The countdown to Christmas has begun! The popular Christmas calendar in the Old Town of Ekenäs welcomes visitors from near and far again this year to admire the beautifully decorated Christmas windows.
Between the 1.-24.12.2024, clues about the location of the windows are revealed. A clue is revealed daily (in Swedish), until Christmas Eve on the Old Town in Ekenäs website.
This year you can also take part in a competition to find the logo of the Old Town Association hidden in some of the Christmas windows. If you find the logo, send an email on the same day as the window number to gamlastaniekenas@gmail.com. In the email, include the window number and your contact details. A price will be drawn among the respondents. More info about the competition here (in Swedish).
If you do not have the opportunity to visit Ekenäs, you can also follow the Christmas calendar virtually on the association’s website.
Come with the whole family on a fun and playful walk in the Old Town of Ekenäs! The Christmas calendar windows can be admired until 6 January 2025.
The holiday season is fast approaching, and it’s time to start filling your calendar with cozy and joyful activities. In Raseborg, we welcome you to enchanting markets and events, where local crafts, Christmas music, and warming delicacies create the perfect holiday atmosphere.
Raseborg is large enough to offer an impressive range of events. Some of the most popular include the opening of the Christmas Street in Ekenäs and the Fiskars Christmas Market. The traditional advent calendar in the old town of Ekenäs is also a favorite. You can find advent and Christmas-related events in Raseborg’s event calendar, which is regularly updated. Be sure to check it often to catch all the latest happenings.
Here we have gathered a variety of Christmas events in the region that create magical Christmas joy for the whole family:
Christmas Markets and Christmas Opening Ceremonies
In Raseborg, the Lucia tradition thrives, filling the region each year with light, song, and a sense of community through atmospheric events and performances. The Lucia Day is celebrated on December 13th and symbolises light in the dark winter.
Have you had enough of busy shopping centres and holiday stress? The cultural landscape of Raseborg, with its charming neighbourhoods and villages, offers a completely different Christmas experience. Here, you can stroll outdoors in stunning, historic surroundings, admiring delightful festive displays and atmospheric old surroundings. Pop into unique small shops for Christmas gifts, rest your feet at a café or restaurant, and enjoy a warm cup of mulled wine or local delicacies.
Christmas in Fiskars Village and Billnäs
Nestled within the award-winning Fiskars Village, you’ll discover a delightful little Christmas village where you can shop for high-quality, sustainable, and locally produced gifts, including exquisite design items, artisanal crafts, and unique works of art.
In addition to the diverse Christmas offerings at Fiskars, we highly recommend visiting the charming Fiskars Museum and the winter exhibition at the KWUM ceramics museum, curated by Karin Widnäs. Satisfy your hunger at the village’s cosy restaurants and cafés, and be sure to explore the festive atmosphere in nearby Billnäs, where you can treat chocolate lovers to delightful handmade gifts from the Billnäs Chocolate Factory.
Travel effortlessly to the festive villages with the local Bosse bus! The local buses depart from Karis Travel Centre, bus terminal spot 1, and takes you directly to the Fiskars area. It also stops at Billnäs, allowing you to hop off and immerse yourself in the enchanting Christmas spirit. You can plan your journey using the travel planner here.
Moreover, direct bus service to Fiskars Village from Helsinki will be available on five Saturdays, starting from 23rd November 2024. Read more about the Christmas bus here.
Christmas in Ekenäs
The wooden house idyll Ekenäs offers a cosy Christmas shopping on the pedestrian street Kungsgatan and the market square. On Wednesdays and Saturdays, many people come to get their Christmas foods on the market place at 7-14. If you want to rest your legs during the Christmas shopping, you can also try Ekenäs’ cosy cafés, such as Carl de Mumma and Cafferie by the market square, Wi-Box café next to the pedestrian street or Café Gamla Stan in the Old Town. At Café Gamla Stan, you can really experience the old-fashioned Christmas atmosphere in the cosy 18th century Christmas cabin, with lots of homemade delicacies. When in Ekenäs, do visit the new striking museum Chappe, built in the cultural quarter and the historical environment.
Get into the Christmas spirit on 27 November, with the direct busfrom Kiasma in Helsinki, via Espoo, to the award-winning Art MuseumChappe! The bus leaves at 16:30 and returns from Chappe at 20:00. Book your bus ticket here.
Traditional Christmas markets
From the last weekend in November,traditional Christmas markets are organized around the city. Some of the crowd favourites include the Old Time Christmas Market in Ekenäs and the Fiskars Christmas Market. The markets offer handicrafts, decorations and locally produced delicacies for the Christmas table.
Christmas events and traditions in Raseborg
The best way to calm down and find that peaceful Christmas atmosphere, is to enjoy a traditional Christmas concert in one of our beautiful old churches. The Raseborg event calendar offers a list of Christmas markets, exhibitions, concerts and workshops. Be sure to check it regularly for new events.
The atmospheric and popular Old Town Christmas Calendar in Ekenäs is organised again this year! A new beautifully decorated Christmas window will be opened every day from December 1st to December 24th and will remain on display until January 6th.
We offer a lot of different and interesting locations to host your dream wedding, business event or party in Raseborg. Down below are listed some of our brightest pearls.
