Helsinki’s cultural highlights for 2025: a year of design, art and celebration

Celebrate Helsinki Day with dinner under the sky. Photo: Svante Gullichsen, Helsinki Partners

HELSINKI, December 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Next year, Helsinki promises a remarkable cultural program celebrating Finnish design, art, architecture and storytelling. From the grand reopening of the iconic Finlandia Hall to the magical 80th anniversary of the beloved Moomins, the year will be filled with exhibitions, celebrations and international events.

The newly renovated Finlandia Hall, a masterpiece of modern architecture, will reopen its doors in January with exciting new offerings, inviting visitors to explore themes of identity and creativity. Meanwhile, the timeless Moomin stories, created by Tove Janssoncontinue to welcome everyone into imaginative worlds where joy and acceptance are at the heart of every tale. As summer approaches, the Helsinki Biennale will bring art and nature into dialogue under the theme “Shelter”transforming the Esplanade Park and Vallisaari Island into a scene of thought-provoking works. In autumn, Helsinki Design Week, celebrating its 20th anniversary, will highlight creativity and explore happiness as a design principle, envisioning a better and more hopeful future. Whether you are a local or a visitor from afar, Helsinki warmly invites you to discover its dynamic cultural scene, where creativity and inspiration are always at hand.

Renovated Finlandia room seen from above. Photo: Tuomas Uusheimo, Helsinki Partners

Enter a classic: Finlandia Hall returns with new experiences

Designed by Alvar Aalto and completed in 1971, Finlandia Room is one of the Finland most renowned modern architectural creations. After extensive renovations, the building, once primarily known as a convention and events venue, will reopen its doors on January 4 with a range of new services including unique accommodation facilities, a bistro restaurant and a wine café.

A permanent exhibition will open at Finlandia Hall in June 2025, offering an experiential exploration of Finnish identity as well as the life works and creative inspirations of Alvar, Aino and Elissa Aalto. The exhibition provides an opportunity to gain in-depth insight into the legacy and design principles of Alvar Aalto. The exhibition also offers visitors the opportunity to embark on their own creative experiences inspired by Alvar, Aino and Elissa. Visitors can also admire contemporary Finnish art from the collections of HAM, the Helsinki Art Museum, displayed throughout the building. The newly renovated Finlandia Hall warmly invites locals and visitors to enter, explore Aalto’s architectural masterpiece and enjoy local flavors, concerts and events.

80 years of Moomin: Tove Jansson Art and imagination on display at Helsinki

It all started with the first tale, The Moomins and the Great Floodpublished in 1945. Written by Tove Jansson In Helsinki set during World War II as a fairy tale for comfort in dark times, the story follows Moominmamma and Moomintroll as they find a new home in Moominvalley. There stands a tall blue house, a happy and welcoming place where everyone is accepted, no matter who they are or when they arrive.

Helsinki famous this year anniversary with two major exhibitions. The festivities opened with Tove Jansson – Heaven (25.10.2024-6.4.2025) at the HAM Art Museum in Helsinki. This exhibition delves into his public paintings, showing how Jansson created joy, beauty, and windows into magical worlds through his art. The celebrations will culminate with October 2025 with a exhibition at the Helsinki Museum of Architecture and Design. This exhibition will offer a unique perspective on Tove Jansson world, how she perceived architecture and design in her life and how these elements come to life in Moominvalley’s stories. The door is always open.

The island of Vallisaari is one of the main sites of the Helsinki Biennale. Photo: Matti Pyykkö / HAM / Helsinki Biennale

The Helsinki Biennale brings art to land and sea

Helsinki Biennale 2025 is a summer-long celebration of art, organized with great heart in three locations: Vallisaari Island, Esplanade Park and HAM Art Museum in Helsinki. Taking place from June 8 to September 21, 2025the third edition will feature works by around 35 artists, around half of which are site-specific commissions premiered at Helsinki. Organized by White Tower And Kati Kivinenthe biennial explores the delicate relationship between humanity and nature under the theme “Shelter“. Committed to sustainability and lasting impact, the Helsinki Biennale also aims to leave a legacy by continuously showcasing selected works of art in the city. The full program, including artist lineup , the works and the sponsors, will be revealed in spring 2025.

Opening party of Helsinki Design Week 2024. Photo: Justus HirviHelsinki Design Week

Helsinki Design Week: a celebration of design and happiness

Helsinki Design Week 2025 invites international guests to celebrate the diversity of design. This year’s theme, “Celebration,” encourages reflection on achievements and looking toward the future with optimism and hope. The main exhibition and symposium, “How to Design Happiness,” focuses on the concept of happiness, providing a new perspective through the lens of design. Combining international and local elements, the exhibition will highlight the role of design in shaping well-being and will be curated by a distinguished personality to be announced in early 2025.

The program includes various flagship events, including Design Market, Open Studios and PechaKucha Night, as well as innovative symposia and satellite events showcasing various areas of design. Helsinki Design Week 2025 will also revisit some of its best moments from previous years, highlighting that of Helsinki role as a global hub for design and architecture.

The five applications selected for stage 2. Photo: Finland New Museum of Architecture and Design

Museum of Architecture and Design

A new museum dedicated to architecture and design is ready to open in Helsinki in 2030. Designed to be a must-see destination for architecture and design enthusiasts, the museum will also serve as a place of learning, sharing and exploration for all curious minds. The new building, located at that of Helsinki Historic South Harbour, will be chosen through an open, international and anonymous two-stage competition, which began on April 15, 2024. The first stage ended on August 29, 2024with an impressive 624 submissions. The 5 applications selected to progress to stage 2 were revealed on 18.12.2024 and the final results will be announced on 18.12.2024. September 2025. In the meantime, visitors can enjoy inspiring exhibits in the museum’s current premises.

Learn more about MyHelsinki.fiyour local guide to discover that of Helsinki the most inspiring sites, events and new features — the site will be renewed at the beginning of 2025 to serve you even better.



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