This Week
Coming up this week
Sat Nov 14
Family Halloween Open Stage at Sirkus Magenta
Halloween circus and dance acts on ropes, slack rope and yo-yo, with face painting and a playful costume contest, so the kids should come dressed up.
Sat Nov 14
Molli: Children's Theater at Paloheinä Library
A short children's play inside Paloheinä Library, free and with no booking. An easy first theater trip, as long as your kid follows Finnish.
Sat Nov 14
Urkusatu BUU: Kerttu and Hukkanen's Organ Fairy Tale
Musiikkitalo's famous organ plays as a girl, blown away by a great wind, befriends a wolf in a strange forest.
- FestivalVuosaari Light Festival and Christmas TrailSat Nov 14
- PerformanceWonder Bus (Ihmebussi): Participatory Improv Theater for FamiliesSat Nov 14, From €8
- PerformanceFrankenstein: Family Musical Comedy by Red Nose CompanySun Nov 15, Children €14, adults €22
- PerformanceTaru hohtavasta helmestä: Fairy-Tale Play at KansallisteatteriMultiple Dates Nov-Dec, From €21
- ExhibitionTove Jansson Gallery: The Jansson Artist FamilyThrough Jan 10, 2027, Adults €20, under 18 free
- FestivalChildren’s book festival at AnnantaloThrough Feb 27, 2027, Free
- PerformanceJamkids Musiikkisirkus: Circus Music Show at AnnantaloTue Nov 17, Kids 6 €, adults 10 €
- PerformanceÄr : Grus: Wordless Dance and Shadow Theater by Claire Parsons CoThu Nov 19 & Sat Nov 21, 17 €
- WorkshopLoopy Lizards and Fairy-Tale Ferns: Theater Play WorkshopThu Nov 19, Free
- PerformanceMinä tykkään nyt: Toddler Theater About Feelings at SellosaliFri Nov 20, From €10
- PerformanceRingmaster Vasiljev Vitelloni’s Mini CircusFri Nov 20, Free
- ExhibitionValokartano: Children's Light Art at Ströms ManorFri Nov 20, Free
- FestivalHelsinki Christmas Season Opening ParadeSat Nov 21, Free
- PerformanceKids' Science Questions in Song: Dinosaur Hiccups or Bee Poop?Sat Nov 21, From €6
- FestivalLiszt Puppet Theater Day at the Hungarian Cultural CenterSat Nov 21, Free
- FestivalÖvre Nybacka Christmas MarketSat Nov 21, Free
- PerformanceMoomins Musical: Searching for the Comet at SellosaliSun Nov 22, From €31.30
- FestivalPikkuisten joulu: Kids' Christmas at Helsinki City MuseumSun Nov 22, Free
- PerformancePikku peikon joulu: Christmas Puppet Show at Puistola LibraryThu Nov 26, Free
- PerformanceIhmeellinen maalari: Red Nose Company Family TheaterMultiple dates in December, Free
- PerformanceJulkalas, Alfons Åberg: Christmas Play at VuotaloWed Dec 2, 15 / 13 / 0 €
- PerformanceHyvää joulua, Mikko Mallikas: Christmas Children's Theater at VuotaloThu Dec 3, 15 €
- PerformanceAlice in the Game World: A Video Game Musical at Studio PasilaMultiple dates in December, Kids €19, adults €39
- FestivalLastenkirjafestarit Christmas Market at AnnantaloSat Dec 5, Free
- OutdoorsIndependence Day Torchlight ProcessionSun Dec 6, Free
- PerformanceSaunatonttu: Sauna Elf Puppet Show by Nukketeatteri Taiga-MattoTue Dec 8, Free
- PerformanceTonttuparaati: Christmas Elf Concert by Henna ja Supersankarit DuoWed Dec 9, Free
- WorkshopTonttupolku: Elf Trail at Pohjois-Haaga LibraryWed Dec 9, Free
- FestivalChristmas at Glims Farmstead MuseumSat Dec 12, Under 18 free, from €3
- PerformanceTuomo Rannankari's Christmas Song Calendar: Kids' Concert in EspooSat Dec 12, From €16.50
- PerformanceFinland's Lucia CoronationSun Dec 13, Free
- PerformanceHayhat, Feltslippers and the Big Bang: A Family MusicalSun Dec 13, From €24
- PerformanceChildren's Christmas Concert: Tapiola ChoirFri Dec 18, From €28.10
- PerformancePoeisis: Hämärinkäinen Puppet Show at the Children's Book FestivalSat Dec 19, €6
- WorkshopChristmas Gingerbread and Ornament Workshop at the Finnish Aviation MuseumSun Dec 20, Under 7 free, from €7
- OutdoorsSt. Stephen's Day Sleigh Rides on SeurasaariSat Dec 26, €7 per person
- FestivalLux Helsinki Light Art FestivalDec 30 - Jan 6, 2027, Free
- PerformanceChildren's New Year's Eve at KansalaistoriThu Dec 31, Free
- WorkshopGingerbread Decorating at the Hotel and Restaurant Museum 2026Multiple Dates Nov-Dec, Under-18s free, from €16
- FestivalSt. Thomas Christmas Market (Tuomaan Markkinat)Daily Nov 27 - Dec 22, Free
- PerformanceThe Nutcracker and the Mouse King: Christmas Ballet at the Finnish National OperaMultiple dates in December, From €31
- FestivalManta Christmas Market and Ice RinkDec 4 - Jan 6, 2027, Free
- FestivalChristmas at Korkeasaari ZooMultiple dates in December, Under 4 free, from €15
Sat Nov 14
Vuosaari Light Festival and Christmas Trail
An outdoor light festival in a Vuosaari park, with a Christmas trail kids can walk at their own pace.
