The Happenings of the Christmas Time in Turku:
Christmas City Turku opens to its full dimension on Saturday, the 30th of November. There will be fascinating Christmas programme throughout the city centre during the whole day. The magical Christmas atmosphere and the traditions will be cherished in form of special program which continues until the 12th of January.
One of the highlights of the Christmas Opening is the switch-on of the lights on the Christmas Tree of Turku Cathedral which will launch the festivities. The Tree will be lit up with more than 700 led lamps on the 30th of November on an event starting at 3.45 p.m. where families with children are encouraged to sing and play along Christmas carols led by the Music Instructor Tuuli Paasolainen accompanied by her band. The Christmas greeting of the Cathedral will be presented by Reverend Jenni Pihajoki of the Turku Cathedral Parish. The joyful ‘rats of the church’, Hilda and Hulda will also assist the event.
Right after the switch-on of the lights on the Christmas Tree, there will be a Fire Show at the Old Square Christmas Market at 4.30 p.m.
The Fabulous Christmas Parade Leads to the Culminating Event
The fabulous Christmas Parade will start at 4.45 p.m. in front of the Museum of History and Contemporary Art, Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova. The festive parade will head up towards the pedestrian street Yliopistonkatu and follow the route the Library Bridge, Läntinen Rantakatu Street, Kristiinankatu Street and the pedestrian street Yliopistonkatu. The parade will be led by the Snow Queen of the year, the Chairman of the Turku Animal Protection Association, Taru Säteri.
The audience is welcome to join the parade or to follow the parade along the route. The parade features fairy tale characters, which along with choirs and dancers will bring Christmas spirit and magical atmosphere to the pedestrian street Yliopistonkatu.
The Great Christmas Opening culminates in the Opening Show of the Christmas Street and in the switch-on of the Christmas lights in Yliopistonkatu. The Christmas lights will be lit on this year by Finnish DJ and composer Ville Virtanen, best known by his stage name Darude.
Enchanting Programme for the Whole Day
The Great Christmas Opening will gather tens of thousands of people in several happenings. The fabulous Christmas Opening will take place in the Hansa Block, in the pedestrian street Yliopistonkatu, in the Sokos Wiklund Warehouse and in the Forum Block. You can also get into the Christmas spirit and atmosphere by vising the Turku Market Hall.
During the renovation of the Turku Market Square, you can enjoy the Christmas atmosphere on the temporary marketplace. There will be a direct Facebook video broadcast at the Turku Market Square on the Great Christmas Opening, and the Santa Claus has promised to pay a visit at the marketplace on each Saturday before the Christmas.
The Great Opening will be realized in close cooperation with several participants.
Along with the City of Turku, Turku and Kaarina Parish Union, Turku City Centre Association, Old Great Square Christmas Market, New Market Square Project and Turku Market Hall will participate in the arrangements.
The Great Christmas Opening on the 30th of November 2019 Feature Among Other Happenings:
from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Enchanting programme in the city centre
from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Turku Marketplace: Santa Claus and the Facebook broadcast ‘Kauppatori goes live’
at 3.45 p.m. Singing and playing Christmas carols at the Turku Cathedral Square
at 4.10 p.m. Switch-on of the lights on the Christmas Tree of Turku Cathedral
at 4.30 p.m. Fire Show at the Old Great Square
at 4.45 p.m. Fabulous Christmas Parade. Depart in front of the Museum of History and Contemporary Art in Turku, Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova) passing by the Library Bridge, the streets Läntinen Rantakatu and Kristiinankatu with the destination pedestrian street Yliopistonkatu.
at 5.00 p.m. Opening Show of the Christmas Street and the switch-on of the Christmas Lights on the pedestrian street Yliopistonkatu
