Christmas in Helsinki begins when the lights are turned on along the street Aleksanterinkatu on the 24th of November, a traditional start to the Christmas Season and to serious Christmas shopping for those so inclined….24 November 2013 was the 64th year in a row for these lights. Shopkeepers along Aleksanterinkatu initiated the tradition back in 1949 in order to bring light and hope to the city’s residents, who were still recovering from the Second World War. Over the years the event has come to signify the opening of the Christmas season and is even attended by Santa Claus, who arrives from Lapland to greet children (and also his older fans).
Stockman’s of course is a good place to start your Christmas Shopping in Helsinki
…the traditional Christmas window display at Stockmann’s department store is unveiled on the same day, having been a familiar part of the Christmas in Helsinki for over 60 years.
Later in the day, it gets a little darker. The winter days are short and darkness sets in early….
So of course does the winter snow…..
…and speaking of snow…
But there’s always somewhere warm for a snack or a hot drink
The glow from an ironsmith’s furnace in St. Thomas’ Market, Helsinki. He’s making wrought iron souvenirs for tourists and visitors.
The traditional Lucia Parade on 13 December is a festival of light during the darkest time of the year. Each year a young maiden is selected to represent Saint Lucia, receiving her crown of candles at Helsinki Cathedral before descending the steps to Senate Square. The Lucia Parade begins at 6pm and continues down Aleksanterinkatu where you can catch a glimpse of Lucia along with Christmas elves, horses and historic cars. Originally a Swedish festival, it’s now a Finnish tradition of many years standing.
There’s also the festivities outside the Senate in the Senate Square
Which otherwise looks like this….
Or indeed like this.
And the harbour in winter can look rather beautiful as well…..
Christmas is usually a quiet family celebration, so people make the most of pikkujoulu – ‘little Christmas’ – during which they party in bars and restaurants. The mercury may plunge below minus 10 Celsius (OK, not that cold for a Canadian), but the mood is one of warm conviviality. And even when temperatures plummet, shops and restaurants emit a welcoming glow and Finnish buildings are famously equipped to expel the harshest frost. And a glass of Gluhwein is certainly going to help…
Or of your prefer, there’s hot Glogi, a traditional Christmas drink made from spiced wine, a sprinking of raisins and almonds and sometimes also a dash of vodka. You’ll find this served everywhere over the Christmas season.
And finding somewhere comfortable to stay after a hard day’s Christmas shopping, eating and drinking isn’t hard. The Hotel Kamp for one (although no bargain) is a great place to stay for a short vacation over Christmas in Helsinki.
And we should all pay our respects at the Helsinki cemetery where so many soldiers who fought and died to ensure Finland remained a free and independent country are buried.
And finally, a rendition of Jouluyö, Juhlayö (Silent Night, Holy Night) from Finland’s incomparable Tarja Turunen.
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