🎄 Joulurauha in Turku 2025–2026: a complete guide to 24 December (midday, Vanha Suurtori)
Aura and the Noon Moment
The wind from Aurajoki crunches in mittens, frost glitters on the cobblestones, and all attention is focused on the balcony of Brinkkalan talo. At exactly 12:00 noon on 24 December, Turku pronounces a short, solemn and affectionate text, with which the city declares Christmas peace — Joulurauha. It lasts only a minute or two, but it puts the whole of Finland in a festive mood. Thousands gather at Vanha Suurtori, and the whole country and diaspora watch on screens and live streams.
This ritual is not just a "symbol." It is a pause, a boundary between seasons, and a gentle request to celebrate with dignity: to respect your neighbours, be careful on the roads, and share warmth and light.
Joulurauha basics: quick facts
A compact table about the Declaration of Christmas Peace in Turku — easy to check on the go.
| Item | Key details |
|---|---|
| Date and time | Always on 24 December at 12:00 noon (in 2025 on Wednesday, in 2026 on Thursday). |
| Location | Vanha Suurtori — the Old Great Square in Turku. |
| Where it is read | From the balcony of Brinkkala House, landmark address: Vanha Suurtori 3. |
| Languages | Read twice: first in Finnish, then in Swedish. |
| Broadcast / online | Yle TV1 and Yle Areena (the broadcast usually starts a few minutes before noon). |
| Duration | About 10–15 minutes; arrive early if you want a good spot (around 11:20–11:40). |
How the moment unfolds: the crowd falls quiet → Turku Cathedral bells ring → short music → the Declaration of Christmas Peace in two languages → final music → the “wave” of people flows towards the river and back home.
Map: where the Declaration of Christmas Peace happens
Where to stand:
● Frontal "fan" in front of the Brinkkala facade — clear view, but crowded.
● The right diagonal (towards the courtyard arch) — the sound is more stable, easier to exit.
● The edge of Porthaninpuisto — more space for prams and children.
When to arrive: 11:20–11:40. Later — only the peripheral sectors remain.
How to leave: let the crowd "exhale" for 5–7 minutes and head towards Aurajoki — the crowd disperses faster there.
Logistics and Traffic
Föli (Turku) transport on 24 December 2025 and 24 December 2026
● 24 December (Christmas Eve): shortened, "Saturday" schedules; after ~20:00, there are usually no departures from the centre.
● 11:30–12:30: lines that run via Tuomiokirkkosilta are rerouted via Auransilta (temporary changes to stops).
● 25.12: holiday schedules (usually ~10:00–20:00).
● 26 December: holiday schedule; some night lines are operating.
Before leaving, check "Exceptions" in the Föli app.
🚌 Quick plan for the day of the ceremony
- Come on foot/by bus; walk the last 10–15 minutes.
- Allow 11:20–11:40 for the viewing point session.
- After reading, move towards Aurajoki, avoiding the bottleneck under the arches.
Road closures and parking
The perimeter around Vanha Suurtori is blocked off on Joulurauha Day; barriers are put up. Violators of temporary signs are evacuated — leave your car outside the perimeter and expect a 10–15 minute walk.
Christmas Opening Hours
● Alko: 24 December open until 12:00, 25–26 December closed (31 December — shortened day).
● Shopping centres (e.g. Hansakortteli): 24 December — short day; 25 December — closed; 26 December — "holiday hours".
● Museums (examples): Forum Marinum, Ett Hem — usually closed 24–26 December.
● Cafés and restaurants: some are closed, some are open by reservation and with reduced hours. Plan ahead.
● Vanhan Suurtorin joulu Advent Market: open on weekends in December, closed on Christmas Eve.
Staying warm
🧣 “20 minutes in the cold” checklist
- Dress in layers: technical base layer → wool layer → windproof shell; beanie or neck warmer; mittens over thin glove liners.
- Winter boots with a good tread (+ ice grips if needed): streets can be very slippery.
- Thermos with non-alcoholic glögi or hot chocolate; spare mittens and reflectors for children.
- Power bank: batteries drain much faster in sub-zero temperatures.
Scenarios for Different Travelers
Family with children. Arrive at 11:30, take a spot at the edge of Porthaninpuisto; keep a "warm spot" nearby in mind, and turn on Yle Areena on your phone as a backup.
Romance. The diagonal to the Brinkkala balcony provides a "postcard" shot; afterwards, take a walk along the Aurajoki.
Solo photos. Arrive 15–20 minutes early, check the wind and sound; then take a short loop to Turun tuomiokirkko.
People with reduced mobility/wheelchairs. It is flatter and more spacious closer to the river; choose your route in advance.
Budget. Föli round trip, thermos, arrive early; on the evening of 24 December, there may be no buses from the centre.
Beginner Mistakes
- Arriving "right at 12:00" means worse visibility and sound. Plan: 11:20–11:40.
- Standing directly under the balcony — maximum density. Diagonal sounds better.
- Arrived by car "in the centre" — road closures and evacuations. Park outside the perimeter in advance.
- Didn't check Föli — missed the last trains (after ~8:00 p.m. there may not be any).
Froze in the first 5 minutes — without layers/hand warmers and a hot drink, it's hard even for the hardened.
Live updates
Updates (time — EET)
When the Joulurauha formula subsides, Turku becomes especially quiet — as if the city is sharing a blanket with its streets. We go out to the river, and the frost under our feet sings softly. The ritual lasts only a few minutes, but we remember it for years: from 2025 to 2026, from holiday to everyday life. If this guide has helped you prepare for Christmas peace in Turku, share the link with your friends, tell us in the comments where you stood and how you kept warm, ask questions — we update the material before the holidays and keep the live feed up to date so that everyone arrives on time and leaves warm.
FAQ
Always on 24 December at 12:00 noon at Vanha Suurtori; the text is read from the balcony of Brinkkalan talo (Vanha Suurtori 3). Come between 11:20 and 11:40 to get a good spot.
In Finnish and Swedish — this tradition emphasises the bilingual nature of the city and the country.
On Yle TV1 and the Yle Areena stream. The broadcast usually starts a few minutes before noon
The core part lasts ~10–15 minutes. The best areas are: the front "fan" in front of the Brinkkala facade (view), the right diagonal (sound and quick exit), and the edge of Porthaninpuisto (space for prams).
24 December — "Saturday" schedules; after ~20:00, there may be no departures from the centre. Detours are possible during the ceremony (Tuomiokirkkosilta → Auransilta). 25–26 December — holiday schedules.
Yes. The perimeter around Vanha Suurtori will be closed off in certain areas; do not plan to park close by — leave your car outside the perimeter and walk 10–15 minutes.
Alko — 24 December until 12:00, 25–26 December closed. Shopping centres and museums — reduced/holiday hours or closed. Restaurants often operate by reservation — check the websites of specific places.
Yes, a non-alcoholic drink in a thermos is the perfect plan: it keeps you warm, and there are almost no queues in the square on Christmas Eve.
Yes. Choose peripheral areas with flat surfaces (the edge of Porthaninpuisto, areas closer to Aurajoki) and arrive early. Keep a backup — Yle Areena on your phone.
Layered clothing (thermal → wool → windproof), mittens over liners, boots with treads/ice grips, a buff. Bring a thermos and chemical hand warmers.
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