Things to Do in Turku in December

December Weather in Turku

0°C (32°F) High Temp

-7°C (19°F) Low Temp

74 mm (2.9 inches) Rainfall

85% Humidity

Is December Right for You?

Advantages

Authentic Finnish winter experience with snow-covered medieval castle and cathedral creating stunning photography opportunities without summer tourist crowds
Christmas markets at Market Square (Kauppatori) run December 1-23, featuring traditional Finnish crafts, glögi (mulled wine), and reindeer sausages in atmospheric wooden stalls
Turku Castle transforms into a winter wonderland with special December exhibitions and medieval Christmas celebrations, plus indoor heating makes extended visits comfortable
Perfect sauna weather - outdoor temperatures make the contrast with traditional Finnish saunas (80-100°C/176-212°F) more intense and authentic, plus many saunas offer ice swimming experiences

Considerations

Only 5-6 hours of daylight (sunrise 9:30am, sunset 3:30pm) limits outdoor sightseeing time and can trigger seasonal depression for some visitors
Freezing rain and slush make walking treacherous - expect to move slowly and wear appropriate footwear or risk slipping on icy sidewalks
Many outdoor attractions and boat tours to archipelago islands are completely closed until April, limiting activity options significantly

Best Activities in December

Turku Castle Medieval Winter Tours

December transforms the 700-year-old castle into a magical winter setting with snow-covered courtyards and special Christmas exhibitions. Indoor heating and historical displays make this perfect for cold weather exploration. The medieval Christmas market inside runs weekends in December with authentic crafts and period music.

Booking Tip: Book castle tours 7-10 days ahead online for €12-15 adults. Special evening candlelight tours run Fridays-Sundays in December for €18-22. Check current tour availability in booking section below.

Traditional Finnish Sauna Experiences

December's sub-zero temperatures make sauna experiences authentic and invigorating. Many facilities offer ice swimming (avanto) opportunities in Aura River. The extreme temperature contrast enhances the traditional Finnish sauna ritual, and indoor warmth provides perfect respite from harsh weather.

Booking Tip: Public saunas cost €8-15 per session. Private sauna rentals run €40-80 per hour for groups. Book weekend slots 5-7 days ahead. Look for facilities offering towels and post-sauna warm beverages.

Turku Cathedral and Christmas Concerts

Finland's national shrine hosts special Advent concerts throughout December, with acoustics enhanced by cold air. The Gothic architecture looks stunning with Christmas decorations and snow visible through ancient windows. Indoor venue perfect for December weather.

Booking Tip: Free cathedral visits, but Christmas concerts cost €15-35. Book concert tickets 2-3 weeks ahead as they sell out. Regular organ concerts happen Sundays at 3pm. See current concert schedule in booking section.

Market Square Christmas Market Shopping

Turku's main Christmas market (December 1-23) features traditional Finnish handicrafts, reindeer products, and local foods. Heated vendor stalls and warm glögi help combat freezing temperatures. Best selection of authentic Finnish souvenirs and seasonal treats.

Booking Tip: Free admission, budget €20-50 for food and drinks, €30-150 for crafts and souvenirs. Market runs 10am-8pm weekdays, 9am-9pm weekends. Peak crowds Saturday afternoons, visit weekday mornings for better service.

Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova Museum Complex

This underground archaeological museum combined with contemporary art gallery provides perfect shelter from December weather. Features medieval Turku ruins discovered beneath the city, plus rotating modern art exhibitions. Climate-controlled environment ideal for cold, wet days.

Booking Tip: Admission €12-15 adults, open Tuesday-Sunday 11am-7pm. Allow 2-3 hours for full experience. Buy combo tickets online for 10% discount. Perfect rainy day backup plan.

Luostarinmäki Handicrafts Museum Winter Workshops

This preserved 18th-century wooden quarter offers traditional craft workshops in heated buildings. December features special Christmas craft sessions including woodworking and textile arts. Authentic historical buildings with modern heating make this comfortable winter cultural experience.

Booking Tip: Museum entry €8-12, workshops €25-45 including materials. Weekend workshops book up 10-14 days ahead. Traditional Christmas craft sessions run every Saturday in December.

December Events & Festivals

December 1-23

Turku Christmas Market at Market Square

Traditional Finnish Christmas market with wooden stalls selling handicrafts, reindeer products, and seasonal foods. Features live music, children's activities, and authentic glögi (Finnish mulled wine). Heated stalls and fire barrels provide warmth.

December 13

St. Lucia Day Celebrations

December 13th celebration featuring traditional Swedish-Finnish customs including candlelight processions through Turku's Swedish-speaking districts. Cathedral and Swedish Theatre host special St. Lucia concerts with traditional songs and saffron buns.

Early to Mid December

Turku Castle Medieval Christmas

Special Christmas exhibitions and events recreating medieval holiday traditions. Features period music, traditional foods, and candlelight tours through castle chambers. Actors in period costume demonstrate medieval Christmas customs.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Insulated waterproof boots rated to -20°C (-4°F) - ice and slush make regular shoes dangerous and feet will freeze in 15 minutes outdoors

Thermal base layers (merino wool or synthetic) - cotton kills in wet conditions and you'll be cold indoors without proper base insulation

Windproof winter coat rated to -10°C (14°F) - Finnish coastal winds make temperatures feel 5-8 degrees colder than actual

Waterproof gloves plus liner gloves - you'll need to use your phone outdoors and regular gloves become useless when wet

Warm hat covering ears - 40% of body heat escapes through head and Finnish winds are brutal on exposed skin

Wool socks (bring 3-4 pairs) - feet stay wet from slush and snow, cotton socks cause frostbite risk

Hand/foot warmers (chemical heat packs) - available locally but expensive, bring from home for outdoor photography sessions

Lip balm and heavy moisturizer - 85% humidity plus cold air causes severe chapped skin within hours

Compact umbrella - frequent freezing rain makes regular umbrellas useless, get wind-resistant model

Portable phone charger - cold weather drains batteries 50% faster, especially during short daylight hours

Insider Knowledge

Most locals do outdoor activities between 11am-2pm when there's actual daylight - plan museum visits for early morning and late afternoon when it's dark anyway

Finnish people remove shoes when entering homes, some restaurants, and certain cultural sites - wear clean socks and slip-on boots for easier transitions

Glögi (mulled wine) at Christmas markets costs €4-6 but includes ceramic mug - return mug for €2 refund or keep as authentic Finnish souvenir

Many restaurants close between lunch and dinner (3-5pm) in December - eat early lunch by 2pm or wait until 5:30pm dinner service to avoid disappointment

Avoid These Mistakes

Wearing cotton clothing thinking it's warm - cotton retains moisture and causes hypothermia in Finnish winter, stick to wool or synthetic materials

Planning outdoor activities after 4pm - it's completely dark and most attractions close, plus temperatures drop rapidly after sunset

Booking archipelago boat tours - all island tours shut down November-April due to ice, many websites don't update this information clearly