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Winter holidays at Heureka 2026: exhibitions and experiences for the whole family
Buy Heureka tickets €3 cheaper in advanceAre you wondering what to do on your winter holiday in Helsinki, Vantaa or the Helsinki Metropolitan Area? Science Centre Heureka is a weather-proof winter holiday destination: rain or sunshine, you'll definitely have fun here all day. Heureka has lots of fun things to do indoors and it's suitable for families, children, couples and friend groups. When the winter weather is nice, it's also nice to explore the stone park in front of Heureka.
In this article you will find everything you need to plan a fun winter holiday at Heureka. We offer interactive exhibitions , amazing performances and a newly renovated planetarium . You can also learn more about Heureka's opening hours , arrival instructions , prices and other practical tips.
Psst! In week 8, elementary school students can participate in a memorable two-day science or space camp. Note! The camps are in Finnish.
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A newly 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 - meaning it's now extra fun to come and watch planetarium films.
During the winter holidays of 2026, Heureka will be showing three planetarium films. Note! The age limit for the planetarium is 5 years.
- Asteroid Quest is a film about asteroids and how we study them with probes. It is best suited for ages 10 and up.
- The Stellars - Mission: Green is a fun-filled character animation that explores what a forest needs to function. The film is particularly suitable for children aged 5–10.
- Recombination a work by Dutch fractal artist Julius Horsthuis. The film immerses us in the fascinating world of fractals, accompanied by music and is aimed specifically at an older audience.
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Inspiring exhibitions
Heureka's exhibitions offer plenty of fun and diverse indoor activities for the winter holidays. All exhibitions invite you to experiment and discover - and at the same time learn new things about different themes.
During the winter holidays in 2026, it is especially worth experiencing:
1) The new Play and Explore exhibition , which brings together the most popular sites from the Power of Play exhibition and the gems from the Idea Workshop.2) The Water - the Stream of Life exhibition , which opened in autumn 2025, will allow you to listen to the story of the glacier, explore hidden water and build dams, among other things.
3) The extremely popular Giants of the Ice Age exhibition , where you will encounter almost 20 life-size animal robots.
Below you will find all of Heureka's exhibitions.
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Giants of the Ice Age
8.2.2025–6.9.2026
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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Water – The stream of Life
Exhibition is on display for the time being
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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Play and Explore
The exhibition is on display for the time being
A new exhibition dedicated to play will open on Saturday 20.12.2025. The exhibition consists of sites from the Power of Play exhibition and the Idea Workshop.
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Different Eyes
May 15, 2025–January 6, 2026
Two Centuries of Braille anniversary exhibition. We live in a world that emphasises visual information – but what if our eyes cannot see? The exhibition was curated in collaboration with the Finnish Federation of the Visually Impaired.
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Fibrations
10.6.2025–6.1.2026
The exhibition showcases student works of the Aalto University interdisciplinary course Crystal Flowers in Halls of Mirrors: Mathematics Meets Art and Architecture.
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Exhibitions Outdoors
Opens again summer 2026.
At Science Park Galilei you can try out large-scale objects based on music, mathematics and physics phenomena. Opens again 2026.
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Artificial Intelligence – Me, Myself & AI
Welcome to the village of the Scientist's home full of artificial intelligence! Can you beat the robot in rock-paper-scissors?
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Heureka Classics
Opens in Spring 2026
Heureka Classics is temporarily closed. The renewed exhibition will open during spring 2026.
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Electri City
Delve into smart electricity in your everyday life! What is a smart home like and how can you yourself use electricity intelligently?
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Circular Factory
Circular Factory is an exhibition of sustainable development solutions. How can familiar objects be recycled as efficiently as possible?
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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, a few old favorites are on display, such as the wire wheel and Foucault's pendulum.
Discover Heureka's new 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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Recombination
Recommended for adults
Welcome to a journey where the art of mathematics comes to life. Immerse yourself in infinite fractal landscapes that reveal the endless complexity and beauty of mathematics.
Amazing performances
During the winter holidays, Heureka offers various public performances every day. You can find out more about the detailed program for your visit in advance from the daily program and on the information displays on site on the day of your visit.
Come watch entertaining science theater performances , step into the shoes of a scientist in the laboratory , and learn about tame rats at rat feeding shows .
Discover Heureka's public performances
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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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Heureka is a family-friendly winter holiday destination
Heureka has everything you could want from a winter holiday destination. Fun things to do for the whole day, a restaurant , a shop and free parking. Below you will find all the practical information you need to plan your visit.
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Tickets and prices
You can buy Heureka tickets in advance for €3 less from the online store. The Heureka ticket includes all exhibitions, programs and planetarium films.
