15 Tips to Enjoy Lux Helsinki Light Festival With Your Kids

Are you considering a visit to Helsinki in January with your family and searching for budget-friendly activities? We highly recommend exploring the annual Lux Helsinki light festival, which is free of charge!

In this article, we will share our experience attending the Lux Helsinki light festival in January 2024 with our 9-month-old baby, along with 15 helpful tips for enjoying the event with your kids.

Introduction to the Lux Helsinki Light Festival

Lux Helsinki transforms various parts of the city into a vibrant art gallery, showcasing diverse forms of light art.

Described as "a festival that illuminates the city rather than an exhibition", Lux Helsinki features both physical constructions and light shows on central Helsinki buildings, some accompanied by sound effects.

While most of the festival is free, exceptions may apply, as in 2024 when a separate admission fee was charged for Lux Korkeasaari, light art installations around the Helsinki Zoo.

The festival occurs annually at the beginning of January, lasting five days. The 2024 installations were open to the public from 5 PM to 10 PM.

Our 15 Tips How to Enjoy Lux Helsinki Light Festival With Your Kids

1. Check the Weather Forecast and Dress Appropriately

January tends to be the coldest season in Finland, which means it's extra important to dress warmly.

Ensure you and your kids have proper winter attire, including windproof jackets and pants, hats, gloves, and scarves.  Pack a tote bag or backpack to carry some extra layers, such as wool socks, just in case.

Consider wearing studded shoes or ice grips on your shoes if it's very slippery outside.  

Despite dressing our baby in warm layers and taking several indoor breaks, her toes still felt a bit cold as we arrived home later that evening.

2. Walk the Event or Use the Tram Network

The light art installations were scattered throughout Helsinki, with the main focus in 2024 being the city center. The primary collection of light art decorated key locations, including

• Kansalaistori Square,
• Senate Square, and
• Esplanade Park.
• Installations were also positioned at cultural centers and Hietaniemi Cemetery.

This central concentration wasn't always the norm. In response to recent feedback, organizers decided to bring the light art installations closer to the city center, enhancing the festival's accessibility. This trend is likely to continue in the future.

We recommend moving between different art installations on foot or using the Helsinki tram network.

The Helsinki city center is pedestrian-friendly and easily navigable with a stroller. For instance, the Helsinki main railway station is just a 5-minute walk from the primary event areas.

If you have young children, consider bringing a stroller or sled for them to ride in. Dress your kids in bright colors or reflective vests to ensure visibility in the dark.

3. Follow a Route or Loop

Plan your visit by following a route or loop recommended by the festival organizers, ensuring you don't miss any major displays. You can find a map of the event on the festival's official website.

In 2024, there wasn't a specific route to take, but many people began either at the northern or southern end of the festival area. We chose to move from north to south and save the Senate Square for last because it has traditionally been the main event that we look forward to the most.

4. Consider a Weekday Visit and Arrive Early

To steer clear of the largest crowds, we recommend arriving as early as possible. In 2024, the light art installations were accessible from 5 PM to 10 PM for five consecutive days.

Considering a weekday visit could be a wise choice, as weekdays tend to be less crowded than weekends. Visiting on a weekday can contribute to a more relaxed and enjoyable experience.

Keep an eye on the festival's closing time, ensuring you have enough time to explore everything without feeling rushed. If you can, consider breaking up your visit into a few days. Taking smaller chunks of time on different days could make your experience easier to manage.

5. Bring Snacks and Hot Drinks

Make sure you stay hydrated, even when it's chilly. Bring along some snacks your kids enjoy, and toss in warm drinks in a thermos to keep everyone energized and cozy during the visit. Kids will really like a nice cup of hot cocoa or juice after being out in the cold.

Here's a bonus tip: Ever thought about packing foods like rice porridge or warm soups in a thermos? It's an interesting trend we've observed among outdoor enthusiasts in Finland.

6. Follow Safety Guidelines and Be Aware of Your Surroundings

Safety is an important issue for Lux Helsinki organizers, who work closely with city officials and security professionals to plan the event. In our experience, the atmosphere felt secure, with visible security guards at each location wearing reflective vests for easy identification.

Even though we attended on a Saturday, typically the busiest day, the event didn't feel excessively crowded. Only in Esplanade Park we had to shuffle around people a bit to get through the crowd with our stroller.

Although Helsinki in general is considered a very safe city, it's a good idea to keep a close eye on your kids especially in crowded and high-traffic areas to avoid any chance of them getting separated from you.

