7 things to do in Finland to beat the winter blues

January 4–9
Follow the recommended route or wonder around the city aimlessly and admire the luminous artworks. The installations of the LUX Helsinki light festival transform locations around the city centre with unimaginable colour schemes and outlandish ideas. Altogether the festival presents about 30 works of light art. Temperatures may drop well below zero so be sure to dress warmly.

January 5–6
From super-cool vintage clothing to design furniture classics and retro kitsch, the Helsinki Retro and Vintage Design Expo is your best bet to score some fabulous finds. The vast choice of goodies on offer caters to every conceivable taste and even includes Swedish, Estonian, and Danish products from the 1920s to the 1980s. Immerse yourself in nostalgia at the Helsinki Cable Factory.

January 5–6
From super-cool vintage clothing to design furniture classics and retro kitsch, the Helsinki Retro and Vintage Design Expo is your best bet to score some fabulous finds. The vast choice of goodies on offer caters to every conceivable taste and even includes Swedish, Estonian, and Danish products from the 1920s to the 1980s. Immerse yourself in nostalgia at the Helsinki Cable Factory.

January 11–13
It’s no wonder there’s a growing thirst for craft beer worldwide: microbreweries imbue a pint with the kind of art and devotion that you may still recall the next day. The Craft Beer Winter Wonderland brings together a fascinating selection of microbreweries from several European countries. This tasty festival is held at the Korjaamo Culture Factory, a historical tram depot in Helsinki. So, treat yourself to a beer or five and enjoy the great atmosphere and delicious food pairings.

January 18–19
Feeling a bit forlorn? There’s nothing like a heavy metal festival to cheer up a cold and dreary winter weekend. The JKL Metal Festival at Jyväskylä’s legendary live music venue Lutakko Sali will lift your spirits with a line-up of metallic flavours – emerging, renowned, dark – including bands such as MyGrain, Ajattara, and Medeia.

Throughout January
Helsinki oozes limitless design inspiration, so it can be a bit tricky to know where to start. Fear not – the Design Walk is a guided tour through Helsinki’s design district and iconic Finnish brands. You can also meet fresh faces from the local design scene with different perspectives on Finnish design. On Saturdays, the Design Walk is in English. Reserve in advance.

Throughout January
Listen to the snow crackle under your snowshoes. Enjoy a warm drink by a campfire. Relax and unwind in the magic of Finland’s winter nature. Nuuksio National Park offers breathtaking views and unforgettable experiences within easy reach of Helsinki. Their winter tours are also organised in English.