10 Things to Do in Helsinki in November

November is the transition from autumn to winter, with temperatures ranging from 0° to 4°. The days are short, especially at the end of the month when the hours of sunlight start to decrease considerably. Of course, it is important to wear warm clothes for a good holiday. On the other hand, the low season favours tours of the city, which is filled with amazing decorations that are worth a look.

You can take advantage of Helsinki's best activities, see an aurora borealis without straying far from the central core or attend the Christmas switch-on at the Christmas Lights Parade. If you've never been to a Pikkujoulu party, then you've got to visit the Finnish capital during this special season - read on to find out more!

The Helsinki tram tour is one of the most special things to do in November, for many reasons. Firstly, the city changes to a winter landscape worthy of admiring from the comfort of this service. You'll get panoramic views of its picturesque buildings, which, by the way, are starting to show off their gala lights installed for the winter light festivals. Christmas decorations also come alive at this time of year, creating a magical atmosphere.

Gradually, the streets are transformed with the arrival of the snow and at the end of the month you can witness the Christmas markets being assembled. In fact, one of the stops is Senate Square, where the famous Tuomaan Markkinat Christmas market is set up. During the approximately three-hour tour you will also pass the elegant Esplanade boulevard, the Lutheran Cathedral, Sibelius Park and other locations in the capital.

Another reason why I recommend this activity is because of the low tourist traffic at this time of year, which is perfect for a smooth and more leisurely stroll. Overall, it is quite special as it is one of the oldest trams in the world. The city also offers a self-guided tour on the sightseeing bus, with free stops giving you more freedom. Unfortunately, it only operates from May to October, so it might be a good option if you want to visit Helsinki in summer.

November has Nordic nights that are dark enough to see the Northern Lights. It is difficult to determine the exact time when they form, so it is advisable to check local alerts. One alternative is Aurora Alert Realtime, where you can sign up and receive instant notifications, and it even tells you the best times, locations and offers warnings before they are visible.

If you are looking forward to this experience, the best places to see this phenomenon in Helsinki are:

• Suomenlinna: it is a fortress only fifteen minutes away by ferry, where the auroras can be better appreciated, due to the fact that the light is usually lower.
• Nuuksio National Park: located forty minutes from the city centre, it has little light pollution, so you can see beautiful northern lights during this season. To get there you can take the Finnish Railways train.
• Kaivopuisto and Eira Quays: This is the closest location for aurora sightings, just a six-minute ride on the Helsingin Seudun Liikenne public transport. Here they can be even more special, as they reflect on the water and the landscape contrasts with the boats and views of the horizon.

Auroras are caused when particles from the sun collide with gases in the earth's magnetic shield. Some cultures attribute it to the presence of divine forces, and even see it as a portal to the afterlife. From May to August you are less likely to see this phenomenon, as there are still too many hours of daylight. Additionally, if you decide to take the ferry to Tallinn from Helsinki or visit Lapland, you can increase your chances of seeing them during your trip to Finland.

A November classic is the Helsinki architecture tour, which takes you on a learning journey through Finnish culture and history. It's the perfect excuse to take one of the city' s best tours and appreciate the buildings included in the tour that sparkle with the premature Christmas lights and special events.

For example, at Helsinki Cathedral you can revel in its impressive neoclassical architecture, as well as appreciate the crypt exhibitions and choir concerts. Saints' Day takes place on 1 November, and religious displays are common at this sacred site, including candle lightings to commemorate loved ones who have departed this plane.

Ready to take this architectural tour? It's definitely one of the best things to do in Helsinki, as it's very comprehensive and allows you to see architectural highlights.

The Finns love Christmas, which is probably why they start the festivities early, with the Advent events. From November onwards you can expect all kinds of surprises that have become real traditions, such as gospel choirs, winter dishes, the first visits from Father Christmas and more. In addition, after the first Sunday of Advent the cemeteries are filled with candles and Advent wreaths, following the old belief that during the holidays the spirits visit the city.

Advent calendars are also a tradition, so you can find them in different shops and supermarkets in Helsinki. The most popular and delicious ones are the chocolate ones, which delight children and adults alike. In addition, the Aleksanterinkatu shopping street hosts concerts, parades, and lighting of lights, which are a preamble to the Christmas activities.

These events are complemented by Thanksgiving celebrations, although not officially celebrated in Finland, the American community offers feasts of traditional food, good wine and warm spirit.

A very special tradition not to be missed is the Helsinki Christmas Light Parade. It takes place every year in November on Aleksanterinkatu Street, usually at the end of the month. The procession includes such endearing people as elves, reindeer and all of Santa's equipment. As the days are darker, some people carry candles or lights to illuminate the way.

At the end of the route you can enjoy the lighting of the lights which kicks off the Christmas activities in the city. The atmosphere is magical and cosy, full of twinkling lights and shop windows that will make you sin. The big Christmas tree is set up in the Plaza del Senado, with live entertainment, flea markets and children's entertainment such as craft workshops and storytelling with Santa Claus.

Beware that it is often confused with the Lucia Parade, one of Helsinki's December activities with a completely different programme.

