Pienten Helsinki
What to do or where to go during Midsummer in Helsinki? During Midsummer many travel to the countryside to celebrate mid-summer, and the quieting Helsinki brings its own charm to celebrating Midsummer in the city. Small Helsinki has compiled tips for celebrating Midsummer Eve and Midsummer Day in the city with children. The tips include both events and other activities during mid-summer.
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.
Mid-summer celebrations in Helsinki
Traditional Midsummer celebrations are not being held in playgrounds in 2021.
Mustasaari is open on Midsummer Eve on Friday 25.6. from 12-20.
Sauna use (no confirmed information about the 2021 situation), swimming, delicacies and lots of activities on a wonderful summer island. Mustasaari is also home to farm animals during the summer months and sheep on a nearby island. The ferry to the island departs from Taivallahti beach (small ferry fee, cash payment). NOTE! Reserve your ferry spot in advance by 23.6.2021 at the latest:
https://link.webropol.com/s/mustasaarenjuhannus
Read more: A hot day at Mustasaari
Midsummer Madness event concerts on the Music House terrace on Midsummer Eve Friday from 14-17.30. Free admission.
Casual Midsummer celebration in Villa Wuorio's courtyard in Laajasalo. Picnic baskets for sale (advance order), small grills for rent, music and sauna option (fee-based). According to the organizer, it's suitable for families.
The following traditional Midsummer celebrations have been cancelled at least for Midsummer 2021:
- Karjalainen summer cottage Villa Salmela's Midsummer celebration is cancelled in 2021.
- Seurasaari's Midsummer lights are not being held in 2021.
- No Midsummer bonfire will be lit in Stansviki this year.
Midsummer bonfires in Helsinki
Update 24.6.2021: Forest fire warning has ended in Uusimaa and at least near Kaivopuisto beach near Cafe Ursula, in Lauttasaari at HKL's summer cottage area* and in Tuusula at Lake Tuusula beach destinations Midsummer bonfires will be lit according to current information. A Midsummer bonfire will also light up at Isosaari.
*At Lauttasaari's Länsiulapanniemi HKL summer cottage area, the charming summer café Puhvetti is also open during Midsummer.
Forest fire warning restrictions prevent the lighting of Midsummer bonfires in 2021. Midsummer bonfires have traditionally been lit, for example, at Kaivopuisto beach, at Lauttasaari bonfire rock, at the Finnish summer cottage, at Seurasaari and at Isosaari. Due to the exceptional situation, many Midsummer celebrations have also been cancelled.
Things to do during Midsummer
Small Helsinki recommends: It's worth starting Midsummer Eve morning at Hakaniemi Market Hall and Square in mid-summer market atmosphere. The square fills with accordion music and mid-summer delicacies, strawberries and birch leaves to decorate your city Midsummer are sold. At the Coffee Sisters' tent accordion music plays.
In summer 2021 you can travel by ferry to Hakaniemi Market from Kruunuvuoren beach!
Porvoo: Archipelago atmosphere for Midsummer at Pellinge summer market on Midsummer Eve Friday from 9-12. The journey also includes a short ferry ride, so the trip is sure to be an adventure for the little ones. More information on Pellinge's website.
At Seurasaari you can go hiking as usual, even though Midsummer celebrations are not being held this year. Seurasaari Open-Air Museum is also open during Midsummer daily from 11-17. Admission fee for museum buildings, free for children under 7. Access to Seurasaari is free and there is also a nice beach on the island.
Meilahti rose garden features blooming Midsummer roses. Free admission.
The quieting Helsinki city center is an experience in itself. Also, for example, Kaisaniemi Botanical Garden can be visited daily from 9–20 during Midsummer holidays.
Playground during Midsummer? Tips to the best playgrounds and featuring the newest playgrounds can be found in Small Helsinki.
Linnanmaki amusement park is open daily from 11-22. Free admission.
