Christmas Markets in Helsinki, Finland

Shop for Wood Artifacts, Luxuriously Warm Sweaters, and Good Food

Oct 18, 2008 Mari Nicholson

After visiting Santa Claus in Lapland, complete the Christmas shopping in one of Helsinki, Finland's great Christmas Markets while sipping mulled wine or a warm schnapps.

After a trip to meet Santa Clause in Rovaniemi, Finland, there is usually time for a spot of shopping. A stop off at Helsinki, one of Europe’s most modern cities, is the ideal way to indulge in a litte Christmas retail therapy. Helsinki’s Christmas Markets are often overlooked, yet they are among the very best in Europe, and Finland's capital offers an intriguing history stretching back over nearly 500 years.

In Helsinki's compact streets and bustling market squares filled with cafés and restaurants, there are also alternatives on offer for those who want a change from the spend, spend, spend routine, and a concert in the famous Rock Church, quarried out of natural bedrock, can be especially recommended.

What to Buy in Helsinki’s Christmas Markets

Alongside smaller items in the handicraft range will be found larger items like sledges, furs, skis and ice skates, some great hats to ward off the cold of the Finnish winter, warm woolen mittens and furry gloves.

What Food to Buy in Finland’s Helsinki Christmas Markets

In he food line will be fried herrings, grilled sausages and delicious cream pastries (not always a good combination, especially if washed down with the Schnapps which is the national accompaniment to all foods). Even the mulled wine will be fortified with a dash of vodka. Salmons, wild boar and hare, venison and pheasant pâtés will all the found at the Old Market Hall.

Top Market In Helsinki, Finland – St. Thomas’ Christmas Market

Laid out in Esplanade Park, will be over 120 stalls filled with Finnish festive goods – especially handicrafts. Restaurants to suit every pocket and enough galleries and high-end hotels to satisfy the most discerning of visitors, can be found the brilliant St. Thomas Christmas Market.

Women’s Christmas Market in Helsinki, Finland.

The women’s Christmas Market is held each year in Wanha Satama in the Katajanokka district (near the city centre). Started in 1922 by the Finnish Feminist Association to encourage women to earn some money for themselves, the tradition was taken up in 1979 by the Women’s Cultural Association which continues it today.

It is a showcase for the exquisite goods designed and made by the women of Finland. Knitted goods, jewellery, carpets, leather and wood products, ceramics, toys, savouries and sweets are the most popular items to be found here.

Christmas Market in Old Student House in Helsinki, Finland.

This smaller market from middle to late December has nearly 200 sellers offering handicrafts ranging from candles to ceramics, with clothes stalls, knitted goods and cards, making up a great deal of the items on sale.

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