Midsummer 2020 in Helsinki

Published 11.6.2020, updated 18.6.2020

Midsummer 2021 tips can be found HERE

What to do or where to go during Midsummer in Helsinki? During Midsummer, many travel to the countryside to celebrate midsummer, and the quieting Helsinki brings its own charm to urban Midsummer celebrations. However, Midsummer 2020 may be exceptional due to the pandemic, and its impact may be visible both in events and in the streetscape. Pienent Helsinki has gathered tips for celebrating Midsummer Eve and Midsummer Day in the city with children. The tips include both events and other activities during midsummer.

Note! An exceptional summer may affect the availability of services. Please note the current guidelines and restrictions and check the latest information on the organizations' own websites.

Midsummer celebrations in Helsinki

Due to the prevailing state of exception, traditional Midsummer celebrations in playgrounds will not be held this year.

The following traditional Midsummer celebrations have been cancelled at least for Midsummer 2020:
- Mustasaari Activity Centre's Midsummer celebration. Mustasaari will remain closed to the public during summer 2020
- Karelian Cultural Summer Home Villa Salmela's Midsummer celebration. The summer home's café season begins 24.6.2020.
- Kivinokka's traditional Midsummer celebrations
- Seurasaari's Midsummer whites
- Midsummer bonfires will not be lit at Stansviki this year

Midsummer Magic Trail at Seurasaari

At Seurasaari, Midsummer Magic Trail tours are held during Midsummer week on Wednesday 17.6., Saturday 20.6., and Sunday 21.6. at 2 p.m., 3 p.m., and 4 p.m. No pre-registration is needed for the magic tours. Each tour accommodates 20 people and lasts approximately 30 minutes. Price 5 €/person.

Midsummer bonfires in Helsinki

If the forest fire warning remains in effect over Midsummer, lighting bonfires is prohibited. Midsummer bonfires have traditionally been held, for example, on the Kaivopuisto beach, at Lauttasaari bonfire rock, at the Karelian summer home, at Seurasaari, and for example at Isosaari. Presumably, no public Midsummer events will be organized this year.

Things to do during Midsummer

Note! An exceptional summer may affect the availability of services. Please note the current guidelines and restrictions and check the latest information on the organizations' own websites.

Midsummer Magic Trail at Seurasaari
At Seurasaari, Midsummer Magic Trail tours are held during Midsummer week on Wednesday 17.6., Saturday 20.6., and Sunday 21.6. at 2 p.m., 3 p.m., and 4 p.m. No pre-registration is needed for the magic tours. Each tour accommodates 20 people and lasts approximately 30 minutes. Price 5 €/person.

Pienent Helsinki recommends: Midsummer Eve morning is worth starting at Hakaniemi Hall and Market in midsummer market atmosphere. From the market, accordion music rings out and midsummer delicacies, strawberries, and birch twigs for decorating urban Midsummer are on sale. At the Coffee Sisters' tent accordion music plays.

Porvoo: Archipelago atmosphere for Midsummer from Pellinge Summer Market on Friday 9 a.m.-12 p.m. The journey also includes a short ferry ride, so the trip is sure to be an experience for the little ones. More information on Pellinge's website.

Loviisa: Celebrating Midsummer in Loviisa includes at least setting up a Midsummer hut, a Midsummer market, and music.

At Seurasaari you can enjoy outdoor activities as usual, even though Midsummer celebrations will not be organized this year. Seurasaari Open-Air Museum opens to the public on 15.6.2020 and is reportedly open on Midsummer as well. Admission to the museum buildings, children under 7 free.

Meilahti Rose Garden blooms with Midsummer roses. Free admission.

The quieting Helsinki city center is an experience in itself. You can also visit, for example, Kaisaniemi Botanical Garden on Midsummer holidays every day from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Korkeasaari is open on Midsummer as well: on Midsummer Eve 19.6.2020 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., on Midsummer Day and Sunday 20.-21.6.2020 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Read more on the zoo's website. Korkeasaari admission fee.

