12 November, 2024

Summer in Helsinki: 2020’s hottest events

Every year, Helsinki hosts over 3000 events to celebrate art, culture, sport, music and more. The small Nordic city has a lot of excitement to offer, so we’ve made a list of Helsinki’s hottest summer events in 2020. 

Summer in Helsinki: 2020’s hottest events

Lue artikkeli suomeksi

Helsinki Day, 12.6.

Since 1959, Helsinki residents and tourists have celebrated the city’s birthday with free events, music, guided tours, exhibitions and much more. There’s something for everyone at Helsinki’s birthday party, including special activities for kids and the elderly. 

Sideways Festival, 11.-13.6.

Sideways is Helsinki’s first big summer music event. The three-day festival, which takes place close to the city centre, presents a range of artists from around the world. Sideways 2020 will host fantastic indie artists such as Belle & Sebastian, Vesala, and The Avalanches.

Helsinki Biennial 2020, 12.6. - 27.9.

Helsinki Biennial brings 35 artists from Finland and beyond to the island of Vallisaari for an outstanding free art event. The Helsinki Art Museum event exhibits contemporary art constructed on Vallisaari, which complements nature and architecture in an environmentally-friendly celebration of local history. 

And it’s just the tip of the iceberg—there are tons of other must-see art exhibitions happening in 2020, too.

Vallisaari, an island where Helsinki Art Museum exhibited their contemporary art event
Beautiful Vallisaari will host an outstanding free art event, Helsinki Biennial, in summer 2020. Photo: Julia Kivelä / Visit Finland.

Midsummer celebrations, 20.6.

Midsummer—or Juhannus in Finnish—is one of Finland’s biggest bashes. Celebrate it like a Finn by heading to the island of Seurasaari for traditional bonfires and folk dancing. Moomin fans should head to the first-ever Midsummer Madness festival, which will feature a floating stage in Töölö Bay. 

Helsinki Pride, 22.-28.6.

Helsinki puts on a range of events throughout Pride Week, from workshops to walking tours and exhibitions. The week culminates on Saturday, when over 100,000 people come together to celebrate equal rights at the Helsinki Pride march. The march is followed by a huge communal picnic.

Helsinki Pride march takes place in the middle of the summer at Helsingin tuomiokirkko
Helsinki Pride march takes place in the middle of the summer. Photo: Jussi Hellsten / City of Helsinki

Flow Festival, 14.-16.8.

Since 2004, the Flow Festival has brought an exciting selection of music, food and art to Finland. Praised as one of the world’s first carbon-neutral music festivals, Flow attracts an audience of over 83,000 people and 170 artists for a three-day experience. Among this year's headliners are big names such as Bon Iver and Stormzy.

Opening of the Olympic Stadium, 7.8.

Finland will mark the end of Helsinki’s Olympic Stadium’s renovation project with a star-studded two-hour ceremony. Throughout the weeks of the landmark’s reopening, both the stadium and the Sports Museum of Finland will host free events. The stadium will also host the 2020 edition of Helsinki Design Week in September.

The Night of the Arts sees Helsinki become a stage for large and small free events and performances.
The Night of the Arts sees Helsinki become a stage for large and small free events and performances. Photo: Jussi Hellsten / Helsinki Marketing.

Nights of the Arts. 20.8.

The Night of the Arts sees Helsinki become a stage for large and small free events and performances. The city’s museums, galleries and bookshops open their doors and invite people to explore their artistic interests. It’s part of Helsinki Festival, a month-long celebration of all things artistic. 

Helsinki Marathon, 22.8.

Helsinki Marathon, one of Finland’s most popular running events, has participants dashing through the streets of Helsinki’s city centre. Sign up for the marathon, 1/2 marathon, 10k or marathon relay—or simply show up to cheer on the runners.

With so many super events going on, this summer is sure to sizzle. Book a stay with us in the heart of Helsinki at Hotel St. Georgeto experience these fab festivities for yourself.

