Finland's Christmas City Turku filled with holiday spirit: Discover all the activities
Turku's traditional Christmas Opening Day will be celebrated on Saturday, 29 November. The opening marks the beginning of the Christmas season in Finland's official Christmas City, filling Turku with a wide range of festive events.
On Christmas Opening Day, the lights of the Cathedral’s Christmas tree will be switched on during a ceremony starting at 15:45. After the ceremony, a grand Christmas Parade—led by the Snow Queen—will guide the procession toward Yliopistonkatu, where the Christmas street lights will be illuminated. From there, the parade continues to the Christmas-lit Market Square, where visitors can greet the Snow Queen, Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus, the city mascot Förri, and other delightful guests.
Getting into the Christmas Spirit
Christmas carols will be sung for the children of the world in many parish events under the "Most Beautiful Christmas Carols" theme. Festive music can also be enjoyed at the Turku Philharmonic Orchestra’s Towards Christmas with Ella concert on 4 December, where the audience is invited to sing along with the choirs. The Snowman film concert will bring guaranteed Christmas cheer to the Turku Concert Hall on 9 and 10 December.
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Music also plays a major role in the Ecumenical Christmas in Turku, televised from Turku Cathedral on 11 December. This year’s theme is "Christmas Peace as the World Cries Out." The humanitarian message will be delivered by Yle foreign correspondent Antti Kuronen.
For those seeking a different kind of Christmas atmosphere, Finland’s most popular and largest Christmas concert tour, Raskasta Joulua ("Heavy Christmas"), arrives at Gatorade Center on 5 December, featuring performers such as Timo Kotipelto, Marko Hietala, and Elize Ryd.
The Path of Light light-art event (4-7 December) brightens the dark December evenings, guiding visitors along the Aura River from the Cathedral to the harbour through twelve illuminated installations. The artworks are visible daily from 16:00 to 21:00.
Atmospheric candlelit swims will also be held at the Impivaara and Petrelius swimming halls from 15 to 22 December. These candlelight sessions offer a calming break in the midst of holiday rush.
Traditional Market Atmosphere and Christmas Heritage in Museums
Christmas at the Old Great Square brings a nostalgic ambiance to the Old Great Square and Brinkkala Courtyard on four weekends leading up to Christmas, starting on 22 November. Market stalls will be filled with high-quality handicrafts and seasonal treats, and the programme includes music, theatre, and circus performances for all ages. At Santa’s Workshop, children can meet Santa Claus and share their gift wishes with his elves.
During the Christmas season, the Pharmacy Museum and Qwensel House, Kuralan Kylämäki, Luostarinmäki, and Turku Castle will be brimming with festive scents, decorations, guided tours, and events. At Qwensel House, visitors experience how an upper-class family celebrated Christmas; in the homes and workshops of Luostarinmäki, preparations for Christmas are underway; and in Kuralan Kylämäki’s Iso-Kohmo cottage, the aromas of rutabaga casserole and gingerbread spices fill the air. At Turku Castle, visitors can explore what Duke John’s feast table may have looked like or what delicacies Count Per Brahe enjoyed during the highlight of the year.
Christmas Joy for Children
Multiple events will be organized at the Main Library and branch libraries before Christmas. The Lost Christmas puppet theatre show will be performed at several branches, and the Saaga Christmas Event invites all little elves to the Main Library on 29 November.
The Children’s Cultural Centre Färi invites families to slow down and enjoy Christmas-themed performances and workshops. At the Timantti Theatre, visitors can enjoy the colourful circus duo’s Christmas Circus Special, and more circus fun awaits in The Mystery of the Gift Box.
At Turku Castle, Santa’s faithful helpers—who know the castle’s 700-year history—will share stories from the past and tales of former residents. Guided tours with the castle elves will take place on weekends throughout December.
A Christmas carousel will delight visitors on Yliopistonkatu in December. The carousel’s opening will be celebrated on Monday, 1 December starting at 12:00, with Förri the city mascot being the first to ride. The free carousel will be open until 21 December, operating on weekdays from 12:00-20:00 and weekends from 11:00-19:00.
Approaching Christmas Eve
The traditional Christmas Eve morning opening at the Market Hall will take place on 24 December from 7:00 to 12:00. From there, it is natural to continue to the Old Great Square to witness the annual Declaration of Christmas Peace. The Main Library also welcomes visitors to enjoy a warm and peaceful Christmas atmosphere on Christmas Eve from 11:00 to 17:00.
All Christmas City events can be found at joulukaupunkiturku.fi