Winter and Christmas in Helsinki and Porvoo
Ready for some Nordic holiday magic? Explore Helsinki’s winter charm – from the iconic Christmas Market on Senate Square to glowing lights and cozy cafés. Or explore even further too Porvoo and beyond!
Experience winter and Christmas in Finland’s capital
Helsinki at Christmas feels like something out of a fairy tale. The markets are packed with great finds, and the light installations are a treat for the eyes. There are also plenty of fun events for both grown-ups and little holiday fans.
Four resasons to visit Helsinki this Christmas
Photo: Jussi Hellsten / City of Helsinki
1. Christmas Markets
The Christmas Market at Senate Square (Nov 29–Dec 22) is the city’s oldest and most loved – with wooden stalls, mulled wine, and a glowing tree. For a cozy indoor vibe, visit the Old Student House Market (Dec 15–22).
2. The Christmas lights
Follow the sparkle along Aleksanterinkatu, Helsinki’s official Christmas Street. The lights turn on with a joyful parade on Nov 22. If you’re already out exploring, don’t miss the magical Stockmann Christmas Window.
3. Lucia’s Candlelight
On Dec 13, the beloved Lucia Parade fills the city with warmth and song. It’s a timeless Nordic tradition shining through the dark.
4. Seurasaari Christmas path
Traveling with kids? Wander the Christmas trails filled with songs, crafts, and seasonal stories. At Seurasaari Museum, you can step back in time and see how Finns celebrated Christmas long ago. It’s a free pre-Christmas event for families with children on Dec 14.
Winter activities in Helsinki
Helsinki is full of great experiences waiting for you. You’ll find a wonderfully enchanting holiday atmosphere while exploring Christmas markets, enjoying classic winter sports, or visiting museums.
Sinebrychoff Art Museum
Looking for a winter activity that feels both cultural and comforting? Sinebrychoff Art Museum offers a calm, festive atmosphere with its Christmas tree and soft scent of cinnamon. Club One members also get a discount.
See current exhibitions
SkyWheel Helsinki
See wintry Helsinki from a whole new perspective! Step onto the ferris wheel and take in the city’s snowy charm, iconic landmarks, and sparkling lights. Club One members enjoy a discount!
More about the SkyWheel Helsinki
Photo: Jussi Hellsten / City of Helsinki
Old Market Hall
The city’s Old Market Hall is the perfect place to soak up the holiday spirit. This historic 1889 market is filled with local delicacies, international flavors, and cozy cafés
See the opening hours
Ice skating in Helsinki
Just like in every great city, you can go ice skating in Helsinki during winter. There are several rinks around the city, and they’re all free to enjoy. Lace up your skates and head out onto the ice!
Where to go ice skating
Sledding
Sledding is a favorite winter tradition among Helsinki locals, and the city has plenty of great hills for it. If you don’t have a sled with you, you can use just about anything that slides down a hill.
Sledding hills in Helsinki
Photo: Lux Helsinki, Julius Konttinen
Lux Helsinki lights up the city
Every January, Helsinki’s center transforms into a magical festival of light. See Esplanade Park, the Cathedral, and the Museum of Finnish Architecture glowing in a completely new way. Bundle up, head out into the bright winter night, and explore the artworks. The event is free, open to all ages, and accessibility-friendly. Full program in the link below.
Visit Lux Helsinki website
Cozy cafés in Helsinki
Some winter days in Helsinki can get really cold. Luckily, the city is full of cozy cafés where you can take a break and warm up with a cup of coffee or a glass of mulled wine.
Photo: Fazer Café POV
Fazer Cafés in Helsinki
Right in the heart of Helsinki, Fazer Café has been serving guests since 1891 and is a true classic among the city’s cafés. You’ll always find something delicious to enjoy there.
Johan & Nyström coffee shop
If you’re looking for good coffee, head over to Johan & Nyström . It’s a nice coffee shop located in the cozy harbor quarter of Katajanokka.
Photo: Yiping Feng och Ling Ouyang / City of Helsinki
Kappeli
Kappeli has been Helsinki’s go-to meeting spot for decades . It’s a place to listen to music, see and be seen. This historic café-restaurant attracts both locals and visitors, and it feels especially cozy during the Christmas season.
