What to do or where to go with children? What child-friendly activities can be found in Helsinki during Christmas week? Pienten Helsinki's weekly Where to go this week series searches for activity tips and recommends child-friendly events and activities in Helsinki and the surrounding area.

This week's tips brought to you by: Pienten Helsinki

What's happening right now

MONDAY 18.12.2023

Events and activity tips

  • Christmas-decorated Winter Garden is open to the public on Monday from 10am-4pm. For more detailed opening hours, see the garden's website. Free admission.
  • Art Clinic: Sleep, sleep workshop at Annantalo on Monday at 12:30-2pm. Sign up through this link. Art Clinic workshops inspire and guide 3–5-year-old children and their adults to create and experience art together. Workshops explore the world of art and introduce different ways of making art. Free admission.
  • St. Thomas' Market on Senate Square features a carousel with free rides. However, be prepared to queue, especially in the evenings and on weekends, though the lines do move surprisingly quickly (queue time during peak hours about 15-20 minutes).

Activities at playgrounds on Monday

  • Playgrounds and family centers are open as normal. Playground indoor areas are open to families on weekdays mainly from 9am-12pm, afternoons reserved for school-age children. For more information, see the playgrounds' and family centers' own websites. Playgrounds announce their programs in Helsinki's city event calendar and on the playgrounds' own Facebook pages.

Activities at libraries on Monday

TUESDAY 19.12.2023

Events and activity tips

  • Christmas-decorated Winter Garden is open to the public on Tuesday from 10am-4pm. For more detailed opening hours, see the garden's website. Free admission.
  • Kindergarten Museum is open on Tuesday 12pm-7pm. Small admission fee.
  • Lighthouse Keeper's Route in Suomenlinna from 24.11.2023-31.1.2024.
  • St. Thomas' Market on Senate Square features a carousel with free rides. However, be prepared to queue, especially in the evenings and on weekends, though the lines do move surprisingly quickly (queue time during peak hours about 15-20 minutes).

Activities at playgrounds on Tuesday

  • Playgrounds and family centers are open as normal. Playground indoor areas are open to families on weekdays mainly from 9am-12pm, afternoons reserved for school-age children. For more information, see the playgrounds' and family centers' own websites. Playgrounds announce their programs in Helsinki's city event calendar and on the playgrounds' own Facebook pages.
  • At Loru playground on Tuesday:
    11am–11:30am Christmas music and dance time for all ages
    2pm–3pm Elf obstacle course for children over 1 year old

Activities at libraries on Tuesday

WEDNESDAY 20.12.2023

Events and activity tips

  • Christmas-decorated Winter Garden is open to the public on Wednesday from 10am-4pm. For more detailed opening hours, see the garden's website. Free admission.

Activities at playgrounds on Wednesday

  • Playgrounds and family centers are open as normal. Playground indoor areas are open to families on weekdays mainly from 9am-12pm, afternoons reserved for school-age children. For more information, see the playgrounds' and family centers' own websites. Playgrounds announce their programs in Helsinki's city event calendar and on the playgrounds' own Facebook pages.

Activities at libraries on Wednesday

Small Finland - over 700 reasons to travel in Finland with children!

THURSDAY 21.12.2023

Events and activity tips

  • Christmas atmosphere at Haltiala Farm's stable can be visited from 5.12.2023-7.1.2024. The stable is open Tuesdays and Thursdays 9am-1pm and Saturdays and Sundays 10am-2pm (closed 23.-24.12.2023). Free admission.
  • Christmas-decorated Winter Garden is open to the public on Thursday from 10am-4pm. For more detailed opening hours, see the garden's website. Free admission.
  • Lighthouse Keeper's Route in Suomenlinna from 24.11.2023-31.1.2024.
  • St. Thomas' Market on Senate Square features a carousel with free rides. However, be prepared to queue, especially in the evenings and on weekends, though the lines do move surprisingly quickly (queue time during peak hours about 15-20 minutes).

Activities at playgrounds on Thursday

  • Playgrounds and family centers are open as normal. Playground indoor areas are open to families on weekdays mainly from 9am-12pm, afternoons reserved for school-age children. For more information, see the playgrounds' and family centers' own websites. Playgrounds announce their programs in Helsinki's city event calendar and on the playgrounds' own Facebook pages.

Activities at libraries on Thursday

FRIDAY 22.12.2023

Events and activity tips

  • What should we do today? Check out tips for boring days from Pienten Helsinki!
  • Christmas-decorated Winter Garden is open to the public on Friday from 10am-4pm. For more detailed opening hours, see the garden's website. Free admission.
  • Espoo: Large Miniature Railway in Ainoa shopping center in Espoo is open on Fridays 3pm-6pm. The exhibition is located on the second floor of Ainoa opposite the BYD car display, next to the Itsudemo restaurant. Free admission.
  • Lighthouse Keeper's Route in Suomenlinna from 24.11.2023-31.1.2024.
  • Last day! St. Thomas' Market on Senate Square features a carousel with free rides. However, be prepared to queue, especially in the evenings and on weekends, though the lines do move surprisingly quickly (queue time during peak hours about 15-20 minutes).

Activities at playgrounds on Friday

  • Playgrounds are still mostly open on Friday, though many family centers are closed. Playground indoor areas are open to families on weekdays mainly from 9am-12pm, afternoons reserved for school-age children. For more information, see the playgrounds' and family centers' own websites. Playgrounds announce their programs in Helsinki's city event calendar and on the playgrounds' own Facebook pages.
  • At Loru playground on Friday:
    10:30am–11am Loru Songs - singing session for all ages
    2pm–2:30pm Loru Songs - singing session for all ages

Activities at libraries on Friday

SATURDAY 23.12.2023

Events and activity tips

  • Espoo: Large Miniature Railway in Ainoa shopping center in Espoo is open on Saturdays 11am-4pm. The exhibition is located on the second floor of Ainoa opposite the BYD car display, next to the Itsudemo restaurant. Free admission. (no complete confirmation could be found on the opening hours for Christmas Eve, so this information is unverified).
  • Lighthouse Keeper's Route in Suomenlinna from 24.11.2023-31.1.2024.
  • St. Thomas' Market on Senate Square features a carousel with free rides. However, be prepared to queue, especially in the evenings and on weekends. On the Cathedral steps, on the other hand, you can experience Helsinki's wildest sledding hill on fresh snow without waiting in line.
  • Tuusula: Lotta Museum's self-guided elf trail can be experienced from 18.11.2023-6.1.2024.

SUNDAY 24.12.2023

Christmas Eve

Events and activity tips

Pienten Helsinki wishes you a wonderful and peaceful Christmas!

  • Family Christmas Eve skating at Malmi ice hall on Christmas Eve 9am-1pm. Free admission.
  • Korkeasaari zoo is open on Christmas Eve 10am-2pm. Admission fee applies.
  • From the libraries open on Christmas Eve are Itäkeskus, Kallio, and Rikhardinkatu libraries in Helsinki from 10am-4pm, as well as some self-service libraries. 

MONDAY 25.12.2023

Christmas Day

TUESDAY 26.12.2023

Boxing Day

  • Christmas-decorated Winter Garden is open to the public on Boxing Day from 10am-4pm. For more detailed opening hours, see the garden's website. Free admission.

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