Sat Nov 14
Wonder Bus (Ihmebussi): Participatory Improv Theater for Families
Families climb aboard as passengers and call out their wishes, and a crew of improvisers turns them into stories, songs and games. So where does the bus end up?
Sun Nov 15
Frankenstein: Family Musical Comedy by Red Nose Company
Two wild-wigged clowns retell Mary Shelley's monster story with disco music and the whole audience joining in. And yes, the monster shows up.
Multiple Dates Nov-Dec
Taru hohtavasta helmestä: Fairy-Tale Play at Kansallisteatteri
Aili Somersalo's ancient Master Elf leaves the king's castle with a glowing pearl, meets a witch and ends up on a rescue that needs all his courage.
Through Jan 10, 2027
Tove Jansson Gallery: The Jansson Artist Family
Three rooms on the family behind Tove Jansson, with a wall of hatches hiding Moomin Valley characters modeled on her family.
Through Feb 27, 2027
Children’s book festival at Annantalo
Annantalo's galleries fill with picture books, board books and poems for children, spread across three exhibition spaces on two floors. Grab the floor plan before you go.
Tue Nov 17
Jamkids Musiikkisirkus: Circus Music Show at Annantalo
A circus director, a clown and a lion run this music show, and the kids in the audience don't just watch: they sing and play along.
Thu Nov 19 & Sat Nov 21
Är : Grus: Wordless Dance and Shadow Theater by Claire Parsons Co
A Swedish company turns stones and sand into a wordless show of dance, juggling and shadow play. Which of the stones is the right one?
Thu Nov 19
Loopy Lizards and Fairy-Tale Ferns: Theater Play Workshop
Kids and their grown-ups improvise, make sculptures and build a nest together, in a play workshop that starts indoors and ends up in a park.
Fri Nov 20
Minä tykkään nyt: Toddler Theater About Feelings at Sellosali
One actor, a stage of pom-pom covered boxes, and Eppu Nuotio's poems about joy, sadness and anger. Then the kids get up and play with the feelings themselves.
Fri Nov 20
Ringmaster Vasiljev Vitelloni’s Mini Circus
Ringmaster Vasiljev Vitelloni runs a half-hour mini circus at PerformanceSirkus in the Cable Factory. It's free, but you need to register first.
Fri Nov 20
Valokartano: Children's Light Art at Ströms Manor
Light art, animations and glowing sculptures made by children take over the windows and grounds of Ströms Manor for Children's Rights Day.
Sat Nov 21
Helsinki Christmas Season Opening Parade
Helsinki's yearly Christmas season opening sends a parade from Senaatintori down Aleksanterinkatu. Pick your spot along the route before it sets off.
Sat Nov 21
Kids' Science Questions in Song: Dinosaur Hiccups or Bee Poop?
A fast-paced musical adventure with musician Suvi Isotalo, built around 33 questions kids ask about science. Expect hiccuping dinosaurs and bee poop.
Sat Nov 21
Liszt Puppet Theater Day at the Hungarian Cultural Center
Two Finnish puppet shows, a Hungarian story corner and all-day sea drawing, ending with a fish dance for the puppets kids make themselves.
Sat Nov 21
Övre Nybacka Christmas Market
Handmade gifts in a 200-year-old Vantaa inn, with kids' Christmas crafts, visiting elves and a farm museum to look around.
Sun Nov 22
Moomins Musical: Searching for the Comet at Sellosali
Moomintroll, Little My and Snufkin take the stage in a musical of Tove Jansson's comet story, with brand-new songs next to the Moomin tunes parents grew up with.
Sun Nov 22
Pikkuisten joulu: Kids' Christmas at Helsinki City Museum
Helsinki City Museum fills with rhymes, crafts, a magician and Santa for a free family Christmas afternoon, plus a guide dog to meet and a quiet room for breaks.
Thu Nov 26
Pikku peikon joulu: Christmas Puppet Show at Puistola Library
Ofelia's puppet theater tells a little troll's Christmas story at Puistola's neighborhood library, a short show sized for preschoolers.
Multiple dates in December
Ihmeellinen maalari: Red Nose Company Family Theater
A Kaarina Helakisa fairy tale told by one performer through clowning, puppets and live music, at Helsinki's arts center for kids.
