Helsinki Day at the Espa stage
Event Introduction
Celebrate Helsinki Day at the Espa stage! You can look forward to Helsinki slang, military music and samba.
The Helsinki Day programme at the Espa stage will take Helsinki residents from the spirit of Helsinki through military music to the colourful splendour of samba carnivals. Come and listen to how Helsinki slang lends itself to choir music and learn the steps of samba! Mayor of Helsinki Daniel Sazonov will deliver a greeting from the City.
The entire programme is open to all and free of charge.
Programme and schedule
11.00–12.20 | Stadin Slangi ry’s Helsinki Day
The day will kick off with an event where the local heritage association Stadin Slangi ry will announce the 2026 Stadin Friidu and Stadin Kundi (Helsinki’s Gal and Guy). The event will feature Helsinki slang in the form of music and stories performed by Antti Reini, the slang choir Slangikuoro and several cultural figures from Helsinki. The 30-year history of the Tsilari magazine and the birth of slang will be discussed through interviews, and Mayor Daniel Sazonov will deliver a greeting from the City. The event will be interpreted into Finnish Sign Language.
14.00 | MIL-Espa concert: Lapland Military Band
In the afternoon, the Espa stage will host the traditional MIL-Espa park concert where the Lapland Military Band will bring entertaining military music to Esplanade Park. This continuation to the almost century-long MIL-Espa concert tradition will offer a summer concert experience for the city’s residents.
17.30–21.00 | Helsinki Samba Carnaval – opening ceremony
In the evening, a carnival atmosphere will descend on the Espa stage with Helsinki Samba Carnaval 2026 kicking off with a spectacular opening ceremony.
Here are some programme highlights:
- Helsinki dance lesson – get your hips moving and enjoy the atmosphere!
- Scintillating samba performances all over Finland – featuring loveable young samba performers and experienced stars
- Fantasy costume contest – see Saturday’s most glamorous costumes up close and vote for your favourite!
Categories
Event Information
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Time:
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11:00–21:00
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Organiser:
Stadin Slangi ry, Lapin sotilassoittokunta, Helsinki Samba Carnaval
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Address:
Espa stage
Eteläesplanadi 1
00130 Helsinki -
Accessibility:
The event is accessible with a wheelchair.
The event does not have an accessible toilet.
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Event language:
Finnish
