What to do during Midsummer 2019 in Helsinki?

Published 5.6.2019, updated 20.6.2019

What to do or where to go during Midsummer in Helsinki? Many travel to the countryside during Midsummer, and a quieter Helsinki brings its own charm to celebrating Midsummer in the city. Small Helsinki compiled tips for celebrating Midsummer Eve and Midsummer Day in the city with children. The tips include both events and activities during the Midsummer season.

Article cover image: Children admiring a bonfire by the water during Midsummer. Photographer Juha Jernvall, Helsinki City Museum archive. www.helsinkikuvia.fi

Small Helsinki wishes you a sunny Midsummer!

Note that the current forest fire warning prevents the burning of bonfires at events. At least Seurasaari's Midsummer celebrations have announced that the island's bonfires will not be lit this Midsummer.

Midsummer celebrations in Helsinki

Midsummer celebrations in playgrounds are organized during the week at several playgrounds. Midsummer week activity tips for playgrounds can be found in the city's event calendar and on the playgrounds' own Facebook pages.

Mustasaari's Midsummer Eve is a family celebration. Sauna use (small sauna fee), swimming if weather permits, Midsummer delicacies and plenty to do on a wonderful summer island. Mustasaari is also home to farm animals during the summer season and sheep on a neighboring island. A ferry to the island leaves from Taivallahti shoreline (small ferry fee). Mustasaari is closed on 22.6.-23.6.2019.

At Villa Salmela, the summer home of Karelian culture, a family Midsummer celebration is held. The children's bonfire is lit at 8 pm, the main Midsummer bonfire at 9 pm. The summer home is located in Jollaksentie. More information on the event's Facebook page.

At Kivinokka the traditional Midsummer celebration near the bathing beach is family-friendly. Midsummer festivities begin at Kivinokka at 12 noon, with celebrations from 6 pm.

At the southern tip of Lauttasaari, Särkiniemi cottage residents' bonfire on the bonfire rock is lit at 8 pm. Nearby, the café-restaurant Paseo is also open during Midsummer and a nice play area for children can be found near the café and bathing beach.

At HKL's summer lodge area in Lauttasaari, traditional Midsummer celebrations are held on Friday evening. More information can be found at least on the summer lodge association's website.

Several allotment gardens organize open Midsummer celebrations. In previous years, for example at Marjaniemi, Tali, Pakila and Kumpula allotment gardens, Midsummer celebrations have been held.

At Seurasaari's Midsummer celebrations from 5 pm to midnight there are many programs and traditions. Read more on the Seurasaari Foundation's website. Entrance fee.
Seurasaari's Midsummer celebrations have announced that the island's bonfires will not be lit this Midsummer.

The Seurasaari Foundation's free Midsummer week events can be found on the foundation's website.

Espoo: At Oittaa's Midsummer celebration on Friday there is programming for the whole family and sauna facilities (fee-based). The bonfire is lit at 8 pm (forest fire warning may cancel this). Read more on Oittaa's outdoor recreation area's website.
Midsummer celebration at Oittaa also continues on Saturday 22.6.2019.
Oittaa's outdoor recreation area has a good bathing beach and a large Angry Birds play park.

Espoo's beautiful islands and beaches offer Midsummer atmosphere and activities, read more on Visit Espoo's website.

Kirkkonummi: At Hvittorp's Midsummer there are activities for the whole family on Friday from 3-9 pm. Sauna facilities available. The event is organized by Olarin Parish. More information on the Olarin Parish's website.

A bit further away: Midsummer in Loviisa offers many traditions.

Midsummer bonfires in Helsinki

The traditional bonfire on Kaivopuisto beach is lit at 9:30 pm.

At HKL's summer lodge area in Lauttasaari, traditional Midsummer celebrations are held on Friday evening. More information can be found at least on the summer lodge association's website.

The bonfire in Stansvik's manor park at Kruunuvuori beach is traditionally lit at 10 pm. Information about this year's situation is not yet available.
Stansvik manor park is otherwise a nice place to visit with children and there is plenty to wonder at and beautiful archipelago views along the peninsula's shores. The Stansvik area is known from the Risto Räppääjä and Viilea Venla films.

Espoo: At the Laaksonlahti villa association's Midsummer celebration a bonfire is lit at 10 pm. VPK (fire brigade) is present ensuring safe bonfire burning. More information on the villa association's website.

Loviisa: Midsummer in Loviisa offers many traditions.