At least Fallkulla and Haltiala farm animal facilities with grazing animals can be visited throughout Midsummer. At Fallkulla, animals are out to pasture weather permitting, usually around 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at Haltiala usually at other times as well. The farm animal facility has free admission. Read more from the Animals in the City article.

For example, Kungbacka Farm Animal Park in Porvoo has announced it will be open as usual on Midsummer as well (admission fee).

Linnanmäki Amusement Park opens to the public on an exceptional summer 12.6.2020 and fun continues on Midsummer: during Midsummer the amusement park is open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Linnanmäki has special arrangements due to the pandemic, read more here.

Swimming
On Helsinki's public swimming beaches there is often plenty of space on a sunny Midsummer. Also Kumpula and Uimastadion open-air pools are open on Midsummer holidays as well (admission fee). However, note that Uimastadion's children's pool is closed until further notice. Due to the pandemic, open-air pools have restrictions and saunas are not in use. Read more from the Swimming spots for hot days article.
Note! Blue-green algae has already been observed at some swimming beaches, up-to-date information from the ulkoliikunta.fi service

Leppävaara open-air pool in Espoo is open on Midsummer: on Midsummer Eve from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., on Midsummer Day and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (admission fee). Tapiola paddling pool located in Tapiola is also open.

Allas Sea Pool is open for sauna and swimming on Midsummer holidays as well. The area also has a children's pool. More information on Allas Sea Pool's website. Admission fee.

A trip to Lammassaari and Kuusiluoto is an adventure for all ages. The sheep are also expected to arrive at Kuusiluoto around this time (the estimate was that they would arrive around Midsummer).

Vartiosaari can be reached this summer by electric boat over Reposalmi, and the island has plenty of nature and midsummer atmosphere. Vartiosaari's summer huts have also arrived. More information about the boat trip (fee) can be found on Vartiosaari's website.

Helsinki's islands are excellent day trip destinations, even if you don't have the energy to venture out until evening. For example, Pihlajasaari and Kaunissaari on the Siuntio side, owned by the City of Helsinki, are suitable day trip destinations. You can stay on the islands longer, as Pihlajasaari allows camping on weekends and Kaunissaari has cottage rentals available. Kaunissaari also has public saunas, read more on the island's website. Also remember, for example, Vartiosaari (summer sheep!), Vallisaari, and Isosaari. Access to the islands is free, but a ferry fee is charged for transportation.

Espoo's beautiful islands and beaches offer Midsummer atmosphere and things to do, read more on Visit Espoo's website. For example, a trip to archipelago museum Pentala would also suit Midsummer time.

On the Vantaa side for example, Science Centre Heureka is open on Midsummer as well.

Sunday 21.6.2020: Free children's movie day at Suvilahti Summer on Sunday 21.6. at 11 a.m. The film is Haystack Hat, Blanket Boots and a Rowdy Schoolgirl (S). More information and mandatory ticket reservations on the City of Helsinki's website.

Also remember

Pienent Helsinki's Summer in Helsinki -article series!

Suomenlinna's ferries transport adventurers on Midsummer as well, but some of the island's services may be closed during Midsummer. So remember to bring snacks and enjoy Suomenlinna's unique atmosphere and explore the caves in peace.

The city quieting down on Midsummer is a wonderful place to discover new places and hike interesting spots. From Pienent Helsinki's Helsinki Places article you can find more places worth experiencing in Helsinki.

Uusimaa Recreation Areas Association outdoor areas can be found by the dozens near Helsinki. Hiking in beautiful natural destinations is an excellent alternative to celebrating Midsummer at a cottage.

Talosaari outdoor area is a nice day trip spot for families. The area offers beautiful archipelago views, near the beginning of the route you will almost certainly meet horses at Husö riding stables, and the place is rarely crowded. Along Talosaari's main trail, you can also travel with strollers.

Lammassaari and Kuusiluoto take you to natural peace in the middle of the city. You can reach Lammassaari effortlessly with strollers, but for the Kuusiluoto trip it's a good idea to leave the stroller waiting on the Lammassaari side. At Kuusiluoto you can meet freely roaming sheep on the island (the sheep should arrive on the island just before Midsummer), admire Helsinki, eat snacks, and enjoy nature.