Helsinki gets hardly any natural light in winter but some of its squares and streets get Christmas-ified in season, so that the evenings are brighter than the days and are warmed with the scent of roasting sugar nuts, hot chocolate and gingerbread. Some of the best illuminations are arranged for the St. Thomas Christmas Market, which sees about 120 stalls set up in Esplanade Park selling the Christmas market staples alongside home grown specialties such as furs, sledges, skis, ice skates and wooly hats and mittens.

For many people the best thing about Christmas is the food and in Finland that means herrings – though in Finland it seems like herrings are perfect whatever the weather. Gingerbread, sausages, salmon, venison, beetroot and plum jam filled pastries make up the rest of the menu washed down with mulled wine fortified with vodka and special winter beers. You can find all that on the market stalls or pop in to one of the restaurants, cafes or hotels across the road from the park.

Written by  World Reviewer Staff.

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Helsinki Christmas Market

During Christmas, Helsinki stages a number of Christmas Markets. December is one of the darkest month in Finland, and there are extensive and impressive Christmas lights all over the city. Helsinki offers great shopping and dining - and different fairs are held for special occasions throughout the month.

 

Review posted 26th October 2007 by Tony Owusu.

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