Helsinki Christmas Market opens at Market Square on Saturday
Christmas season in Helsinki comes under way on Saturday, 27 November, with the launch of both Helsinki Christmas Market and the Aleksanterinkatu Christmas Street. The Christmas market will open daily until 22 December and will also offer entertainment for all the family, including circus performances and live music.
Helsinki’s traditional outdoor Christmas market is again set to bring together more than 100 carefully selected artists, makers and small businesses, along with 11 cafes and other food outlets. Due to the works currently underway to refurbish the lighting at Senate Square, the Christmas market will temporarily re-locate to the seafront site for this year’s event.
“Together with the Christmas Street, the Christmas Market is the heart of Christmas in Helsinki. The market will bring plenty of seasonal cheer to the city, and it is also an excellent opportunity to buy ethical and sustainably produced items directly from the creators,” said Juhana Vartiainen, Mayor of Helsinki.
Visitors to the Christmas Market will also be treated to some yuletide entertainment in the form of circus performances and live music. Not only will Cirko – Center for New Circus be offering exciting displays of circus skills, there will be a variety of live music performances too. Performances will take place daily in the food court.
Families will love the traditional carousel at the heart of the Christmas market, and younger visitors will also enjoy the new Christmas Mystery mobile app. As part of this seasonal mobile game, children and their parents will be asked to give a helping hand to Tohelo the elf, who’s struggling to get all his Christmas preparations done in time. The free game, developed in collaboration with Helsinki City Museum, is a fun way to discover the history of Christmas in Helsinki too. It is available at joulumysteeri.fi.
Helsinki Christmas Market is committed to sustainability across all areas and environmental impacts are monitored using the Ecocompass certificate. Particular care will again be taken to ensure Covid safety. The market’s layout has been designed with social distancing in mind, and the extended opening times will allow visitors to avoid peak hours. Enhanced cleaning and hygiene measures will also be in place throughout.
Helsinki Christmas Market will be held on the Market Square from 27 November to 22 December 2021.The opening hours will be Monday to Thursday, 11:00–19:00 and Friday to Sunday, 10:00–20:00. Independence Day opening hours 11:00–16:00. Free admission.