The Nordic Council: Häppy Hour - Helsinki Circus Festival

Häppy Hour is a contemporary circus and comedy work that explores the absurd encounters of northern nightlife and our contradictory relationship with alcohol. The piece approaches real-life situations through circus and comedy techniques - showing that even in difficult moments, we can laugh.

Performance and concept: Merri Heikkilä, Jakob Jacobsson, Bjarni Árnason. Directorial assistance: Olli Vuorinen & Roberto Magro. Sound design and live music: Merri Heikkilä & Jakob Jacobsson. Lighting design: Kenneth Danielsen. Production: The Nordic Council. Co-production: Nuua company (FI) & Dynamo Workspace (DK). Support: Dynamo Workspace (DK), Tjarnarbió (IS), Nordic Culture Point, Nordisk Kulturfond, Arts Promotion Centre.

Duration: 65 min. Age recommendation: 10+. Tickets: 24 / 19 / 12 €. Tickets are not sold at Stoa - purchase your tickets from Cirko's online shop.

The Nordic Council is a contemporary circus collective founded in 2017 by Merri Heikkilä (Finland), Bjarni Árnason (Iceland) and Jakob Jacobsson (Sweden). The group's performances are built on northern identity and shared cultural heritage.

Helsinki Circus Festival

Helsinki Circus Festival is held for the first time in September 2026. Over the four-day festival, four circus works are presented at Stoa: Maannos, Aikakone, Kajo and Häppy Hour. The styles range from performance and comedy to art circus, new magic and children's shows.

The festival is produced by Pro Sirkus ry in collaboration with Cirko - Uuden sirkuksen keskus, Kulttuurikeskus Stoa and Kulttuurikeskus Caisa. In addition to Stoa and Caisa, circus is presented in a circus tent rising on the Suvilahti field and in the surrounding streets. The festival's pre-event takes place on Helsinki Day, June 12, at Kulttuurikeskus Stoa's square.