In advance from the online store (tickets for the current day can be purchased from the online store until Heureka's opening time and then on site):
- €23/adult (over 18 years old)
- €16/children + youth (5–17 years)
- €16/students, unemployed, pensioners and conscripts*
- €0/children under 5 years old.
- €0/ Museum Card / Kaiku card
On-site (ticket sales on-site end one hour before Heureka closing time):
- €26/adults (over 18 years old)
- €19/children + youth (5–17 years)
- €19/students, unemployed, pensioners and conscripts*
- €0/children under 5 years old.
- €0/ with Museum Card and Kaiku Card
Directions and parking
Heureka is easily accessible by public transport or by car. For more detailed arrival instructions, click here.
What should you bring with you to visit Heureka?
You don't need to bring anything special with you to visit Heureka - all you need is a curious mind!
- You are allowed to bring your own snacks and can eat them in the snack area upstairs. The snack area is accessed via a spiral staircase or elevator, which can be found next to the Giants of the Ice Age exhibition .
- It is a good idea to wear comfortable clothes to Heureka so that it is as comfortable as possible to try out the functional sites, such as the Moon Walk site in the Our Journey in Space exhibition .
What ages is Heureka suitable for?
Heureka is suitable for all ages. There is plenty to do for both children and adults, so you can come to Heureka during the winter holidays with the whole family or just adults. Here are a few age recommendations and restrictions that are good to know before visiting:
- The age limit for the planetarium is 5 years. The Stellars - Mission: Green planetarium film is especially recommended for children aged 5–10, the Asteroid Quest planetarium film is recommended for those over 10, and the Recombination planetarium film is especially suitable for adults.
- The Play and Explore exhibition is especially suitable for the youngest members of the family.
- The Moonwalk attraction in the Our Journey in Space exhibition has a height limit of 140–210 cm and a weight limit of 30–150 kg.
Toilets and childcare facilities
- The childcare facilities is located in the entrance hall behind the coat racks. The toilets are also located in the same area.
- Toilets are also available in the corridor behind the spiral staircase next to the Giants of the Ice Age exhibition and in the snack area upstairs. The snack area is accessible via the spiral staircase or by elevator.
Dining and shopping
- The Science Restaurant offers a hearty lunch, a delicious Science Snack Menu, and smaller savory and sweet snacks every day.
- Heureka Shop is located in the lobby. You will find the best science gifts and souvenirs from your visit to Heureka.
Accessibility
- Heureka is committed to providing an accessible experience for all visitors. Our space is designed to accommodate various mobility restrictions and other special needs. You can read more about accessibility at Heureka by clicking here.
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Quick tips for your winter holiday visit to Heureka
1) During weeks 8 and 9 we are open Mon–Fri 9 am–6 pm and Sat–Sun 10 am–6 pm. You can find other opening hours, arrival instructions and prices on the Information for visiting page.
2) The average visit time at Heureka is about 4 hours - so it's worth setting aside plenty of time for the day! If you're looking for a quieter time for your winter holiday visit, it's worth arriving first thing in the morning or alternatively later in the afternoon.
3) During the winter holidays in 2026, it is especially worth experiencing the completely renovated and state-of-the-art planetarium at Heureka. We also recommend visiting the newest exhibitions Play and Explore and Water - the Stream of Life .
Currently at Heureka
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Christmas Holidays at Heureka
Spend a fun Christmas holiday at Heureka! We offer fun and insightful activities for the whole family: exhibitions, experiments and experiences. There's plenty to do for the whole day!
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Heureka's winter holiday camps 2026
Note! The camps are in Finnish. Are you looking for a winter holiday camp for your child in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area? Heureka is organizing two-day science camps for curious primary school children in week 8. Tickets are on sale until 11.2. 3 pm or until the camps are sold...
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Heureka's extended Friday evenings
Heureka's Science Friday starts January 9th! We are open with extended opening hours on Friday evenings until 8pm. Read more about Friday evenings at Heureka on this page.
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The renewed planetarium is open
The planetarium has undergone the biggest transformation in its history! Heureka's planetarium is now one of the brightest, most colorful and detailed presentation environments in Europe.
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Thursday evening ticket for 10 €
Note! In 2026 the discount does not apply to Thursday evenings 19.2., 26.2., 2.4., 30.4., 14.5., summer season 1.6. - 9.8., 15.10., 24.12. and 31.12.2026. On Thursdays from 15:00–20:00, all entrance tickets are 10 €/each. Children under 5 years of age can enter Heureka free of charge accompanied by a guardian.
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Photographic Memory Test online
Note! The test in in Finnish. Take Heureka's free and fun photo memory test online. Challenge your visual memory, exercise your brain, and find out how accurately you remember the details of what you see.
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NOX evenings for adults
You'll leave Heureka's NOX events smarter than you arrived. Every event has their own theme.
