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Helsinki Festival The enormous Helsinki Festival is intended as a platform for Finnish and international performing and creative artists. It attracts roughly 300,000 people every year who come to enjoy a range of contemporary and classical music, theatre, dance, popular and world music, art exhibitions and cinema. Founded in 1968, the festival, takes place in a specially created tented venue in the city centre. One of the biggest attractions in the festival is the 'Night of the Arts' when the city's streets, parks, galleries and churches are taken over by dance troupes, orchestras and buskers. There's also a special area for children. Venue: The Huvila Festival Tent at Hakaniemi; opposite Helsinki City Theatre. Date: August/September May Day - or Vappu The biggest annual party of the year in Helsinki, especially for students, is the May Day festival. Although many neighbourhoods throughout the city celebrate May Day individually, the City's main event takes place along the Esplanade in Market Square, where great crowds of people gather on 30 April to watch a white hat get placed on the head of the statue of Havis Amand. Once Champagne is sprayed over the mermaid statue, festivities are officially under way and the party goes on well into the night. Venue: Market Square. Date: 30 April to 1 May |