Wed Dec 2
Julkalas, Alfons Åberg: Christmas Play at Vuotalo
Alfons Åberg throws a Christmas party on stage in Vuosaari, with three actors and a show short enough for the youngest theatergoers.
Thu Dec 3
Hyvää joulua, Mikko Mallikas: Christmas Children's Theater at Vuotalo
Mikko Mallikas gets a Christmas story in this short play from touring troupe Barnens Estrad, in Finnish at Vuosaari's cultural center. Swedish-speaking family? There's another date.
Multiple dates in December
Alice in the Game World: A Video Game Musical at Studio Pasila
Alice trades the rabbit hole for a glitchy video game, with a young cast, quick comic dialogue and hidden nods for gamers keeping the story moving. Performed in Finnish.
Sat Dec 5
Lastenkirjafestarit Christmas Market at Annantalo
Picture-book makers and publishers fill Annantalo with a Christmas book sale, and kids get a workshop of their own.
Sun Dec 6
Independence Day Torchlight Procession
Students from across the Helsinki region carry torches through the center to Senate Square on Independence Day.
Tue Dec 8
Saunatonttu: Sauna Elf Puppet Show by Nukketeatteri Taiga-Matto
A Finnish puppet show about the sauna elf at the Etelä-Haaga library, where the puppets share the stage with live music and dance.
Wed Dec 9
Tonttuparaati: Christmas Elf Concert by Henna ja Supersankarit Duo
A Christmas elf concert at Tapiola library from a 2026 children's music group of the year nominee, built for kids to sing, dance and laugh along.
Wed Dec 9
Tonttupolku: Elf Trail at Pohjois-Haaga Library
An elf trail winds through Pohjois-Haaga Library, with crafts and gingerbread along the way and a visit from Santa.
Sat Dec 12
Christmas at Glims Farmstead Museum
Alpacas in the yard, a work demonstration and a Christmas decoration workshop at Espoo's old farmstead museum, with a shop for gifts.
Sat Dec 12
Tuomo Rannankari's Christmas Song Calendar: Kids' Concert in Espoo
Tuomo forgot the biggest wish on his letter to Santa, and his elf bandmates have one concert to fix it, told through his own Christmas and winter songs.
Sun Dec 13
Finland's Lucia Coronation
Finland's Lucia is crowned in Helsinki Cathedral, bringing light to the dark winter. Can't get inside? There's another way to watch.
Sun Dec 13
Hayhat, Feltslippers and the Big Bang: A Family Musical
Vilttitossu is convinced the new baby on the way is a car, and she'll do anything to stop a rival youngest moving in. Who pops out of Mom's belly?
Fri Dec 18
Children's Christmas Concert: Tapiola Choir
Tapiola Choir turns Mauri Kunnas's Santa story "12 lahjaa joulupukille" into a family Christmas concert.
Sat Dec 19
Poeisis: Hämärinkäinen Puppet Show at the Children's Book Festival
A puppet show in Finnish at Annantalo, the city's arts center for kids, during the Children's Book Festival. A good pick for young kids who follow Finnish.
Sun Dec 20
Christmas Gingerbread and Ornament Workshop at the Finnish Aviation Museum
Real gingerbread to bake and decorate, tree ornaments to make, and a picture trail through the exhibition at the Aviation Museum's Christmas Children's Sunday.
Sat Dec 26
St. Stephen's Day Sleigh Rides on Seurasaari
A Finnhorse pulls families around Seurasaari island by sleigh, and kids can try pony riding too. Check what happens if there's no snow.
Dec 30 - Jan 6, 2027
Lux Helsinki Light Art Festival
Light art fills Helsinki's squares, parks and galleries over the New Year, and some of the installations are designed especially for children.
Thu Dec 31
Children's New Year's Eve at Kansalaistori
Helsinki's New Year's Eve starts early on Kansalaistori Square with a children's show, so kids get their celebration and can still be home long before midnight.
Multiple Dates Nov-Dec
Gingerbread Decorating at the Hotel and Restaurant Museum 2026
Drop in, grab a seat and cover a gingerbread cookie in icing and sprinkles, with every supply laid out and one evening session free for the whole group.
Daily Nov 27 - Dec 22
St. Thomas Christmas Market (Tuomaan Markkinat)
Helsinki's oldest open-air Christmas market fills Senate Square with food stalls and gift stands, with a carousel at its center.
Multiple dates in December
The Nutcracker and the Mouse King: Christmas Ballet at the Finnish National Opera
Tchaikovsky's Christmas ballet set in wintry Porvoo, with an army of mice, a duel with the Mouse King and a prince under a spell.
Dec 4 - Jan 6, 2027
Manta Christmas Market and Ice Rink
The Christmas market by the Havis Amanda statue is back next to Kauppatori, and this winter it has something new: its own covered ice rink, ringed by stalls.
Multiple dates in December
Christmas at Korkeasaari Zoo
Santa's workshop, an activity trail and the zoo's animals in the Helsinki winter, all on a regular zoo ticket. The full weekend program is still to come.