The Baltic Herring Market is open 4–10 October, 7am–7pm from Sunday until Friday, and 7am–3pm on Saturday.
The Helsinki Baltic Herring Market opens up on the first Sunday of October, as the tradition states. The Market is held at the maritime Helsinki Market Square, its surrounding docks and around the Havis Amanda fountain, with programme running all week.
A tradition since 1743
The Helsinki Baltic Herring Market is one of the oldest ongoing event traditions in Finland, it has been held since 1743. Throughout the years, the Market has changed from a marketplace to a wider public event bringing together archipelago traditions and modern food culture.
The fair is a part of Helsinki’s Food Culture Strategy
Starting this year, the Baltic Herring Market will be organised by the City of Helsinki’s Wholesale Market, the city office also in charge of developing the city’s market squares and market halls, the Abattoir area, and Helsinki’s food culture strategy. For the past three decades, the Market was organised by the Port of Helsinki.
The aim of the Wholesale Market is to hold on to the tradition, and to support the livelihood of fishers. A new focus will be placed on widening the scope of the event into a celebration for all citizens.
A wider programme this year
For a full week, the Helsinki Market Square will welcome dozens of fishers from all around Finland selling thousands of kilos of Baltic herring. The traditional herring jury will give awards to the best marinated fish variety and a ”herring surprise” newcomer. A tent set up by the Havis Amanda statue will host events daily, including a marketplace dance on Friday 9 October, when events will also spread out into the Tori Quarters on the adjacent streets. A small archipelago village will be erected in front of the Old Market Hall, serving plenty of edible treats from stalls.
The finalised programme as well as all vendors and partners are announced in September.
See you there!
