Helsinki
Home to the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra and Sibelius Academy, the glass- and copper-fronted Helsinki Music Centre,…
Must-see entertainment in Finland
Tampere
Comics and musicians regularly take to the stage at this much-loved venue, which attracts arty, hip and fun-loving locals of every age. Drinkers and…
Helsinki
Designed by Alvar Aalto, this 1971 concert hall in angular white marble is one of Helsinki's landmark buildings. It received its congress wing in 1975 and…
Finland's West Coast
Going strong for 50-plus years, this unique summer theater is special for two reasons. First, performances take place on a revolving stage, which…
Helsinki
Opened in 1927, this gorgeous art-deco cinema with chequerboard tiles has 216 plush red seats. It shows classics from the Finnish Film Archive through to…
Finland's West Coast
Run as a nonprofit organisation, this lively club serves up jazz, funk and soul in suitably darkened surroundings. Occasional jam sessions mix things up.
Finland's West Coast
This delightful independent cinema hosts its own mini film festival (www.blueseafilmfestival.net) in August.
Helsinki
Helsinki’s number-one jazz club attracts a refined older crowd swinging to boogie woogie, trad jazz, Dixieland and New Orleans most nights. As well as the…
Helsinki
Next to the Olympic Stadium, this 10,770-seat arena is the home ground of Helsinki's football (aka soccer) team, HJK (Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi). The team…
Helsinki
From mid-August to May, opera, ballet and classical concerts are staged at Helsinki's opera house, set in landscaped parkland next to Töölönlahti bay…
Helsinki
The Finnish National Theatre was founded in 1872 as the country's first Finnish-speaking theatre, but didn't move into its permanent home until 1902. The…
Helsinki
One of Helsinki’s legendary rock venues, going strong since 1970, Tavastia attracts both up-and-coming local acts and bigger international groups, with a…
Helsinki
The best place to see top-level hockey matches is at this arena 4km north of the city centre. It’s the home of Helsinki's Jokerit ('Jesters') team, which…
Finland's West Coast
Facing the central market square, Campus Allegro is a collection of old and new buildings surrounding a historic city street and covered with a glass roof…
Helsinki
This former garage has been transformed into a cinema, complete with a full lobby bar for post-viewing rumination. Relax into plush, red velvet armchairs,…
Tampere
Classical concerts are held in this modern hall. Performances by Tampere Filharmonia (www.tampere.fi/filharmonia) are on Fridays from September to May. In…
Kallio
A block from Hakaniemi metro station, in an enormous granite building, Juttutupa is one of Helsinki’s better bars for live music, focusing on contemporary…
Punavuori & Ullanlinna
This atmospheric harbourside warehouse, with a capacity of 900, hosts regular concerts with known Finnish and international performers. Acts range from…
Helsinki
Helsinki's second, but more central, venue for ice hockey – after the Hartwall Arena – is this arena in the Olympic Stadium complex, with a capacity of…
Helsinki
Next to Tavastia, this smaller sibling has live music almost nightly, with a focus on up-and-coming Finnish bands. Buy tickets on the website or at the…
Tampere
A bit of a Tampere institution, this offers live jazz, blues or swing every evening. The crowd is mostly 30-plus and really gets into it; this can be a…
Rovaniemi
Concerts (mostly classical) and theatre productions (often with an Arctic theme) take place across the three stages of Rovaniemi's Alvar Aalto–designed…
Central Finland
Opened in 1993, Kuhmo's glass-and-steel arts and cultural centre has two halls with a total of 767 seats, and an excellent programme of classical music.
Turku
A great variety of Finnish bands play at this hot live-music venue. Also on site is the congenial Toby & Fellas, a convivial karaoke establishment.
Finland's West Coast
Pori is home to the country's oldest Finnish-speaking drama company, housed in a neo-Renaissance theatre on Hallituskatu.
Mariehamn
A classic movie house, dating to 1939, which shows blockbuster films and lesser-known indie films.
Turku & Finland's South Coast
A local treasure dating from 1919, the Olympia is Finland's southernmost cinema.
Helsinki
In the Tennispalatsi complex, this cinema screens new releases. Most films are in English.
Tampere
Tampere's two ice-hockey teams – Ilves and Tappara – are among Finland's best; the city is generally regarded as the Finnish home of the sport. Hakametsä…
Helsinki
Year-round, independent, two-screen cinema showing art-house and Finnish indie films. In the warmer months it also mounts open-air kesäkino (summer cinema…
Tampere
This cavernous place, near the train station, is Tampere’s main indoor live-music venue; there are usually several bands playing every week, and big…
Oulu
Oulu's beloved ice-hockey team, the Kärpät (Stoats), play at Oulun Energia Areena in Raksila east of the city centre. Book tickets through Ticketmaster …
Turku & Finland's South Coast
An art nouveau beauty overlooking the beach, Hanko's twin-turreted, mint-green-and-white casino is an atmospheric setting for live music, drinking and…
Turku
This music hall is the home of the illustrious Turku Philharmonic Orchestra. It's been playing since 1790, when the Musical Society of Turku was founded.
The Finnish Lakeland
This downstairs venue hosts live acts towards the end of each week. Expect tribute bands and soft rock. Check the website for details.
Turku
There's something for everyone at this nightlife complex, including live music, danceable grooves and karaoke.
Turku
Local DJs vie with national bands for a spot on the bill at this central venue. Great outdoor terrace.
Kuopio
Bands play here several times a week, most at the heavier end of the rock/metal spectrum.