Christmas getaway to Porvoo
If you’re craving even more Christmas magic, take a short 45-minute drive from Helsinki to Porvoo – a fairytale town where twinkling lights, cozy markets, and even a meeting with Santa are waiting to make your holiday truly unforgettable.
Grand Christmas opening event
The day-long celebration marks the enchanting start of the Christmas season, filling Porvoo’s Old Town with music, lights, and laughter from 10AM to 7PM. Don’t miss Santa’s joyful arrival – gliding through the streets in a horse-drawn carriage or a twinkling car, handing out sweet treats and smiles along the way.
Christmas trail
Wander through streets dressed in lights and festive colors, where markets, carousels, food stalls, and workshops bring the town to life. Families can meet Santa on weekends, enjoy music and the spirit of a Finnish Christmas. The market is open Wednesday to Sunday, 11AM–7PM.
Christmas market at Old Town
Explore the cozy charm of Porvoo’s traditional Christmas Market. Browse handmade crafts, beautiful gifts, and local treats, warm your hands with a steaming drink – and know your visit helps support local youth.
Christmas market at Taidetehdas
One of Porvoo’s largest artisan and design fairs, gathering over a hundred vendors under one roof. It’s the perfect place to find unique gifts, creative treasures, and a dose of festive inspiration.
Find Fredde the elf
Meet Fredrik “Fredde” Flodbåt, Porvoo’s own mischievous Christmas elf who loves his hometown and its people. This year, he’s sharing a special gift: a fairy tale you can read or listen to in Finnish, Swedish, or English, told by Fredde himself.
More about find FreddeWinter adventures across Finland
Ready for more winter magic? Meet reindeer in snowy forests, explore an underground Christmas mine, or visit Santa in his Arctic home.
Tytyri Christmas mine
Step underground into a glittering world of lights and festive magic! From November 7 to January 6, meet Santa, explore glowing tunnels, and experience Christmas like never before – deep beneath the earth.
More about the mine
Nuuksio Reindeer Park
At Nuuksio Reindeer Park, you can meet and feed friendly reindeer and learn about Sámi culture. Warm up by the campfire with a hot drink and enjoy the peaceful beauty of a snowy Finnish forest.
More about the park
Santa Claus Village
Ever wondered where Santa Claus really lives? In Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, you can meet him face to face, send postcards from his official post office, and even cross the Arctic Circle. A magical Christmas adventure awaits!
More about the village
Frequently asked questions
- Is there a Christmas market in Helsinki?Is there a Christmas market in Helsinki?
Yes. Helsinki has several Christmas markets, the most popular being the Helsinki Christmas Market at Senate Square. There are also smaller themed markets across the city, including indoor craft and design markets.
- When do the Christmas markets in Helsinki usually begin?When do the Christmas markets in Helsinki usually begin?
Helsinki’s main Christmas markets usually start at the end of November and run until just before Christmas. The Senate Square Christmas Market is typically the first to open.
- What time are the Helsinki Christmas markets open?What time are the Helsinki Christmas markets open?
Opening hours vary by market, but most are open daily from late morning until early evening. The Senate Square market usually opens around 11:00 and closes around 19:00 or 20:00.
- When are the Christmas lights turned on in Helsinki?When are the Christmas lights turned on in Helsinki?
The Christmas lights on Helsinki’s official Christmas street Aleksanterinkatu are switched on in late November during a festive parade that kicks off the season.
- What can you buy at the Christmas market in Helsinki?What can you buy at the Christmas market in Helsinki?
You’ll find handmade crafts, local design items, traditional Finnish foods, ornaments, candles, winter treats, hot drinks, and plenty of gift ideas from small artisans. Many stalls sell locally made specialties you won’t find anywhere else.
- How can you get to Helsinki during Christmas?How can you get to Helsinki during Christmas?
You can get to Helsinki easily by ferry from Stockholm or Tallinn. Ferrie is a comfortable way to travel, with restaurants, shops, and cozy cabins for an overnight or daytime crossing. It’s one of the most relaxing ways to arrive in the city during the holiday season.
Ready to plan your trip? Book your ferry tickets