May Day celebrations in Tampere!

May Day markets & traditions

Did you know that in Tampere students celebrate the Biggest Wappu in Finland? This nearly three week long series of events, culminating on the 1st of May, consists of numerous different happenings and the whole city filled with a joyful student atmosphere.

Traditional part of May Day in Tampere is Teekkarikaste, where technology students from Tampere University are dipped in the Tammerkoski rapids on the 1st of May. It’s a cherished tradition in Tampere’s May Day festivities and it has been celebrated for 60 years now! You can witness the cheerful event at Ratinanniemi. Before the dipping freshmen appear for the last man as a freshman as they march in a procession towards Ratina.

In Tampere, the May Day festivities and great atmosphere can traditionally be enjoyed at the May Day markets from April 30 to May 1 at Hämeenpuisto, Laukontori and Tammelantori markets. At the market, you can pick up everything from festive treats and decorations to balloons.

A sure sign of May Day is also the opening of the Särkänniemi amusement park. Get your hands sticky with cotton candy and enjoy the launch of the amusement park season!

Flavours of May Day in Tampere

Many restaurants in Tampere offer delicious brunches on May Day! Make sure to reserve your table in advance.

Tampere Hall’s May Day brunch will be served on the 3rd floor on May 1 from 12 to 15.

How about enjoying a May Day buffet in the stunning setting of Finlayson Palace? Make a reservation for this traditional experience.

A delicious May Day brunch is also available at Saunaravintola Kuuma on May 1 between 12-20. If the weather permits, you can enjoy brunch on the terrace. Saunaravintola Flou also serves brunch at Ratinansuvanto on May 1 from between 10-15.

Delicious brunch will be served at restaurant Puisto on May 1 between 9-15.

May Day buffet menu will be set up at Lapland Hotels Arena’s Saivo Kitchen & Bar of Moments on May 1 from 12 to 16.

A festive May Day lunch will be served in the stunning setting of Radisson Blu Grand Hotel Tammer on May 1st, with three seatings at 11.30, 14 and 16.30. Additionally, a generous buffet will be served at Tammerin kellari.

Grill it! Paja, located in Solo Sokos Hotel Torni, will serve its May Day brunch in atmospheric old locomotive halls on May 1 from 12-15.

Amarillo’s May Day brunch offers Tex-Mex-inspired treats, fresh grilling, and a relaxed vibe with two seatings on May 1 at 12 and 14.30.

Restaurant Nonni will serve a curated May Day menu and will exceptionally open at 12 on May Day. Nonni is an experimental restaurant known for its creativity.

Masu will offer an Asian brunch on May Day between 12-18, including fresh sushi, light salads and spicy warm dishes.

Madame is serving French-style brunch from May 1 to May 3. The table will be set with both cold and warm spring flavors.

Funky Woo will host its first ever May Day brunch, combining a relaxed festive atmosphere with vibrant Asian street food flavors. The brunch is available on 1 May from 12-18.

The Sunday brunch of Muusa is already a modern classic in Tampere and its delicious plant-focused brunch can also be enjoyed on May Day.

At the Restaurant Väst, a delicious brunch with both savory and sweet seasonal treats will be enjoyed on May Day without separate seatings between 11-16.

The recently opened Nekalab will serve a hot dog brunch suitable for all ages, with traditional donuts and mead for those with a sweet tooth on May Day between 11-18. DJ Santeri will provide sparkling Vappu vibes for visitors to enjoy.

You can also top off May Day with brunch at Comedy Theatre Palace on May 1 between 12-16. The spring-inspired buffet features dishes such as new potato and asparagus salad, halloumi and chicken skewers and raspberry panna cotta. During the brunch, the atmosphere will be set by Tampere Big Band.

The highly popular Poppy Cafe is launching a picnic box for May Day that is perfect for taking along to celebrate a springtime. The box includes a delicious assortment for two people, featuring items such as bagels, fruits and doughnuts. The boxes must be reserved in advance, so remember to make an order!

Last but not least… there is no May Day without the legendary Pyynikki doughnuts! You can get them at the Pyynikki Observation Tower Café or their café at Tampere Market Hall. Make sure you get them by making a reservation in advance. In addition to traditional doughnuts, this year Boulangerie Marco is also making doughnut croissants, which are available in all their locations. Make sure to secure yours by pre-ordering!

May Day sauna sessions

Sauna is always a good idea in the Sauna Capital of the World!

At Rajaportti Sauna, the oldest public sauna in Finland still in use, there will be a mixed sauna session and a quiz starting at 19 on May Day Eve.

