04.12.2018

Fun things to do in Helsinki area at Christmas time!

There are many things to do from shopping and ice skating to visiting cafes and museums in Helsinki area in December 2018! Quite near Helsinki there are cities and towns such as Vantaa, Espoo, Sipoo, Raasepori and Tuusula.

Check out these places that we have listed for you! :) 

Check also the Christmas opening hours and ticket pricing by visiting the websites of the places included in this article.

 

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– BUY PRESENTS! – DESIGN, ART, FOOD –

Photo: Fiskars Village, Raasepori

Buy Christmas presents or souvenirs at the many Christmas markets in Helsinki and in the boutiques of the nearby cities and towns!

 

Fiskars Village

Raasepori

There are design shops, hotels, and restaurants in this historical area! Read more about the Christmas buses from Helsinki to Raasepori (until 15th of December) here.

 

Ornamo’s Design Christmas (From 7th to 9th of December)  

Kaapelitehdas, Helsinki

Read more about Ornamo here.

 

Wanha Satama’s Christmas (From 5th to 9th of December)

Katajanokka, Helsinki

 

Teurastamo’s Market (From 15th to 16th of December)

Helsinki

Read more about Teurastamo here.

 

Helsinki Christmas Market (Vanhan Joulutori) (From 15th to 22nd of December)

Vanha ylioppilastalo, Helsinki

 

Helsinki Christmas Market (Tuomaan Markkinat) (From 1st to 22nd of December)

the Senate Square, Helsinki

 

Old Market Hall

Helsinki

 

Porvoo’s Artfactory Christmas Market (From 14th to 16th of December)

Culture and Congress Center, Porvoo

 

Porvoo’s Christmas Market (From 8th to 9th of December)

Old Porvoo

Visit Old Porvoo's beautiful old buildings in December! There are many boutiques and museums in Old Porvoo.

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– VISIT MUSEUMS, EXHIBITIONS, AND ART GALLERIES –

Halosenniemi, Tuusula. Photo: VisitTuusulanjärvi

While visiting Helsinki, you should also visit the historical places near Helsinki! These places include museums and art galleries!

 

Ainola (Jean Sibelius’ home)

Järvenpää

Lotta Museum

Tuusula

Halosenniemi

Tuusula

Lake Tuusula is known for its many historical places. Find more museums by Lake Tuusula here. We visited Lake Tuusula in spring 2018! Read more

 

Gumbostrand Konst & Form

Sipoo

If you love art and design, you should visit Gumbostrand Konst & Form! Its art exhibitions and design shop can be found near Helsinki in Sipoo.

 

Photo: Haltia – the Finnish Nature Centre, Espoo

 

Haltia – The Finnish Nature Centre

Espoo

In Haltia there are exhibitions about the Finnish nature, a restaurant, and a shop! Visit also the Nuuksio National Park. We visited Haltia in spring 2018. Read more

 

Suomenlinna Sea Fortress

Helsinki

The ferry takes visitors to the unique island of Suomenlinna also in the winter time! We visited Suomenlinna Sea Fortress in summer 2018! Read more

 

Helsinki City Museum

Helsinki

Visit the Helsinki themed exhibitions for free and make Christmas decorations at the workshop

 

Korkeasaari Zoo

Helsinki

This zoo is located on an island in Helsinki. There are lions, tigers, bears, and other animals at the zoo that is closed only on Christmas eve! Adults 12 €, children 6 € (children under 4-years-old 0 €).

 

Ateneum

Helsinki

"The Ateneum Art Museum has the country’s oldest and largest art collection." There are also a shop and a cafe-restaurant at Ateneum.

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– EAT –

Restaurant Backas, Vantaa. Photo: Johanna Hurtig/LikeFinland.com

Eat lunch or buy a coffee! There are many unique restaurants in Helsinki and also near Helsinki Airport!

 

Fazer Café

Kluuvikatu 3, Helsinki

At this cafe you can eat cakes, drink a cup of coffee or tea, and eat breakfast or lunch! The cafe was opened in 1891.

