What to do in Helsinki in June: check out the month’s top tips!

Haltiala Farm reopens at the beginning of June under new ownership. On opening day, the café launches its summer season, and visitors can of course also stop by to meet the animals, including the alpacas arriving at the farm at the end of May. There’ll also be a wheel of fortune and free samples of Lännentila rye bread up for grabs. Several food trucks are planned for the revamped courtyard this summer, alongside facilities for quad bike rides and mini golf. For the latest updates on the opening celebrations, head to Lännentila’s social media channels.

Early June is the perfect time to admire the rhododendrons, as they usually bloom from late May through to the end of June. Boardwalks winding through the park lead visitors right through the sea of flowers. The park is easy to reach by train, with the journey from the city centre taking only around 20 minutes. It’s the perfect day-trip spot and guaranteed to deliver some stunning photos too!

Entry to the park is free.

URB, the urban art and culture festival produced by Kiasma Theatre, returns for its 27th edition. The programme features a wide range of art events taking place across different venues around Helsinki. On the festival’s opening day, Kiasma Theatre hosts Walk with me, a dance performance blending different art forms, from 18.00–19.00. There’s also the social choreography piece common moves revisited taking place outside Kiasma and at Stoa Square.

Tickets for festival events cost 0–23 euros.

This summer, city residents will once again be dancing their way across the Helsinki region. On 4 June, Teurastamo hosts a waltz session, with dancing continuing there every Thursday throughout the summer from 17.30–18.15. In addition to Teurastamo, dance sessions are held almost daily from Tapiola all the way to Vuosaari. You can join with or without a partner. Classes are led by dance teachers from Tanssiteatteri Tsuumi. Check out all teaching locations and schedules here.

Dance classes are free of charge and no advance registration is required.

Helsinki Stand-Up League (HSL) hosts open mic stand-up nights at Lazy Fox in Kamppi on the first Friday of every month. Aimed at women and LGBTQ+ comedians, the event offers a low-threshold stage where both seasoned performers and total newcomers can try out their material. On Friday June 5, the club night takes on a Pride theme. Comedians perform in English.

Free entry. Voluntary donations are welcome.

On the same day, Kino Tapiola screens a special 25th anniversary showing of the beloved Amélie. Expect plenty of dreamy Amélie-style atmosphere!

The free early summer festival You X takes over Suvilahti in June. The event brings together music, visual art and a wide range of other cultural programming. Performers include Edicti, Alma Alanko, MEIK and SANE, alongside DJ sets, a live podcast and more. The live podcast is hosted by Jäbät ja tunteet.

The festival area also features market stalls plus food and drink offerings. Leikkiklubi will be on site too, bringing playful programming for adults. The festival is produced by a group of young adults who have taken part in the City of Helsinki’s Helsinki Event School programme. The event is strictly over-18s.

You X runs from 17.00–01.00.

Also on Saturday, IISI Vallisaari opens for the summer season with wine tastings and an opening party in a stunning island setting. At the same time, the multidisciplinary arts festival Outsiders Fest takes over Lasipalatsi Square.

This summer, visitors to Kumpula Botanic Garden can explore the world of plants either with a guide or at their own pace. The one-hour guided tours dive into the history of the Kumpula garden and the fascinating world of plants. Tours take place on Saturdays and Sundays at 12.00 and 14.00.

Admission costs 7 euros, reduced tickets 5 euros, and student or child tickets (ages 5–18) 4 euros. Guided tours are included in the ticket price and no advance registration is required.

Helsinki is full of charming villas packed with fascinating local history. Many of them also house cosy cafés. You could, for example, visit the newly renovated Aino Ackté Villa in Tullisaari, whose café opened on Mother’s Day. At Villa Humlevik, the former Paulig villa that reopened in March, Café Bertha and its park terrace serve visitors at street level. And right by the city centre on the shores of Töölönlahti, you’ll find the much-loved Sinisen Huvilan Kahvila, with a terrace offering gorgeous views.

Check opening hours on the villas’ and cafés’ websites and social media channels.

Daily guided tours take place inside the iconic Clock Tower at Helsinki Central Railway Station. Tours begin at 17.00. At the top of the stairs, the observation deck opens up to breathtaking views across the rooftops of Helsinki. The Clock Tower also hosts brewery visits and a range of special events, including a cabaret-themed Show & Dinner evening on 13 June.

Tickets for the tour start at 24 euros. The tour lasts one hour. Children under 15 can join the tour when accompanied by an adult.

Håkansböle Manor Museum in Vantaa celebrates its opening from 10–14 June. Guided tours begin on Wednesday June 10, while the manor’s main building unveils a permanent exhibition, a themed exhibition and a museum shop. There’ll also be a royal picnic in the park. The opening week programme continues throughout the week in the manor grounds, with history-themed experiences, music, guided tours and games on offer. The manor’s café-restaurant Håkans is open daily from 10.30–19.00.

Public guided tours and the park programme are free of charge, while tickets to the manor museum are half price during opening week. Standard tickets cost 16 euros for adults and 8 euros for reduced tickets. Under-18s enter the museum free of charge. The outbuildings can be visited for free.