Saturday 11th July is your day to get your festival fill. Starting off with the Helsinki Folk Festival. From lunchtime until evening - all free! Located on two stages the Helsinki Folk Festival brings you some amazing Finnish and international folk artists. From Finnish fiddle to ceilidh dancing and bluegrass, all with soul. The action kicks off at 13.30 and finishes at 18.00. All ages welcome. Food stalls, drinks and a bar bring the summer vibes. Located in Alppipuisto, Viipurinkatu, 00520.

Puska Festival, located on the edge of Helsinki in Malmi is another free all day festival. If metal and punk is more your thing, this is for you. There will be 2 stages, with a lineup of Finnish underground bands performing throughout the afternoon and evening. Food, drinks, and festival vendors will be on site to make sure you don’t go hungry, and there will be vegan options. Afterwards, continue the evening at the 18+ afterparty at Lepakkomies, featuring additional live performances. This is grassroots, community diy vibes for fans of the local Helsinki metal scene.

Downtown Calling is a two-day urban music festival that brings together major Finnish alternative and indie acts, underground artists, hip-hop performers, and a handful of international headliners. The 2026 lineup includes artists such as The Libertines, Silvana Imam, Mobb Deep (featuring Havoc), Maustetytöt, Karri Koira, and emma & matilda. There will be food, bars and all the candy you could want. Located in Helsinki Ice Hall area Nordenskiöldinkatu 11–13, Helsinki . Tickets cost €59.95

Olavi Uusivirta at Backas Kartano

If dinner and a show is what you need, the team at Backas have you covered. The summer buffet starts at 17.00, before the concert and this is not your average festival food. On offer is a selection of salads - vinaigrette, Finnish cabbage and nuts, lemon salmon with cucumber and apple, grilled chicken with romaine lettuce and more. The main course is roasted pork belly with sweetcorn and tomato sauce or the veggie option of carrot and chickpea terrine with marinated fennel and red onion sauce. After dinner relax in the restaurant or take a stroll around before the show starts at 19.00. If you have a picnic blanket or chairs, chill on the grass and get drinks from the bars. Tickets cost €86 including dinner or €46 entrance ticket for the gig.

Ylästöntie 28, 01510 Vantaa

Photo: Maarit Hohteri

Yrjönkatu Swimming Hall has undergone renovations and is newly opened once more. A beloved piece of Helsinki history, built in neoclassical style. Built in 1928, generations of Helsinkians have come here to swim, to sauna, to meet and relax. Swimwear is allowed, but traditionally, people swam nude here, and many still do. Men and women swim on different days. Women on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. Men on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Children aged 7 and older must follow the days assigned to either men or women. Cost of entry is €6 for the pool area and €20 entry to the second floor, where there are saunas, relaxation areas, and a restaurant.

If you have some things to sell, or you’re on the hunt for treasure, Helsinki has got you covered for flea markets this weekend. The first is located in beautiful Käpylä - Käpylän Kiskan market is free and open to all. bring a blanket, clothing rack, or table, your items to sell, and some change for purchases. Coffee, ice cream, soft drinks, cinnamon buns will be on sale.

Otto-Iivari Meurmanin puisto, 00600 Helsinki

The Dallapé Park Flea Market is an informal, community-run outdoor flea market held every Sunday during the summer, weather permitting, along Aleksis Kiven katu next to Dallapé Park. Come along and set up with what you have if you want to sell. No registration or organising required. Sellers usually arrive between 9:00–10:00 am, and the market can continue until around 6:00 pm, depending on the weather and attendance. You’ll also find food and seasonal local produce, such as chanterelle mushrooms later in the summer. One of Helsinki's liveliest summer community markets

Alexis Kiven katu, 00510 Helsinki

Café Regatta Sunday Flea Market is a free, casual outdoor flea market held on the lawn in front of Café Regatta during the summer. Another place to hunt for unusual finds, with no regsitration necessary to set up shop for the day and sell off the treasures from grandma’s attic. Selling hours are 10:00 am–3:00 pm (vendors may arrive from 9:00 am to set up and must pack up by 4:00 pm). A relaxed seaside flea market where you can browse second-hand treasures while enjoying the atmosphere and visiting Café Regatta.

Café Regatta, Merikannontie 8, 00260

Every Saturday and Sunday at GTC cafe on Ruoholahdenkatu 8, the weekend kicks off with stories from around the world. You get a good breakfast - there are sandwiches, oatmeal, pancakes, vegan and vegetarian options, and more deliciousness, all while hearing the stories from a country picked for the weekend. With music and sharing, wake up right. From 7-11 am. €17.90 early bird / €19.90 regular

This free festival celebrates Japanese art, traditions, and community through a vibrant programme of exhibitions, workshops, performances, and cultural experiences.

Browse an exhibition featuring Japanese photography, calligraphy, pottery, paintings, and traditional crafts, or take part in hands-on activities such as making Jōmon pottery, creating a wish dragon, decorating a traditional kumade lucky rake, or having your name written in Japanese kanji. Visitors can also enjoy matcha and Japanese sweets, write wishes on the Tanabata wish tree, and try traditional Japanese games.

Throughout the festival, live performances bring the venue to life with Japanese dance, music, fan and parasol dances, live art, and an interactive Bon Dance that welcomes everyone to join in. The festival concludes with a lively celebration featuring Japanese and Finnish dance performances and other community activities.

Lapinlahdenpolku 8, 00180

Vegalicious is a spot opened last year on Laivurinkatu by the talented Ilse R Pinner, former pastry chef at Hotel George. Serving up amazing cookies, buns, pastries and great coffee. Sit inside in the super cosy vibes or take away to drool over at home. Everything is suitable for vegans. Open 12-18