PerformanceSirkus invites families with children to celebrate children’s rights and its own 30-year journey in children’s culture. On Friday, Ringmaster Vasiljev Vitelloni’s Mini Circus will be performing to mark the occasion. Vasiljev Vitelloni is a radiant ringmaster who charms his way into everyone’s hearts. Vitelloni’s performances consist of small magic tricks, balancing acts and juggling. He is quick on his feet when it comes to changing situations. He engages his audience with his distinctive, energetic style and improvises to suit the surroundings. The performance is a circus theatre production characterised by gentle humour, interaction and a sense of community, and is aimed primarily at families with children. Register in advance for the Mini Circus by emailing vesapetteri@performancesirkus.fi.
Did you know that the tradition of Christmas cards began in the mid-19th century? Christmas cards tradition arrived in Finland in the late 19th century. Around the same time, the red-suited Santa Claus and elves became part of Christmas card imagery. Earlier, Christmas greetings were sometimes paired with summery pictures. What will your Christmas card look like? Welcome to create your own Christmas card and enjoy the festive Christmas atmosphere at the Suomenlinna Museum.
The Pro lastenkirjallisuus children’s literature association will host a storytelling workshop for children at Annantalo. Step into another world by opening a book and reading it or listening to it. There are many different ways to venture into the world of books. When a book is opened, it is filled with letters and pictures. Who makes them all? Who reads the book, and how does it end up in the reader’s hands? There are lots of questions and lots of answers to think about together. Workshop participants may also, if they wish, step into the shoes of a critic, illustrator or writer and explain how they would narrate and illustrate the same story – in other words, to write a story on top of another story or take a look behind the narrative. Books do not always have to tell you everything, but sometimes it would be nice to know what is going through the characters’ minds at any given moment, or where they are from. Perhaps the workshop participants know something about this? Stories can also break free from books and be turned into plays. During the workshop, participants can perform short scenes from the book if they feel inspired to act. We are open to suggestions, and the workshop will take shape according to the participants’ ideas. Please register in advance by email at: kaisalange@gmail.com.
PerformanceSirkus invites families with children to celebrate children’s rights and its own 30-year journey in children’s culture. Friday’s circus workshops promise fun and a sense of achievement as participants learn some simple circus tricks. The aim of the circus workshops is to improve physical expression, balance and body awareness. In the circus workshop, participants will be introduced to various circus disciplines, such as juggling and balancing, and will get to know different circus props, such as stilts, balls, sticks and plates, the diabolo and juggling scarves. The circus workshops are well suited to people of all ages and abilities. No previous circus experience is required. Each workshop can accommodate 10 children accompanied by an adult. Please register in advance by email at: vesapetteri@performancesirkus.fi.
The non-stop darkroom workshop offers participants the chance to experience the magic of darkroom work. All you need to bring is a curious mind, as the materials required for the workshop will be provided on the day. New participants can join in whenever a spot becomes available.
Suomen valokuvataiteen museo, Kaapeliaukio 3 · Helsinki
Helsinki city swimming pools (Itäkeskus, Pirkkola, Jakomäki, and Yrjönkatu swimming pool's 1st floor) are offering free swimming for all children and young people under 18, plus one accompanying guardian, starting at 2 PM on Children's Rights Day, 20.11.2026. Check the specific opening hours of the swimming pools on their own websites. This offer is valid at the following pools: Itäkeskus swimming pool, Pirkkola swimming pool, Jakomäki swimming pool, Yrjönkatu swimming pool (1st floor, women's turn).
