Pienten Helsinki's From Christmas to Epiphany article offers diverse ideas and tips mainly for independent activities in Helsinki between Christmas and New Year. That is, what to do and where to go with children in Helsinki and the surrounding area during Christmas and New Year.

This article replaces the regular weekly "Where to Go This Week" roundups for the Christmas and New Year period due to the small number of actual events.

Weekly tips provided by: Pienten Helsinki

Events

Children's events at libraries through Epiphany can be found in the Helmet Libraries event calendar.

Some of Helsinki's playgrounds are open during the Christmas and New Year period as well.
For example, the playgrounds at Loru in Oodi has a weekly program that can be found here.

Espoo: Silhouettes of Fearless Animals and Creatures Workshop at Children's Cultural Center Aurora on Wednesday and Thursday, 27–28 December 2023, 10–1 p.m. Free admission.

Kauniainen: Aarne Alligator & Jungle Drum Children's Orchestra concerts in Kauniainen at the New Pavilion on Friday, 29 December 2023 and Saturday, 30 December 2023. Concerts in Swedish both days at 2 p.m. and in Finnish at 4 p.m. Tickets: children €9, adults €18, children under 2 sitting in lap free.

The Christmas-decorated Winter Garden is open to the public through Epiphany. Free admission.
Winter Garden opening hours:
- Monday to Thursday 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
- Fridays closed
- Saturday and Sunday and public holidays 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

Haltiala Farm Animal Farm Christmas atmosphere can be visited from 5 December 2023 to 7 January 2024. The farm is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays 9 a.m.–1 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m.–2 p.m. (closed 23–24 December 2023). Free admission.

Espoo: Large Miniature Railway in Ainoa shopping center in Espoo is open Wednesday and Friday 3–6 p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m.–4 p.m. The exhibition is located on the second floor of Ainoa, across from the BYD car display, next to the Itsudemo restaurant. Free admission.

Lux Helsinki takes place Wednesday to Sunday, 3–7 January 2024. Works can be seen in downtown Helsinki, Hietaniemi Cemetery, the city's cultural centers, and Korkeasaari Zoo. Free admission (except Korkeasaari).

For babies and parents! Baby Cinema at Maunula House on Friday, 5 January 2024, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. Free admission.

Helsinki City Culture Award is presented on Friday, 5 January 2024, at 3 p.m. in Maijansali at the Oodi central library. Free admission.

Children's Organ Journey at Musiikkitalo's Organo Hall on Saturday, 6 January 2024, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Free admission.

Epiphany Festivities at Kanneltalo on Saturday, 6 January 2024, 5–8 p.m. Free admission.

Rope Skipping Day Training at Meilahti Upper School on Sunday, 7 January 2024, 10–11:30 a.m. Morning session free admission.

Lighthouse Keeper's Route at Suomenlinna from 24 November 2023 to 31 January 2024.

Tuusula: Lotta Museum's self-guided elf path can be experienced from 18 November 2023 to 6 January 2024.

Christmas in Helsinki article series brings together all the best tips for Christmas adventures in Helsinki with children under one link.
Secrets of Helsinki article reveals little and big secrets about Helsinki!
What should we do today? Check out tips for boring days from Pienten Helsinki!

Lights in the City

Helsinki's parks, streets, and buildings are lit to bring light to the darkness and Christmas atmosphere to the city. Illuminated Christmas trees on Keskuskatu, lights and animal figures in Espa Park, Christmas lights on Aleksanterinkatu, and numerous Christmas lights and various Christmas decorations in and around shopping centers delight both small and large visitors.

Espoo: Taian Aallot Light Installation around Espoo Cathedral and along the river until 6 January 2024 in the evening. Free admission.

Espoo: Aurora's New Year's Fearless Light Creatures – Window Art visible in the windows of Children's Cultural Center Aurora 30 December–6 January 5–10 p.m. Free admission.

Lux Korkeasaari takes place 30 December 2023 – 7 January 2024, when the zoo is open daily 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Admission fee.

Espoo: Tapiola Night - Light and Sound Art Event at Tapiola Center 31 December 2023 – 7 January 2024. Free admission.

Lux Helsinki takes place Wednesday to Sunday, 3–7 January 2024. Works can be seen in downtown Helsinki, Hietaniemi Cemetery, the city's cultural centers, and Korkeasaari Zoo. Free admission (except Korkeasaari).

