concert19:00HKO: HJV - Rufus Wainwright: Dream Requiem
The 2026 Helsinki Festival opens with Rufus Wainwright's Dream Requiem, performed by the Helsinki City Orchestra at the Music House.
concert19:00The 2026 Helsinki Festival opens with Rufus Wainwright's Dream Requiem, performed by the Helsinki City Orchestra at the Music House.
concert18:00Jonna Karanka performs as Kuupuu with experimental electronic music blending strange frequencies, loops, and electroacoustic textures.
concert16:00Finnish folk-rock band Mandys Nyckel presents their original music on the Espan stage. The band is known for their progressive sound that combines influences from Joni Mitchell and Fleetwood Mac.
concert17:00Finnish singer-songwriter Milou showcases new music on Espa's stage. Melancholic pop with French and Finnish elements.
musical(136 days)
A musical where Julia takes control of her own life after Romeo. Written by Emmy-winning screenwriter David West Read and composed by Max Martin, filled with 1990s and 2000s hits.
theater18:00Marja Rautakorpi and the young flamenco group Adelante present an experimental dance work exploring humanity and community. Criaturas, the result of a year-long collaboration, examines why we separate individuals when we need each other.
festival16:00Malmitalo Konttilavalla hosts a summer event featuring a dance workshop from theatre Tsuumi and performances by bands Salaliitto and Lyyti. Free admission.
exhibition(356 days)
This exhibition presents Elga Sesemann's (1922-2007) extensive artistic output and her significant role in modern Finnish art. Ateneum Art Museum, 18.8.2026-8.8.2027.
concert17:30An interactive music performance for children aged 5-12 that brings together art, natural science, and environmental education. Featuring Veera Railio and Milla Viljamaa.
concert13:15The Anka Orchestra performs at Riistavuoren senior centre. Free concert for everyone.
concert15:00Johanna & Auringonlasku Orkesteri performs Finnish alternative pop with distinctive arrangements, where beautiful melodies meet humor and emotion.
concert10:00Summer music classes led by Tuuli Paasolainen combine singing, play, and movement for young children. Participants sing, move, and chant together with the music educator.
lecture(120 days)
A meditation session exploring body-mind awareness and deepening concentration under the guidance of musician Kalle Ylitalo, who brings ten years of Buddhist meditation practice experience.
theater(117 days)
Robert Jägerhorn's close-up magic session where illusions unfold right before your eyes. An intimate performance for just 12 spectators, blending storytelling, humor, and magic.
other(99 days)
Board game and PlayStation 5 day for grades 3-6. Every Tuesday, children learn a new game and play together.
other(99 days)
Open evening story time at Jätkäsaari Library where Finnish stories are read for children and their families.
theater17:00Shaghayegh Ansari leads audiences on a guided audio walk through Helsinki's streets to explore ecological loss and migration. The performance projects stories from endangered cities and questions where crises truly belong.
lecture13:15Free job search workshop where you'll learn practical search channels, job alerts, and how to use the Labour Market Portal. Perfect if you need guidance or want to make your job search more efficient.
lecture13:00Free online training on business planning and calculations. Learn what a good plan includes and how to create financial projections.
lecture18:00Poet Kristian Helanen presents his new poetry collection Erosinko molemmista, exploring the end of a relationship and the journey of rediscovering oneself.
other(120 days)
Morning activity for toddlers and their families at Torpparinmäki playground featuring movement, play and the chance to meet other families.
other(113 days)
Suutarila Library provides free homework help and a snack for primary school students on Tuesdays.
other(113 days)
Kukkuluuruu is a song and nursery rhyme session for babies aged 6-12 months. Together the babies sing, recite rhymes, play and move for about 20-30 minutes.
other(99 days)
Storytelling and craft activities for pre-school children and parents at Kallion Library's children's section. Free admission, no registration needed.
lecture13:00A Swedish-language guided walk through Suomenlinna's history and present day, with free entry to the Ehrensvärd Museum.
lecture13:00A gentle yoga class led by Dada at Alpila Community House. Suitable for all levels.
lecture11:00English conversation club at Stadin Community Centre Pihlajamäki on Tuesdays and Thursdays from August to December. A volunteer leads the discussions, and no advance registration is needed.
other13:00Baby Meetups is a gathering place for families with infants at Perhetalo Kajuutta. Meetings are held four days a week with varied activities, guidance, and motor skill exercises.
other09:15Jussi Ollila leads a forest story session in Uutela Forest where tales are created together with the children. Suitable for children from 3 years old and offers a unique experience each time.
lecture(113 days)
A natural dye-making course for children aged 7-11, exploring local plants and creating colours and natural materials through painting, printing, and construction. Taught in English in a small group with individual guidance.
