Turku is officially Finland's Christmas City. Every December the river city fills with lights, markets, concerts and traditions. One of them is followed live by the whole country: the Declaration of Christmas Peace, read in Turku at noon on Christmas Eve. This guide explains what to see, when to go and how to plan around the holidays.
Why Turku is the Christmas City
As Finland's oldest city, Turku has Christmas traditions going back centuries. Since the 1990s the city has called itself the Christmas City of Finland, with a programme of lights, markets, concerts and events from late November until early January. The riverside, the Cathedral and the Old Great Square are at their most festive after dark, and in December darkness comes early: the sun sets well before 4 pm.
The Declaration of Christmas Peace
At 12:00 on 24 December, Christmas Peace is declared from the balcony of the Brinkkala Mansion on the Old Great Square. The tradition is believed to date back to the Middle Ages, and the declaration has been read in Turku almost every year since. It is broadcast live on Finnish television and radio, and for many Finns it marks the true start of Christmas.
What happens: the Cathedral bells ring, the crowd sings the hymn "A Mighty Fortress is Our God", and the declaration is read in Finnish and Swedish. The national anthem follows.
Tips: arrive early, because the square fills well before noon. Dress very warmly, since you will stand still for a long time. Public transport and roads around the centre are busy just before and after the ceremony.
Read more about the square on our Old Great Square page.
The Christmas market
The Old Great Square, between the Cathedral and the river, hosts the city's traditional Christmas market on weekends in December. Wooden stalls sell handmade crafts, woollen socks and mittens, candles, ceramics and Christmas decorations, along with gingerbread, hot glögi and local food. The atmosphere is calm and traditional rather than commercial. Dates and opening hours change every year, so check the Christmas City Turku programme before you go.
Christmas lights and walks
The river banks, bridges and the shopping streets around the Market Square are decorated with lights. An evening walk from the Cathedral along the river is the best way to see them. The old wooden houses of the Luostarinmäki Handicrafts Museum also hold Christmas events in some years, which feel like stepping back in time.
Concerts and church services
Turku Cathedral hosts many Christmas concerts in December, from organ recitals to choirs and candlelit performances. Many are free or low-cost, and they are popular, so arrive early. Christmas services are held on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning, and visitors are welcome.
Finnish Christmas food to try
Glögi: hot spiced drink, with or without alcohol, served with raisins and almonds.
Gingerbread (piparkakut): thin, crisp spiced biscuits, often baked into houses.
Joulutorttu: star-shaped pastries with plum jam.
The Christmas table: baked ham, casseroles of swede, carrot and potato, beetroot salad (rosolli), and fish such as gravlax and pickled herring.
Rice porridge: often served on Christmas Eve morning, sometimes with one almond hidden inside.
Many restaurants serve a Christmas buffet (joulupöytä) in December. Book ahead, because they fill up with work parties.
Practical tips for Christmas in Turku
Christmas Eve is the main celebration in Finland. Most shops close early on 24 December, and many restaurants are closed on 24–25 December. Plan meals in advance.
Public transport runs reduced timetables over the holidays. Check Föli before you travel.
Book taxis in advance for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Eve, which are among the busiest nights of the year.
Dress for the cold. Turku is milder than Lapland, but -5 °C to -15 °C with wind off the sea feels cold when you stand outside.
Make a trip of it. Combine Christmas in Turku with a few days in Lapland. See our Rovaniemi and Santa Claus Village guide.
Frequently asked questions
What time is the Declaration of Christmas Peace?
At 12:00 noon on 24 December, on the Old Great Square in Turku.
When is the Turku Christmas market open?
Usually on weekends throughout December. Check the official Christmas City programme for this year's dates.
Is Turku busy at Christmas?
The centre is lively during December and very crowded around noon on Christmas Eve, but much quieter than big European Christmas markets.
Getting around at Christmas
Book your ride with Aura Rides to the Old Great Square, a Christmas concert, the train station or the airport. We drive throughout the holidays, at fixed prices.
