekly.

SUMMER 2020

To the Library with Children

Libraries and library services will return to near normal starting June 1, 2020. Additional information and library-specific exceptions can be found on the Helmet website.
Note: Viikki Library is closed for renovation, and Herttoniemi's brand new library can now be found in Herts shopping center.

Ode to Nature exhibition at Central Library Oodi's Brygga space June 1–September 31, 2020 (at least).

Museums with Children

Museums will open in early June after the exceptional period, and museum visits with children are possible again. It's worth familiarizing yourself with special instructions for visits on the museums' websites. In Little Helsinki's My Museum Friend and I article series, we peek into a few child-friendly museums.
Little Helsinki also recommends following the Hupsistarallaa blog and Terhi's tips for museum visits with children throughout Finland.

Swimming Spots with Children

Little Helsinki's tips for child-friendly swimming beaches can be found in the Let's Swim article. The Swimming Spots for Hot Days article brings together tips on outdoor pools and other swimming spots that often remain free of blue-green algae.

Playgrounds and Play Areas

32 of Helsinki's public playgrounds are open during the 2020 summer season. Organized activities will not be held in playgrounds this summer, with the exception of school children's summer camps, which require separate registration. Sand toys, wading pools, and pedal cars, for example, will not be available this summer—only the playgrounds' fixed play equipment will be accessible. Regarding indoor facilities, only restrooms may be used. More detailed guidelines for the exceptional period can be found on the Summer at the Playground page.
Helsinki's playgrounds summer meals begin June 1, 2020 at 12 p.m.

Summer Tour in Helsinki's Playgrounds

Helsinki's culture and leisure services will embark on a summer tour of Helsinki's playgrounds from June 1–26. On the summer tour, you can spot the library bus at the playground, move about with the whole family energized by sports instructors, participate in art workshops, or enjoy music.

Children's Traffic City

Children's Traffic City summer season begins June 1, 2020 at 12 p.m. More information and instructions can be found on the traffic city's Facebook page.

Exploring Nature

In addition to a few of Little Helsinki's day trip articles, a strong recommendation goes to the Nature Moments blog and Mira's excellent hiking tips. Also in Little Helsinki's Helsinki Places article, you can find tips on, for example, park hiking destinations.

Hara Island off Kaivopuisto is also open in summer 2020. Free admission; a small fee is charged for the connecting boat ride.

On the Espoo side, a nature destination worth recommending is Villa Elfvik. Around Elfvik there are easy-access nature trails, bird towers, and horses grazing in the scenic coastal landscape.

Children's Orienteering Courses

Children's orienteering courses can be found June 1–July 31, 2020 in Paloheinä, Pirkkola, Maunula, Laakso, Lauttasaari, Oulunkylä, Herttoniemi, and Uutela. Maps and instructions can be found on the Helsinki Orienteering Association's website.

Animals in the City

Little Helsinki's Animals in the City article has the best tips for where to find sheep, chickens, cows, and other farm animals in Helsinki and neighboring municipalities.

Korkeasaari

Korkeasaari Zoo opens with special arrangements on June 1, 2020 at 10 a.m. Admission fee applies.

Linnanmäki

Linnanmäki amusement park opens the summer season with special arrangements on June 12, 2020.

Please note the restrictions in effect and the guidelines of various venues for the exceptional period.

ALSO REMEMBER:
Little Helsinki's Summer in Helsinki series!

JUNE 2020

WEEK 23

Helsinki's culture and leisure services Summer Tour of Helsinki's Playgrounds during week 23:
Monday, June 1, 2020 Playgrounds Kimmo (sports) and Kipinäpuisto (library bus)
Tuesday, June 2, 2020 Playgrounds Filpus (sports) and Puuskakulma (library bus)
Wednesday, June 3, 2020 Playgrounds Soihtu (sports) and Vähätupa (library bus)
Thursday, June 4, 2020 Playgrounds Seppä (sports) and Kimmo (library bus)
Friday, June 5, 2020 Playground Filpus (library bus)
NOTE! Summer meals and other programs are NOT held at summer tour playgrounds.

Children's Traffic City summer season begins June 1, 2020 at 12 p.m. More information and instructions can be found on the traffic city's Facebook page.

Helsinki's playgrounds summer meals begin June 1, 2020 at 12 p.m.

An exhibition of "The Seven Dog Brothers" opens at the Newspaper Museum. The exhibition is on display June 1–December 31, 2020. Free admission, also open on Mondays.

WEEK 24

Helsinki's culture and leisure services Summer Tour of Helsinki's Playgrounds during week 24:
Monday, June 8, 2020 Playgrounds Kipinäpuisto (sports) and Puuskakulma (culture), Soihtu (library bus)
Tuesday, June 9, 2020 Playgrounds Puuskakulma (sports), Vähätupa (culture), and Seppä (library bus)
Wednesday, June 10, 2020 Playgrounds Vähätupa (sports), Kimmo (culture), and Kipinäpuisto (library bus)
Thursday, June 11, 2020 Playgrounds Kimmo (sports), Filpus (culture), and Puuskakulma (library bus)
Friday, June 12, 2020 Playgrounds Filpus (sports), Soihtu (culture), and Vähätupa (library bus)
NOTE! Summer meals and other programs are NOT held at summer tour playgrounds.

