🎶 Kauneimmat Joululaulut: where to sing Christmas carols in Finland — format, cities, rules, map

If you want to experience December in Finland not as a "set of attractions" but as a quiet tradition of being together, come to Kauneimmat Joululaulut. Every year, I choose one evening: candles, wooden benches, familiar melodies — Maa on niin kaunis, Sylvian joululaulu, Varpunen jouluaamuna... And then there is this moment when adults and children breathe in unison, and the cold outside turns into silence inside. In this article, you will learn what this tradition is (and why even visitors to the country fall in love with it), how to find 'your' spot on the map, what to bring with you, how donations work, whether there are performances for children and in other languages — and where to go to warm up afterwards.

What is Kauneimmat Joululaulut and why should you go?

In English, it sounds like "The Most Beautiful Christmas Songs." In essence, it is a nationwide series of open musical gatherings in churches, halls, and even squares, where anyone who wants to can sing familiar and beloved Christmas melodies. The evenings run from Advent to Epiphany, bringing together residents from Helsinki to Lapland, and have been going on for decades — as a gentle, very Finnish continuation of Finland's Christmas traditions.

Why it's valuable:

● Low entry threshold. This is not a "concert for connoisseurs" but a communal sing-along: you can whisper under your breath or sing confidently — either way, everyone will be happy.

● A tangible meaning. Almost everywhere, it is also charity: you sing, and your contribution helps children and families through proven projects.

● Human architecture. Wooden benches, stone acoustics, candles — everything works to create the very atmosphere that many people fly to Finland for in December.

"I was surprised that no one was trying to 'sing better than everyone else'. People just breathe together. I left after an hour of singing and understood why Finns cherish these evenings so much: it's like a communal sauna for the heart."

Elena M., Saint Petersburg:

How to find your event: search by city and venue

The best way is to use the official calendar: on the project's main page, you can select a city/date and see a list of events. Another way is to check the pages of local parishes (Helsinki, Turku, Tampere, Espoo): they publish extended schedules for churches and parish halls, sometimes marked "for families" or "outdoors."

Where to look in large cities:

● Helsinki: parish pages publish a whole array of events, from large churches (Tuomiokirkko, Kallion kirkko, Vanha kirkko) to chamber halls; depending on the season, there are dozens or even hundreds of such events. Anchor on the topic — churches in Helsinki.

● Turku: Tuomiokirkko and parish houses are traditionally involved; there are themed editions (for example, in Sami).

● Tampere: in addition to the cathedral, singing often takes place in Alexander Church and chapels; there are formats "for kids".

● Espoo: due to renovations, some of the meetings are moved to parish halls and outdoors — Nuuksio and others.

Plus, a tip for visitors: if you are spending a day in the capital during the Finnish Christmas markets, it is better to choose evening meetings within walking distance of the Senate Square: it is compact and atmospheric.

How the evening goes: format, duration, repertoire

Duration. Most often, it is 45–75 minutes of live singing with a short introduction and a final prayer/blessing (the format depends on the venue).

Repertoire. They take the "golden shelf": Maa on niin kaunis, Sylvian joululaulu, Heinillä härkien kaukalon, En etsi valtaa, loistoa — and add modern or international versions (Silent Night, Joy to the World, Es ist ein Ros' entsprungen). Booklets (sometimes multilingual) are distributed in the hall, and sometimes the original lyrics with parallel translations are displayed on the screen.

Participation. This is communal singing, but there is almost always an organist, choirmaster or small choir to maintain the key and "lead" the hall. At children's gatherings, choirs help everyone join in together — the pauses are deliberately longer.

Candles and light. Inside, it is dimly lit, with subdued lighting, candles or electric candlesticks. Photography without flash is allowed, but it is better to check on the spot — sometimes they ask you to "live the moment, not photograph it".

Languages, children's formats and "special" editions

Finnish parishes are lively and diverse, so in addition to Finnish, you will often encounter:

● Swedish (Svenska): this is common practice in coastal regions and in the capital

● English: for expats and visitors — with a booklet containing texts in English (and sometimes parallel texts in Finnish).

● Sami: in certain cities and parishes — as an important part of the cultural map.

● Children's and family: Lasten Kauneimmat Joululaulut — up to an hour long, with explanations and more often in the afternoon.

If you are visiting Finland for the first time and are a little nervous, choose the "English" or "family" edition — it is less formal and provides a gentle introduction. Anchor in terms of meaning — where to go with children in Helsinki.

Donations: how it works in practice

Admission is free. A voluntary contribution is offered on site: cash in an envelope or mobile payment (often MobilePay/online form). Importantly, your contribution goes towards specific projects: education, health and safety of children, support for vulnerable groups. There is no pressure regarding the amount — they make you feel that participation is important in itself.

How to prepare: clothing, transport, children

● Clothing. Heating in churches is economical: wear layers and a warm scarf. If you want to walk around the city centre afterwards, put on your "city" windbreaker/jacket right away. Anchor — how to dress in Finland in winter.

● Transport. Walk or take the tram to large gatherings. For planning during the holidays, the HSL holiday timetables are helpful.

● Children. Bring a folding blanket/seat, a small snack and a quiet toy: an hour of singing is a normal "distance" even for small children.

● Accessibility. Large churches are equipped with ramps/lifts and induction loops, but older buildings vary — check the event card for details.

Advice from a reader
Oskari V., Helsinki:

"If you want to 'fit in' with your voice, listen to the first line, then join in. And yes, don't be afraid of your intonation: the main thing is not the volume, but breathing together."

Interactive map: iconic locations by city

Below are some pointers for visitors who want to fit an evening of singing into their city tour. This is not an exhaustive list, but a friendly map of places that are "almost certain to be beautiful and comfortable."

Evening scenarios: "sing → warm up → walk"

Option 1: Helsinki "classic". Singing at Vanha kirkko → hot chocolate in the Bulevardi district → a short walk to the lights of Aleksis. If you're in the mood, you can visit Finland's Christmas markets in December.

Option 2: Turku "on the river". Singing at Tuomiokirkko → break by the Aura River (mulled wine, bun) → photo by the bridge and fluorescent garlands.

Option 3: Tampere "from above". Song in Tuomiokirkko → walk to the Tammerkoski embankment → observation deck on the roof/terrace (if open).

Option 4: Espoo "family". Daytime family performance in the chapel → playground or library → early dinner and train ride without crowds.

Beginner's mistakes — in stickers

Pre-departure checklist

If you found this material useful, share it with your friends, save it for December, and write in the comments which city you found particularly warm. I will add your tips and new locations to the map so that the next reader can easily find their singing evening.