Highlights from Finland’s story
Finland is home to the happiest people in the world. They are supported to live meaningful lives in a stable society, where collaboration and social innovation create long-term wellbeing.
Nature is a daily presence. It supports wellbeing, inspires creativity, and drives sustainable innovation. Finland is always looking for partners to help build a more sustainable world.
Learning in Finland is lifelong and future-oriented. Media literacy, critical thinking, and digital skills equip people to participate fully in society. As one of the most advanced digital nations, Finland ensures that technology serves people – not the other way around.
Finland is known for its quality of life, nature, and creativity. Our culture has lots to offer, too. From saunas to science, forests to festivals, and cuisine to cutting-edge startups, Finland blends tradition with bold new ideas.
EVENT CALENDAR 2026
JANUARY■
INTERNATIONAL
19.–23.1. World Economic Forum
(WEF)
24.1. International Day of Education
26.1. International Day of Clean Energy
NATIONAL
Oulu2026 European Capital of Culture
6.–11.1. Lux Helsinki
16.–18.1. Nordic Travel Fair
23.–24.1. Educa Fair of Teaching and Education
Main themes 2025
▲Nature and Sustainable Development
■ Functionality and Wellbeing
● Education and Know-how
FEBRUARY●
INTERNATIONAL
2.2. World Wetlands Day
6.2. Sámi National Day
11.2. International Day of Women and Girls in Science
11.2. European 112 Day
21.2. International Mother Language Day
NATIONAL
3.2. Alvar and Aino Aalto day, Day of Finnish Architecture and Design
3.–8.2. Helsinki Documentary Film Festival (DocPoint)
5.2. Runeberg Day
14.2. Ystävänpäivä – Finnish Valentine’s Day
28.2. Kalevala Day, Finnish Culture Day
MARCH▲
INTERNATIONAL
3.3. World Wildlife Day
8.3. International Women ́s Day
20.3. International Day of Happiness
21.3. International Day of Forests
22.3. World Water Day
23.3. Nordic Day/Nordens Dag
NATIONAL
TBC PoroCup Reindeer Competition
TBC Tornio Ice Fishing Competition
4.–8.3. Tampere Film Festival
APRIL▲
INTERNATIONAL
7.4. World Health Day
8.4. International Romani Day
15.4. World Art Day
18.4. World Heritage Day/International Day for Monuments and Sites
22.4. Earth Day
NATIONAL
9.4. Mikael Agricola Day, Finnish Language Day
24.4. Dog Day
17.–19.4. Helsinki Coffee Festival (Northern Europe’s largest)
MAY●
INTERNATIONAL
9.5. Europe Day
9.5. World Migratory Bird Day
TBC Eurovision Song Contest, Austria
15.5. International Day of Families
17.5. International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia
30.5. International Day of Potato
NATIONAL
1.5. Vappu, the Day of Finnish Labour
10.5. Mothers Day in Finland
TBC World Village Festival, Helsinki
JUNE■
INTERNATIONAL
1.6. Day of Parents
8.6. World Oceans Day
18.6. Sustainable Gastronomy Day
20.6. World Refugee Day
21.6. International Day of the Celebration of the Solstice
NATIONAL
13.6. Day of Finnish Sauna
TBC Arctic15 startup event
TBC Kuopio Dance Festival
TBC Midnight Sun Film Festival, Sodankylä
20.6. Midsummer Day, Day of the Finnish Flag
TBC SuomiAreena
Public Debate Forum, Pori
TBC Helsinki Pride
TBC Tuska Heavy Metal Festival, Helsinki
JULY▲
INTERNATIONAL
15.7. World Youth Skills Day
17.7. World Emoji Day
30.7. International Day of Friendship
NATIONAL
TBC Seinäjoki Tango Festival
TBC Helsinki Cup Football Tournament
TBC Maritime Festival, Kotka
TBC Bättre Folk Festival, Hailuoto
TBC World Sauna Forum, Jyväskylä
AUGUST●
INTERNATIONAL
9.8. International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples
12.8. International Youth Day
19.8. World Humanitarian Day
27.8. Baltic Sea Day
NATIONAL
TBC Tampere Theatre Festival
9.8. Tove Jansson and Finnish Art Day
TBC Flow Festival, Helsinki
TBC Finland-Sweden Athletics
International
27.–29.8. Sibelius Festival, Lahti
29.8. Finnish Nature Day
TBC Night of the Arts, Helsinki
TBC Helsinki Festival
SEPTEMBER▲
INTERNATIONAL
8.9. International Literacy Day
8.–22.9. UN General Assembly
15.9. International Day of Democracy
21.9. International Day of Peace
23.9. International Day of Sign
Language
26.9. European Day of Languages
27.9. World Rivers Day
NATIONAL
4.9. National Finnish Food Day
6.9. Finnish Horse Day
9.9. YLE 100 years old
TBC Helsinki International Film Festival, Love & Anarchy
TBC Nordic Business Forum, Helsinki
OCTOBER■
INTERNATIONAL
4.10. World Animal Day
5.10. World Teacher’s Day
11.10. International Day of the Girl Child
16.10. World Food Day
20.10. Landscape Day
24.10. United Nations Day
31.10. World Cities Day
NATIONAL
1.10. Heijastinpäivä – Reflector Day
18.10. Satupäivä – Story Day
TBC Wine and Food Fair, Helsinki
TBC Licorice and Salmiakki Festival, Helsinki
NOVEMBER●
INTERNATIONAL
16.11. International Day for Tolerance
20.11. World Children’s Day
21.11. World Television Day
26.11. World Sustainable Transport Day
NATIONAL
TBC Peliviikko – Gaming Week
6.11. Finnish Swedish Heritage Day
27.11. Bring Your Kids to Work Day
TBC Slush startup event, Helsinki
DECEMBER■
INTERNATIONAL
3.12. International Day of Persons with Disabilities
5.12. International Volunteer Day
9.12. International Anti-Corruption Day
10.12. Human Rights Day
21.12. World Basketball Day
31.12. New Year
NATIONAL
6.12. Independence Day of Finland
8.12. Jean Sibelius Day, Day of Finnish Music
23.12. Santa Claus embarks his journey