Celebrate May Day with a sauna experience at Sauna restaurant Kuuma and relax on the cozy outdoor terrace. If you dare, you can even take a dip in the cool Ratina bay!

Saunaravintola Flou will also open for May Day, as their summer season at Ratinansuvanto begins on 30 April. You can also enjoy steamy moments at the Kaukajärvi and Kaupinoja saunas.

Read more about Tampere’s saunas in our article and discover public saunas in the Tampere region here.

Music & other things to do

At Tavara-asema, vappu is celebrated with sold-out shows by Isac Elliot on April 30, followed by a party starting at 23 with DJs Sami and Riku. On May 1, enjoy the traditional vappu matinee by Martti Servo & Napander, with two sets at 14 and 16.

Enjoy musical classics from Broadway’s golden era at the Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra‘s May Day concert.

G Livelab also hosts a vibrant May Day program! On May Day Eve, on April 30, the legendary Groovy Eyes take the stage, along with a Soul Power DJ set on the terrace. On May 1, Pelle Miljoona & Pispala Punks will entertain the crowd.

The traditional May Day event for children will take place at Tallipiha Stable Yards on May 1 from 10 to 16, featuring a Wheel of Fortune, horse carriage rides, a bouncy castle and poni riding.

At the Finnish Labour Museum Werstas, you can sing along with classic workers’ songs and enjoy homemade mead. The event features the now-traditional workers’ karaoke, and for the little ones, May Day crafts. The museum shop also sells vintage May Day badges from past decades.

G Livelab also hosts a vibrant May Day program! On May Day Eve, on April 30, the legendary Groovy Eyes take the stage, along with a Soul Power DJ set on the terrace. On May 1, Pelle Miljoona & Pispala Punks will entertain the crowd.

At Shen Garden, a May Day Disco will get everyone dancing to the greatest disco hits – reserve your spot in advance!

Hiking Travel Hit is organizing a canoeing trip on May 1st between 17-19 to celebrate May Day. The trip will be carried out in large canoes depending on the group size, and at the end, you can enjoy traditional doughnuts and sima at Kaupinoja.

Find more events in our City of Tampere’s event calendar! 

Enjoy delicious food and May Day activities in the Tampere region

At the beautiful manor setting of Vaihmalan Hovi, a delicious May Day brunch will be served on May 1st btween 11-16. The brunch offers a delightful combination of traditional May Day flavors and the kitchen’s own specials. Starters are enjoyed from a generous buffet, while the main course is served directly to the tables. The meal is, of course, crowned with a sweet dessert.

You can also enjoy a May Day brunch at Walleniuksen Wapriikki from May 1st to May 3rd. The brunch includes a good variety of cold and warm dishes, along with fresh salads and sweet treats. There will also be live music to create festive atmosphere.

At Nuutajärven lasikylä, Finland’s oldest glass village, a May Day brunch is served on May 1st between 11-15. The menu includes traditional May Day dishes as well as other tasty options from the kitchen. While you’re there, it’s worth visiting Lasimuseo Prykäri, where the Jaettu hehku-exhibition that features international artists from Nuutajärvi is open for its final weekend. The May Day celebrations continue in the glass village on Saturday with an Argentine-themed evening where world-famous tango singer, Martín Alvarado, will perform accompanied by musician Mikko Helenius.

Stay the night, or even longer if you wish

If you don’t feel like going home just yet and want to enjoy Tampere some more, no worries. Tampere has plenty of options to choose from, from hotels to hostels and airBnB’s.

For example, you can enjoy your night in the cutest Lillan Hotel & Kök or admire the spectacular views from Solo Sokos Hotel Torni, reaching up to 88 metres! Original Sokos Hotel Ilves in the heart of Tampere is a great option as well!

Courtyard by Marriott Tampere City is the perfect place for a May Day staycation. The hotel is centrally located and all the most important destinations in central Tampere are within walking distance. The hotel also has a direct inside hallway to Tampere Hall and the world’s only Moomin Museum.

You must also experience the great atmosphere at Lapland Hotels Arena, located next to one of the most lively event venues in Tampere!

If you are looking for a more peaceful surrounding not too far from the city center or wish to to stay in a modern apartment instead of a traditional hotel room, Unity Tampere is a great choice for you! Unity offers all the perks of a hotel with relaxed living next to Pyhäjärvi Lake and the natural area in Pyynikki.

Find more tips for over night stay in Tampere from our articles Accomodation with a twist and The whole family has fun in these hotels.

Please note that Visit Tampere is not responsible for changes. Always check the latest information from venues’ own channels.