Multi-day exhibitions and festivals still on today.
festivalin progress
Allas Live is a summer-long concert series at Allas Pool from May to September featuring Finnish and international artists across multiple music genres.
festivalin progress
Finland's largest organ festival with over a hundred concerts throughout summer 2026. The programme includes organ concerts alongside singers, instrumentalists, choirs and vocal ensembles.
ballet(14 days)
Tiia Kasurinen presents her choreographic work Birds of Paradise, a physical and playful exploration of rituals, power, and gender roles inspired by the courtship dances of birds of paradise and stereotypical masculinity.
ballet(12 days)
Willman Dance Company presents an immersive performance USKO-FAITH on Suomenlinna that explores faith as an event in the human mind. The audience moves alongside performers through different scenes, with physical participation remaining voluntary. The performance is complemented by a free glass art exhibition.
lecturein progress
An architecture walk exploring Alvar Aalto's human-centred modernism in Helsinki. Discover Finlandia Hall, the Iron House, and the Academic Bookstore with an expert guide.
exhibitionin progress
The LEGO® Jurassic World exhibition is built from over 6 million bricks. Visitors walk through the Jurassic World gates, explore the laboratory, and encounter dinosaurs in LEGO form. The exhibition offers building activities and design challenges.
festivalin progress
A summer hub in Kallio combining market, live music, cultural events and food. Open from lunch to late evening throughout the season.
exhibitionin progress
KOKIMO collective's interactive work Tablescape opens HAM's New Contemporary Art Space. Around a long dining table, the human relationship to nature and ecosystems is explored through light, projection, and sound.
festivalin progress
Live music on the summer terrace of Finlandia Park Hotel every weekend throughout the season. Free admission with a varied programme of Finnish bands and artists.
festivalin progress
Wine tasting on Vallisaari's seaside terrace with a sommelier presenting five wines and tapas. Open to all, no prior experience required.
festivalin progress
Free film screenings for families with babies at Pasila Library, with a baby-friendly environment featuring dimmed lighting, lower sound levels, and freedom of movement.
festival(10 days)
The Malmi Summer Festival 2026 offers a diverse August programme on Ala-Malmi Square featuring concerts, workshops and children's activities - all completely free.
exhibition(16 days)
A multisensory exhibition and event exploring the values and future of the forest through art, music, workshops, and theatre performances at Kanneltalo in August.
festival(6 days)
Classic horror films screen under the stars at the Falkman courtyard with authentic 35 mm projection. A curated selection of European and American masterpieces spanning different eras.
exhibition(26 days)
Art Kaos presents "Kaos of Luxury", an exhibition exploring gold and gemstones at Maunula-talo's foyer gallery.
lecturein progress
A one-hour guided tour of Alvar Aalto's iconic Kulttuuritalo, exploring the building's modernist architecture, history, and political significance.
club(288 days)
Free karaoke evening at Stadi Community Centre Alppila. Open to everyone - no experience needed. You can sing or just listen.
musicalin progress
The musical drama Myrskyluodon Maija, based on Anni Blomqvist's classic, is performed at Kivinokka summer theatre in summer 2026. The lead roles are played by Heidi Kyrö, Inga Sulin and Juho Taskinen.
clubin progress
A monthly silent reading circle at Pasila Library where participants read quietly together. Each person brings their own book and enjoys a peaceful reading session without discussion.
club(169 days)
Bridge club meets every Friday at Kinaporin senior centre. A classic card game for all skill levels.
club(141 days)
A men's group meets at Laajasalo Service Centre for conversation and companionship. The event is for pensioners and unemployed people with a service centre card.
club(22 days)
Jouhikko jams meet on Wednesday evenings in August at the summer courtyard of Richardsgatan Library. You can play the jouhikko or other quiet instruments, try new sounds, or simply listen.
club(127 days)
Free knitting club at Puistola Library on Wednesday evenings. Suitable for both beginners and experienced craft enthusiasts.
club(120 days)
Karaoke for singers of all levels, from beginners to experienced. No singing talent required, and you can also just listen.
concertin progress
Senior Dance Fitness is a solo dance class where the dance style changes with each song - from Latin rhythms to jazz and Oriental dance. Sessions are free and open to all service centre clients.
