Senate Square
Embrace the magic of Christmas in Helsinki on a private walking tour, where you'll discover festive lights, markets, & Finnish traditions with a local guide.
The festive season is a truly special time in Helsinki, with the shorter days leaving the streets aglow with twinkling Christmas lights. The city centre is adorned with beautiful decorations and the rustic wooden stalls of Christmas Markets where you’ll find Finnish handicrafts, Christmas decorations, aromatic glögi mulled wine, gingerbread, and a whole host of other yuletide treats. The main Helsinki Christmas Market has been taking place in Senate Square since the 1800s, and is particularly lovely all lit up with the iconic white facade of Helsinki Cathedral in the background. Our private Christmas-themed walking tour allows you to experience the historic heart of Helsinki at the most wonderful time of the year, learning all about Finnish holiday traditions along the way.
On your private 2-hour walking tour, you will:
Experience the magic of Helsinki at Christmas time on an enchanting private after-sunset walking tour that reveals the Finnish capital at its most atmospheric. With your local guide leading the way, you’ll discover the heart of the city aglow under thousands of twinkling lights, while learning about the time-honoured traditions that are key elements of Christmas in Finland. The evening begins at an emblematic spot in the historic centre, where the soft glow of nearby decorations marks the start of your festive adventure. From there, you’ll stroll through the Esplanadi Park, transformed for the season into a sparkling promenade of lights and evergreens. Your guide will share stories of how Helsinki celebrates the holidays, from Saint Lucia processions to Finnish family customs, explaining how they are influenced by (or differ from) other Nordic countries.
At the Kauppatori (Market Square), you’ll pause to admire views of the harbour and hear about the seasonal events that bring this waterfront alive each winter. The scent of roasted almonds and spiced drinks often drifts through the crisp air, adding to the festive charm. Next, you’ll follow Aleksanterinkatu Street, Helsinki’s famous shopping boulevard, which each year becomes Joulukatu, the city’s designated “Christmas Street”. Beneath its glittering canopy of lights, you’ll admire the whimsical window displays and hear about how this tradition began in the 1940s as a way to bring joy to the dark Finnish winter. The highlight for many is the grand Stockmann department store, whose themed display has captivated generations of locals and visitors alike.
Your walk culminates in Senate Square, where the neoclassical buildings designed by Carl Ludvig Engel form a majestic backdrop to the city’s main Christmas Market. Here, the scent of gingerbread and pine fills the air as you wander past wooden stalls offering handmade crafts and traditional delicacies. No festive tour would be complete without a tasty treat, so you’ll warm up with a steaming cup of glögi (Finnish mulled wine) paired with a sweet joulutorttu, the star-shaped Christmas pastry found in every Finnish home during the holidays.
Before your tour concludes, your guide will share insider tips on where to find the best local handicrafts, decorations, and other seasonal delights so you can continue exploring on your own. Whether it’s your first visit to Finland or you’re returning to experience its winter magic, this intimate evening tour is brimming with cosy Nordic cheer, making sure you uncover Helsinki’s holiday spirit in all its glory.
Do not worry, we have you covered with our flexible cancellation terms.
Travel like a VIP, avoid crowds, and unnecessary queues.
Bespoke local tours handcrafted for you by our global travel specialists
All guides are handpicked, trained and licensed to ensure you are immersed in the local culture
Discover the best of Helsinki through its history, architecture and culture on a private half-day walking tour with tickets to Helsinki and Uspenski Cathedrals.
Delve into the remarkable architecture of Helsinki, a UNESCO Creative City of Design, on a private half-day walking tour of the city's most iconic buildings.
Get acquainted with Helsinki on this private introductory walking tour with a local guide, showing off iconic landmarks like Senate Square & Helsinki Cathedral.
Immerse yourself in the history & culture of Helsinki on this private full-day walking tour, including the Cathedral, Rock Church & tickets to the SkyWheel.
Embrace the magic of Christmas in Helsinki on a private walking tour, where you'll discover festive lights, markets, & Finnish traditions with a local guide.
Spend a day exploring the historic town of Porvoo on this private scenic excursion from Helsinki with a local guide and round-trip bus tickets included.
Join the fastest growing community of professional tour guides.
Use our easy to integrate toolset to include Tours & Attractions in your customer journey.