Vappu 2018

May Day Events for Families in Helsinki and Surrounding Areas

Published 20.4.2018, updated 1.5.2018

Hi! Tips for May Day 2019 can be found here!

May Day and spring celebrations are held on Tuesday, May 1st, 2018. Spring events are organized a few days before the official May Day celebrations. Little Helsinki lists May Day events in Helsinki and the surrounding area. The list is updated, so you can also suggest your own event ([email protected]).

Celebrating Vappu in Helsinki with the whole family?

Wednesday 25.4.2018

May Day Crafts for all ages at Tapanila Library 1-3 PM. Read more on the library's website.

May Day-themed crafts at Suomenlinna Library on Wednesday 2-4:30 PM. More information on the library’s website.

Thursday 26.4.2018

MLL Ruoholahti-Jätkäsaari May Day Party at Ruoholahti Playground on Thursday 4-6 PM. The party features a treat buffet, May Day balloon sales, pony rides, disco and lots of other programs for families. More information about the event on MLL's website.

Espoo: Tuomari’s May Day Party at Tuomari School on Thursday 6-8 PM. Read more on the event’s Facebook page.

Friday 27.4.2018

Traditional May Day Concert and Procession at Lahdalahti Playground on Friday 9:30-10:30 AM. See the procession departure point and event details here.

May Day Party at Etupelto Playground on Friday 10-11:30 AM. Read more on the event’s Facebook page.

May Day Celebration at Linnunrata Playground on Friday 10 AM-12 PM. Lots of programs and activities; more information on the playground’s Facebook page.

Linnanmäki Amusement Park opens again for the 2018 season on Friday 27.4.2018 at 4 PM. The amusement park celebrates Circus Carnivals and the program can be found on Linnanmäki’s website.

Saturday 28.4.2018

Kindergarten Museum Children's Party is held on Saturday 10 AM-2 PM. More information will be available in the coming days and updated information about the day's program can be found here.

May Day Ribbon Crafts for Children at Hakaniemi Market Hall on Saturday 11 AM-3 PM. Read more on the hall’s website.

May Day Celebration at Strömberg Playground on Saturday 12-4 PM. Music provided by WimmaRalli. Read more about the celebration’s other programs on the playground’s Facebook page.

Linnanmäki Amusement Park is open 1-9 PM. The amusement park celebrates Circus Carnivals and the program can be found on Linnanmäki’s website. On Saturday, the amusement park features performances including Putous character Ansa Kynttilä, Hurjaruuthi’s circus show and Jonna Tervomaa.

Sunday 29.4.2018

Familiar from Pikku Kakkos, Siina & Magic Radio Orchestra perform at Children's Culture Centre Musikantti on Sunday at 11 AM. Concert entrance is free. Read more on the event's Facebook page.

Advance Celebration to May Day event for the whole family at Säätytalo Park on Sunday 11 AM-3 PM. Read more on the event’s Facebook page.

Barbie The Icon – Children’s Opening at the National Museum on Sunday 12-6 PM. Circus, balloons and lots of other programs with museum admission fee. Read more on the event’s Facebook page.

Linnanmäki Amusement Park is open 1-8 PM. The amusement park celebrates Circus Carnivals and the program can be found on Linnanmäki’s website. On Sunday, the amusement park features performances including Putous characters Ansa Kynttilä and Tanhupallo, Hurjaruuthi’s circus show and Kuningasidea.

May Day Events Monday 30.4.2018

Celebrating Vappu in Helsinki with the whole family?

Note: The previously advertised MLL Myllypuro May Day event has been cancelled.

Family May Day Event at Laajasalo Church on Monday 9:30 AM-2 PM. Music time 9:30-10 AM. Read more on the event’s Facebook page.

May Day Party at Nurka Playground on Monday from 10:30 AM. Read more on Nurka’s Facebook page.

Toddler’s May Day Disco at Puuskankulma Playground (Jollas) on May Day Eve at 10:45 AM. Read more on the event’s Facebook page.

Linnanmäki Amusement Park is open 1-9 PM. The amusement park celebrates Circus Carnivals and the program can be found on Linnanmäki’s website. On Monday, the amusement park features Joker Poker Box magic show and the Children’s May Day event with bear statue topping and May Day mask crafts.

Meilahti Parish May Day Event features programs for the whole family 3-6 PM. More information on the parish’s website.

Havis Amanda Statue is Decorated on Monday, May Day Eve at 6 PM. Statue cleaning begins at 5 PM. Expect crowds! This year the statue will be decorated by volunteer regular members of the Helsinki University Student Association. Read more here. This year there’s also other programs around the Market Square starting at 4 PM.

