Park Festival in Kaivopuisto

We are happy to be able to come together again to end the Pride month with a traditional park festival on Saturday in Kaivopuisto!

It is a priority for us that the sense of community at the heart of Pride week is maintained, even though the event has grown in recent years with the number of participants. The celebration is made by the people and we want to keep all Pride Week programming free of charge, thus making it available to everyone to spend Pride Week together.

As the event grows, we also want to ensure that interactivity is maintained and that our community has the opportunity for low-threshold encounters.
See map for more information

Info

Schedule

Park Festival program organized by Helsinki Pride community will take place on Saturday 29.6. between 13-20. However, the evening will continue with the official Helsinki Pride Closing Party at the Old Student House from 20:00. The party is K18.

We will start to dismantle the technology related to the programme and release the park back to the city from 8pm onwards.

Stage program for the Park Festival

The Park Festival stage is again supported by Zalando.

There will be a programme on stage from 13 to 20 as follows:
13:00 DJ AWA
14:20 speeches
15:00 Elsi Sloan
15:50 UMC Extras, Drag Shíky
16 Surprise performer, to be announced soon!
16:30 BÄMÄ
17:15 Tuure Boelius
18:00 DJ: Club La Persé

Safety and first aid

You can fill your own water bottles at the water points in Kaivopuisto, which are marked on the map.

The Local Crew will be responsible for safety at the park party. The stewards are recognisable by their yellow stewards' vests with the words Local Crew Security on the back and the steward badge on their chest.

A first aid team will be on site during the event. The first aid tent is located in Kaivopuisto Park next to the Helsinki Pride information tent.

There will also be harassment contact persons in the park, who you can approach with a low threshold if you experience or see inappropriate behaviour. The harassment contact persons will also be present in the park, but they can always be reached from the first aid tent. You can approach harassment contact persons even if you are not sure whether the behaviour you are experiencing is harassment.
See map for location of water points and emergency services

Cleaning and recycling

A large number of toilets will be provided in the park festival area, as well as two water points for hand washing and refilling water bottles. There are litter bins in the area, which we hope every visitor will use. Please note that biowaste, mixed waste and glass bottles go in the correct bins.

Let's keep the park tidy and pleasant during the festive period. This will also make it easier for the Helsinki Pride clean-up team!

After the event, the park will also be cleaned by professionals.
See map for location of recycling points

What can and cannot be brought into the area?

You can bring your cheerful spirit, sounds, picnic blankets, food and drinks to the area. Dogs are very welcome to join us for a relaxing park party.

You may NOT bring your own tent structures, disposable grills or aggregates to the park.

Please leave your disposable grills at home, they are not allowed in the park during the event. Open fires are also prohibited in the area.

Accessibility

The main entrance to the Park Festival is on Neitsytpolku. There are two sound beacons: one at Neitsytpolku entrance and one at Iso puistotie.

For safety reasons, the streets surrounding Kaivopuisto have been fitted with a transfer sign. If you leave your car on the street, you do so at your own risk, even if you have a parking card. All persons, including those with parking card, are advised to arrive by taxi. Additional questions: johanna@pride.fi

Iso Puistotie will be closed to traffic during the event, but escort vehicles will be able to enter the area and drop off passengers at the horseshoe-shaped car park on Ehrenströmintie (near Café Ursula). Unfortunately, it is not possible to leave your own car in this car park.

The Park Festival area in Kaivopuisto is basically flat and easy to move around.

There are four separate toilet areas in the park, each with separately marked accessible toilets. There are a total of ten accessible bajamas in the area, which are marked on the map.

In addition to the park benches, there are partner points in the area with a limited number of chairs for seating.

There is an accessible grandstand adjacent to the programme platform, which can be used by those who wish to use it. However, use of the accessible grandstand is voluntary and the stewards are aware of this.

For a video on accessibility at the Park Festival, see the end of this page.
More detailed accessibility information of the park

Things to do at Park Festival

Park Festival Stage: Supported by Zalando

There will be lots of activities on stage from 13-20 at Park Festival!

Park Festival stage is organised in cooperation with our partner Zalando. Zalando will also be offering visitors a wonderful HugCam - maybe you and your friends can cuddle up on the screen!

Park disco

Hope for sparks and dancing feet at the Forum Park Disco!

We're taking part in Helsinki Pride's Park Festival by bringing last year's super-popular Forum Park Disco to the venue. Open to all, DJs Tia Ottman and Malin Nyqvist will be playing the hottest hits from 13:00 to 20:00. You can dance your heart out in like-minded company and regardless of the weather, either under a covered dome or enjoying the Finnish summer under the sky.

You will find the Park Disco along the main road.

The Temple of Love

At Lidl's Food Temple, partygoers can buy picnic bags for two, ice cream and refreshing drinks. These can be enjoyed on the benches or chairs in the cosy garden. At the Temple of Love photo booth, partygoers can take a spectacular 360° photo of the park party to share on their social media channels.

