Must-see entertainment in Finland

  • Musiikkitalo

    Helsinki

    Home to the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra and Sibelius Academy, the glass- and copper-fronted Helsinki Music Centre,…

  • Telakka

    Tampere

    Comics and musicians regularly take to the stage at this much-loved venue, which attracts arty, hip and fun-loving locals of every age. Drinkers and…

  • Alvar Aalto's Finlandia Hall, Helsinki

    Finlandia Talo

    Helsinki

    Designed by Alvar Aalto, this 1971 concert hall in angular white marble is one of Helsinki's landmark buildings. It received its congress wing in 1975 and…

  • Orion Theatre

    Helsinki

    Opened in 1927, this gorgeous art-deco cinema with chequerboard tiles has 216 plush red seats. It shows classics from the Finnish Film Archive through to…

  • Monk

    Turku

    Intimate venue for live jazz, funk and Latin.

  • Storyville

    Helsinki

    Helsinki’s number-one jazz club attracts a refined older crowd swinging to boogie woogie, trad jazz, Dixieland and New Orleans most nights. As well as the…

  • Telia 5G Arena

    Helsinki

    Next to the Olympic Stadium, this 10,770-seat arena is the home ground of Helsinki's football (aka soccer) team, HJK (Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi). The team…

  • Oopperatalo

    Helsinki

    From mid-August to May, opera, ballet and classical concerts are staged at Helsinki's opera house, set in landscaped parkland next to Töölönlahti bay…

  • Kansallisteatteri

    Helsinki

    The Finnish National Theatre was founded in 1872 as the country's first Finnish-speaking theatre, but didn't move into its permanent home until 1902. The…

  • Tavastia

    Helsinki

    One of Helsinki’s legendary rock venues, going strong since 1970, Tavastia attracts both up-and-coming local acts and bigger international groups, with a…

  • Hartwall Arena

    Helsinki

    The best place to see top-level hockey matches is at this arena 4km north of the city centre. It’s the home of Helsinki's Jokerit ('Jesters') team, which…

  • Riviera Cinema

    Helsinki

    This former garage has been transformed into a cinema, complete with a full lobby bar for post-viewing rumination. Relax into plush, red velvet armchairs,…

  • Tampere-Talo

    Tampere

    Classical concerts are held in this modern hall. Performances by Tampere Filharmonia (www.tampere.fi/filharmonia) are on Fridays from September to May. In…

  • Helsingin Jäähalli

    Helsinki

    Helsinki's second, but more central, venue for ice hockey – after the Hartwall Arena – is this arena in the Olympic Stadium complex, with a capacity of…

  • Semifinal

    Helsinki

    Next to Tavastia, this smaller sibling has live music almost nightly, with a focus on up-and-coming Finnish bands. Buy tickets on the website or at the…

  • Paapan Kapakka

    Tampere

    A bit of a Tampere institution, this offers live jazz, blues or swing every evening. The crowd is mostly 30-plus and really gets into it; this can be a…

  • Lappia-talo

    Rovaniemi

    Concerts (mostly classical) and theatre productions (often with an Arctic theme) take place across the three stages of Rovaniemi's Alvar Aalto–designed…

  • Kuhmo-Talo

    Central Finland

    Opened in 1993, Kuhmo's glass-and-steel arts and cultural centre has two halls with a total of 767 seats, and an excellent programme of classical music.

  • Gong

    Turku

    A great variety of Finnish bands play at this hot live-music venue. Also on site is the congenial Toby & Fellas, a convivial karaoke establishment.

  • Kino Olympia

    Turku & Finland's South Coast

    A local treasure dating from 1919, the Olympia is Finland's southernmost cinema.

  • Tennis Palatsi interior.

    FinnKino Tennispalatsi

    Helsinki

    In the Tennispalatsi complex, this cinema screens new releases. Most films are in English.

  • Tampere Ice Stadium

    Tampere

    Tampere's two ice-hockey teams – Ilves and Tappara – are among Finland's best; the city is generally regarded as the Finnish home of the sport. Hakametsä…

  • Kino Engel

    Helsinki

    Year-round, independent, two-screen cinema showing art-house and Finnish indie films. In the warmer months it also mounts open-air kesäkino (summer cinema…

  • Klubi

    Tampere

    This cavernous place, near the train station, is Tampere’s main indoor live-music venue; there are usually several bands playing every week, and big…

  • Casino

    Turku & Finland's South Coast

    An art nouveau beauty overlooking the beach, Hanko's twin-turreted, mint-green-and-white casino is an atmospheric setting for live music, drinking and…

  • Concert Hall

    Turku

    This music hall is the home of the illustrious Turku Philharmonic Orchestra. It's been playing since 1790, when the Musical Society of Turku was founded.

  • Poppari

    The Finnish Lakeland

    This downstairs venue hosts live acts towards the end of each week. Expect tribute bands and soft rock. Check the website for details.

  • Venus

    Turku

    There's something for everyone at this nightlife complex, including live music, danceable grooves and karaoke.

  • Dynamo

    Turku

    Local DJs vie with national bands for a spot on the bill at this central venue. Great outdoor terrace.

  • Tiketti

    Helsinki

    Booking agency Tiketti sells tickets to a variety of live events throughout Helsinki.

  • Niagara

    Tampere

    In the Kehräsaari complex, this cinema shows original-version art-house films daily.

  • Åbo Svenska Teater

    Turku

    Founded in 1839, Finland’s oldest theatre hosts performances in Swedish.

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