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. 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.