Read our 2022 midsummer guide here.
If you have never experienced it you are in luck because midsummer is right around the corner. A public holiday that the Finns consider near sacred. This time the holiday starts on Thursday 21 June and thats the time many people will be leaving the city and heading to their summer cottages. Should you be so lucky to have an opportunity to spend a traditional Juhannus lake side at a cottage, expect to hear the neigh hours sign until the early morning hours on Saturday. (Friday 22 June is the eve and thus the biggest traditional party/relaxation/drinking day).
While you should expect the city to quiet down over coming days there will be some folks around who prefer to spend the holiday in the city – and because of that you can expect that the party scene (note: only in some select few places as there wont be enough people around to fill all the bars) to be quite lively. Your last change for the best strip tease Helsinki Night life has to offer will be on Thursday 21st – Crystal Show Club wil be closed Fri-Sat-Su. Should a hangover surprise you on Saturday morning, please note that you can expect most of the stores to be closed.
If you are in the city and would like to see what a traditional Finnish midsummer looks like you can head down to Seurasaari on Friday around 6.pm or visit Pihlajasaari around 9.pm. At both places you should be expecting some outdoor celebrations and a bonfire (those will be lit everywhere in Finland).