Baltic Sea Festival
Come and celebrate Baltic Sea Day at Kansalaistori, Finlandia Hall, Oodi and Musiikkitalo. The free Baltic Sea Festival offers experiences for all ages: the programme includes a film screening, music, Baltic Sea-friendly delicacies, games, workshops and lots of interesting information about our beloved home sea. At the Baltic Sea Festival’s shore point on the Pakkahuoneen pier, you can visit the marine research vessel R/V Aranda, the rescue cruiser Jenny Wihuri and the diving support vessel DSV Stella, which will host exciting diving demonstrations!
When? Thursday 28.8. from 12 to 19 pm
Where? Kansalaistori Square, Finlandia House, Little Finlandia, Oodi, Music House and Pakkahuone Quay
Programme updates will be published in June.
Enjoy a delicious meal
Bamilami food truck
Come celebrate Baltic Sea Day with a delicious banh mi from Bamilami! This traditional Vietnamese street food gets a sustainable Baltic Sea twist—without compromising on flavor. Our food truck, voted one of Finland’s top three lunch spots in 2024, serves up fresh-made vegan baguettes on the spot. Find us at Kansalaistori on Baltic Sea Day from 12 to 19 — enjoy great food and join us in supporting the Baltic Sea!
Patisserie Teemu Auran Pullabiili
Patisserie Teemu Aura’s Pullabiili is a charming pink café van loaded with fresh delicacies from the artisan bakery and confectionery. The super-popular Pullabiili loops around the capital during the summer, bringing sweet joy wherever you park. Our heart beats for creative craftsmanship – our breads, buns, cakes and pastries are baked with a big heart and uncompromising craftsmanship. Pullabiili will we parked at Kansalaistori from 12 to 19. Let’s bake the world a better place!
Oodi’s restaurant Food & Co
A Baltic Sea-friendly lunch celebrates Baltic Sea Day and the best flavours of the season. The menu includes cauliflower soup, herring steaks, roasted root vegetables and a salad bar bursting with seasonal vegetables. Baltic fish and a focus on vegetables are good for you and the sea! Lunch from 11.00-14.30 on the 1st floor of Oodi. Lunch costs 13,70 €.
Finlandia Cafe&Wine
Come and enjoy the views of Töölönlahti Bay on the terrace of our new wine café. Our Baltic Sea-friendly lunch is served from 11 am to 2 pm at Mannerheimintie 13 E. Lunch costs €14.70.
Pikku-Finlandia Cafe&Wine
Welcome to the Baltic Sea lunch at Pikku-Finlandia. Come and enjoy good food and admire the wooden architecture of Pikku-Finlandia before the building is put to other uses. Lunch will be served from 11-14 at Karamzininranta 4. Lunch costs €13.70.
Oodi
Film screening; Takaisin – Paluu menetettyyn Suursaareen
How can you miss a place you’ve never been to? Titta Tommila’s roots are in Suursaari, an island on the horizon but now part of Russia. Titta feels a strong longing for the island, even though she has never been there. In the documentary, she talks to Karin Pirkkalainen, 70 years her senior, who remembers her childhood on Suursaari before the war. Modern technology can enable Titta to access the lost Suursaari. The documentary follows Titta’s journey both to herself, her roots and to the virtual reality that brings to life what has been lost forever.
The film is open to all and lasts 55 minutes. The free screening will take place on the 1st floor of Oodi in Kino Regina from 15.30-16.25. Seats cannot be reserved and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Bookmark workshop with laser cutter
Come and learn how the Oodi laser cutter works in a workshop open to all on the 2nd floor of the Oodi at 17.00-19.00. In this workshop you will make nautical bookmarks from 1 mm birch plywood. You will see how the cutter works and how to prepare the work for the cutter. The workshop is open to all and free of charge.
