Enjoy free gigs, dance outside and unleash your creativity this summer in Helsinki
The summer programmes of Helsinki’s cultural centres have been published, featuring gigs by top artists, city dances and art events for children. Here are some top picks from the wide selection of summer events, the majority of which are free of charge.
The Malmi Summer of Events at Ala-Malmi Park offers free-of-charge events from 6 to 15 June and 15 to 24 August. Highlights include gigs by numerous artists, such as Stig, Arppa, Freeman, Honey B & T-Bones, DAVI, Pambikallio, Terveet Kädet and the beloved children’s band Pikku Papun orkesteri.
1. Events at Ala-Malmi Park
Other events include workshops, at which participants get to draw, do crafts and create street art. For young people, the programme features escape room games, swearing art, and song and comic workshops. Those interested in the city’s history can also take part in guided walking and cycling tours.
2. Pride Week programme
Pride Week takes place from 24 to 30 June. Cultural Centre Caisa will be organising Pride celebrations for adults featuring drag, theatre, comedy and music. In Vuosaari, Vuosaari House will be hosting LGBTQIA+ workshops where participants of all ages get to make flower crowns, jewellery and their own signs for the parade.
3. Free gigs on Helsinki Day
Helsinki Day, 12 June, features an impressive line-up of free gigs around the city: Stig and Mimmit at the Malmi Summer of Events, Hassan Maikal, Emilia Sisco & Northern Lights and Marko Haavisto & Poutahaukat at Stoa Square and Arppa as well as Mimi ja Kuku at Vuotori Square.
At Sitratori Square in Kannelmäki, you can also experience the thrill of Spinsane, a death-defying performance by the circus artists of Race Horse Company.
4. Foxtrot, single-time swing, samba
This summer, you can once again learn partner dances ranging from foxtrot to single-time swing, jenkka to samba and waltz to tango at Ala-Malmi Park, Stoa Square, Vuotori Square, Sitratori Square and Puustellinaukio Square in Malminkartano. The popular city dances offer opportunities to practise different partner dances under supervision and completely free of charge.
5. Art Things, dreams and poetry at Annantalo
Annantalo Arts Centre for Children and Young People will be organising a variety of events throughout the summer. The Centre’s summer artist is musician Jukka Kääriäinen, who will be creating an audio work out of the dreams and wishes of Annantalo’s visitors. There are also plenty of other reasons to visit Annantalo, including the Art Things workshops, the summertime music playschool and the street art container. And let’s not forget about the Poetry Lounge celebrating 100 years since the birth of Kirsi Kunnas, where you can immerse yourself in stories while taking a breather on the sofa.
6. Cool gallery exhibitions
Helsinki’s cultural centres will be keeping the doors of their galleries open during the summer as well. For example, in June you can experience Jessica Alexandra North’s Enchanted Garden exhibition, which was inspired by wild and unkempt gardens, at Caisa, while Kanneltalo will be hosting the Young Visual Art Now 2024 Aflame joint exhibition. Meanwhile, Stoa Gallery will be hosting the Luovuus itää (Creativity sprouts) group exhibition of the Roihupelto art quarters celebrating the 40th anniversary of Stoa throughout the summer.
The exhibitions of Helsinki’s cultural centres are free of charge, so be sure to check out one, two or even all of them!
Annantalo Arts Centre for children, young people and families
Caisa
Kanneltalo
Malmitalo
Maunula House
Stoa
Vuosaari House