Christmas Windows

Large shopping centers have traditionally decorated their Christmas windows in ways that children also enjoy. The Christmas classic, downtown Stockmann's Fairy Tale Window is a wonderful experience again this year and the Christmas window can be admired through Epiphany at the corner of Aleksanterinkatu and Keskuskatu. For example, Fazer's Christmas window on Kluuvikatu has also often been a treat!

Animals in the City

Haltiala Farm Animal Farm Christmas atmosphere can be visited from 5 December 2023 to 7 January 2024. The farm is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays 9 a.m.–1 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m.–2 p.m. (closed 23–24 December 2023). Free admission. At Haltiala Farm you can also see farm animals in outdoor enclosures in winter.

Falkulla Farm's cows and horses are usually out when weather permits around 10 a.m.–2 p.m. daily. Falkulla Farm's indoor facilities are open to the public next on 6–7 January 2024, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Free admission.

Korkeasaari Zoo is open almost year-round daily. Lux Korkeasaari takes place 30 December 2023 – 7 January 2024, when the zoo is open daily 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Zoo admission fee.

Winter Garden has carp swimming in its pool year-round!

Also remember: Pienten Helsinki's Animals in the City article!

To the Museum with Children

Museum tips with children can be found in Pienten Helsinki's themed article!
Fire Museum at Erottaja Rescue Station is open Wednesday 3 January and Sunday 7 January 2024, 12–4 p.m. Small admission fee.

Media Museum and Archive Merkki (formerly Päivälehti Museum) on Ludvikinkatu has opened its doors and the museum also has a small children's section. Free admission.
Helsinki City Museum's Children's City – Make Christmas Puppets Self-Guided during the museum's opening hours. Always free admission.
Taidehallin story-based elf guidance to the exhibition 26–29 December 2023 at 1 p.m. Museum admission fee.

Espoo: Christmas Vacation at Museo Leikki 26 December 2023 – 7 January 2024. Museum admission fee.

Kerava: Museo Sinka free days during the break period 27–29 December 2023.

Science and Technology Museum's vacation program for families with children 2–5 January 2024. Museum admission fee.

Theatre Cat's Christmas Vacation Game at the Theatre Museum on Cable Factory 2–5 January 2024, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. on your own schedule. Museum admission fee.

Outdoors and Movement

Find all of Pienten Helsinki's playground tips behind this link.

Where are the best sledding hills in the Helsinki metropolitan area? Check out the sledding hill tips from Pienten Helsinki!

Want to ice skate at an ice rink? Find public ice skating times for Helsinki and the metropolitan area in Pienten Helsinki's themed article.
- For example, Vantaa's ice halls and Kerava's ice hall offer free public skating times during the break period.

Want to skate on outdoor ice? Many of Helsinki's, Espoo's, and Vantaa's artificial and natural ice rinks are already open for skating! Skating is free on artificial ice rinks this year. Current ice rink condition information can be found on the Ulkoliikunta.fi service.

Adventure in Helsinki

What should we do today? Check out tips for boring days from Pienten Helsinki!

Secrets of Helsinki article reveals little and big secrets about Helsinki!

Uunisaari off Kaivopuisto has gotten a bridge connection for the winter months and on the rocky island you can gaze at the horizon and wonder at passing ships and the sea spray on the shore.
For independent winter hikes you should head out, for example, along the wooden boardwalks to Lammassaari, to Suomenlinna Fortress, to Kruunuvuorenlammen peace (now mostly with ready-made, updated boardwalks!) or to Kivinokka trails. More tips for Helsinki adventures can be found in Pienten Helsinki's Helsinki places article.

Hike in the Surrounding Area

You can hike even in winter! Sipoonkorpi, Nuuksio, Luukki, and Talosaari are wonderful hiking spots in winter as well. Pack a snack and dress warmly!
Sipoonkorpi has easy-access trails such as Tasakallio - Storträsk route and the Byabäcken nature trail, formerly known as the Ponu Post tradition route, which leads to a grilling spot and a cabin for warming up. Tip based on experience: with small children, it's best to walk the Byabäcken route from the beginning to the grilling spot and return the same way, rather than doing the full loop. The grilling spot usually has plenty of firewood available, so bring matches and food. Note, however, that some routes may be slippery due to varying winter weather.
Also worth trying is the route from Kuusijärvi to Sipoonkorpi and experience a beautiful bridge route to the national park.

New and interesting hiking spots can also be found among Uusimaa Recreation Area Association's sites.

Christmas Towns in the Surrounding Area

At least Porvoo, Loviisa, Tammisaari (and Tammisaari's lovely Elf Path), Fiskars Village (and a great playground in the village center!) in Raasepori, and Mathildedal have focused on Christmas atmosphere.