Autumn holiday 2026: dates in the biggest cities and things to do

Autumn holiday dates 2026

Municipalities decide on school holidays themselves, so the autumn break is not at the same time across the country. The dates below have been checked from the cities' own websites or city decisions. They apply to the city's Finnish-language comprehensive schools; exceptions for individual schools or upper secondary schools should be checked from the school's own notices.

Helsinki: 12.–16.10.2026 (week 42)
Espoo: 12.–16.10.2026 (week 42)
Vantaa: 12.–16.10.2026 (week 42)
Tampere: 12.–16.10.2026 (week 42)
Turku: 12–16.10.2026 (week 42)
Oulu: 19.–23.10.2026 (week 43)

Early childhood education and working parents

A school autumn holiday does not mean that daycare centres are closed. According to the City of Espoo, for example, early childhood education is open during the autumn holiday, but families must mark the child's absences in the eVaka calendar in advance. Similar notifications are requested in many other municipalities too, because they are used to size staffing for the holiday week.

If the parents are at work during the holiday week, it is worth checking in good time the day camps and school-holiday activities offered by the city, parishes and sports clubs. The most popular camps and workshops often require registration weeks in advance, so those who start late are mostly left with free-admission programmes.

Cities' own autumn holiday programmes

Many cities put together their own programme for the autumn holiday. According to a release published by the City of Helsinki on 6.10.2026, the autumn holiday week offers, among other things, youth centre workshops and excursions, library reading events and comic workshops, free programme in playgrounds, and free Vimma and Puhti sports without advance registration. Children's City and the Tram Museum are free to enter. The up-to-date programme is compiled at nuorten.hel.fi/syysloma.

The City of Tampere's autumn holiday page collects both free and paid events, such as board game clubs and film screenings at libraries, open art workshops and the museums' holiday programme. In other cities, similar information can usually be found in the city's event calendar and on library websites.

The library is the easiest destination of the holiday week

Under the Libraries Act (1492/2016), using, borrowing and reserving the library's own materials is free of charge. Besides books, you can often borrow board games, music, films and, in many libraries, sports equipment or tools. During holiday weeks libraries often organise story hours, game clubs and workshops.

Check the opening hours before you go, as they may differ during the holiday week. In some municipalities a fee may be charged for collecting reservations or for interlibrary loans, so check your own library's price list.

Museums and the Museum Card

The Museum Card gives access to over 360 museums around Finland. The card costs a one-off 86 euros or a monthly fee of 7,45 euros a month, and it is valid for 12 months from the first museum visit. If you renew the card before it expires, the extension costs 79 euros.

A family with children should also check the museums' own child and family prices, as well as the free days or evenings that many museums offer. During the autumn break week, museums often have workshops and guided tours that are included in the admission ticket.

Outdoor activities and nature

In October a nature trip is possible without large costs. Under everyman's rights you may move about in nature, and Metsähallitus's Luontoon.fi service lists the routes, fire pits and current notices for national parks and hiking destinations. In October the days are short, so bring a headlamp on the trip and set off in good time.

What you may do in nature and when making a fire is prohibited is explained in more detail in Activity Radar's guide to everyman's rights.

How to plan an affordable holiday week

When there are a few fixed points in the week, it is easy to fill the other days with local exercise and the library. Activity Radar compiles museums, science centres, indoor activities and free nature destinations from different cities, so you can narrow down destinations by city and pick options suitable for the holiday week.

Check your own city's autumn holiday programme and sign up for popular workshops right away.
Choose one paid activity and fill out the week with free ones.
Make use of your employer's sports and culture benefit if you have one.
Check the opening hours, as during the holiday week they may differ from usual.
Have a backup plan for indoor days in case of rain.

Frequently asked questions

When is the autumn break in Helsinki in 2026?

According to the City of Helsinki, the autumn holiday of comprehensive and upper secondary schools is Monday to Friday 12.–16.10.2026.

Why is Oulu's autumn break in a different week?

Municipalities decide on holiday periods themselves. In Oulu the autumn break in 2026 is in week 43, i.e. 19–23.10.2026.

When does the Christmas holiday begin?

According to the cities, Christmas holiday is 21.12.2026–6.1.2027 in Helsinki, 23.12.2026–6.1.2027 in Espoo, in Vantaa basic education and in Oulu, and 19.12.2026–10.1.2027 in Tampere. Check your own school's dates.

Activity Radar brings together the topic's figures, deadlines and services. Open Activity Radar →

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Sources

The article is general information and does not replace the guidance of an authority, a lawyer or an adviser. Check up-to-date information from the sources.