Looking for things to do in Helsinki this week (31st August to 6th September 2026)? We’ve rounded up the city’s best events and activities for every day of the week. Whether you’re into live music, exhibitions, festivals or simply making the most of summer in the city, you’ll find plenty of inspiration here.
If you’re in the mood for theatre, it’s worth getting tickets for Helsinki City Theatre’s hit musical & Julia, packed with early-2000s pop bangers that will be stuck in your head long after the curtain comes down. The show is performed in Finnish, but the songs are guaranteed to be familiar, and subtitles can be followed on your phone via the theatre’s app.
The final day of August brings rock legends AC/DC to Allas Live – well, almost. Australia’s Airbourne sound uncannily like their famous compatriots, while delivering a catalogue of original songs packed with infectious riffs and relentless energy.
Tickets: Airbourne €58.
The autumn season at the Finnish National Opera and Ballet opens with the return of Swan Lake, back on stage after a break of a few years. One of the best-loved and most famous ballets in the world, it is something everyone should see at least once – or preferably several times – in their lifetime. The run begins on 21 August and continues until 11 September. In October, Swan Lake also returns to Helsinki in a guest production by the British Festival Ballet at Finlandia Hall on 23–24 October.
Tickets €31–130.
Habitare brings the latest in Nordic design, interiors and living back to Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre from 2–6 September. Expect themed areas, exhibitions, panel discussions and interviews. The Habitare Protos exhibition, for example, showcases some of the brightest ideas from young designers, while the winner of Habitare’s annual design competition will once again be announced during the fair.
Adult tickets €20–23.
The city’s architecture festival Open House Helsinki, running from 3–6 September, opens the doors to fascinating homes, studios and architecturally significant spaces that are normally off limits to the public. This year’s main theme is architectural competitions, and many of the locations featured are buildings that began life as competition entries. You can find the full programme and participating sites here. Sign up for tours as soon as you can, as many fill up quickly.
Tours and events are free of charge.
An English-language evening of gloriously over-the-top 19th-century melodrama, featuring The Terror of London and East Lynne. The performances come from NoName Theatre, Helsinki’s only English-language theatre company. Great choice for anyone in the mood for something a little eccentric, camp and unapologetically theatrical.
After a ten-year break, the Finnish Graffiti Championships return on Saturday, bringing together ten of Finland’s best graffiti artists. You can watch them at work outside Konepaja at Teollisuuskatu 16 from noon to 6pm, with the winners chosen jointly by the public and a jury.
Another street-culture title will be decided on the same day, as the Finnish Skateboarding Championships take place at Savela Skatepark.
Both events are free and open to all ages.
Camera enthusiasts, head east to Marjaniemi. On Sunday, Ivana Helsinki House hosts a large camera flea market from noon to 3pm, with affordable film and vintage cameras on sale. Even if you are only browsing, it is also a rare chance to have a look around the striking studio house and its architecture.
While you are in eastern Helsinki, you can also stop by the family-friendly Herttoniemi Village Festival at Herttoniemi Sports Park.
Free entry.
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