.png)
The Christmas market in Helsinki is known as Tuomaan Markkinat. Every year, Helsinki turns into a winter wonderland with layers of snow, festive lights, Christmas decor, and beautiful stalls.
The city hosts several charming Christmas markets filled with stalls selling Finnish holiday specialties, from handicrafts to Finnish treats.
In the winter of 2022, we planned to explore the Nordic Christmas markets. We started our travel in Vilnius, then went to Riga and Tallinn, and our final stop was Helsinki.
In this blog, you can find a guide to Christmas festivity in Helsinki.
How to reach Helsinki:
Reaching Helsinki largely depends on your departure point. As the Finnish capital, the city is well-connected and offers various options for getting there.
By Airport:
Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL) is located around 20 km north of Helsinki city center. There are numerous flights from across Europe, as well as from other parts of the world like Asia and the Americas. We’d like to mention that Helsinki Airport has the friendliest staff we have ever encountered.
From the airport, you can take a train, bus, or Uber. In our experience, we found it a bit tricky to locate the trains to the airport, and since we were short on time, we opted for an Uber, which took around 25-30 minutes.
By Ferry:
Taking a ferry is one of the most enjoyable ways to reach Helsinki. You can take a ferry from various cities, including Tallinn and Stockholm. There are several ferry operators. Since we were traveling from Tallinn, we also took a ferry, and it was about a 2-hour ride.
By Bus:
There are also domestic buses like OnniBus, Matkahuolto, and ExpressBus which take you to Helsinki from different cities in Finland.
By Train:
To reach Helsinki from different Finnish cities, you can take the train, which offers connections from cities like Tampere, Turku, and Oulu.
There used to be a connection to St. Petersburg in the past, but it’s uncertain if it’s currently operating due to the situation at the moment.
Looking for another Christmas market in Northern Europe? Check out our blog about the Christmas Market in Vilnius, Lithuania.
Tips for Visiting Helsinki’s Christmas Markets:
Dress warmly: Finnish winters are cold, so bundle up to stay comfortable while you explore.
Cash and cards: Most stalls accept cards, but it’s good to have some cash on hand, especially at smaller markets.
Try local foods: Don’t miss the chance to sample traditional treats like glögi, joulutorttu, and piparkakut (gingerbread cookies).
Check the dates: Each market has its own schedule, so be sure to check the dates before heading out.
Helsinki Christmas Market:
1. Helsinki Christmas Market at Senate Square
The Helsinki Christmas Market at Senate Square is the largest and oldest Christmas market in Helsinki. It’s truly stunning with the backdrop of Helsinki Cathedral. In the square, there are 100 stalls set up offering Christmas specialties.
Some stalls sell handcrafted gifts and Christmas decor, while others offer traditional Finnish Christmas foods like pastries, chestnuts, and hot chocolate.
One of the most fascinating aspects of the Senate Square Christmas Market is its beautifully decorated Christmas tree, a popular photo spot for visitors.
The Christmas market has a lively vibe, and it’s mostly filled with tourists and locals enjoying the festive atmosphere. The market’s opening dates vary each year, but it usually starts in early December and runs until December 23rd.
Looking for a place to stay in Helsinki, Finland? Check out our blog about the best hotel to stay in Helsinki.
One unique aspect of this market is that artisans also demonstrate their crafts—for example, glassblowers and blacksmiths show how they create their masterpieces. There is also entertainment for kids, including a small merry-go-round ride.
Looking for another Christmas market in Northern Europe? Check out our blog about the Christmas Market in Riga, Latvia.
2. Vanha Ylioppilastalo Christmas Market (Old Student House)
If you’re looking for a cozier and more intimate Christmas experience in Helsinki, you should visit the Vanha Ylioppilastalo Christmas Market. It’s located inside the historic Old Student House.
This Christmas market focuses on eco-friendly souvenirs, handmade jewelry, and other unique items. Since Helsinki gets very cold during the Christmas season, this is the perfect place to visit with its warm, indoor setting.
Check out our blog about King’s Landing in Dubrovnik, Croatia.
3. Esplanadi Christmas Market
Esplanadi Park is a popular spot among locals and tourists, and during Christmas, it transforms into a winter wonderland.
There are stalls set up selling traditional Finnish cuisine, handmade crafts, and seasonal gifts. The park is also lit up with twinkling lights and decorations.
4. The Christmas World (Joulumaailma) at Narinkkatori
You can also visit the christmas market located in Narinkkatori, right next to Kamppi Shopping Center. This is a bit different than the traditional christmas market as it has more international vibes.
It has different activities for the kids including a Carousel, and a Santa Claus meet & greet. There are also food stalls offering christmas treats from all over the world. You can also buy some holiday decor from there.
5. Roihuvuori Christmas Market
Apart from the Christmas markets in the Helsinki center, you can also find the charming christmas festivity in the neighbourhood of Helsinki.
One of the other christmas markets, you can visit is located in the Roihuvuori neighborhood near the Roihuvuori Church but it’s more popular among the locals.
This market has traditional stalls selling handcrafted gifts, holiday decorations, and delicious homemade treats prepared by locals
Looking for things to do in Budapest? Explore our ultimate travel guide featuring the top 25 must-see attractions and experiences in Budapest.
6. Market Square Christmas Market (Kauppatori)
Another Christmas Market in Helsinki is set at the Market Square known as Kauppatori. This market is located on the harbor and provides a glimpse of the finished holiday season.
It’s a bit smaller than Senate square christmas market and you can enjoy the cozy environment with traditional stalls selling hand-knitted socks, wooden crafts, and reindeer hide items.
There are also cafes and restaurants located nearby that offer seasonal delicacies and warm drinks.
7. Christmas Decor in Helsinki
During the christmas season, Helsinki city centre lights up with the twinkling lights and decor. You can’t find even a single street that isn’t decorated with chandelier, lights. The Aleksanterinkatu is an official christmas street which looks beautiful.
This street is also known for shopping and all the shops have decorated their windows. The Stockmann department store is also quite popular for holiday shopping.
Moreover, the cafes and restaurants also lit up with the festivity and they also embrace the holiday decor and sell christmas specialties.
Looking for places to visit in Germany? Check out our blog about 50 Places to Visit with the Deutschland Ticket.
8. Christmas Events in Helsinki
Every year, The christmas festivity opens with the cannon salute in Suomenlinna. There are also different concerts, Carola and walking tours take place but you need to check the schedule.
Ending note:
Apart from the main christmas markets in Helsinki, you can also visit the Seurasaari Christmas which is not located in Helsinki but in the Seurasaari Island.
This is not a typical christmas market but a very unique annual which takes place once in the season.
This is very popular among families with children. The Christmas Path is set up where kids can meet with elves, make crafts and participate in traditional Finnish Christmas activities.
Moreover, if you are also interested in exploring the other Christmas markets - you can also do the day trip to Tallinn and enjoy the festivity there.
Comments