Helsinki Day at Töölöntori Market: 9am-3pm
The focus of this laidback and fun event is to bring together local residents and active businesses to enjoy the day at Töölöntori Market in honour of Helsinki Day. The stage will present entertainment by the likes of singer-songwriter Ville Pusa, actor-singer Ossi Ahlapuro, the Töölö Brass band and the folk music band Leikarit. Younger family members can enjoy a puppet theatre performance by Nukketeatteri Sytkyt.
Performance: Katulahja – Street Gifts: 10am-4pm
On Helsinki Day the streets, parks and alleys of the city will be filled with the gifts of music, poetry and dance. The artist group “Helsingin Katujen Elävöittäjät” will move through the city giving street performances. Visitors and residents can catch their breath, listen, watch and admire. You’ll find them at 10am in Senate Square, at noon in Esplanade Park, at 2pm by the tram stop at Ruttopuisto Park, and at 4pm by Lasipalatsi.
Helsinki Music Centre celebrates Helsinki Day: 11am and 1pm
The opening season of the Helsinki Music Centre culminates with a celebration of Helsinki Day. The popular Philharmonic String Band of the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra will perform two free concerts in the main concert hall at the Helsinki Music Centre. The programme features entertaining music in the style of Arthur Fuhrmann, including popular songs about Helsinki from over the years. The Restel café in the foyer opens at 9am and the brand new terrace restaurant at 10am.
Art on Vaasankatu Street in Kallio:
Kallio is a unique cultural district that has inspired lots of music, theatre and literature over the years. This year the district is highlighting its visual arts on the better side of the Pitkänsilta bridge. On Helsinki Day, eight young artists who live and work in the Kallio district will display their works along the main street, Vaasankatu. An open-air gallery will be erected on the corner of Piritori and Fleminginkatu, and local shop windows will display windows, sculptures and performances. All of the art can be enjoyed free of charge simply by strolling along the street.
Dance and theatre in Sinebrychoff Park:
3:30 & 4:30 pm: The local ballet group “Pieni Suomalainen Balettiseurue” will perform dances on the lawns, entertaining audiences of all ages.
6:00pm: The theatre group “Teatteri Pensas” will perform Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” in Finnish. Packed with nature mythology, this classic play is full of follies, childishness, joy, fairy tales, eroticism and ultimate wisdom. This summer play is adapted and directed by Hannu Raatikainen. The duration with intervals is 2 hours.
Helsinki Day at the Olympic Stadium:
The Olympic Stadium in Helsinki was inaugurated on Helsinki Day, 12 June, back in 1938. This year we are celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Summer Olympics in Helsinki in 1952.
• View a film on the 1952 Olympics on a large screen
• Visit the Stadium Tower for a special price (adults 2€/children 1€)
• Visit the Sports Museum of Finland for free and take part in the competition (museum open 11am–5pm)
Helsinki Day entertainment on Espa Stage:
The Espa Stage in Esplanade Park is one of the most traditional venues for Helsinki Day events. This year the Espa Stage presents both a day programme and an evening programme. The day programme features Stadin Slangi ry, which will present its man and woman of the year. The evening programme is dedicated in turn to new Finnish music.
Radio Aallon Helsinki-päivän konsertti Kuva Kimmo Brandt www.compic.fi © City of Helsinki
Radio Aalto Helsinki Day Concert: 15.40-22.00
Music plays a big role in Helsinki Day celebrations, and this tradition continues at a special concert in Kaisaniemi Park brought to you by the City of Helsinki and Radio Aalto. The concert features some of the top names in Finnish music. The concerts begin at 15.40 with Reckless Love, followed by Erin at 16.25, Poets of the Fall at 17.10, Herra Ylppö & Ihmiset at 17.55, Lauri Tähkä at 18.40, Happoradio at 19.25, The Rasmus at 20.10 and finishing at 21.10 with Chisu.
Merelle vanhojen purjelaivojen kyydissä. Kuva Petteri Kitti © City of Helsinki
Cruises aboard historic sailing ships: 2pm-8pm
Cruises will be offered aboard historic sailing ships from 2pm to 8pm. In addition, historic cars will be on display along the quay from 4pm onwards. The Finnish Lifeboat Association will present its sailing ship Vera Violette at 5pm. The traditional game of “skrubu” will also be played from 3pm to 4pm.
Opening of the exhibition “Made in Helsinki 1700–2012”
The main exhibition of the Helsinki City Museum (in Hakasalmi Villa, Mannerheimintie 13 D) during the World Design Capital Helsinki 2012 theme year presents Helsinki products and manufacturers from the 1700s to the present day. Master artisans in Helsinki manufactured sofa suites, mirrors, pianos and silver articles for wealthy bourgeois townsfolk.
Pop-up sauna by Töölönlahti Bay:
As a present to the city on its birthday, Helsinki will get a new public pop-up sauna by Töölönlahti Bay. Sauna-goers will be able to admire the view across the bay while watching the city life go by.
Finally, today looks like being a proper hot summers day, so it’ll come as a welcome surprise that on Helsinki Day all of the municipal swimming halls (Itäkeskus, Pirkkola) and open-air swimming pools (Swimming Stadium, Kumpula) are free of charge.
Full details of all the events today are available on the official page.
