Enjoying midsummer celebrations – Juhannus

Midsummer (juhannus in Finnish) for Finns means celebration and the long, white night which is said to be the “nightless” one (yötön yö). In the Helsinki region the sun sets at about 22.50 and rises again already around 4.00 o’clock in the morning. In the Northern Finland the sun does not set at all! The nightless night of Finnish midsummer gives a great contrast to the darkness of the winter time.

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Many Finns leave the cities for Midsummer and spend time in their countryside cottages. Midsummer celebrations traditionally include bonfires, sauna, good food, possibly swimming and of course spending time together with family and friends!

Is it possible to enjoy the holiday in the city?
Karen Sims-Huopaniemi, who works in Viikki as a coordinator for the Doctoral programme in Plant Sciences, has spent many summers in Finland. She has experienced Midsummer both in the city and the countryside. She says that if you plan on staying in the city for the Midsummer, there are some things you should be prepared for such as shops having limited opening hours.

“The city is very quiet. I remember my first mid-summer in Finland when my parents came to visit. Mannerheimintie was empty, it was weird.”

In addition to limited opening hours, the public transportation operates on weekend timetables during the Midsummer weekend.

If you’re in Helsinki but you don’t have the possibility to visit a Finnish summer-cottage, there are also some midsummer events in the city area. You can take it easy or party all night long in the city area.

– Seurasaari Midsummer Bonfires will be organized by the Seurasaari Foundation on Friday 20.06.2014.

– Juhannus in Pihlajasaari: Friday 20.6.2014, starting at 21.00 when the bonfire will be set on fire. Also grilled  food  and traditional dance music. Location and “how to get there” – instructions can be found here. Please note that the last ferry back from Pihlajasaari to the mainland leaves at 01.45 o’clock in the morning.

Practical information for Midsummer
Shops are open on 20th of June until noon and closed on the 21st.
Helsinki Region Transport
Midsummer in Helsinki at Visit Helsinki

Helsinki and summer
Top 5 tips for summer in Helsinki at Visit Helsinki
Find your favourite place in Helsinki this summer!

Hyvää juhannusta!

Text: Tiiu Särkijärvi and Kaisa Lainea
Pictures: Salla Mehtälä