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Christmas Holidays at Heureka: Fun things to do during Christmas 2025 and New Years 2026
Buy Heureka tickets €3 cheaper in advanceIf you are wondering where to go in Finland during the Christmas holidays, we recommend the Helsinki Metropolitan Area - there is plenty to do for every day of the holiday. One of the places to visit during the Christmas holidays is Heureka, as it is easy to get here from Helsinki, Espoo and Vantaa. The journey is also comfortable by train or car, even from a longer distance - for example from Tampere or Turku. See more detailed arrival instructions here.
What kind of activities does Heureka offer during the Christmas holidays 2025? We will tell you more about our offerings on this page. At Heureka, you can, for example, get to know the animals that lived during the latest ice age , try walking on the moon and watch films in the renewed planetarium , which will open at the turn of the year 2025–2026. On this page you can also grab the best tips for a successful Heureka visit!
Christmas holidays at Heureka
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Come and experience the renovated planetarium
The planetarium has undergone the biggest transformation in its history! The presentation technology has been updated to meet today's expectations and standards. That means that watching planetarium films is now more enjoyable than ever!
During the beginning of 2026, the planetarium program will feature the following films:
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New: Play and Explore
Explore the Play and Explore exhibitionThe new play exhibition opened on Saturday 20.12.2025 just in time for the Christmas holidays! The exhibition consists of the most beloved sites from the Power of Play exhibition and the Idea Workshop.
In the exhibition, both children and adults can explore, experiment and immerse themselves in the world of play. Through play, you learn to explore the world, and this skill is worth practicing throughout your life.
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There's still time: miniature exhibitions
Come see the world through different eyes and admire beautiful works! The miniature exhibitions are open until 6.1.2026, so they are worth experiencing during the Christmas holidays.
Different Eyes is an exhibition celebrating the 200th anniversary of Braille. The Fibrations exhibition consists of the final projects of students from Aalto University's interdisciplinary course "Crystal Flowers in Mirror Halls: Mathematics Meets Art and Architecture".
Checklist for a visit to Heureka during the Christmas holidays 2025
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1. Buy tickets cheaper in advance
By purchasing a Heureka ticket in advance from the online store, you will get a ticket 3 € cheaper.
- Tickets for the current day can be purchased from the online store until Heureka opens, after which they can only be purchased on site.
- Heureka can also be accessed with the Museum Card and Kaiku Card.
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2. Daily program and lunch
- When are the rat feeding shows held? Is the laboratory open? You can see the exact program and schedule for your visit on the website in advance on the Daily Program page by clicking here.
- Every day, the Science Restaurant offers a hearty and tasty lunch, the Science Snack Menu, and a small selection of savory and sweet dishes. The week's lunch is published on the Science Restaurant's website every Monday morning. You can also bring your own snacks to Heureka!
- When are the rat feeding shows held? Is the laboratory open? You can see the exact program and schedule for your visit on the website in advance on the Daily Program page by clicking here.
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3. Storage and arrival
Storage:
- Heureka has plenty of space for storing winter jackets and backpacks. The lockers are free of charge.
Arrival:
- You can easily reach Heureka by car, train, bus or even on foot.
- Parking at Kuninkaalantie 5. Parking is free.
- From Tikkurila train station, it takes about 10 minutes to walk to Heureka. Tikkurila is located in area C of the ticket zone.
- Heureka has plenty of space for storing winter jackets and backpacks. The lockers are free of charge.
Below you will find all of Heureka's exhibitions.
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Giants of the Ice Age
8.2.2025–30.8.2026
Nearly twenty life-size animal robots await visitors at the Giants of the Ice Age exhibition - including a mammoth and a saber-toothed cat!
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Our Journey in Space
10.2.2024-6.1.2027
Our Journey in Space is an interactive science center exhibition for the whole family
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Play and Explore
On display until further notice
The exhibition consists of sites from the Power of Play exhibition and the Idea Workshop. Play is natural and essential for human well-being. Playing is about exploring and experimenting, getting to know ourselves and each other. Through play, we learn to explore the world, and we should maintain this skill...