Niko Saarinen's Nikotelle LidlCast features the hottest confessions of the summer. The most delicious stories will be published on 6 July as a special episode on Spotify. Everyone can test their skills and luck at the archery range to win something small and surprising. It's not about winning, it's about fair love.

The Temple of Love can be found next to the Community Partner Towers.

Friends Zone

See you at Friends Zone!

Pride is better with friends. In the Better Games Together Friends Zone in Kaivopuisto, you can meet new people playing outdoor games, taking Pride-inspired selfies on our photo wall or relaxing in a comfy chair.

Want to meet new people but not sure how? We have conversation topics available to break the ice. Whether you're an avid gamer or haven't played games since childhood, you're welcome at Friends Zone.

You'll find the Friends Zone along the main thoroughfare, just after the Park Disco.

Pets Lounge

Musti & Mirri Pets Lounge warmly welcomes all Pride partiers. Refreshment, shelter and friends are available for all types of furry friends.

There's also a photo booth where you and your furry friend can record your memorable Pride moment.

You'll find the Pet Lounge along the main thoroughfare in your own private sanctuary near the children's area.

Hangout Lounge

Come and say hello to Itis at the park festival!

We're bringing the Itis Lounge to Kaivopuisto for warm encounters, stunning Glambot photos and the chance to create your own Space to Be You pin.

You'll find the Itis Lounge opposite the Info Point.

Areas for children and young People

Children's area

The City of Helsinki's Children's Area offers something to do and see for the little ones in the family at Park Festival.

There will be performances, water tattoos, a bouncy castle and sheltered places to rest and have a snack. The library bus will be on hand to take away reading material for children and young people. All activities are free of charge.

Programme:
1 pm-8 pm Bouncy Castle
1 pm-5 pm water tattoos
3:30 pm Dancing Story moment, Pauliina Aladin and working group (In Finnish)
5 pm Here lives bravery, Emilia Hakkarainen and working group (In Finnish)

Youth Area

A dedicated, alcohol-free area in the park for young people (13-25 years old). Please respect this area - give young people space for their own Pride celebrations!

The Youth Pride area will be manned at all times by youth workers from the Helsinki Pride community, the City of Helsinki and Iris Helsinki.

There will be snacks and a hang-out area for young people in the Youth Pride area. There will also be a programme from 13-17.15:
13-14 DJ Koolla
from 14-15 pm - 14-15 uni
15-15.30 DJ Koolla
15.30-16.15 Sini Yasemin + DJ
16.15-17.15 DJ Koolla

Other things to do in Park Festival

Information and support in the park

The park will once again host a number of our community partners with their own stands. Community partner points will provide information and support to park visitors.

Our community partners in the park are:

Tunne rintasi ry
Hivpoint / Hiv-säätiö
Väestöliitto ry
Svenska hörnan
Mielenterveyden keskusliitto
SKP - Punainen sateenkaari
Helsingin seurakuntayhtymä
Helsingin Seudun Vapaa-ajattelijat ry
Vihreä liitto rp
Seta ry
Helsingin Sosialidemokraatit ry
Helsingin Vasemmistoliitto ry
Svenska folkpartiet i Helsingfors
Keskustaopiskelijat ry ja Suomen Keskustanuoret ry
Aalto-yliopiston ylioppilaskunta (AYY)
MIELI Suomen Mielenterveys ry
Tekniikan akateemiset TEK
Suomen Ammattiliittojen Keskusjärjestö SAK

Food and drink at Park Festival

Share Company

Share Company menu has something for everyone!

- Crispy Chicken Burger and sweet potato chips (Brioche bun, crispy chicken fillet, tomato, pickled red onion, bbq-cole slaw and sweet potato chips) 15 €

- Crispy Seitan Burger with sweet potato chips (Brioche bun, crispy seitan, tomato, pickled red onion, bbq-cole slaw and sweet potato chips) 15 €

- Smoked salmon bowl (Rice, smoked salmon, soybeans, cucumber, cherry tomato, kale, sesame seeds and dressing) 14 €

- Nyhtötofu bowl (Rice, nyhtötofu, soybeans, cucumber, cherry tomato, kale, sesame seeds and sauce) 14 €

- Nacho Box (Corn tortilla chips, fresh tomato salsa, guacamole, jalapeno and Oatly oatmeal) 6 €

Mavullaa drinks (fresh drinks on ice, several options) 5,50 €

Coffee and tea:
Kaffecentralen “Saari"  (Fair Trade certified organic coffee)
Althaus teahouse teas.

Ape Gelato

You'll find an Italian ice cream truck from Ape Gelato at the Park Festival! You'll find quality ice cream and espresso drinks. Ape Gelato ice cream is made with clean and fresh ingredients in small batches.

Vegan, gluten-free and lactose-free options are available.

Pullabiili

Featuring brand new bakery delicacies and nuanced small roastery coffee, the Pullabiili coffee truck is perhaps Patisserie Teemu Aura's best-known shop. Pullabiili's selection includes fresh bread, buns, croissants, pastries, coffee, tea and refreshments.

Helsinki Pride Park Festival accessibility on video