In February in Helsinki, the coats are still on, but there’s plenty of places to warm up around Finland’s capital. It may be the shortest month of the year, but February is filled with live music, health events, crafts, comedy, and expert speeches. The late-winter festival of Laskiainen (Shrove Tuesday) also falls in February, bringing with it celebration and food – two of the best cures for the winter blues!
Discover the best events Helsinki has to offer this month, including festivals, concerts, films, and more:
Saturday 1st February
Silakat FISHMOB
Are you passionate about protesting racism, fascism, and other denials of human rights? If so, come to this flash mob-style protest happening in Senate Square. This protest won’t include signs or costumes, the participants express themselves via voice and body. Free event.
Dave Lindholm at Kaski Bistro & Bar
Guitarist and singer-songwriter Dave Lindholm has been making an impact on the Finnish rock scene since 1971. Still going strong, he’s visiting Kaski Bistro & Bar in northeastern Helsinki to perform this February. Tickets are 10€ beforehand or 12€ at the door.
Sinä 2.0 (You 2.0)
Fazer, a bakery and confectionary company, has their headquarters in neighbouring Vantaa. This day of health and wellness includes expert talks, including from Fazer’s own Brainhow project. There is also, of course, Fazer food and tea from Johan & Nystrom. Tickets are 15€.
Kapsäkin Iltaimprot (Käpsäkki Evening Improv)
Music Theatre Käpsäkki’s spring impro performances kick off right at the start of February. The in-house team of actresses is comprised of Jaana Saarinen, Sari Siikander, and Elina Aalto, who are joined by a changing roster of guests and musicians. Tickets are 14,90€.
Tuesday 4th February
Saastamoinen Keynote Lecture: Andrea Giunta
Andrea Giunta, an Argentinian art historian, researcher, and professor will give this keynote lecture about often ignored areas in Latin American art. She will focus on works by women and people of colour, whose achievements are often overlooked in the canon of western art education. Free event.
Tuesday Night Hop
On the Rocks bar goes back to the golden age of music with DJs spinning classics from Count Basie and Duke Ellington. They’ll spice up the playlist with lesser-known gems too to create a night for swing dance lovers. Free event, and reoccurring every Tuesday.
Wednesday 5th February
Kolibre, Musta Huone & Bad Sauna
Bar Loose celebrates Runeberg’s Day (a Finnish holiday) by giving the stage to three local bands: Kolibre, Musta Huone and Bad Sauna. The sounds will vary from hypnotic trance melodies to loud raw rock. Tickets are 6€.
AINON
AINON is a local Helsinki band formed by Aino Juutilainen. The quartet plays music inspired by jazz, classical and contemporary, and this time they’re playing at Juttutupa, a restaurant and events venue in Hakaniemi. Tickets TBA.
Thursday 6th February
Happy Potter Book Night
Helsinki’s central library Oodi is hosting a Harry Potter book night for children and adults alike. There will be all kinds of wizard-themed programming for the entire family. Free event.
Friday 7th February
Abysmal: Sweet Sixties
Abysmal is a new drag club who are putting on a performance in subcultural centre Loukko. Loukko commonly hosts drag events, so these eight performers are in good hands. This performance is 1960s themed, and examines the changes that have happened since that decade. Tickets are 5€.
K-30 Club: 90s Party
Whether you’re pining for your younger days in the 90s or you wish you had been there, if you’re a fan of 90s music and parties, this is your night. On the Rocks club will be filled with various genres of 90s music all night. Dress in your best overalls, butterfly clips and tattoo chokers. Tickets are 10€.
Saturday 8th – Monday 10th February
Pakkasparlamentti 2020
If you’re interested in the sport of gliding and wouldn’t mind also taking to the seas, this is an event to look into. Finnish Gliding Team is hosting a weekend cruise between Helsinki and Stockholm, during which participants will get to learn from experts and meet other gliders. Tickets are based on the ship’s hut types, and range from 144-349€.
Saturday 8th – Sunday 9th February
Minä Olen -messut (Minä Olen Fair)
Minä Olen is a fair for mental, physical, and emotional health. It will bring together sellers of wellness products and services, expert speeches, and workshops. Come find the thing that helps you balance all aspects of your health. Tickets start at 25€, workshop tickets are seperate.
Saturday 8th February
Loukko Tattoo Benefit
Come to Subcultural Centre Loukko to be tattooed by Tali Ball, Max Spoljaric, or Haley Lykantropia. They will all be doing tattoos from their flash sheets on a pay-what-you-can basis, ranging from 50-100€. An additional material fee of 15€ applies as well. Loukko will serve vegan treats all night.
Monday 10th February
The World of Hans Zimmer – A Symphonic Celebration
For the first time, legendary composer Hans Zimmer’s film music will be performed by a live orchesta in concerts around the world. Hans Zimmer’s hand-picked team of musicians will perform songs from films like The Lion King, The Dark Knight, Inception, and Interstellar. Tickets start at 69€.
Thursday 13th February
Läpimurto stand-up kiertue (Läpimurto stand-up tour)
If you’re in the mood for a laugh, this is a promising event! This stand-up night will see sets from Ursula Herlin, Lasse Oikarinen, Ray Zambino, and Eero Corso. The place is Wanha Satama events venue on Katajanokka. Tickets are 16,50€.
