It’s July in Helsinki and things are slowly returning to normal. July this year means more than summer; it also marks the return of physical events around the city, including art galleries opening, live music and concerts ranging from indie pop to jazz, films showing at cinemas, and more. So get out, grab a coffee and a bun, and enjoy all the fun there is to be had in the city this July.
Find out about the best events in Helsinki this July, including concerts, markets, exhibitions, and more:
Wednesday 1st July
General Tour of Kaisaniemi Botanical Garden
Kaisaniemi Botanical Garden is not just a breath of fresh air in the middle of a city, it’s a center for important scientific study and plant conservation. These reoccurring tours will teach you the history and function of the botanical garden. Tours are free, entrance to the greenhouse is €10.
Wednesday 1st – Saturday 4th July
Drive In Festival: Popeda
In order to bring large crowds together in a safe way, this festival is throwing back to the 1950s with a drive-in. Each concert will have 700 parking spaces available, where you can kick back and listen to musicians perform on huge screens. The lineup includes the likes of Kaija Koo, Popeda, and Gasellit. Tickets start at €110.
Thursday 2nd July
Kosminen Salon Gallery Sale
Kosminen is a non-profit gallery and bookshop in the trendy Punavuori neighborhood. They have selected artwork from 120 artists to sell, including paintings, drawings, prints, sculptures, books, and textiles. You can browse the selection online or in person.
Friday 3rd July
Lasten Hautausmaa Duo at Bar Loose
The Helsinki mainstay Bar Loose is back to hosting gigs in their hip and relaxed venue. The singer and guitarist from Lasten Hautausmaa, a band from Kouvola, will perform an acoustic set. The rock band released their fourth LP, IV, this year. Tickets are €12.
G Livelab Open: Rosita Luu
G Livelab Open is a free concert series showcasing new and captivating Finnish music acts. On 3rd July you can hear from Rosita Luu, an alt-pop duo consisting of singer-songwriter Merita Berg and keyboardist Otso Kauniskangas.
Saturday 4th July
Teknopicnic Open Air
Teknopicnic is a reoccurring party held in Dallapénpuisto in Vallila. Come to hang out, eat food, and listen to musical performances and DJs. Performing are electronic musician Roberto Rodriguez, techno musician Migu, and several DJs. Free event.
Late’s Bakery Saturday
Vegekauppa Helsinki arranges this event on the first Saturday of every month. Both sweet and savory vegan baked goods will be for sale, with all proceeds going to Tuulispää. Tuulispää is a farm sanctuary in Somero which houses a variety of animals. Free entry.
Gypsy Jazz Evening at Ihana Kahvila
Ihana Kahvila’s Sompasaari location takes us back to the 1930s with music in the style of Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grapelli. The musicians performing are Tomi Kettunen, Antti Korhola, Javier Sanchez, and Otto Porkkala. The will of course be room to dance! Free event.
Sunday 5th July
KesäKino: Parasite
Kino Engel, a cinema in Torikorttelit near Senate Square, brings the Academy Award-winning South Korean film Parasite to Helsinki. This screening includes English subtitles. Tickets are €18.
Tuesday 7th – Sunday 19th July
Loukko’s Summer Exhibition
Subcultural center Loukko presents a group art exhibition featuring work by nine artists, all of whom contribute to keeping Loukko running. There will be a variety of work by both established artists and those who are exhibiting for the first time. Free event.
Tuesday 7th July
Cycle tour of Laajasalo
Laajasalo is the largest island in the Helsinki archipelago and, like the city at large, cycling is a great way to explore it. This guided tour will expose you to nature, architecture, history, notable locals, and more interesting facts about the island. Free event.
Impro in the Park
Impro Helsinki School invites anyone interested in improvisational theatre to this event. It will take place outside near the school in Töölö. All experience levels are welcome to this free event!
Wednesday 8th July
Opening: Helsinki Photo Festival
The city-wide Helsinki Photo Festival’s central location is Kansallismuseo, the Nation Museum of Finland. The opening of the festival will feature music from TIMO Brass Band and DJ Bunuel as well as a speech from the festival’s artistic director. Free event.
Sunday 12th July
Ullanlinna & Punavuori Yard Sale
Vuorimeihenpuistikko in the chic Punavuori neighborhood is the location for this open yard sale/flea market. There is no central organizer of the event, so all are free to come and sell their own items and find new treasures to take home.
Saturday 18th July
Joni Ekman & Siivet at Bar Loose
Bar Loose once again opens its stage to live music. This time it’s Joni Ekman and his band Siivet, who will be performing songs from their new album. The album, Sinulle…, was released earlier this year. Ticket prices TBA.
Sunday 19th July
Kallio Zigzag: the Kallio walking tour in English
Kallio is a trendy and popular neighborhood in Helsinki, and this walking tour will introduce you to why. Find out about Kallio’s history, including social movements, art, and architecture, and see sights such as parks, cafes, and restaurants. The event is free, but you must register beforehand.
Thursday 23rd July
Erja Lyytinen Acoustic Trio
Erja Lyytinen has been called the queen of Finnish blues music; a title that has been solidified by international acclaim and awards. She combines old and new blues into her sound, which she will showcase at G Live Lab alongside a trio of musicians. Tickets are €39.
Ongoing in July
Fragmentos
This art show, hosted by the yoga studio and art gallery OM UP, is a collaboration between four artists. Ana Gutieszca, Rosamaría Bolom, Ulla Prami, and Jaime Culebro present neo-surrealistic graphite drawings, collages, and photographs. This free event will run from Thusday 4th June – Thursday 30th July.
G-Rex x Pasila
The street art guild G-Rex is bringing Helsinki’s vibrant street art scene indoors to Pasila Urban Art Center, where eight artists will showcase their work. Make time to wander around Pasila and see the numerous street art paintings while you’re there! Free event held for the duration of July.
Joonas Hyvönen: God’s Flat Earth Is Drowning
Joonas Hyvönen’s immersive artwork will be displayed in the central library Oodi’s Kuutio (Cube) space. The work is inspired by video games and uses a game engine to create unique experiences. The subject of the work is climate change and speculations of the future. Free event from Friday 3rd – Wednesday 29th July.
Elling
Suomenlinna – Finland’s old sea fortress – houses many cultural attractions today, including a theatre. This summer the theatre company is performing Elling, a slice-of-life comedy about friendship and getting through everyday struggles. Regular ticket prices are €40. Event starts Monday 13th July and will continue until September.
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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