Experience the magic of Christmas in Helsinki, where the holiday season shines with a unique charm. The capital of Finland truly offers a spectacular festive atmosphere!
To be honest, we approached our trip to Helsinki in December with a touch of apprehension.
Our fascination with Finland was sparked back in April when we tasted our first korvapuusti during a whirlwind road trip across the United States. The allure of Helsinki had firmly secured a spot on our travel wish list, yet Mindi’s hesitation revolved around the prospect of tackling winter’s chill. Would we be able to embrace the biting cold and the fleeting daylight?
As we journeyed from the sun-soaked streets of Barcelona to Helsinki’s chillier embrace, the daunting reputation of Finnish winters played on our minds. After all, Finland is famed not only for its breathtaking landscapes but also as the official home of Santa Claus.
Our concerns were not entirely unfounded, but as fate would have it, our winter fears quickly melted away.
With our reservations about stepping outside our cozy hotel room echoing in our minds, we braced ourselves for the short winter days that awaited us, starkly contrasting with the endless brightness of the Finnish summer.
Yet, to our delight, we found the holiday spirit in Helsinki to be utterly captivating—and the cold? Surprisingly mild.
What Makes a Christmas in Helsinki So Special?
Perhaps it’s the city’s proximity to Santa Claus’ homeland in Lapland that bestows a certain magic upon Christmas in Helsinki. As daylight begins to wane around 3 PM, the city dazzles with festive lights, illuminating the holiday spirit that envelops every corner.
Indeed, Christmas Day in Helsinki is one of the year’s shortest.
As charming Christmas markets pop up across the city, locals and visitors alike are treated to an array of delightful crafts and seasonal delicacies. For us, the highlight was undeniably the unique experience of the Christmas sauna.
Pro Tip
When visiting Helsinki during the holidays, be mindful of potential closures, as many businesses shut down for the festivities. Consult restaurant and museum websites to ensure you don’t miss out on your must-see spots.
Despite these challenges, the cold weather and the limited daylight shouldn’t deter you from experiencing Helsinki during Christmas. Here are the highlights you simply cannot miss.
1. Discovering the Helsinki Christmas Markets
Helsinki boasts a variety of Christmas markets, both indoors and out. Among them, the bustling Helsinki Christmas Market at Senate Square stole our hearts.
With dozens of vendors showcasing handcrafted goods, stylish pottery, and cozy winter apparel, we could have easily purchased gifts for our entire family. However, mindful of our travel plans, we held back on our shopping spree.
Instead, we opted for a warm cup of glögi, the traditional Finnish holiday drink, typically made with mulled wine, almonds, raisins, and occasionally a splash of vodka. (Alas, the version we savored here was non-alcoholic due to local regulations.)
The Christmas Market served as the perfect backdrop for our inaugural taste of this comforting elixir.
Perhaps it was our glögi-induced cheer that caught the attention of local reporters who interviewed us about market security, or perhaps our distinctly American accents gave us away. Either way, we found ourselves featured in Helsinki’s leading newspaper, Helsingin Sanomat.
These are some of the essential Christmas markets to explore in Helsinki:
2. Dazzling Lights
While Helsinki is a stunning city known for its beautiful waterfront and art deco architecture, it’s during Christmas that it truly comes alive. Streets glisten with lights, especially along Alekanterinkatu, affectionately dubbed Christmas Street throughout December.
We were particularly enchanted by the sparkling reindeer in Esplanade Park, whom we affectionately named Randy and Rocky. But let’s keep that between us—after all, we did indulge in their distant relatives at Christmas Eve dinner.
3. Savoring Finnish Christmas Delicacies
One of the highlights of experiencing Christmas in Helsinki is the food. During December, locals indulge in traditional treats, culminating in a grand Christmas dinner on the 24th.
After sampling a variety of seasonal foods throughout our stay, we celebrated Christmas Eve with a remarkable feast at Hotel Katajanokka, a stylish hotel nestled in a former prison right in the heart of the city.
The hotel’s Christmas buffet was a delightful spread, featuring Finnish specialties such as pickled herring, succulent roast beef, reindeer pâté, salmon, and beloved festive dishes like rutabaga casserole and baked ham.
Hotel Katajanokka is located at Merikasarminkatu 1, 00160 Helsinki, Finland.
4. Indulging in Finnish Pastries
Among the most beloved Finnish pastries is the soft, buttery korvapuusti, reminiscent of a Danish pastry, and available year-round but especially popular during the holidays. Another must-try is the star-shaped Joulutorttu, filled with plum jam, which is a Christmas tradition.
To be honest, we fell in love with every pastry we encountered, from the fruity raspberry layer cake to the delicate gingerbread cookies with a hint of lemon. Helsinki’s pastries are not to be missed!
Discover additional delightful Christmas desserts from around the globe.
5. The Tradition of Rice Porridge
Known as riisipuuro, rice porridge is a cherished breakfast special during the holiday season in Helsinki. This creamy, hearty dish, especially delightful topped with sugar and cinnamon, proved to be particularly satisfying. We enjoyed enhancing our serving with some stewed fruit for added richness.
Legend has it that a single blanched almond is hidden in each pot of rice porridge, bringing good fortune to the lucky finder. Though we didn’t uncover an almond ourselves, we still felt incredibly fortunate to be celebrating Christmas in Helsinki.
6. The Essential Baked Ham
After savoring the array of savory dishes at the Christmas buffet, we learned from our server that ham is the quintessential Christmas protein in Finland. Luckily, we indulged in both ham and other festive offerings such as salmon, herring, beef, and reindeer.
And yes, we promise we had our share of veggies too!
7. The Role of Casseroles
To our surprise, the Christmas buffet featured not one but three different casseroles. One, in particular, captivated us with its enticing aroma: rutabaga casserole, a cherished dish that has become a holiday staple in Helsinki.
8. Sipping on Glogi
In Finland, glögi is the quintessential Christmas drink that we relished during our time at the Christmas Market. Think of it as mulled wine, enhanced with almonds and raisins, and sometimes spiked with vodka. Regardless of the concoction, this warm beverage is a heartening way to celebrate the season.
9. The Helsinki Christmas Sauna Experience
In Helsinki, it’s customary for locals to mark Christmas Eve with a steamy sauna session followed by a brisk dip in the Baltic Sea. After thorough research, we settled on Kulttuurisauna for this quintessential experience.
We had our doubts about the sauna’s holiday hours, yet to our surprise, Christmas Eve is bustling—indeed, the busiest day of the year!
While Mindy opted out of the chilly plunge to avoid the cold, Daryl, eager to immerse himself in local traditions, leapt into the frigid water for a fleeting ten seconds, feeling the brisk chill envelop him. Thawing out amidst the warm ambiance of the sauna post-dip, he momentarily savored the sentiment of being an honorary Helsinki local for this festive occasion.
Kulttuurisauna is located at Hakaniemenranta 17, 00530 Helsinki, Finland.
🎥 Ferry to Tallinn Video
Join us on our YouTube journey as we share more insights about our Christmas experience in Helsinki, filmed on our way to further adventures in Tallinn.