cinema20:30The classic "Back to the Future" screens at Espa's outdoor stage using the original 1985 film print. A free open-air cinema experience beginning at dusk.
concert16:00Free live music evening at Malminkartanonaukio on Friday 28.8 featuring Antti Autio, Paleface, Heikki Kuula, and 4apila.
concert(732 days)
An audiovisual concert where Sámi joik meets electronic music, joik, and video art. The concert explores Sámi worldview, colonialism, and environmental consciousness through traditional Sámi goddesses and spiritual themes.
opera18:30A passion work where Western classical form meets a Finnish Friday evening. Premiere at Kallion kirkko featuring Waltteri Torikka and Reetta Ristimäki.
concert19:00Finnish psychedelic pop band Hissun Kissun showcases their debut album Kaleidoskooppi. The band merges dream pop, psychedelic rock, and electronic music into their own "mansepop" sound.
festival(10 days)
The Nordic region's largest design and architecture festival, featuring around 150 events for professionals and the general public. Most of the programme is free.
theater09:00Naivni Divadlo Liberec's almost wordless performance about a boy and his red balloon is part of SAMPO Festival, which showcases visual theatre and puppet theatre from around the world.
musical(18 days)
A sharp musical theatre production in which Finnish opera divas Ida Aalberg and Aino Ackté are interviewed in a tv studio. Featuring harpsichordist Elina Mustonen, opera singer Reetta Ristimäki and other performers.
lecture14:00Marilyn Monroe 100 Years event at Kino Regina: lectures, panel discussion, and conversation about Monroe from the perspectives of pin-up history and female identity.
theater18:00Legion Theatre's forest theatre collective performs a one-hour physical theatre show in Kannelmäki forest, exploring nature's diversity through movement, humor, and poetry without technical effects.
other10:00Lu Priace Michavila leads a Deepdance session, a method developed by Carol Villalón that combines body work, free movement with eyes closed, meditation and music. The session is open to everyone, no dance experience required.
exhibition14:00An interactive exhibition where you explore 1980s Helsinki through photographs and help shape the exhibition's content.
theater18:00Agit-Cirk merges spoken theatre and contemporary circus into a dystopian science fiction work exploring the present through absurdity and physical storytelling. Surviving artists attempt to preserve fragments of cultural history and locate a northern paradise.
market09:00Autumn market at Torpparinmäki playground with sellers and buyers. No sales fees or reservations required. The programme includes pony riding, a café, and open doors.
exhibition11:00Hakasalmen villa is open free of charge from 11:00 to 17:00. A worthwhile visit to see the Stefan Bremer - Helsinki by Night exhibition.
lecture14:00Petri Komulainen presents photographs and stories from his travels to South Korea, a country where tradition meets cutting-edge technology.
lecture16:00Professor Antti Rajala and doctoral researcher Aki Saariaho discuss utopian pedagogy and its application in education. The lecture presents an educational experiment at Otaniemi Upper Secondary School where students envisioned alternative futures using artificial intelligence.
lecture16:00Philosopher Antti Vihinen presents his book examining composer Jean Sibelius' connections to Nazi Germany. The discussion features musicologist Juha Torvinen.
lecture17:00A ghost walk through Helsinki's oldest streets with City Museum guides, where you encounter legendary spirits and mysterious tales from the city's past.
other09:00Self-directed sewing club at Töölö service centre on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings. Open to retirees and unemployed residents of Helsinki.
other(92 days)
A guided session for babies and toddlers featuring picture books and nursery rhymes, followed by free playtime and the chance to borrow books.
other(36 days)
Exercise group for 2-3-year-olds and their parents focusing on motor development and parent-child interaction. Pre-registration by phone is required.
other12:30A free art club for children in Kanneltalo's Tempo space, where participants learn various visual art techniques under the guidance of artist Karo Tapivaara.
other(113 days)
Monthly Friday activity featuring board games, crafts, and treats for children.
other(113 days)
A guided morning programme for babies and parents at the playground, where families can meet and socialise over coffee and play.
other19:00A contemporary circus performance exploring loss and connection through the extinction story of the kiwi bird. Acrobatics, dance, balancing, and electroacoustic music interweave on a stage where lighting, set design, and costumes create their own characters.
other09:30Jussi Ollila guides children through improvised stories on the Creatures' Meadow. Tales emerge from the children's ideas and meadow life, accompanied by a travel guitar. Suitable for ages 3-7.
other(113 days)
Indoor movement and acrobatics for toddlers.
lecture13:00A Swedish-language guided walk through Suomenlinna's history and present day, with free entry to the Ehrensvärd Museum.
lecture10:15CV improvement workshop for job seekers in Helsinki. Bring your current CV and work on it with guidance during the session.
other09:30The Pilke group meets at Kinapori Senior Centre for conversation, peer support and shared activities. Breakfast is included.
other13:00Free summer bingo for seniors at Riistavuoren senior centre in Helsinki.
other14:15A fun trivia quiz night at Stadin Community Centre Alppila. Come and test your knowledge!
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.
lecture(259 days)
A word art school for teenagers interested in writing poetry, prose, and drama. Swedish-language lessons with feedback and support for creative ideas.
lecture(260 days)
Foundational word art education for teenagers aged 16-18. Students create their own stories and write poetry, prose, and drama with guidance from experienced instructors.
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.
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.
festival(5 days)
UrbanApa returns to Stoa with a festival showcasing diverse forms of urban contemporary art - multidisciplinary performances by professional artists and cultural influencers.
festival(5 days)
The Viapori Jazz festival brings jazz music to Suomenlinna at the end of August. The festival takes place at the UNESCO World Heritage site from 25-29 August.
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.
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.
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(18 days)
The Nordic region's largest multi-genre festival offers a programme ranging from classical music to pop and from visual art to contemporary dance.
festival(5 days)
SAMPO is an international puppet theatre and visual theatre festival featuring performances for all ages, alongside discussions, exhibitions, and workshops.
festival(11 days)
Helsinki Opera Summer showcases performances by independent opera groups at the Alexander Theatre. The festival focuses on new chamber opera and musical theatre.
exhibition(26 days)
Art Kaos presents "Kaos of Luxury", an exhibition exploring gold and gemstones at Maunula-talo's foyer gallery.
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.
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.
lecture(113 days)
A reading circle at Jakomäki Library where participants discuss books together. Open group that welcomes new members at any time.
lecture(113 days)
An open poetry salon where participants discuss and share their favorite poems in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.
lecture(85 days)
A literary discussion group meeting four times in autumn to explore books by international authors, led by Susanne Ahlroth.
lecture(113 days)
A monthly crime fiction reading group at Maunulan Library where readers discuss detective novels together over coffee or tea.
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(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.
club(113 days)
Vesala youth centre opens its doors to rainbow youth and their allies. Welcome to 12-17-year-olds who are rainbow people or thinking about rainbow issues.
other(113 days)
Therapy dogs from the Finnish Kennel Club visit Töölö Library on Wednesdays. Come pet the dogs without booking in the library foyer.
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.
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.
lecture(120 days)
The senior reading circle meets once a month to read today's newspapers together, discuss the news, and share thoughts. You can also attend just to listen.
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)
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.
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.
other(99 days)
Evening programme for preschool children and parents at Kalasatama Library featuring storytelling and craft activities.
other(99 days)
Free after-school activities for primary school children at Kalasatama Library featuring crafts, games, and fun.
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.
+ 120 more long-running events — see the calendar.