Good weather isn’t the only sign that summer has arrived in Finland. In the capital Helsinki, a series of cultural, sporting and musical events helps kick-off the holiday season, and this year is no different.
Helsinki Day takes place on Friday June 12 this year and offers holidaymakers a diverse day-and-night repertoire of dance, theatre, films, music, food, sports and fitness events, and historical and classical experiences – in short there’s something for everyone.
The day of summer celebrations will culminate in a memorable Supper under the Stars event, where 1,000 diners will enjoy a sit-down dinner along the length of the northern Esplanade.
What’s best about Helsinki Day is that it’s largely free of charge. Anyone can join a tour, go design orienteering or visit a pop-up sauna. For those with cash in hand, the city also offers a number of paying events.
Got cash? Indulge in food, alternative music and football
One item on the commercial menu is Taste of Helsinki, which will take place in Citizen’s Square in the city centre from Friday to Sunday.
Organisers say that the event will feature a diverse array of flavours and styles at affordable prices.
Music lovers won’t be left out, as the Sideways festival – which features alternative music – is also scheduled to take place on Friday and Saturday. The celebration of music takes place at the Sörnäinen abattoir and will also offer refreshments.
Sports aficionados meanwhile, can look forward to action on the football field at the Olympic Stadium on Saturday, as Finland kick off against Hungary in a bid to reach the UEFA finals next year. The lions will want to turn back a recent slump, while the visitors hope to jealously guard a successful run that has seen them win their last four fixtures – three of them without conceding any goals.
Weekend activities to disrupt traffic
Motorists looking to brave the streets of downtown Helsinki should note that the many events taking place over the weekend will cause some route changes. For example the 1,000-person dinner on the northern Esplanade will close that street entirely until midnight Friday.
Saturday’s football match will also cause some disruptions with changes to traffic flows on Stadionpolku, Pohjoinen Stadiontie, Uimastadioninpolku, Hammarskjöldintie and Mäntymäentie.
Weather warm but unsettled
Yle meteorologist Elina Lopperi says that air currents from the southwest will waft warmer air into Finland from Friday evening, pushing temperatures above 20 degrees Celsius in the south on Friday and Saturday.
There will be some rain in the west, but it will migrate northeast, leaving sunny skies and balmy morning temperatures of around 15 degrees. Highs will quickly soar to 20 degrees in southern and central areas Friday afternoon.
Conditions will continue warm into Saturday in the south and highs may approach 25 degrees, depending on cloud cover. However central and northern areas will experience local showers and conditions will be cooler.
A low pressure zone will move over the country after Saturday, bringing showers and cooler temperatures.