Suomenlinna Autumn Walk + Viaporin Kekri
Детали
We're heading to Suomenlinna for an autumn walk, and there's something special happening on the island that day too! 🎉
🌲 Our walking plan
We’ll follow Suomenlinna’s main walking route, passing through the historic fortress, church grounds, Great Courtyard, coastal paths, and King’s Gate.
Date: Saturday, 31 October 2026
Meeting time: 14:40
Meeting point: Kauppatori, at the HSL Suomenlinna ferry terminal, near the Presidential Palace
Walking distance: Approximately 3–4 km
Ferry departure: 15:00 (arriving at Suomenlinna at 15:15)
🎃 Afterwards: Viaporin Kekri
Viaporin Kekri is inspired by Finland’s traditional harvest celebrations. On this day, Suomenlinna will have special programs presenting history, art, culture, music, and food.
After our walk, you’re welcome to stay and explore the activities together or at your own pace.
🏛️ History, exhibitions and guided tours
- Military Museum (11:00–20:00)
Free admission
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Kekri Hunt (11:00–19:30): Search for hidden kekri-themed characters around the museum exhibition.
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Threads of Light and Shadow (11:00–19:30): A collaborative art installation where visitors can contribute drawings or messages on recycled fabric.
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Stories of Death and Ghosts in Finland’s Wars 1918–1945 (15:00): A guided tour exploring supernatural stories connected to wartime Finland.
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Tales from the Borderlands of the Afterlife (16:00 and 18:00): Guided tours about ghost stories, omens, dreams, and beliefs surrounding death during Finland’s wartime years.
The guided tours are free, but registration is required at the museum’s ticket desk on the same day. Each tour is limited to 20 participants.
- Customs Museum (14:00–19:00)
Free admission
Explore the museum and take part in a ghost hunt and customs-themed quiz, including a search for escaped ghost prisoners.
- Suomenlinna Museum (10:30–19:00)
Free admission
Explore Suomenlinna’s more than 260-year history, including its fortress, dry dock, and life during the Russian garrison period.
There will also be:
- A temporary exhibition about Finnish handcrafted glass and the Suomenlinna Glass Studio.
- An educational treasure hunt around the museum.
- The Suloinen sadonkorjuu autumn photo spot, inspired by harvest traditions.
🎶 Music, food and other activities
There will also be plenty happening around the island, including:
- Kekri Beer Festival: At Tenalji von Fersen, with live music by Friction Groove Collective between 18:00 and 22:00.
- Linna Bar: Food, sauna, and live music by Suomenlinnan Suolakurkut at 20:00 (18+).
- Creepy Café (14:00–21:00): Halloween-themed pastries, hot drinks, and treats.
- Café Vanille (12:00–20:00): Seasonal pastries, savory snacks, and salmon soup.
- Suomenlinna Officer’s Club (16:00–21:00): An opportunity to visit Finland’s oldest officers’ club, with its restaurant and bar open to the public.
- Other seasonal food stalls and cafés across the island.
Some activities may have separate charges or limited capacity.
You can check the full schedule and choose what interests you here:
https://suomenlinna.fi/en/explore/viaporin-kekri/
🎟️ Cost and transportation
The HSSC walk is free.
Suomenlinna is accessible by the regular HSL ferry from Kauppatori, which takes approx. 15 minutes.
- HSL AB single ticket: €3.30 using the HSL app
- Return ferry journey: €6.60 for two separate AB single tickets
- If you already have a valid HSL ticket or season pass covering zone A, you can use it for the ferry.
- Food, drinks, and any paid festival activities are at your own expense.
What to bring
Wear warm, weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable walking shoes. Some of Suomenlinna’s paths are uneven or cobblestoned, and it can get windy by the sea.
The main HSSC activity is our afternoon walk. Staying for Viaporin Kekri afterwards is optional, so feel free to join the festival for as long as you like.
Please RSVP through Meetup so we know how many people to expect.
See you in Suomenlinna! 🍂