The Jamkids music workshop is an immersive musical experience designed for the whole family. During the session, children get to play a variety of instruments, as well as sing and move around. The music workshop will be organised as part of the World Children’s Day event at Cultural Centre Kanneltalo. For more information: tapahtumat@jamkids.fi
At Music School Demo’s iPad jam session, people create music together. The idea behind the jam session is to make music freely: rather than rehearsing set pieces, the music is created and takes shape in the moment based on the ideas of the participants. Thanks to user-friendly apps, the end result will sound great, even if you have no prior knowledge or experience of playing music. You can come and go as you please at the non-stop workshop, but the music never stops. The instructors at Music School Demo offer guidance and also play along themselves. The workshop will be organised as part of the World Children’s Day event at Cultural Centre Kanneltalo. For more information: tapahtumat@jamkids.fi
Come and celebrate World Children’s Day at Kanneltalo with music, creativity and a fun time together! The afternoon starts with free music workshops from 16.30 to 18.00. In Jamkids’ exciting non-stop music workshop, children of all ages can try out different instruments, sing and move to the beat of music. You can join the workshop at any time while it is open. At the same time, Demo Music School’s songwriting workshop provides school-age children and young people with an opportunity to create their own music under guidance and discover the creative process of making music in a fun way. The workshops are also held free of charge as a pre-event related to the Wednesday Club event series on Wednesday 11 November. During the event, the gallery of Kanneltalo features a Skidimarket exhibition where children and families can let their imaginations run wild while playing shop. From 18.00 onwards, the evening continues with Global Club Nights (GCN), a club event aimed at music lovers of all ages, featuring performances by the contemporary folk music group Tell Your Birds and Argentinian composer, guitarist and singer Manu Rosales with his band. The free club starts early so that children can also take part in the company of an adult. You can look forward to captivating world music, a warm and welcoming atmosphere, and experiences shared with others. Free entry to all events. Come and celebrate World Children’s Day with your whole family! Global Club Nights är en klubbserie där människor som arbetar med musik och som älskar musik samlas för att fira musiken tillsammans. Målet för klubbarna är att skapa en trygg, inkluderande och kreativ miljö samt att bygga broar mellan alla musikälskare och deras gemenskaper. Kulturcentret Gamlasgården arrangerar Global Club Nights-kvällarna i samarbete med Sibeliusakademins utbildningsprogram Global Music samt Maailman musiikin keskus. Global Club Nights is a series of club events where people who work in the music industry and those who love music come together to celebrate music. The aim of the events is to create a safe, participatory and creative environment and build bridges between all music lovers and their communities. Cultural Centre Kanneltalo organises the Global Club Nights events in collaboration with the Sibelius Academy’s Global Music education programme and the Global Music Centre.
Welcome to Uudenmaan CP-yhdistys's Christmas Party on Fri, Nov 20!
Grab your Santa hat and a cheerful mood, and come spend a nice evening at Uudenmaan CP-yhdistys's Christmas party! There will be relaxed get-together, some savory snacks, Christmas porridge, star tarts, and glögi, as well as background music. We are also aiming to arrange suitable activities for children: a Christmas drawing corner and elf checkpoints are in development! You can participate in the Christmas party according to your own schedule. The event is aimed at new and old members of the association, as well as others belonging to the activity circle. Welcome to get to know the association's people and activities! Register by Nov 8 at the latest with Aro Penttilä at uudenmaancpyhdistys@outlook.com or tel. 040 148 9782. When registering, please inform us of your and your assistant's food allergies and any assistive devices you will bring.
Malmin kauppatie 26, Helsinki, Malmin kauppatie 26 · Helsinki
The Helsinki School of Visual Arts’ traditional Valokartano event will fill the grounds of Ströms Manor with shimmering light art. The event celebrates World Children’s Day, and the manor’s windows and grounds will be adorned with light art, animations and illuminated sculptures created by children and young people.
Helsingin kuvataidekoulu, Untuvaisentie 10 · Helsinki
Jazz concert for the whole family at the Väreet festival: Kadi Vija 3
Kadi Vija 3 is a new band from Helsinki whose music exudes joy, a sense of liberation and space for experimentation. Sound artist Kadi Vija’s unique approach to singing and improvisation has been influenced by instrumental jazz, free-flowing thoughts and abstractness. The band’s line-up and Vija’s compositions are reminiscent of the traditional jazz wind instrument trio, in which a human voice now interprets melodies usually played by the wind instruments, accompanied by double bassist Ville Herrala and drummer Ville Luukkonen. Founded in 2013 and established as a bright spot in Helsinki’s late autumn event calendar, We Jazz Festival is known as Väreet as of 2026. Väreet continues the open-minded musical adventure across Helsinki known from We Jazz – listening to new music in a communal atmosphere and getting to know different venues. Väreet 2026 takes place in Helsinki from 2 to 5 December.
