Pride march to draw 100,000 in Helsinki on Saturday

By admin On Jun 27, 2025

Participants in the Pride parade in Helsinki on 29 June 2024. Photo: Heikki Saukkomaa / Lehtikuva

Over 100,000 people are expected to join the Helsinki Pride march on Saturday. The event will begin at Senate Square at noon and end in Kaivopuisto Park by around 16:00.

The organisers have scheduled the main parade route through central Helsinki. The route covers Senate Square, Snellmaninkatu, Aleksanterinkatu, Mannerheimintie, Pohjoisesplanadi, Fabianinkatu, Eteläinen Makasiinikatu, Kasarmikatu and Neitsytpolku before ending at Kaivopuisto.

Participants will gather at Senate Square from 11:00. The march, promoted as peaceful and inclusive, will advance through the city centre with street closures affecting car and tram traffic for several hours.

Trams 2, 3, 4, 9T and 10 will operate on altered routes from 11:00 to 15:30. Metro services will extend two hours later than usual on Saturday evening.

The Helsinki Police have issued traffic advisories for motorists, recommending routes via Sörnäinen and Pohjoisranta for access to the South Harbour and Katajanokka ferry terminals. A drone flight ban will be in effect over and near the crowds.

“Police will manage traffic and ensure public safety and order throughout the event,” said Johanna Sinivuori, a Helsinki Police inspector, in a statement.

An estimated 50,000 people are expected at the park event in Kaivopuisto between 13:00 and 21:00. Entry is open to all.

This year’s Helsinki Pride theme is “Pride without borders”. Organisers said the message reflects their support for LGBTQ asylum seekers, refugees and migrants throughout the year.

The march marks the climax of Helsinki Pride Week, Finland’s largest human rights and cultural event.

The expected turnout matches the number of participants in 2024. Police and organisers will monitor numbers and provide updates during the day.

Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi