Finland
Helsinki in December
❄️ Snowy winterCold and some showers.
🎒 Pack: winter coat, gloves & hat
Why December scores 7.7What goes into the score
How it works- Weather comfort5.6
- !Cold (1°C highs / -3°C lows)
- ✓Comfortable humidity (dew point -2°C)
- ✓Mostly dry (~58 mm rain)
- !Grey, overcast skies (~82% cloud cover on average)
- Air quality9.9
- ✓Good (within WHO guideline) (PM2.5 ~6 µg/m³)
- Seasonal hazards10.0
- ·No notable seasonal hazards
- Safety baseline9.0
- ·Normal precautions
| Dec | Jul | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 7.7 Very good | 9.7 Excellent |
| Season | ❄️ Snowy winter | ☀️ Summer |
| High / low | 1° / -3° | 22° / 15° |
| Rain | 58 mm | 57 mm |
| Humidity | dew pt -2° | dew pt 14° |
| PM2.5 | 6 µg/m³ | 5 µg/m³ |
Typical-month data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis) 2015–2024 (modelled, not a forecast). Temperatures: Helsinki weather-station normals. Rainfall: Central Helsinki weather-station normals (national met service).
Holidays & crowdsDecember 2026
Long weekendThere's at least one long weekend. Domestic travel picks up and popular spots get busier over those days.
- Christmas 24–27 Dec · 4 days off in a row
Other public holidays: Independence Day (6 Dec)
National holidays only; regional holidays and school breaks aren't included. Source: holidays (open-source public-holiday calendar).
Explore HelsinkiEvents, sights, food & souvenirs
Check event dates locallyFinland's seaside capital, known for design, saunas, island fortresses, Art Nouveau architecture and long summer daylight.
Independence DayEvery year6 December every year
A solemn national holiday with candles in windows and a torchlight student procession.
Why go: Many shops and services close.
Where: Nationwide
Coming up later
Vappu (May Day)Every year30 April to 1 May every year
Students and residents celebrate spring with the capping of the Havis Amanda statue and big picnics.
Why go: Expect large, festive crowds and white student caps everywhere.
Where: Market Square, Kaivopuisto Park and citywide
Midsummer (Juhannus)Date variesMidsummer Eve falls on the Friday between 19 and 25 June
Finns celebrate the light nights with bonfires, often leaving the city for the countryside.
Why go: The city is quiet and many shops close.
Where: Seurasaari and lakeside cottages
Helsinki FestivalDate variesUsually late August to early September
Finland's largest arts festival, with music, theatre, dance and the Night of the Arts.
Why go: Many events are free.
Where: Venues across the city
Suomenlinna
A UNESCO-listed sea fortress spread over islands, reached by public ferry from Market Square.
Senate Square and Helsinki Cathedral
A neoclassical square dominated by the white Lutheran cathedral.
Uspenski Cathedral
A red-brick Orthodox cathedral on a hill overlooking the harbour.
Temppeliaukio Church
A church carved into solid rock, topped with a copper dome.
Oodi Central Library
A striking public library with workshops, a cinema and a rooftop terrace.
Public saunas
Modern and traditional saunas, some with sea swimming, such as Löyly and Allas Sea Pool.
💡 Bring swimwear for mixed saunas.
Karelian pies (karjalanpiirakka)
Thin rye pastry filled with rice porridge, topped with egg butter.
💡 Market halls and bakeries
Salmon soup (lohikeitto)
A creamy soup of salmon, potatoes and dill.
💡 Old Market Hall
Korvapuusti
Finnish cinnamon bun flavoured with cardamom.
Sautéed reindeer (poronkäristys)
Thinly sliced reindeer with mashed potato and lingonberries.
Salmiakki
Strong salty liquorice, a Finnish favourite.
Marimekko textiles
Bold printed fabrics and bags from the long-established Finnish design house.
Iittala glassware
Finnish design glass and tableware, including Alvar Aalto designs.
Fazer chocolate
Finland's classic milk chocolate in its blue wrapper.
Moomin items
Mugs and gifts featuring Tove Jansson's Moomin characters.