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Exhibitions Outdoors
Open until 27.9.2026
At Science Park Galilei you can try out large-scale objects based on music, mathematics and physics phenomena. Open until 27.9.2026
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Water – The stream of Life
On display until further notice
Water – The Stream of Life. The exhibition is suitable for people of all ages and backgrounds, to children and to adults, as well as the curious and those who like to delve deeper.
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Artificial Intelligence – Me, Myself & AI
Exhibition is on display until further notice
Welcome to the world of artificial intelligence! The mini-exhibition brings together the best parts of the previous exhibition at Heureka. Come and try out the artificial intelligence-based devices and games that the main character of the exhibition, the Scientist, had made for his home.
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Heureka Classics
On display until further notice
Experience our classic destinations with the whole family! Heureka Classics has a selection of the most beloved aha-experiences.
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Science on a Sphere
The Science on a Ball site presents data collected by satellites about climate and space, among other things.
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Main Exhibition Area
In the main exhibition area you will find tightrope cycling, Foucault's pendulum, the Water - the Stream of Life exhibition and Heureka classics.
Discover planetarium films
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Asteroid Quest
Best suited for ages 10+
In the planetarium film Asteroid Quest, you will learn about asteroids, their secrets, and how scientists are learning to deflect asteroids to prevent catastrophic collisions.
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The Stellars - Mission: Green
Especially recommended for elementary school aged children
The Stellars - Mission: Green planetarium film combines space adventure, humor and a message of environmental protection.
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The Heart of the Forest
On the program from June 1st
Welcome to an enchanting journey into the world of trees! In the planetarium film The Heart of the Forest you will learn about the cycle of life, the power of forests, and their biodiversity.
Other experiences at Heureka
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Science On a Sphere -shows
During guided performances, participants analyse satellite data about the oceans, climate, the earth's crust and space.
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Laboratory experiments
In the laboratories, you can learn about microscopy or chemical reactions, for example, under the guidance of an inspirer.
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Rat feeding show
Heureka's domestic rats are among the science center's most popular destinations. In the rat feeding shows, you will hear more about the life of Heureka's rats.Their performances are on hiatus due to renovations and will continue in the beginning of 2025.
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Quick tips for visiting Heureka during the Christmas holidays
1) Heureka opening hours during the Christmas and New Year holidays:
- 24.12.2025 CLOSED
- 25.12.2025 12–6 pm
- 26.12.2025 10 am–6 pm
- 31.12.2025 10 am–5 pm
- 1.1.2026 10 am–6 pm
- 6.1.2026 10 am–4 pm
Other opening hours, arrival instructions and prices can be found on the info page.2) When you get hungry, you'll find something to eat at the Science Restaurant for everyone - everything from a hearty lunch to coffee and a bun! Heureka also has facilities for eating your own snacks.
3) There are free storage lockers in the lobby, so you can enjoy your day without backpacks and winter outerwear. It is also possible to leave larger bags at customer service during your visit.
Currently at Heureka
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Summer tips for your Heureka-visit
The most fun adventure of your summer vacation awaits you at Heureka! Check out the best tips for a memorable visit to Heureka and come spend an unforgettable summer day surrounded by science.
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Midsummer at Heureka
Looking for things to do in Helsinki during Midsummer? Head to Heureka in Vantaa – exhibitions, experiences, and tips for the whole family.
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Summer Science Camps 2026
Are you looking for a summer camp for your child in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area? Heureka organizes week-long science and space camps for elementary and middle school children throughout the summer. Tickets are on sale until 2 p.m. the Wednesday before the start of the chosen camp or until the...
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NCISC competition entries on display at Heureka
The NCISC is an annual science competition held in the US for American high school students. Some of the competition entries will be presented at Heureka from June 30th to July 1st. Read more about the competition entries and schedule on this page.
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New episodes of hilarious Heureka moments
Our hilarious science duo is back with a new episode of mind-blowing scientific tricks! Watch the latest Heureka moment on this page. Note! The videos are in Finnish.
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AI Art Recognition Test online (in Finnish!)
Can you distinguish genuine works of art from those fabricated with generative AI? Find out in Heureka's free AI art identification test! As you take the test, you'll get tips on how to identify AI-generated works.
