Helsinki’s summer yard sales and flea markets in 2019

Neighbourhood flea markets are also a great way to discover parts of town that you may not have been to before. For example, this summer I will be heading to Vuosaari for the first time in a long time to check out the offerings at the local Aurinkokirppis flea market.

Yard sales are often organised at short notice, and at the time of writing there was not a lot of information about possible flea markets towards the end of summer, so stay tuned to social media and keep an eye open for ads for yard sales and flea markets. The peak months for yard sales are traditionally May and August. In June and July you can check out the regular weekly flea markets at the Dallapénpuisto park on Aleksis Kiven katu, in Lapinlahti and at the market squares in Hakaniemi and Hietalahti (Hietsu).

Käpylä Block Party, Saturday 25 May, 10am-11pm

Käpylä Block Party is held in alternating years in Kumpula and Käpylä. This year it is the turn of Käpylä, where there will be market stalls on Pohjolankatu and in the Akseli Toivonen sports field. There will also be lots of live music and food vendors.

Cleaning Day, Saturday 25 May

Cleaning Day – which I helped organise for a long time – brings flea markets onto the streets and into the parks, not only in Helsinki but also in many other towns throughout Finland. The idea is that anyone at all can set up a flea market wherever they like and free of charge. You can find all the locations on the event’s website. Popular places in Helsinki for Cleaning Day flea markets include the Karhupuisto, Hesperianpuisto and Vanha kirkkopuisto parks, but you can often make the best finds of all in the most unlikely places. And even though Kumpula will not have a block party this year, it will still have its traditional flea market stalls.

Puu-Vallila Yard Sale, Thursday 30 May, 12noon-6pm

Just like last year, the Puu-Vallila Yard Sale will be held on Ascension Day, only this year it starts early at 12noon. Puu-Vallila is worth visiting just for the lovely old wooden houses that you can admire while walking through the yards. You can find the stalls in the yards behind the wooden houses on both sides of Mäkelänkatu between Hämeentie, Sturenkatu and Teollisuuskatu.

Neighbourhood Flea Market at Konepaja, Saturday 8 June, 10am-3pm

Organised by myself and local residents, the third annual neighbourhood flea market at Konepaja will take place at the Pasila end of Aleksis Kiven katu along the pedestrian paths between the new apartment buildings. The flea market is open and free of charge to everyone, buyers and sellers alike, just remember to bring your own blankets on which to display your wares! You can also buy our own homemade vegan ice cream directly from our balcony! Another flea market may be held later in the summer, so stay tuned to the Konepaja movement’s Facebook page.

Vallila’s Giant Yard Sale, Saturday 8 June, 11am-4pm

On Saturday 8 June, you should also head to the other side of Vallila, where the biggest courtyard in the entire Nordic region (Sammatintie 6-8) will be transformed into a giant yard sale. The flea market itself is relatively small compared to many others, but the courtyard itself is a sight worth seeing.

Cleaning Day, Saturday 31 August

If Cleaning Day in May is all about spring cleaning, the year’s second Cleaning Day at the end of August is all about getting ready for autumn. In previous years there have been slightly fewer stalls in August, but there are still so many that you won’t be able to see everything in one day.

Regular summer flea markets

Aleksis Kiven Katu Flea Market

This flea market takes place each Sunday in the Dallapénpuisto park along Aleksis Kiven katu. Everyone is welcome to come and sell their stuff free of charge, as long as you clean up after yourself. The flea market keeps growing in popularity and is now the biggest weekly flea market in Helsinki in summertime. It also has a number of food stalls, so you can also go there for lunch.

On rainy days the flea market can be quite slow, but if the sun is shining, the entire park can be filled with stalls. There is no exact starting time, so you can even show up in the afternoon with your wares – perfect for those who like to sleep in! This event is ideal not only for shopping, but also for just hanging out in the park and enjoying life!

Every Sunday until 29 September.

Lapinlahti Park Flea Market

Lapinlahti, one of the finest milieus in Helsinki, is transformed into a flea market once a month on Saturdays. In the shade of the trees and by the shore of this former hospital complex, it is hard to believe that you are in the centre of town. Everyone is welcome to sell their own wares, just bring your own blanket or a table. You are not permitted to sell food at this flea market, but if you get hungry you can grab lunch at the adjacent waste food restaurant Loop.

Saturday flea markets: 18 May, 8 June, 13 July, 10 August and 7 September.

Hietsu Flea Market

The Hietsu Flea Market in Hietalahti is the most traditional flea market in town and the only one run by the City of Helsinki. This flea market attracts many professional vendors alongside anyone else who wants to rent space. What makes the Hietsu Flea Market different from all others is that it is open throughout the week, although weekends are generally the busiest. Even with all the competition from “unofficial” flea markets, Hietsu remains extremely popular – so you’ll have to book your space early if you have something to sell.

Weekdays 8am-6pm, Saturdays 8am-4pm, Sundays 10am-4pm

Hakaniemi Flea Market

The other “official” flea market in Helsinki takes place at Hakaniemi Market three Sundays a month from May to the end of August. With its central location, it attracts a lot of visitors throughout the day. At the same time, you can shop for groceries in the open-air market and indoor market hall. A small fee is charged for renting space at the flea market.

Sundays 10am-4pm: 12 May, 19 May, 26 May, 9 June, 16 June, 23 June, 14 July, 21 July, 28 July, 11 August, 18 August and 25 August.