The Pikkujoulu festivities are a very important celebration in November, as it means "Little Christmas" and is the companion of Advent. It is a Finnish tradition that takes place in November and brings together the best of Helsinki's cuisine, culture, music and entertainment. In general, you can get different options in the city. There are informal parties in the homes of locals, as well as formal events in restaurants, hotels and tourist areas.

Regardless, these types of parties have one thing in common, and that is that fun is guaranteed. They can include visits from Santa, traditional dances, children's games, plays, musicals in local theatres and carol singing. Pikkujoulu's roots go back to the Second World War, when they began to be held clandestinely to keep the Christmas spirit alive. Hence the best of the festive food, which includes:

• Joulutorttu is a puff pastry, filled with plum jam and sprinkled with icing sugar.
• Rice pudding or Riisipuuro: quite thick, flavoured with sugar and cinnamon.
• Glögi: a mulled wine, considered a traditional drink that you must try if you plan to visit Helsinki in winter.
• Joulukinkku: a board of Finnish hams is a must during the festive season.
• Rosolli: a particular salad of beetroot and potato, flavoured with traditional sauces.

Of course, with the arrival of the colder days, the skating rinks are ready to welcome the tourists. There are plenty of options where you can have a good time, depending on what you're looking for. There are outdoor rinks as well as indoor options. The best thing is that some offer the pocket-friendly price of zero euros.

As a general recommendation for skating in Helsinki, I suggest wearing safety pads and choosing rinks with instructors if it's your first time skating. With this in mind, I'll let you know that among the highlights you'll find:

• Oulunkylän jäähalli: this is a comfortable skating rink, located inside a sports complex. It's ideal if you're looking for things to do in Helsinki in winter. It offers courses for beginners and advice at all times.
• Töölönlahden luistelurata is a natural ice rink, which forms from the end of November on Lake Töölönlahti. At night the lighting is spectacular, which makes the experience even more enjoyable. It is also completely free of charge.
• Micropolis Skate Park: This is a free skate park that is usually set up during the winter months with seasonal decorations and some artificial ice, but if you prefer summer activities in Helsinki you can also find it, but with completely dry pavement.

Reindeer are one of the icons of the North Pole and it is believed that you can only see them in Finland if you travel to Santa's Village in Lapland - good news! Helsinki has very similar experiences that you can enjoy during your trip. The closest place is Korkeasaari Zoo, Helsinki's famous zoo, where you can see reindeer and enjoy an educational tour.

There are also other animals here that children can look forward to if you are travelling as a family. There are also skating and hockey rinks, with courses for beginners. You can reach the magical Nuuksio National Park by taking the 280 bus or a combination of taxi and train. If you travel early you can take advantage of all the activities the park has to offer.

Why do I recommend this park? Here are my reasons why this is a must-visit in November:

• Reindeer Safari: Of course, this is the main attraction, as they have a reindeer farm where they are kept. You can feed them under supervision, learn about their history and take a sleigh ride in the nearby walnut forests.
• Santa visits: This park is visited by the iconic Father Christmas every weekend between November and December, so you can make the most of a visit if you plan to be in Helsinki for at least 3 days.
• Nature and wildlife richness: in this park you can also delight in over 150 lakes, as well as admire the habitat of moose, deer, foxes and flying squirrels.
• Journey through Sami culture: here you can learn about the indigenous people of Lapland, with interactive exhibits.
• Halti Nature Centre: where you can learn about Finland's national nature parks or visit an amethyst mining shelter for a lucky stone.

Between November and December, the Seurasaari Christmas Trail, one of Helsinki's best activities, is a time-honoured tradition. It's an annual event that breaks away from the typical holiday season and goes beyond anything you can imagine. You can rub shoulders with the locals, enjoying age-old traditions.

It takes place on Seurasaari Island, which you can reach by bus on the local bus line 24. Here you can expect art competitions, food markets, nativity scene exhibitions and dramatisations of the birth of Jesus. It's like a Finnish Wonderland with horse-drawn sleighs, characters all over the island (usually elves), candle lighting, carol singing and a costumed parade.

The island is also known for its museum, which depicts what life was like in Finland at other times in history. In addition, in recent years the celebration has been adopted in nearby towns such as Korso, where you can expect bonfires, decorations made from recycled material, nativity scene and Christmas tree competitions, among others. To get there you can take the train or the 731 bus.

There is no doubt that Helsinki is surrounded by magical experiences, for example in November the weather conditions are ideal for taking advantage of the forests and lakes. To do so, you can take a hiking route and get to know the surroundings of the Finnish capital.

One of the best-rated destinations for this type of activity is Sipoonkorpi National Park, which winds through green forests. Here you can have a picnic, take a hot bath in a sauna, camp out and have a campfire or just enjoy the views. It is easily accessible by train, taxi or bus route 739.

A short distance away you'll also find Uutela, a little more remote but well worth your time. In any case, I recommend leaving early to complete the figure-eight stretch. It has two trails, you can take just one or combine them to enjoy marshes, picturesque huts, winter scenery and more. If you plan to stay at least 3 days in Helsinki you can spend the night here.