Helsinki International Boat Show: in mid-February provides a breath of fresh summer air in the cold Finnish winter, showcasing vessels ranging from luxury yachts to motorboats, rowing boats and canoes.

Musica nova Helsinki: has been staged for 25 years in mid-March and introduces audiences to some of the hottest names on the contemporary music scene and the most promising newcomers from all over the world.

Wine Expo: is held in mid-March and lets visitors sample fermented grape juice of various qualities from around the globe at Helsinki’s Fair Centre. Guided tours and lectures about food and wine are available. You might want to take a taxi home.

American Car Show: is held at the beginning of April and features power, prestige, sedans, sports, soft tops and hard tops. Fans can admire American cars in all their forms at this special show in Helsinki’s Fair Centre.

Beer Festival: attracts connoisseurs and casual boozers alike in mid-April to this annual beer celebration at Helsinki’s Cable Factory. There are beer, cider and whisky competitions to the musical accompaniment of Finnish bands.

Jazz Espoo: features well-known Finnish and international jazz performers over five days in the Tapiola district. Past stars have included Ray Charles, Nina Simone and Joe Zawinul.

May Day: is taken seriously in Finland. All over the country people hit the local brew houses with a ravenous appetite for partying. In Helsinki, celebrations spread all across the city.

The World Village Festival: kicks off Helsinki’s summer season with music, dance and theatre, a complete kids’ programme, literature, exhibitions, workshops and exotic food. About 200 organisations are on site to promote civil society action.

Helsinki Day: While not a national holiday, this date is remembered each year with lots of celebrations and events across the city.

Helsinki Samba Carnival: at the beginning of June sees Samba rhythms and colours take over the city. Over 1,000 participants from schools in Helsinki and other cities take part in Saturday’s main parade.

Helsinki Cup International Youth Football Tournament: is held in the second week of July, when hundreds of young football players from around the world come together to compete for the coveted Helsinki Cup.

Salmon Fishing Championships and Salmon Market: begin in June and continue into July, with competitive fishing and plenty of entertainment in Helsinki’s Kaivopuisto Park. There’s also a fish open market right through the competition.

Helsinki Festival: is held over the last two weeks of August and features classical music, dance, visual arts, film, theatre and other city events. There are many activities for children.

Night of the Arts: is one of the highlights of the annual Helsinki Festival, showcasing the city and its talent. The doors of art galleries, libraries and bookstores stay open until late and over 100 events are held across the city.

Habitare: in the second half of September is Finland’s yearly showcase of design for the home. Held at the Helsinki Fair Centre, it offers a great way to explore Finnish design and culture.

The Helsinki International Film Festival: at the end of September is a non-competitive film festival, promoting the craft of filmmaking, the creative, visually spectacular and controversial new films, opening doors for the promising talents of tomorrow.

Herring Fair: is held at the end of the fishing season in Helsinki’s Market Square. The year’s last and biggest catch is brought in to harbour by fishing boats laden with herring and sprat. Hordes flock to one of the biggest smörgåsbords of the year.

Traditional Sailing Ship Meet: sees the Helsinki shore welcome several traditional sailing ships. They race against each other before docking at Market Square, where they open their hatches to the public.

Avanto Festival: focuses on local and international radical media-art activities. Held at venues around town, audiences are in for some rather strange performances.

Christmas Lights: sees Helsinki’s official Christmas street, Aleksanterinkatu, declared ‘open’ in a ceremony at the Senate Square, lighting up the dark winter evenings with a festive glow.

Independence Day: on 6 December is a national holiday, celebrating the country’s declaration of independence after its occupation during the war by the Russian empire.

Lucia Parade: commemorates the legend of virgin-martyr St Lucia, who was killed during the persecutions of the Christians in 304 AD. Lucia is adorned with a crown of lit candles at the cathedral, after which the parade travels from the Senate Square through Aleksanterinkatu and Mannerheimintie, finishing at the Narinkka Square.

Women’s Christmas Market: is held at Wanha Satama and sells new and exclusive Finnish products manufactured by women, including jewellery, carpets, ceramics, knitting, clothing, leather and woodwork, baked goods along with Christmas treats and decorations.

Via Crucis: is the Easter dramatisation parade, which begins at the stairs of the Cathedral on the Senate Square, and proceeds along the Snellmaninkatu to the park behind the House of Estates. More than a hundred professional and amateur actors as well as volunteers take part in the event.