MLL Ruoholahti-Jätkäsaari Terhokerhon May Day Celebrations at Good Hope Chapel club rooms (Jätkäsaari) on Monday 5-7 PM. Read more on the organizer’s Facebook page.

May Day Eve Community Singing at Kanneltalo on Monday at 6 PM. Read more on Kanneltalo’s website.

Espoo: Leppävaara Parish’s Everyone’s May Day Event on Monday 3-6 PM. More information on the event’s Facebook page.

Espoo: May Day Fun at Children’s Culture Centre Pikku-Aurora on Monday 4-7 PM. Read more about the event’s program on the event’s Facebook page. Tickets 5 €, under 2 years free.

Espoo: Soukka May Day Party at Soukka Library on Monday 4-6 PM. Read more on the event’s Facebook page.

[caption id=“attachment_3891” align=“aligncenter” width=“3761”] May Day celebration in Helsinki 1.5.1966. Photographer Volker von Bonin, Helsinki City Museum Archive.[/caption]

May Day Tuesday 1.5.2018

Celebrating Vappu in Helsinki with the whole family?

What if it rains on May Day? Quick tips for May Day in case of rain.

Children’s May Day Shokkelo 2018 at Kumpula Botanical Garden on May Day Tuesday 10 AM-5 PM. This year’s Children’s May Day Shokkelo introduces the world of dinosaurs. Tickets 4 €/ 2 €. Read more on the event’s website.

[caption id=“attachment_3993” align=“aligncenter” width=“2048”] Photo: May Day Shokkelo at Kumpula Botanical Garden on May Day 2017. Photo rights: May Day Shokkelo organizers.[/caption]

MLL Vuosaari Whole Family May Day Event at Harus Playground on Tuesday 9:30 AM-1:30 PM. The event also features VimmaRalli. More information can be found at least here.

Helsinki Workers’ May Day Celebration at Railway Square with programs for children (including bouncy castle and Kangaroo Fun) starting at 10 AM on May Day. Read more on the event’s Facebook page.

May Day Event for families at Roihuvuori Church 12-3 PM. More information will be posted on the parish’s Facebook page.

Linnanmäki Amusement Park is open 1-9 PM. The amusement park celebrates Circus Carnivals and the program can be found on Linnanmäki’s website.

Whole Family May Day Celebration at Munkkiniemi Church on Tuesday starting at 1 PM. The event features clown Lilli Pii. Read more on the event’s Facebook page.

Vantaa: MLL Aviapolis’s Traditional Children’s May Day Event at Illen Park on Tuesday 10 AM-1 PM. Illen Park is familiar from the Risto Räppää movie and the park has lots of fun programs for the whole family. Read more on the event’s Facebook page. NOTE! The event has been moved due to rain to Illenpihan Daycare Yard at address Illenpiha 6.

Vantaa: Vaarala May Day event at Vaarala Ball Field on Tuesday 1-3 PM. Lots of programs for all ages; the event also features performances such as the Kangaroo Fun duo. Read more on MLL Hakula’s Facebook page.

Espoo: MLL Soukka VappaKarkelot at Soukka Resident Park on Tuesday 11 AM-2 PM. Read more about the event’s program on the Facebook page.

Hyvinkää: Hyvinkää May Day event in Hyvinkää city center on Tuesday 10 AM-2 PM. In addition to May Day markets, the program includes vintage vehicles’ May Day Cruising and lots of performances (Tanhupallo!). Read more on the event’s Facebook page.

Other Ideas for Celebrating May Day Eve and May Day with Families

Picnic: Kaivopuisto, Tähtitorninmäki and Kaisaniemenpuisto fill up with May Day celebrators, so with little ones you can head to a picnic at, for example, Lenininpuisto next to Linnanmäki, Koffin Park, Mustikka's rocky hills or even the outdoor area at the southern tip of Lauttasaari. Peaceful May Day picnics can be enjoyed for example in Uutela, Kallvik and on Sipoonkorpi National Park's Ponu's Heritage Trail. A lunch or packed meal outdoors is an experience in itself.

Linnanmäki opens its gates on Friday 27.4.2018 at 4 PM and this year too, entrance to the amusement park is free. The smallest visitors can access some of the park’s rides for free. During May Day, Circus Carnivals are celebrated at the amusement park and the program will be updated soon on Linnanmäki’s website.

Make Korkeasaari a May Day Tradition and have a picnic on the island? This is possible, as Korkeasaari Zoo is open on May Day Eve and May Day, and ferry service runs from the Market Square to the island. Admission fee required.

TIP: Helsinki Places features child-friendly Helsinki gems with lots of insider knowledge and is a starting point for finding Helsinki’s places. Perhaps you’ll find different activities for May Day from these places?