The longest day of the year

This weekend is Juhannus. Finns celebrate Midsummer, the longest day of the year. Most companies will shut down earlier on Thursday already and most people will get into the car and drive to their summer cottages with their family or friends and spend the weekend or longer there. Friday is a free day for most and since almost everyone will be in their mökkis Juhannus is the most empties and quiet day of the year in Helsinki.

Most important concerning that for you is that this weekend you can’t rely on any services that you are normally used to. Shops will be closed for the whole weekend. Most will already shut down earlier on Friday (e.g. Alko is open till 12). So get whatever you need for the weekend possibly already on Thursday. Also don’t hope for normal operating public transport on the weekend. Since Juhannus is also about drinking (like every holiday in Finland) driving a car is also out of question. So take the bike, the taxi or keep the distances short and walk.

If you can’t get hold of any of your Finnish friends for the weekend because they already escaped, consider going to Seurasaari where you can experience the traditional Finnish Juhannus celebration with its big bonfires, dance, music and much more. The entrance is 15 € (free for kids).

Enjoy the weekend and hyvää juhannusta!