Children's own summer theater Kultavuori at Helsinki's Winter Garden courtyard June 9–11, 2020. Bring your own blankets, rain gear, and snacks. Free admission.
More information: Puppet Theater Sytkyt
Performances during week 24:
Tuesday, June 9, 2020 at 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
Wednesday, June 10, 2020 at 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
Thursday, June 11, 2020 at 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

Helsinki Day is celebrated virtually this year on June 12, 2020.

Linnanmäki amusement park opens the summer season with special arrangements on June 12, 2020.

WEEK 25

Helsinki's culture and leisure services Summer Tour of Helsinki's Playgrounds during week 25:
Monday, June 15, 2020 Playgrounds Seppä (culture) and Kimmo (library bus)
Tuesday, June 16, 2020 Playgrounds Kipinäpuisto (culture) and Filpus (library bus)
Wednesday, June 17, 2020 Playgrounds Puuskakulma (culture) and Soihtu (library bus)
Thursday, June 18, 2020 Playgrounds Vähätupa (culture) and Seppä (library bus)
NOTE! Summer meals and other programs are NOT held at summer tour playgrounds.

Children's own summer theater Kultavuori at Helsinki's Winter Garden courtyard June 16, 2020. Bring your own blankets, rain gear, and snacks. Free admission.
More information: Puppet Theater Sytkyt
Performances during week 25:
Tuesday, June 16, 2020 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

In Little Helsinki's Midsummer in Helsinki article, you'll find events and activities throughout the Midsummer holiday weekend.

Sunday, June 21, 2020: Free children's movie day at Suvilahti Summer on Sunday, June 21 at 11 a.m. The film is "Hayflakes, Blanket-legs, and a Feisty Schoolgirl" (S). More information and mandatory ticket reservations on the Helsinki city website.

WEEK 26

Helsinki's culture and leisure services Summer Tour of Helsinki's Playgrounds during week 26:
Monday, June 22, 2020 Playgrounds Soihtu (sports) and Kimmo (culture)
Tuesday, June 23, 2020 Playgrounds Seppä (sports) and Filpus (culture)
Wednesday, June 24, 2020 Playgrounds Kipinäpuisto (sports) and Soihtu (culture)
Thursday, June 25, 2020 Playgrounds Puuskakulma (sports) and Seppä (culture)
Friday, June 26, 2020 Playgrounds Vähätupa (sports) and Kipinäpuisto (culture)
NOTE! Summer meals and other programs are NOT held at summer tour playgrounds.

Annantalo's summer events and registration instructions for week 26 can be found in the venue's event calendar.

Children's Traffic City summer 2020 with special arrangements.

Helsinki's playgrounds summer meals are held June 1–August 7, 2020.

The Newspaper Museum's "The Seven Dog Brothers" exhibition June 1–December 31, 2020. Free admission, also open on Mondays.

Skate Container at Eläintarha skate park June 1–August 1, 2020. Equipment available for rent with a deposit.

Espoo: Summer programs for children at the Children's Culture Center Aurora. Free admission.
- Explore self-guided trails at Aurora's courtyard: Games of color and shape seeking, and build an awesome Fort. Target age approximately 2–10 years old. Recommended with adult supervision.
- Art workshop activities at Aurora weekdays Tuesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Weekly program and more detailed instructions can be found on Aurora's website.

JUNE–JULY

WEEK 27

This week's lunch menu at Helsinki's open playgrounds:
Mon, June 29 Italian stew
Tue, June 30 Chicken stew
Wed, July 1 Sweet potato and potato soup
Thu, July 2 Archipelago stew with char
Fri, July 3 Sausage and potato stew

Children's own summer theater Kultavuori at Helsinki's Winter Garden courtyard on Tuesday, June 30, 2020 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Bring your own blankets, rain gear, and snacks. Free admission. More information: Puppet Theater Sytkyt

Kirkkonummi: Farm Shop Summer Days July 3–5, 2020.

Open Gardens at Vallila's community garden on Sunday, July 5, 2020, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Open Gardens at Hermanni's garden on Sunday, July 5, 2020, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Annantalo's summer events and registration instructions for week 27 can be found in the venue's event calendar.

Children's Traffic City summer 2020 with special arrangements.

The Newspaper Museum's "The Seven Dog Brothers" exhibition June 1–December 31, 2020. Free admission, also open on Mondays.

Ode to Nature exhibition at Central Library Oodi's Brygga space June 1–September 31, 2020 (at least).

Skate Container at Eläintarha skate park June 1–August 1, 2020. Equipment available for rent with a deposit.

JULY 2020

WEEK 28

ALSO REMEMBER:
Little Helsinki's Summer in Helsinki series

This week's lunch menu at Helsinki's open playgrounds:
Mon, July 6 Cheese and vegetable stew
Tue, July 7 Fish stew
Wed, July 8 Chicken and vegetable pasta stew
Thu, July 9 Vegetable risotto
Fri, July 10 Pea stew
Allergy information can be found here

Annantalo's summer events and registration instructions for week 28 can be found in the venue's event calendar.