Helsinki is getting a brand-new Christmas market as the Kukontori Christmas Market takes over the upper-level inner courtyard of Forum from 1–21 December 2025. For three weeks, you can expect inventive crafts and the freshest flavours from Helsinki’s food scene. The market is open on weekdays 4PM to 8PM and on weekends 11AM to 7PM. At weekends, the market also spills onto the neighbouring Yrjönkäytävä, which transforms into a cosy Christmas walkway for lovers of art and design.
The food offerings at the Kukontori Christmas Market are especially exciting. One highlight is Pâtisserie Pihlström, launched by chef and musician Julia Pihlström. It follows on from her summer pastry pop-up at Helsinki Coffee Roastery. Expect French rice pudding riz-au-lait as well as beautifully crafted, inventive pastries that blend French baking traditions with Finnish flavours.
Puurobaari by N4KU promises to reinvent Christmas traditions one warm bowl at a time. Chef Valtteri Sinkkonen’s porridges feature flavours from the forests and surprising combinations of sweet and savoury.
Kukontori will also be joined by Brera, known for its classic kiosk and its new restaurant, bringing a touch of Italian café culture to the market.
Yeastie Boi, meanwhile, brings a slice of New York with its bagels. For more traditional Finnish Christmas vibes, Eromanga bakery is on hand – they’ve been making their classic meat pies since 1946.
Asian flavours arrive courtesy of Bamilami, beloved for its food truck, and Rikiyaki, which serves takoyaki balls. Although its Hakaniemi food stall has closed, the story continues at least through the Christmas season.
Art and design at weekends
The adjacent Yrjönkäytävä is filled with art, crafts and design on the December weekends. On each of the three weekends, a different collective will host its own market.
On the first weekend (5–7 December), the artists’ association Kolmas Kerros ry showcases works by its members, while the second weekend (12–14 December) is curated by Taiteilijat O.
The third weekend (19–21 December) sees Startup Refugees bring items crafted by refugees and immigrants: handmade jewellery, candles, postcards and art objects.
You can reach Kukontori via Yrjönkadun Yrjönkäytävä or from the Mannerheimintie side through Forum’s third floor.