 

Café Esplanad

Pohjois-Esplanadi 37, Helsinki

 

Café Ekberg

Bulevardi 9, Helsinki

"Ekberg is Finland’s oldest bakery, patisserie and café".

 

Löyly – A sauna, a café, and a restaurant

Hernesaarenranta 4, Helsinki

 

Restaurant Backas

Vantaa

Near Helsinki airport you can eat lunch in a 200-year-old manor! We visited restaurant Backas in spring 2018. Read more

 

Restaurant Kuninkaan Lohet

Vantaa

By the Vantaanjoki river and also near Helsinki airport there is a historical restaurant in two buildings! We visited Kuninkaan Lohet in summer 2018. Read more

 

Cafe N'avetta

Sipoo

If you want to eat lunch or drink a cup of coffee in the countryside instead of the city, visit Cafe N'avetta!

 

Svartå Manor

Raasepori

Svartå Manor offers hotel and restaurant services in a beautiful environment!

 

Find more cafes and restaurants in Helsinki here!

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– SPORT ACTIVITIES & GAMES –

Photo: Flamingo Spa, Vantaa

If you want to do something else than shopping or visiting museums, you should consider these!

 

Flamingo Spa

Flamingo Entertainment Centre, Vantaa

Go for a swim in the Spa or in the Waterpark! Flamingo Spa is located in Flamingo Entertainment Centre where you can also find a hotel, shops, and restaurants!

 

Talma Ski

Talmantie 341, Sipoo

At Talma Ski you can rent skiing equipment and go skiing for example in Snow Park that has been used by many professionals! With the kids you can spend a winter day at Werneri Park.

 

Kiipeilyareena climbing centre

Salmisaari Sports centre (Salmisaaren Liikuntakeskus) & Shopping centre Redi, Helsinki

Go climbing! Adults with equipment 20 € (before 4 pm 16 €) and children with equipment 15 €.

 

Ice Park – ice skating

Helsinki

Adults 6 €, children 3 € and students, pensioners 4 €.

 

Allas Sea Pool

Katajanokanlaituri 2 A, Helsinki

Go for a swim in the middle of Helsinki! Adults 14 €, children 7 €.

 

Exit Room Helsinki. Photo: LikeFinland.com

 

Exit Room Helsinki

Multiple locations around Helsinki, mainly in Vallila area

Some of the rooms are available also in English!

 

Megazone Laser Tag Game

Entertainment Centre Flamingo, Vantaa

Megazone Laser Tag Game

Salmisaari Sports centre (Salmisaaren Liikuntakeskus), Helsinki

 

Prison Island Helsinki

Salmisaari Sports centre (Salmisaaren Liikuntakeskus), Helsinki

Prison Island Vantaa

Entertainment Centre Flamingo, Vantaa

 

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– READ MORE ABOUT HELSINKI –

My Helsinki

 

Photo: LikeFinland.com

 

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Text: Johanna Hurtig

Fiskars Village, VisitTuusulanjärvi, Gumbostrand Konst & Form, Haltia, Restaurant Backas, Svartå Manor, Talma Ski, Restaurant Kuninkaan Lohet, Flamingo Spa, Kiipeilyareena climbing centre, Exit Room Helsinki, Megazone Vantaa & Helsinki and Prison Island Vantaa & Helsinki are our Star Destinations and media customers. 

Other online sources used in this article: MyHelsinki, Ice Park, Löyly, Allas Sea Pool, OldPorvoo, Ateneum, Fazer, Korkeasaari Zoo, Helsinki City Museum, Ornamo, Wanha Satama, Teurastamo, Vanhan Joulutori, Tuomaan Markkinat, Porvoo’s Artfactory, and Old Market Hall.

LikeFinland.com is a nationwide leisure time media and search service of Finnish destinations. You can like us on Facebook or follow on Twitter and Instagram.

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