exhibitionin progress
Exhibition of acrylic and oil paintings by Aila and Eila at Kampin service centre during the summer months.
exhibition(26 days)
The exhibition explores traces of the past in the present through Aristophanes' play "Clouds" and internet discussions. Lea Hakala's work merges ancient comedy and digital culture in a reflection on how texts are preserved and archived.
exhibition(24 days)
Maria Koskivirta's new short film explores reality as a mechanical machine. Exhibition at Forum Box gallery 7-30 August 2026.
exhibition(24 days)
Three concurrent exhibitions at Forum Box: Tianjun Li's "Bird Collisions", Pavel Rotts's "Matter of Touch", and Yujie Zhou's "Health Hammer". Free admission.
theaterin progress
A contemporary circus performance by a young artist at Kulttuurilabra. Tiia Flinckman's diorama World of the dreamer is on display at the same time.
other(99 days)
A gathering place for babies and families at Kalasatama Library on Mondays. The programme features a nursery rhyme session and time to socialise with other families.
exhibitionin progress
Generation 2026 is an exhibition of young artists where 50 creators present their works on contemporary themes. The exhibition runs at Amos Rex from May to September.
exhibitionin progress
This exhibition encourages children and young people to experiment creatively with natural and recycled materials. The furniture and details were created by art students from Espoo and Forssa.
exhibitionin progress
Finland's first William Morris exhibition showcases the design pioneer's wallpapers, fabrics, and sketches from the Arts and Crafts movement.
exhibitionin progress
An environmental art exhibition in the park at Meilahti Manor that combines contemporary art with a historic maritime setting throughout the summer.
exhibitionin progress
Gabriella Presnal explores weaving from a queer-spatial perspective in Trajectories. Broken electrical cords and basket-weaving techniques transform a two-dimensional landscape into three-dimensional sculptures.
exhibitionin progress
Stogis' first summer exhibition investigates perception, presence, and landscape. Opening Friday 5.6. from 5-8 p.m., the exhibition runs through the summer.
exhibitionin progress
The Architecture and Design Museum presents the Aalto legacy through a wellbeing lens, featuring drawings, furniture, artworks and rarely seen items from the museum's collections.
exhibitionin progress
Amos Rex's summer installation transforms Lasipalatsi Square into an interactive dance floor with sculptural plant figures and free movement for all visitors.
exhibitionin progress
A multidisciplinary exhibition exploring nature's cycles and humanity's relationship with the environment. Opening on Helsinki Day, Friday 12.6. from 17:00 to 19:00 in Stoa's lower gallery.
exhibitionin progress
Kanneltalo celebrates Kannelmäki's diversity through an outdoor photo exhibition featuring black-and-white portraits and stories of people for whom the neighbourhood is significant.
exhibitionin progress
Young artists showcase their work at Kulturlabra, featuring Tiia Flinckman's diorama installation about dreams and Sisu Rapu's circus performance in the evening.
exhibitionin progress
Anne Roininen's installation in the Vuotalo courtyard explores global commodity production and local identity. Built from tiles depicting seawaves, the work is part of a larger Made in series.
exhibition(24 days)
Rita Vargas presents the Holding Ground exhibition, where graphics, photography, and installations explore the relationships between living beings and their environments. The exhibition examines identity, observation, and the sense of belonging.
exhibition(26 days)
Anna Kaarinen's paintings at Paloheinä Library. Acrylic and pastel works on various paper types.
exhibition(27 days)
The gallery on the second floor of Annantalo showcases a collection of videos, animations, and short films created by primary school students in grades 3-6.
otherin progress
Epic Scape's location-based game guides you through the Old Church Park with five riddles. Follow Mrs. Granstedt and a mysterious being to uncover the park's hidden secrets.
theaterin progress
Ryhmäteatteri presents a historical drama spanning Finland's early 20th century - from the general strike through the civil war to the 1930s - at Suomenlinna Summer Theatre.
exhibitionin progress
An exhibition tracing Suomenlinna Church's history from the 1700s to today, featuring photographs, documents, and interactive QR codes for both adults and children.
lecture(19 days)
The presentation of the detailed plan amendment for the Senior Quarter in Vuosaari and a scale model are on display at Vuotalo from mid-August to early September. An open discussion meeting is held on 26.8 from 15.30 to 18.00.
+ 78 more long-running events — see the calendar.