Read next

Mert Otsamo: Ephemeral Beauty

Saturday 07 September, 2024

Experiencing art befits the new age of luxury

St. George Residency x Photofuss: Dream Laboratory

Tuesday 23 April, 2024

5 x tips for a magical Spring weekend in Helsinki

Moonlight Swim at St. George Care on November 1st

Friday 01 November, 2024

At Hotel St. George’s breakfast, luxury means premium ingredients and exceptional service

Tales & Cocktails Tour on Feb 14, 2024

Wednesday 14 February, 2024
Luxurious spa in Helsinki city center

Sauna yoga on Nov 17 & 24, and Dec 9

Friday 17 November, 2023

Wintergarden's Flow Brunch on 12 August, 2023

Saturday 12 August, 2023

Wintergarden's Vegan May Day Brunch 1st of May 2023

Monday 01 May, 2023
Enjoy cocktail in Wintergarden Hotel St. George Helsinki

St. George's Week 2023: Open tastings April 28 & 29

Friday 28 April, 2023

St. George House Artist Marita Kouhia

Maaria Wirkkala’s Art Looks Beyond Life’s Polished Surface

Helsinki Biennial invites visitors to the treasure island of art

Taste Sensations From Bangkok to Helsinki

BOON NAM SERVES A RICH ARRAY OF THAI FLAVOURS

Tomi Björck opens a contemporary Asian restaurant at Hotel St. George

5 ways to experience a wonderful Helsinki winter

Why Helsinki is superb for sustainable shopping

Thrill of the chill: 4 Helsinki ice holes everyone should visit

Helsinki’s art year 2020: from Van Gogh to archipelago adventures

Wintergarden Live Moments: Top 40 Lounge

Friday 17 January, 2020

Wintergarden Live: Pihlaja & D.R.E.A.M

Friday 11 October, 2019

Wintergarden Live: Pihlaja & D.R.E.A.M.

Friday 11 October, 2019

Wintergarden Live Moments: Bossa Nova

Friday 27 September, 2019

Helsinki Festival Pre-Party with Ylva Haru

Thursday 22 August, 2019
Tips what to do in Helsinki in the summer

Our tips for summery Helsinki

With over 40 diverse restaurants to choose from, Flow Festival is the place to be for those looking to experience not only the best up and coming bands but also the most delectable food trends of the year.

Why Flow is Helsinki’s most delicious festival

Ravintola Andrea x Omara Portuondo

Saturday 24 August, 2019
As Helsinki Festival's official partner, St. George offers like-minded program and inspiration. See all the program below and join us!

St. George x Helsinki Festival 15.8.-1.9.2019

Read what to do in Helsinki in the summer and how to spend it like a local

Helsinki Summer Tips - Soak up summer like a Helsinki local

St. George's Party w/ Petteri Sariola 19.11.

Friday 19 November, 2021

St. George's Party w/ Pete Parkkonen 22.4. (siirtyy)

Friday 22 April, 2022

St. George's Party w/ Petteri Sariola

Friday 19 November, 2021
In Pornaistenniemi on the western shore of the bay, you can explore a black alder forest, and duckboards through the reeds take you from Arabia to the idyllic island of Lammassaari.

If you go down to the woods today – The 6 best nature destinations around Helsinki

The long white ramp that leads to the exhibitions in Kiasma

The art museums and galleries of central Helsinki

Lux Helsinki Event in Helsinki

See & Do in Helsinki: Lux Helsinki 2019

Finnish History in 15 Short Chapters

Letting off steam: How to discover the perfect Helsinki sauna for you

DAYTRIP: Nuuksio National Park

Christmas markets in Helsinki 2018

Mehmet Gürs' Restaurant Andrea serves anatolian flavours in downtown Helsinki

How chef superstar Mehmet Gürs came home to Helsinki

St. George is a unique and elegant hotel in the heart of Helsinki city centre. Read more about the hotel, rooms, services and location!

From national awakening to Nordic design: Hotel St. George echoes Helsinki’s history

Helsinki, the city where everything works

Helsingin upea saaristo: Isosaari, Harakka, Kaunissaari, Lammassaari, Liuskasaari, Pihlajasaari, Vartiosaari ja kymmenet muut saaret. Lue vinkkimme!

Art meets nature on Helsinki’s islands