Performance by the Elegia Women’s Choir
The Elegia Women’s Choir invites you to take a breather from the sea, the wind and the silence. Come and enjoy the music on the south end of the 3rd floor of the Oodi at 18.00. The performance lasts about 20 minutes. Free admission.
Pikku-Finlandia
Töölönlahti Jazz
Enjoy live music on the summer terrace of Pikku-Finlandia. Töölönlahti Jazz features the captivating Susanna Aleksandra from 18-20. The Estonian-born singer is known for her versatile voice and expressive storytelling. The barbecue is hot from 16-20. Free entry.
Musiikkitalo
Musiikkitalo from the basement to the roof tour
Do you remember when the Music House was built? Want to see what it looked like on the building site of the music mecca? Did you know that the Music House has a solar power plant on the roof? The tour follows the history of the building and its construction up to the present day. You will also learn about the environmental solutions that have been implemented in the building. This tour reveals almost all of the Music House, from the basement to the rooftop views. Tours are subject to a fee and must be booked in advance. The tour is not accessible. Please register for the tour starting at 13.30 or 16.00. The tour lasts about 1.5 h.
Kansalaistori Square
Warming sea, dwindling wrecks
Finnish Maritime Archaeological Society
Warming and eutrophication of the Baltic Sea is accelerating the destruction of underwater cultural heritage, such as wrecks. Come and hear what kind of wrecks are floating on the bottom of the Baltic Sea and how these treasures can be studied and protected. At 12, 14, 16 and 18 you can watch a live broadcast from beneath the surface of the Baltic Sea and chat with the divers who wander underwater!
Eutrophication
John Nurminen Foundation
Why is the Baltic Sea in a bad way and why does its unique nature deserve protection? Come and find out what eutrophication is and what causes it. Play our puzzle game and find out the main causes of eutrophication.
Vesi vanhin voitehista
John Nurminen Foundation’s online store by Baltic Sea Services
Come and discover the fascinating stories behind water-related sayings. You can also do some maritime shopping – books and clothes from the John Nurminen Foundation are on sale.
Marine Nature Restoration
Biodiversity LIFE IP
Hey, Baltic Sea – there is hope! Come and hear about all the good that is being done for our beloved Baltic Sea through restoration! In our tent, you can take a peek into the aquarium and get up close and personal with the species of the Baltic Sea. Do you know what a grey seal chattering sounds like? Sit back, relax and listen to the underwater sounds. Play a fun board game called Treasures of the Sea and admire a stunning photo exhibition that will take you to the pearls of the seabed!
Treasures of the sea
Velmu, Underwater Marine Biodiversity Inventory Programme
Our beautiful Baltic Sea is home to a huge number of unique species: have you heard of the sea lamprey, for example? But what on earth is this habitat? Visit our tent to find out! There’s more than just plants and animals under the surface: come and explore the mysterious sediment pile. And dare to spin the wheel of fortune? Every spin is rewarded! You can also send a letter to the Baltic Sea and enter a prize draw for the Treasures of the Sea book.
Sewer etiquette
Helsinki Region Environmental Services HSY
Come and play for HSY’s poop basket! The game teaches you through play what you can put in the sewer and how to sort waste. The player’s task is to find the right place for the waste generated in the toilet and kitchen and throw it there. Of course, there’s play doo-doo and play pee! The game can be played in a small team or alone.💩
Sortti-container for hazardous waste
Helsinki Region Environmental Services HSY
Throughout the Baltic Sea Festival, there will be a Sortti-container at the square where you can bring hazardous waste free of charge. More detailed instructions on the waste to be accepted can be found on HSY’s hazardous waste website. There will also be advice on how to sort hazardous waste.
Protecting the sea from the land
Vantaanjoen ja Helsingin seudun vesiensuojeluyhdistys ry and the City of Vantaa
Welcome to hear how citizens can improve the condition of their local water bodies through their own actions. Come and take a microscopic look at the inhabitants of the rivers and ditches in the catchment area. The point will present the catchment area of the Vantaa River and the importance of the Vantaa River for the Baltic Sea. Experts will answer questions about the water and pollution of the Vantaa River, recreational use, fishing, PFAS or anything else that concerns you.
