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FINLAND GOES BONKERS!
Vappu (May Day) is absolutely the craziest and wildest carnival in Finland with the hoards of tens of thousands of Finns celebrating the spring and flocking the Helsinki streets and parks. Traditionally celebrated by university students and the working class the Vappu has become the number one carnival of the year for all Finns. The mayhem begins on the 30th of April at 6 pm with the students gathering at the Market Square to wash the statue of Havis Amanda and place a student cap on her head. From there on the whole city practically goes crazy, continuing with hard partying all through the night to welcome the May Day in the parks of Helsinki the next day by enjoying delicious picnic food and more drinks, a lot more drinks. To experience the authentic Vappu picnic on May Day you should head to Kaivopuisto Park or Ullanlinnanmäki on the 1st of May, there you will find thousands of happy and tipsy Finns enjoying the hopefully sunny spring day.
Vappuaatto / May Day Eve
The show starts at 5 pm when the Aalto University students arrive as a large May Day parade to the statue.
Schedule:
4 pm: The parades for Aalto students start at Hietalahdentori and Pohjoinen Rautatienkatu in front of the KY building.
5 pm: Manta show begins with the cleaning of Manta
6 pm: Manta is crowned.
8 pm: Crystal Showclub opens
Vappupäivä / May Day
Important Vappu survival vocabulary for the May May picnic in Kaivopuisto Park
- vappupallot = air balloons
- sima = mead
- tippaleivät = sweet funnel bread
- nakit ja perunasalaatti = Sausages and potatoe salad
- ylioppilas- / teekkarilakki = white hat worn in Vappu by university students and high school graduates
- Opiskelijahaalarit = Overalls worn by University students. The colours actually mark different universities and faculties.
It is impossible to describe the Finnish Vappu, you just have to experience it.
In need of a place place to relax from all Vappu craziness? Crystal Show Club is the highest rated strip club in Helsinki. 2 floors of action everyday from 9pm to 5 am!