Helsinki in December

Christmas markets; about six hours of daylight; check Christmas Eve closures.

• South coast, Finland · Helsinki, Turku, Porvoo, Ålandcool

  Around −5 °C in January, 20–23 °C in July; 19 h of daylight at midsummer, 6 h in late December. The sea often freezes near shore in cold winters.

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• Christmas

  Dec 24–26

  Shops, restaurants and many museums close on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day; trams run a reduced timetable.

• Helsinki Christmas Market on Senate Square

  Early Dec–Dec 23

  Senate Square and the surrounding streets are crowded in the evenings.

• Independence Day

  6 Dec · Finland

  Candles in windows, torch procession in Helsinki, the President's ball on TV; shops closed.

Crowds · Finland overall

High

Prices · Finland overall

High

Finland overall: Rovaniemi's Christmas peak, polar night in the north; Helsinki Christmas market; closures 24–26 Dec.

High-price month: see what to book ahead.

• Layers: a fleece or light jacket

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