EVENTS: It's All Happening in Helsinki

The Finnish National Theatre is one of the sanctums of the Finnish national awakening, a small and beautiful Jugend castle. The autumn repertoire gives you a chance to familiarise yourself with the theatre even if your Finnish, for some reason, is non-existent. The repertory includes Shakespeare’s Richard III, Moliére’s The Imaginary Invalid, Bulgakov’s The Master and Margarita and Mann’s Death in Venice. Give yourself over to the magic of the old theatre, and yes, the house is haunted.

Finns love the forest, and picking berries and mushrooms. Many a Helsinkian calendar is filled with trips to the forest with mushrooms in mind. Guided tours to Nuuksio, the wildest of forests in the capital area, take the visitor to the very core of Finnish mindfulness. Berries and mushrooms are picked during the hike and at the end there is a break by an open fire with fresh coffee and pancakes. Superfood, hand-picked in the forest, goes very well with them. Open the door to the Finnish soul.

Don’t be fooled by the word circus. Extravagant. That is the word that best sums up Cirque du Soleil, the group that renewed circus. This time Cirque du Soleil calls us up to the top of the Varekai volcano, into a world where everything is possible. Varekai, which means ‘wherever’ in the Romani language of the Gypsies, tells an emotional and dramatic story of the adventures of young Icarus, who is parachuted into the shadows of the deep forest before taking flight on an extraordinary adventure. Breathtaking is another word to describe Cirque du Soleil.

What would be more intriguing than seeing the everyday of yesterday at your destination? The Helsinki Retro Vintage Design Expo offers its visitors charming Helsinki vintage, rad retro, nostalgia and yesteryear’s memorabilia! On sale is furniture from the 20s to the 80s, lighting, glass, ceramics, jewellery, pop antique, industrial, vintage clothes, textiles, posters, postcards, books, toys, vinyl, vintage audio systems and much more. Various Finnish design classics are also on sale, most of which fit in a suitcase!

The largest horse event in Finland, and one of the most highly-ranked events in the world cup, is here again. The Horse Show brings 500 horses, 400 riders, 1000 competitions and 40 000 visitors to the Helsinki Ice Hall. The event has been loved by Helsinkians and the international riding community for decades. Competitions, shows, show jumping, dressage, children’s events – five days filled with horses, both for the experienced and first-timers, so saddle up!

The I Love Me fair concentrates, true to its name, on me, me and only me. Be inspired by the biggest event on well-being, beauty and fashion in the Nordic countries. It’s worth a visit even if you are only looking for the latest fashion trends, beauty tips, latest sports, nutrition advice or anything that ensures good life. Fall in love with yourself. It’s worth it.

Slush is the world’s leading start up event. During the worst weather of the year Slush brings together the leading actors of the global tech scene to Helsinki for something very special. Described by many as ‘Burning Man meets Ted’, the event has grown in a short few years to 17,500 attendees and over a million live stream viewers. 
Last year 2300 start-ups, 1100 venture capitalists and 600 journalists from around the world came to Slush to drive business and to experience the phenomenal atmosphere. Join the hippest tech crowd in the world and start changing the world now!

Ice hockey is Finns’ favourite sport and for a good reason. We are at the top of the world in the sport. The rapture and ecstasy of the sport is best experienced on the spot. Helsinki is proud of its teams, Jokerit and HIFK. To celebrate the 100 years of Finnish independence, an outdoor tournament is held in Helsinki with top Finnish teams and a Russian visitor. 
Stalls for 18 000 people, mainly standing- room, are being built in the Kaisaniemi Park for the games. The atmosphere in an ice hockey match is always ecstatic and outdoors it becomes even more rapturous. Open up your voice and cheer with the hockey maniac Helsinkians.