The Sandels Music and Culture School invites you to a free concert in the Gyllenberg Hall. No advance registration is required. Welcome! For more information: kansli@moks.fi
Welcome to Dance School DCA’s disco afternoon! We will be offering the whole family the chance to dance under the guidance of a teacher and enjoy disco atmosphere, not to mention temporary tattoos and balloons. Dance class schedule: 9.45–10.30 Children’s dance (child–adult) 1.5–3 years 10.30–11.00 Children’s dance (ages 3–4) 11.00–11.45 Children’s dance (ages 4–5) 11.45–12.30 Children’s dance (ages 5–6) 13.30–14.30 Dance (ages 8–10) 10.45–11.30 Dance (ages 6–7) 11.30–12.30 Ballet (ages 8–10) 12.30–13.30 Jumps&Turns – basic level, ages 9–11 12.30–13.30 Show dance for beginners, aged 12 and over 13.30–14.30 Dance Mix for adults Programme schedule: Obstacle course for children 9.30–10.15 Disco+ performances 10.15–11.00 Obstacle course for children 11.00–11.45 Disco+ performances 11.45–12.30 Temporary tattoos and balloons will be available all day. Welcome to a fun-filled day of dancing!
Open film screening for the whole family: ‘Urpo ja Turpo johtolangan jäljillä’
Welcome to a family-friendly film screening at Cinema Orion on Saturday 21 November at 10.30, featuring the classic children’s film ‘Urpo ja Turpo johtolangan jäljillä’ (dir. Liisa Helminen, Finland, 2018, 60 min, all ages). Based on Hannele Huovi’s popular storybooks, ‘Urpo ja Turpo johtolangan jäljillä’ is a collection of six classic films and has now been restored and is more colourful than ever on the big screen! Urpo and Turpo, two curious toy bears, live on the bookshelf in the children’s bedroom. The bears’ favourite pastime is reading, as books provide them with brilliant ideas. The bears come up with the most entertaining adventures as fairy tales blend into everyday life. Thanks to the breadfruit tree, Urpo and Turpo are saved on a desert island; they unabashedly give other characters makeovers, search for clues, flout the rules, long for peace and quiet, and compete to be the best and strongest in the world. Just like the toys from Toy Story, Urpo and Turpo come to life when the family are not looking. The Urpo and Turpo film is sure to entertain both adults and the youngest members of the family. Free tickets for the performance will be available from 1 October onwards. Book your free tickets in advance at cinemaorion.fi
Hyppää rooliin! (Step into the role!) – Children’s theatre workshop at Performing Arts School Valo
Come and discover theatre at Performing Arts School Valo! At Valo’s non-stop theatre workshop, you will have the chance to create the character of your dreams and explore different aspects of theatre: acting, costume design, and lighting and sound design. Dive into the whirlwind of the theatre and emerge on top as the character of your dreams!
The Creative Writing Group and The Philosopher’s Pen (Grades 3–6)
We draw inspiration from J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. We explore the fantasy genre, find inspiration in owls, spells and more. We will write wonderful stories! Just as in our regular creative writing classes, the focus is on the students' creative drive, ambition and personal writing development. The creative writing teachers encourage, guide, and cheer the students on. The course is offered as an advanced creative writing session for students in grades 3–6 currently attending the creative writing school. Children not enrolled in the creative writing school are also warmly welcome to sign up. Students will be divided into age groups during the course. The course is taught in Swedish. Please bring your own snack and water bottle! The course is free, but registration is required. Registrate before November 8th at ordkonst.fi.
Children’s Saturday – children are masters of marvelling!
On Children’s Saturday, we explore science and the arts, play and marvel at the world around us. 10.00–16.00 | Skidimarket Play is allowed at the Skidimarket in the gallery! Skidimarket is looking for new shelf stackers, cashiers and baking point staff to join the team! Skidimarket is a space for children to play and have their own imaginary customers. A temporary toy shop takes over the gallery space, transforming it into a colourful market world. Shelf stacking and cashier duties are on the menu! Production: the Skidit collective. 13.00–16.00 | ‘Children are masters of marvelling!’ art workshop In this art workshop for all ages, we play with natural science by exploring nature’s little wonders. We carefully examine various natural materials by using loupes and a children’s microscope. We use a variety of drawing supplies to create playful and colourful works of art based on our observations. Are you ready to see lichen, pebbles and acorns in a whole new light? The workshop is organised by Adventure Art School. 14.00 | Dinosaur hiccups or bee poo? 33 intriguing science questions from children A repeat performance by popular demand! Science dances the samba and imagination runs wild in this musical theatre adventure about science questions from children. Warning: The performance may cause chronic questionitis! Duration: 50 min. Performance language: Finnish. Tickets: €15/12/6 via lippu.fi.