Culture tips for the summer
from the history of the archipelago to a national artist and contemporary art
Summer in Espoo is full of captivating events and top exhibitions, from works of art by internationally acknowledged contemporary artists to interdisciplinary works and Espoo-based stories to the laboratory of play. Espoo City Theater will not be open during the summer. The doors will reopen at the end of August.
One of Espoo’s best-known cultural venues is the architecturally inspiring WeeGee Exhibition Centre, which houses the astounding EMMA – Espoo Museum of Modern Art, Espoo City Museum KAMU, which takes a deep-dive into the history of Espoo and humans, the sympathetic Mauri Kunnas exhibition and Futuro House. The WeeGee yard also contains the charming Leikki – Museum of Play and the exciting Museum of Horology and Jewellery Kruunu.
You can enhance your experience with, among other things, free guided tours, and we also recommend the centre’s year-round event selection. The unique ‘UFO-like’ Futuro House, designed by Matti Suuronen, stands outside WeeGee and is open to the public from May to September.
Travel in time to life in the archipelago at Pentala Archipelago Museum on the charming island of Pentala in Espoo’s Suvisaaristo. You can jump onto a scheduled boat and spend a lovely summer’s day in the archipelago, visiting the museum, hiking on trails and even checking out an island-on-an-island.
One of the top destinations in Espoo is the Gallen-Kallela Museum, right by the beautiful Laajalahti bay. The impressive studio at Tarvaspää was designed and built by Finland’s national artist, Akseli Gallen-Kallela. Its changing exhibitions present the art and lives of Gallen-Kallela and his contemporaries, as well as contemporary art. You can also step back in time into life at an eighteenth-century farm and inn at the charming Glims Farmstead Museum. Besides the exhibition, various workshops and demonstrations are organised throughout the year.
Finnish Nature Centre Haltia serves its visitors all summer long. Come to admire Finnish nature and its interactive exhibitions. As a bonus, remember to go outdoors and visit a real nature exhibition - Nuuksion National Park.
Friends of religious sites should visit Espoo’s oldest building, i.e. Espoo Cathedral, the functionalist Tapiola Church and the decorative Orthodox church of St Herman of Alaska.
Hero Image: Antti Kangassalo