7. Bring Earplugs or Headphones if Your Kids Are Sensitive to Loud Noises

The festival's website advises against bringing dogs due to the potential for loud noises and bright lights from the art installations. It might have been helpful to include a similar heads-up for young children or those sensitive to such stimuli.

In our view, some light art displays featured intense and repetitive light effects that could potentially stress out children or even sensitive adults.

Additionally, certain light art installations included sound effects from large speakers around them, which could be stressful, particularly for young children. It might be a good idea to bring earplugs or headphones for your kids, just in case the noise becomes overwhelming.

8. Bring Glow Sticks or Flashlights

To make the event more fun for your younger family members, consider bringing glow sticks or flashlights for your kids. Not only does it add to the enjoyment, but it also improves visibility in darker areas.

The primary festival locations in 2024 were concentrated around open spaces like Senate Square as well as Kansalaistori Square outside Helsinki Central Library Oodi, providing a safe area for children to have some fun and play in the snow.

9. Look for Interactive Displays

Kids often find interactive light art installations particularly fascinating. Some of these artworks include interactive components that respond to touch or movement. Look for these installations to make your experience more engaging with your kids.

In 2024, none of the light art installations in the Helsinki city center area were interactive. Perhaps we'll see some interactive installations in 2025?

10. Learn About the Art Installations

Before you go, take some time to look into the artists behind the installations. Doing this can add depth and meaning to your experience, especially for older children. In 2024, Lux Helsinki's theme was 'Science from Art.'

For instance, during that year, one light art installation portrayed the indigenous Sami people in a stereotypical way, sparking discussions in Finnish media about whether the artwork should be removed from the event entirely. Although the event organizers chose not to alter the program, they did add a disclaimer acknowledging the controversial nature of the installation.

You can find the stories behind the light art installations on signs next to the artwork during the event, as well as on the official event homepage.

11. Plan for Restroom Breaks and Diaper Changes

Keep an eye out for restroom locations and plan for sufficient breaks, especially if you have younger children.

A fantastic spot for a snack or a quick bathroom break is Helsinki Central Library Oodi. This architecturally stunning building is easily accessible and child-friendly, featuring several baby changing rooms and a dedicated play area for kids on the 3rd floor. Oodi's opening hours are also very flexible, making it one of our preferred spots to visit anytime we happen to be in the city center of Helsinki.

Another great place for a diaper change is the 3rd floor of Kamppi Shopping Center. They have an excellent play area for kids, dedicated spaces for breastfeeding, and a small kitchen complete with a microwave oven and high chairs. Be sure to check the opening hours on the official websites.

12. Look Out for Family Friendly Restaurant Options

If you're planning to eat dinner during the festival, Helsinki city center offers numerous family-friendly restaurants. Some restaurants are more child-friendly than others and some are also more accessible with strollers. Most places provide at least a couple of high chairs for younger kids.

Recently, we've been enjoying Luckiefun's Sushi Buffet restaurant chain in Helsinki. They have friendly service, mostly easily accessible locations, kid-friendly food options like cut-up fruits and vegetables as well as child-friendly plates, mugs, and cutlery. There's usually enough space around the tables to accommodate your stroller. Their sushi buffet and other Asian-inspired dishes are also delicious and there's usually good variety.

13. Have fun in Heaps of Snow

January in Helsinki is usually snowy, and thanks to active snowplowing, there are plenty of large snow heaps around the city center.

Let your kids have fun in the snow by climbing up and sliding down these massive 'mountains' of snow.

14. Explore Nearby Attractions

Take this opportunity to explore local attractions, including new architectural masterpieces like Helsinki Central Library Oodi and historical buildings such as the Senate Square area and Helsinki Cathedral.

The iconic Senate Square, with its white Cathedral, is one of the most, if not the most, important places to visit in Helsinki. Traditionally, the 'main event' of the Lux Helsinki light festival has been located at Senate Square, where the cathedral itself becomes one of the light art installations.

Ensure your kids get a chance to run up and down the cathedral stairs, turning into an exhilarating winter ride as snow piles up and the church stairs transform into a long snow slide!

15. Keep an Eye Out for Family Photo Opportunities

Look for interesting photo opportunities around the festival area and capture those special moments with your family at light art installations you and your kids have especially enjoyed.

Conclusion

We've turned it into a family tradition to attend this event every year. The Lux Helsinki light festival offers a fun and enjoyable experience, designed to illuminate the dark and bring joy into the otherwise somewhat gloomy everyday experience of the Finnish winter.