Friday 14th February
Siirtokuva keramiikalle ystävänpäivänä (Transfer onto ceramic on Valentine’s Day)
Verstas247 is a crafts workshop which offers many unique activities such as this. To celebrate Valentine’s Day, bring a friend or lover with you to customise a ceramic box with transfers. The box will be fired in Verstas247’s oven and you can pick it up in a week. One box is 39€.
Natalia Kallio: She Needs Bigger Boots
Natalia Kallio’s seminal performance work is a combination of spoken word, strong visuals, and activism. Kallio advocates for amplifying the voices of women and other oppressed groups, who “have too small boots”, meaning “too small of a voice”. Visuals are by Kiia Beilinson. Tickets start at 22,50€.
Älämahdumuottiin-kuvaukset (Break the mould photo shoot)
Culture centre Caisa invites everyone to come take part in a Valentine’s Day photo shoot which celebrates different and out-of-the-ordinary people and couples. Come either in a pair or alone, either way is okay for celebrating equal rights! You will pose in underwear with manekins in a studio. Free event.
Saturday 15th February
Konfuusio Festivaali
The local band Sirja & Konfuusio is celebrating their album release with a whole festival. This one-day festival at Konepaja is a celebration of and opportunity for independant musicians who want to showcase their art. Eight bands will be performing. Tickets are 14€.
Spaghettipäivä 2020
Interested in seeing five spaghetti westerns in their original 35mm format? This film screening by Filmikulttuuri.fi and WHS Theatre Union is for you! A day ticket is 30€ and includes a literal spaghetti dinner after the films. Single tickets are 9€.
Tuesday 18th February
Another fun crafts event from Verstas247 is this needle felting session where you can make a llama plush. The price includes teaching and materials, which include many colours of wool, ribbon, and fabric scraps to customise your llama friend. Tickets are 35€.
Ilmastokriisi: Suuntana sukupuutto (ja mitä sille pitäisi tehdä) (Climate crisis: On the path to extinction (and what we need to do about it))
Elokapina – Extinction Rebellion Finland will hold an informative and important open meeting about the climate crisis at central library Oodi. Listen to experts tell about the state of the planet, the sixth mass extinction, and what we need to be doing about it. Free event.
TuskaLive: Alcest
Well-loved French post-metal group Alcest is stopping in Helsinki on their upcoming tour. The tour is in support of their new album “Spiritual Instinct”, out in December 2019. Alcest will be supported by French group Birds in row and Icelandic Kælan Mikla. Tickets start at 37,50€.
Wednesday 19th February
Paints and Galaxies
In this open-level workshop you can learn to paint gorgeous galaxies step-by-step. The materials used are watercolour and acrylic paints, neither of which you need to have experience with. You will finish the workshop with two paintings. Tickets are 39€.
Saturday 23rd February
Haltialan laskiasrieha (Haltiala laskiais rush)
Haltiala, an urban farm in Helsinki, hosts a traditional laskiainen (Shrove Tuesday) celebration. In Finland it’s traditional to roast sausage, eat pea soup, and eat cream- and jam-filled buns. Should there be snow, children also go sledding. Free event.
Tuesday 25th February
Wagnerin Lohengrin (Wagner’s Lohengrin)
Opera studio Aino presents a shortened and piano-heavy version of Wagner’s classic opera Lohengrin. The venue is the well-loved Kallio church, which overlooks the artsy neighbourhood. Tickets are 25€.
Tunnemaalauslta (Emotion Painting Evening)
Kairo Institute, a school which teaches therapy techniques, presents one of those techniques this night. Therepeutic painting is a wonderful way to release stress and communicate feelings. Tickets are 20€ at the door.
Friday 28th February
The 69 Eyes
The 69 Eyes are a multi-platinum status Finnish gothic rock band. The band was founded back in 1989, and 31 years later they’re still gigging. This time the gig is at Tulisuudelma, a venue in Helsinki’s neighbouring Vantaa. Tickets are 14€.
Saturday 29th February – Sunday 1st March
Joogafestival Helsinki (Yoga festival Helsinki)
This is the place to learn more about yoga and many other facets of wellness, including mediation, mindfullness, ayurveda, and nutrition. There are 100+ introductory sessions available, as well at 40 expert talks and 130 exhibitor booths. Tickets are 20-30€ for one day and 50€ for two days.
Saturday 29th February
Arttu Wiskari
Arttu Wiskari’s music career started off with a bang in 2011 with his opening album, which achieved platinum status. The singer-songwriter has since released three more albums. Ihku Bar in Helsinki hosts Wiskari for a gig, where he’ll play his all-time hits. Tickets are 21€, or 25€ at the door.
Ongoing in February
ICOScapes valokuvanäyttely (ICOScapes photography exhibition)
Luomus, the museum of natural history, is the place for this photography exhibition. The show is a collection of photos that detail the work of ICOs researchers in 12 European countries as they measure greenhouse gases. The photos are taken by Konsta Punkka. Admission is included in price of museum ticket (15€). On until 15th March 2020.
Weather Report: Forecasting Future
See an exhibition that was in the Nordic Pavilion at last year’s Venice Bienniale. Kiasma hosts the exhibition, which features the artwork of nabbteeri, Ane Graff, and Ingela Irhman. The artworks seek to make connections between humans and non-human species who are suffering during the sixth mass extintinction. Tickets to Kiasma are 15€. This exhibition runs until 16th August 2020.
If you’re a business or organisation that would like us to add your event to next month’s calendar, please contact us at hello [@] scandinaviastandard [dot] com. Thank you!
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