Things to do

Small Helsinki recommends: Starting Midsummer Eve morning at Hakaniemi Market Hall and market square in mid-summer market atmosphere. From the square and hall you'll find accordion music, Midsummer delicacies and strawberries as well as birch twigs to decorate your city Midsummer. At the Coffee Sisters tent traditional programming as always.

Porvoo: Archipelago atmosphere for Midsummer from Pelling's summer market on Friday from 9 am-12 noon. The trip also includes a short ferry ride, so the outing is sure to be an adventure for little ones. More information on the Pelling Village Association's Facebook page.

A quiet Helsinki city center is an experience in itself. Also, for example, Kaisaniemi Botanical Garden is accessible during Midsummer holidays daily from 9 am-8 pm.

Korkeasaari is also open during Midsummer: Midsummer Eve 21.6.2019 from 10 am-5 pm, Midsummer Day and Sunday 22.-23.6.2019 from 10 am-8 pm. Read more on the zoo's website. Korkeasaari entrance fee.

Fallkulta farm animal farm animals can be petted throughout Midsummer daily from 10 am-3 pm. Entry to the farm animal facility is free.

Haltiala farm animal facility is practically always open and the animals enjoy the summer on outdoor pastures. Stop by to greet vacationing police horses, play in Haltiala's play park or enjoy juice at Wanha Pehtoori.

Remember also: Animals in the city article!

Linnanmäki amusement park invites fun also during Midsummer: Midsummer Eve the park is open from 11 am-9 pm, Midsummer Day and Sunday from 11 am-10 pm. On Midsummer Eve at Lintsillä Midsummer dances.

Swimming: At Helsinki's public swimming beaches and for example Pirkkola Plotti there is plenty of space even during sunny Midsummer. Also Kumpula and Uimastadion outdoor pools are open during Midsummer holidays (entrance fee).
In Espoo, Leppävaara's outdoor pool is open during Midsummer: Midsummer Eve from 6 am-5 pm, Midsummer Day and Sunday from 9 am-8 pm (entrance fee).

Allas Sea Pool is accessible for sauna and swimming also during Midsummer holidays. The area also has a children's pool. More information on Allas Sea Pool's website. Entrance fee.

Helsinki's islands are excellent day trip destinations, even if you don't make it until evening. For example, Pihlajasaari and Kaunissaari on the Sipoo side are suitable day trip destinations. You can stay longer on the islands since you can camp in Pihlajasaari on weekends and rent a cottage on Kaunissaari. Kaunissaari also has public saunas, read more on the island's website. Also remember for example Vartiosaari (summer sheep!), Vallisaari and Isosaari. Islands are free to access, but a ferry fee is charged.

Uutela cabin opening hours will be clarified closer to Midsummer. The cabin guardians keep the fire burning, so pack snacks in your backpack and head out with the whole family to enjoy the atmosphere of a live fire. Read more on Uutela cabin's Facebook page.

Espoo's beautiful islands and beaches offer Midsummer atmosphere and activities, read more on Visit Espoo's website.

On the Vantaa side, for example Heureka Science Center and Flamingo Spa spa are open during Midsummer.

Remember also

Small Helsinki's Summer in Helsinki series tips.

Small Helsinki's Animals in the city article.

Suomenlinna's ferries carry adventurers also during Midsummer, but some of the island's services may be closed during Midsummer. Pack snacks and enjoy Suomenlinna's unique atmosphere and explore caves in peace.

During Midsummer, the quieting city is an excellent place to explore new places and go on outings to interesting destinations. From Small Helsinki's Helsinki Places article you can find more places worth experiencing in Helsinki.

Uusimaa Recreation Area Association's outdoor recreation areas can be found by the dozens near Helsinki. Hiking in wonderful natural areas is a great alternative to celebrating Midsummer at a cottage.

Talosaari outdoor recreation area is a nice hiking destination for families. The area offers beautiful archipelago views, near the beginning of the route you will almost certainly encounter horses at Husön riding stables, and the place is rarely crowded. You can easily travel along Talosaari's main route even with strollers.

Lammassaari and Kuusiluoto take you to natural tranquility in the middle of the city. You can reach Lammassaari effortlessly even with strollers, but for the Kuusiluoto outing it's worth leaving strollers waiting on Lammassaari side. On Kuusiluoto you can encounter sheep roaming free on the island, admire Helsinki, eat snacks and enjoy nature.