Littering
The City of Helsinki, Pidä Saaristo Siistinä ry
Come and say hello to Tuula and Börje, the seagulls of the Litter-free Helsinki campaign. There will also be a photobooth platform where you can take a photo with the seagull. The photo props will include litter-related signs in different languages. At the Pidä Saaristo Siistinä Association’s tent you can test your dexterity with a pair of garbage tongs. Can you put plastic or glass in the right basket and correctly guess the time it takes them to break down when they get into the water? Stickers and tattoos as prizes for the little ones in the family. You’ll also get good advice on how to organise a Clean Beach Clean-up, and you can buy Scrooge products to take home!
Citizen Science
Rotary District 1420
Come and find out how Rotarians and the Finnish Environment Institute are working together on citizen science! We will present blue-green algae monitoring, a free water backpack for schools and research on marine litter. Can you guess how long it takes for litter to decompose in water? We’ll also tell you about international environmental networks and about the Herring Farm and Pattaya, where you can sign up to take part.
Children’s Baltic Sea
Play Park Loru, Tallink Silja Line
Play Park Loru and Tallink Silja Line organise a maritime programme for children of all ages. Loru’s music sessions at 12.00-12.30 and 14.00-14.30 invite you to sing, play and immerse yourself in the world of music. Craft sessions and face painting at 13.00-13.45 and 15.00-15.45 will take children on a creative journey. Tallink Silja Line’s ever-popular mascot Harri Hylje will be on hand from 12-19 pm on the hour. Come and say hello to Harri and take some fun photos with a friend at the photo booth!
Responsible boating
Ocean Ladies ry
Welcome to find out what new projects Ocean Ladies is working on in the field of responsible boating. We will also tell you how everyone can boat more responsibly. Of course, there will also be plenty of red-shirted Ocean Ladies in attendance.
Talk about the sea
Radio Helsinki
Radio Helsinki will broadcast live from 13.00-16.00! Come and listen to interesting interviews on maritime themes and enjoy the music, including water-themed songs. The broadcast will be hosted by Laura Friman.
Nuorten Itämeri-karnevaalikulkue
Luontoliitto, John Nurmisen Säätiö
The Baltic Sea Carnival Parade for Children and Young People is a voice for a diverse Baltic Sea. The procession will leave from the bend of the People’s Square at 13.30 and return to the area at around 14.30.Come and admire the maritime carnival fun or register your school class
Pakkahuone Quay
Diving support vessel DSV Stella
Finnish Maritime Archaeological Society
Welcome to visit the flagship of the Finnish Maritime Archaeological Society, DSV Stella! Come and admire the submersible’s gadgets, such as a diving hunter, and hear stories about wrecks and the work of marine archaeologists. At 12, 14, 16 and 18 we will be holding a diving demonstration, which can be followed via an underwater camera robot.
R/V Aranda
Finnish Environment Institute Syke, Harakka Nature Centre
The research vessel Aranda presents the Baltic Sea environment, marine research and of course the ship itself. Children are welcome on board the Aranda with a supervising adult, but it is not safe to travel on board with children of lap age. For safety reasons, we do not accept kindergarten groups or other groups of children on board the Aranda.
Rescue cruiser Jenny Wihuri
Sea Rescue Association – Meripelastusserua
The flagship of the Sea Rescue Association, the rescue cruiser Jenny Wihuri is open to the public all day. On board you can practise tying knots and putting on life jackets correctly. Volunteer lifeguards will tell you about their activities and how to become a lifeguard.
Carbon Neutral Port – Tent
Port of Helsinki Ltd
Welcome to learn more about our operations: how a merchant port takes into account environmental issues and the Baltic Sea. For families, children, assembling a table puzzle and a port-themed board with magnets to put in place.
