Finland - Fall and Winter Calendar of Celebrations

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. September 24, 2009

SEPTEMBER 25, 2009

October - December 2009

Say goodbye to the Finnish summer and its wacky events with the excitement of fall and winter fairs and shows:

Pablo Picasso exhibition at Ateneum, September 18, 2009-January 6, 2010

All periods of Pablo Picasso's work are displayed and come from the collections of the Mus'ee national Picasso in Paris. A carnival at Lasipalatsi square celebrates the exhibition on 9 September 2009 from 12:00-15:00 with music, dance, circus, and workshops.

www.ateneum.fi

Blues Live! 2009 Festival, September 30-October 4, 2009

This annual indoor blues festival is held each year during the first week of October in the famous Poppari Bar located in Jyv"askyl"a city center.

www.blueslive.net/info.html

Rovaniemi Design Week, September 28-October 4, 2009

Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland, celebrates with its first design week for everyone from children to professional designers. The event will feature the 24h Design Challenge which will have designers develop the Artic Circle, the home base of Santa Claus.

www.rovaniemidesignweek.fi

Baltic Herring Fair, October 4-10, 2009

Held in Helsinki since 1743, The Baltic Herring Fair is the capital's oldest traditional event celebrating Finland's most important marine product and is held in Old Market Square.

www.visithelsinki.fi

Carnival of Light at Linnam"aki Amusement Park, October 8-19, 2009

Considered the highlight of Fall, The Carnival of Light invites visitors to enjoy the Pumpkin Fest parade, fire acrobats, ghosts and witches. Special features include a Harry Potter-themed skating rink and a laser show.

www.linnanmaki.fi/en/carnival_of_light

Helsinki International Horse Show, October 15-18, 2009

This four day competition is the largest annual indoor equestrian event in Finland. The show is held in the futuristic Hartwall Arena.

www.helsinkihorseshow.fi

Helsinki Book Fair, October 22-25, 2009

Literary lovers unite at the Helsinki Fair Centre for four days of signings, readings, and discussions.

www.finnexpo.fi/kirja

Skiexpo, October 30- November 1, 2009

Skiexpo is the largest wintersports fair in the Nordic countries and represents downhill skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, and more.

www.skiexpo.fi

Tampere Jazz Happening, October 29-November 1, 2009

This 28-year old event celebrates contemporary Finnish and international jazz artists. This year's festival will be held at three different venues on Tullikamarinaukio: Tullikamarin Pakkahuone, Klubi and intimate Telakka.

www.tampere.fi/musicfestivals/jazz/en

Etnosoi! Festival, November 4-8, 2009

The Global Music Centre and Centre for Romany Art join together to present Etnosoi! Festival. Performers include Hungarian Gypsy Music group Romengo; Nadara from Transylvania, Romania; and Dobet Gnahor'e from Ivory Coast.

www.globalmusic.fi

Moving in November, November 3-8, 2009

This festival celebrates European contemporary dance with two Finnish premieres-riffi by Tommi Kitti and Bruce and Moe by Heli Meklin and Michael Laub-and four international guest performances.

www.movinginnovember.fi

FIS Men's/Women's Alpine Skiing World Cup, November 14-15, 2009

This glamorous competition meets in Levi where ski challengers compete in downhill, slalom, giant slalom, super G, and combined. Awards are given in each discipline, but only one skiier wins the title of "Alpine World Cup Overall Champion."

www.fis-ski.com

Helsinki Motor Show, November 26-29, 2009

The Helsinki Motor Show is the only annual motor exhibition in Scandinavia and is held in the Helsinki Fair Center. Finnish importers as well as international producers are present to promote current and future vehicles.

www.finnexpo.fi

The Christmas Fair, November 28-December 20, 2009

Hundreds of Christmas events including art exhibitions, concerts, and theater performances bring Christmas spirit and joy to Turku. See why Turku celebrates Christmas until St. Knut's Day (13 January 2010).

www.christmascity.com

Ladies' Christmas Market, December 2-6, 2009

Unique Finnish products made by women are sold at The Christmas Market at Wanha Satama including jewelry, ceramics, leather, woodwork, clothing, baked goods, and Christmas treats.

www.visithelsinki.fi

Independence Day, December 6, 2009

Celebrate Finland's 92 years of independence from Russia with parades, concerts, festivals, and street parties throughout the country.

Lucia Parade, December 13, 2009

The Lucia Parade commemorates the legend of virgin-martyr Saint Lucia, who was persecuted and killed by the Christians in Syracuse, Sicily in 304 AD. Each year in Helsinki, the Lucia Parade travels from Senate Square to Narinkka Square where "Lucia" is crowned at the cathedral.

www.helsinki.fi

St. Thomas Christmas Market, December 7-22, 2009

Find wonderful Christmas specialities and delicacies at the Esplanade Park at this yearly Christmas market. www.visithelsinki.fi

The Declaration of Christmas Peace, December 24, 2009

Join in this nearly 700-year-old Finnish tradition of declaring Christmas peace in the Turku Cathedral.

www.christmascity.com

New Year at the Senate Square, December 31, 2009

Celebrate the new year at Senate Square and enjoy professional firework displays with friends and family.

www.visitthelsinki.fi