Best time to visit Helsinki

• “Summer, from June to August, is the liveliest and easiest time for a first trip to Helsinki.” helsinki.ue.is
• “In general the best time to visit Helsinki is probably July, when the weather is usually great.” avionero.com
• “For premium travellers, summer is the stronger choice when Helsinki is intended to be a major part of the holiday.” guidancedmc.com

5 of the 10 travel guides we read name these months.

1. January31°F / 22°F · 19 rainy daysChecking fares…Average daily temperature about -6°C (22°F).Cold: roughly minus 6 C, feeling colder with wind chill; Lux Helsinki light show in January, Burlesque Festival in February.Lux Helsinki light installations brighten the city for several nights.
2. February30°F / 21°F · 16 rainy daysChecking fares…Average daily temperature about -6°C (22°F).Cold: roughly minus 6 C, feeling colder with wind chill; Lux Helsinki light show in January, Burlesque Festival in February.Helsinki Burlesque Festival.
3. March36°F / 26°F · 13 rainy daysChecking fares…Average daily temperature about -2°C (28°F).A transition month, about minus 4 to plus 3 C, with packed snow, ice and slush.Can still feel wintry, with snow and sub-zero nights, but daylight increases quickly.
4. April47°F / 34°F · 12 rainy daysChecking fares…Average daily temperature about +3°C (38°F).A month of contrasts: cold bright mornings, showers and mild afternoons; melting snow leaves slippery pavements.A quiet month for visitors; average temperature in Helsinki about 7 C (national guide).Vappu in Helsinki
5. May58°F / 44°F · 11 rainy daysChecking fares…Average daily temperature about +10°C (50°F).Helsinki turns green and Vappu (May Day) is celebrated; May is called one of the best compromises, with quieter streets and reasonable hotel rates.Vappu festival on May 1, with student hats and sima.
6. Best timeJune66°F / 52°F · 14 rainy daysChecking fares…Average daily temperature about +15°C (59°F).Early June brings a Carnaval with a samba parade; June 12 is Helsinki Day.Finland celebrates midsummer in June.
7. Best timeJuly71°F / 58°F · 12 rainy daysChecking fares…Average daily temperature about +17°C (63°F).Helsinki gets busy in June and July; book ahead if dates are fixed.Peak time for holiday-makers; temperatures can reach about 20 C.
8. Best timeAugust69°F / 56°F · 13 rainy daysChecking fares…Average daily temperature about +16°C (60°F).Peak time for holiday-makers; temperatures can reach about 20 C.Wetter than July but the second warmest month.
9. September60°F / 49°F · 14 rainy daysChecking fares…Average daily temperature about +11°C (51°F).Autumn colors (ruska) begin in September.Best months for fall foliage in Finland; Central Park in Helsinki turns gold.
10. October49°F / 40°F · 16 rainy daysChecking fares…Average daily temperature about +6°C (43°F).Best months for fall foliage in Finland; Central Park in Helsinki turns gold.Wettest month, with about 17 rainy days and 94 mm of precipitation.
11. November40°F / 33°F · 17 rainy daysChecking fares…Average daily temperature about +1°C (34°F).Snow drizzle often turns to slush.Among the months with not the best weather: January, November and December.
12. December35°F / 27°F · 19 rainy daysChecking fares…Average daily temperature about -3°C (26°F).Can be festive but also wet, windy or lightly snowy.Daylight shrinks to about six hours around the winter solstice; Helsinki has no total polar night.

Weather: Helsinki averages from FMI (1991 to 2020 averages), as listed in its climate table on Wikipedia.

• Vappu in HelsinkiHelsinkiEvery April to May

When to see the Northern Lights in Helsinki?

This Finland guide puts the best aurora skies at November to March, with sightings possible in late September and October. It is about Finland generally, with Lapland best.

What is the weather like in Finland in January?

January is the coldest month of the year, sub-zero and frozen, with reliable snow in the north. Helsinki is often minus 10 to minus 3 C.

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