Korkeasaari is also open during Midsummer. You must book your visit in advance. Admission fee.
On the Vantaa side for example Heureka Science Centre is also open during Midsummer.
At Fallkulla and Haltiala farm animal farms you can watch animals grazing outdoors throughout Midsummer. At Fallkulla animals usually graze outdoors from about 10-14.30, weather permitting, and at Haltiala usually at other times as well. There is free admission to the farm animal farms. Read more in Small Helsinki's Animals in the City article.
Sheep Island and Kuusiluoto take you to nature in the middle of the city. You can easily reach Sheep Island with strollers, but for the Kuusiluoto trip it's a good idea to leave strollers waiting on the Sheep Island side. At Kuusiluoto you can encounter sheep roaming freely on the island, admire Helsinki, eat a picnic and enjoy nature.
Tuusula: Midsummer by Lake Tuusula and for example at a Small animal farm? More information on the Visit Lake Tuusula website.
Also remember: Small Helsinki's Summer in Helsinki -article series!
Small Finland
Small Finland is the little sister of Small Helsinki, offering tips for things to do and experiences all over Finland. Also includes plenty of tips for nearby areas and day trips as well as a comprehensive list of the best playgrounds all over Finland!
Helsinki archipelago routes
Helsinki's maritime areas have several different island destinations, which you can reach on regular scheduled services during the summer season. Small Helsinki has compiled Helsinki archipelago routes and island hopping on one page and suggests what you can experience on Helsinki's marine-accessible islands. Most route ferries operate during Midsummer as well and you can celebrate mid-summer on Helsinki's islands. Note. Some ferries reserve places in advance!
For example, JT-Line organizes Midsummer cruises to Helsinki's archipelago.
Helsinki Biennial visual arts event at Vallisaari from 12.6.–26.9.2021.
Suomenlinna's ferries transport adventurers also during Midsummer, but some of the island's services may be closed during Midsummer. So bring your own snacks and enjoy Suomenlinna's unique atmosphere and explore the caves in peace.
Vartiosaari can be reached this summer by solar ferry across Reposalmi and the island has plenty of nature and mid-summer atmosphere. Vartiosaari's summer cottages have also arrived. More information about the boat trip and fees on the ferry's own website.
Espoo's beautiful islands and beaches offer Midsummer atmosphere and activities, read more on Visit Espoo's website. For example, a trip to archipelago museum Pentala would also be suitable during Midsummer.
Also remember: Small Helsinki's Summer in Helsinki -article series!
Swimming
Helsinki's public beaches often have plenty of space on a sunny Midsummer. Also, Kumpula and Swimming Stadium outdoor pools are open during Midsummer holidays (admission fee). Due to the pandemic, outdoor pools accept only a limited number of customers. Read more in the Swimming spots for hot days article.
Note! Current bathing water information can be found at ulkoliikunta.fi service
In Espoo, Leppävaara outdoor pool is open during Midsummer: Midsummer Eve from 10-17, Midsummer Day and Sunday from 9-19 (admission fee). Tapiola paddling pool located in Tapiola is also open.
Allas Sea Pool is open for sauna and swimming during Midsummer holidays as well. The area also has a children's pool. More information on Allas Sea Pool's website. Admission fee.
Also remember
Small Helsinki's Summer in Helsinki -article series!
The quieting city during Midsummer is the perfect place to explore new places and hike to interesting destinations. From Small Helsinki's Helsinki Places article you can find more places worth experiencing in Helsinki.
Recreation areas of Uusimaa district can be found dozens near Helsinki. Hiking in beautiful nature destinations is a great alternative to celebrating cottage Midsummer.
Talosaari outdoor area is a nice hiking destination for families. The area offers beautiful archipelago views, at the beginning of the route you'll almost certainly see horses at Husö riding stables and the place is usually not crowded. The main Talosaari route can also be used with strollers.
Small Helsinki wishes you a wonderful Midsummer!
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