Svartå, Raseborg
Svartå Manor is a party place with a capital P. They offer you the chance to celebrate your wedding, birthday or other special day in a beautiful and unique setting. The award-winning Slottskrogen restaurant produces high quality, locally produced delicacies served in the newly restored party pavilion or one of the manor’s other venues. If you like the idea of waking up in the same gorgeous surroundings you can stay overnight at the manor’s hotel or stylishly renovated farmhouses.
Snappertuna, Raseborg
The Calliola Conference and Event Centre is located right on the sea in Snappertuna and offers quality facilities and services. The relaxed, but stylish meeting and banquet rooms are complimented by a sauna, terraces, and homely archipelago-style accommodation in beach villas and apartments. Calliola’s kitchen serves wonderful seasonal local produce.
Fiskars, Raseborg
Fiskars is a unique destination where crafts, arts and design meet nature, history and architecture. Here, at the birthplace of the Fiskars company, you will find experiences for all the senses. Hold a celebration, meeting or conference at the village’s beautiful and varied facilities. Combine your event with, for example, an award-winning round of tastings at local breweries and the distillery, or a glass-blowing workshop.
Åminne, Raseborg
The Åminne Gårdrestaurantat Nordcenter Golf & Country Club serves good food in a stately manor house environment. With pleasant views over the golf course and Pojo bay. Nordcenter is a multi-functional leisure centre where you and your guests can combine a meeting or party with outdoor activities including golf, tennis or frisbee golf. Accommodation in the form of a cozy B&B with a sauna and gym is available. If you like, explore local history and take a trip to nearby Billnäs and Fiskars.
Pojo, Raseborg
There are many more event venues in Raseborg. For one who wants to arrange an event with something extra we recommend you to throw a party at Raseborg Castle. Check out Meetings and parties and familiarize yourself with cozy townhouses, attractive hotels and pleasant seaside resorts.
Party or meeting food
When organizing a party or arranging a team building weekend you definitely want to serve something delicious to eat. Raseborg has a wide supply of restaurants, cafés and catering so there’s something for every taste. You can also shop local food like fresh fish, new potatoes and flavorful vegetables, from one of the different market places in the city.
For drinking you can offer something from the local breweries. Fiskarsin Panimo brew tasty beer and from Ekta Bryggeri you get gutsy cider.
Before the party
Would you like to get your nails painted, your hair in a fancy updo or your eyebrows colored? If you’re about to go on a wedding or other fancy party, Raseborg offers a lot of beauty services for you. If you want to cheer up the atmosphere between meetings you can book a sweaty class at one of the gyms or disc golf in the nature. It’s also possible to try lasertag in Raseborg. You can find all options under activites on our website. Enjoy your unforgettable parties and meetings in Raseborg!
Every year several second hand events are arranged in Raseborg. The most popular ones are the annual Antique days in Fiskars and Billnäs. This year, the Antique days will be held from July 4th to July 7th. City flea market in Ekenäs and Bromarfpojkarna’s flea market in Bromarv are also popular. You can also find children’s clothing, toys and other things at the yearly event arranged by Ekorrsvansen. Lions clubs around Raseborg are also arranging flea market events. Check our event calendar for current flea market events in the region. Here are our best tips of flea markets in Raseborg.
Flea Markets in Ekenäs, Raseborg:
Loppis Trollet is one of the most popular flea markets in Ekenäs, Raseborg and it’s open almost every day. The flea market offers clothes, toys, games, furniture and much more.
Fynda- Second hand shop is a charity second hand shop where the workers work without any salary. Finnish Missionary Society and the Assembly assistance workers are equally sharing the profit. The shop is well organized and has a lot to offer.
Emmaus Westervik is also a charity second hand shop that helps them who are in need. Clothes, books, furniture and things like that can be donated here.
Betesda Second Hand Shop is located in the heart of Ekenäs. Their vision is to support domestic and foreign missionary work.
Flea Markets in Karis, Raseborg:
Take the opportunity to go on a thrift store tour in Karis, as the vast majority of flea markets are within walking distance of each other!
Sequel Restyle offers a great variety of nice second hand-clothing for women, men and children on Centralgatan in the centre of Karis.
Sineaaria is a self-service flea market in the center of Karis. Here you can find clothes, books and furniture.
Roomage on Köpmansgatan sells both Scandinavian and international vintage design furniture.
RiMi Kirppis is a flea market situated on Köpmansgatan 3. Here you can find everything from furniture to clothing.
Karis Antiquarian Shop is situated in the center of Karis on Köpmansgatan. The store is filled with books and more in several different languages.
Kaippari Ry‘s flea market is situated next to Bio Pallas. In the same building you´ll find a weaving shop and sewing professional.
Missionstorget is situated next to Kanaltorget and it’s a charity second hand shop held by the Swedish speaking assembly. It’s possible to donate to this flea market.
Pohja, Raseborg:
Postilla is driven by the assembly. From this flea market you can find something for yourself or donate products that you don’t need anymore.
Whether you enjoy outdoors or indoors, the autumn holidays in Raseborg offer something for everyone. The diverse range of nature trails invites you to go and discover the nature and its cones, rocks and trees. Discover what nature has to offer or go on a geocaching or Vevi adventure. Explore the city’s exciting history in the old iron works or Ekenäs old town. Or enjoy a cozy fairy tale in one of the city’s six libraries.
Here are three reasons to visit Raseborg during the autumn holidays.
1. A wide range of activities
As the largest city in Uusimaa province, by area, Raseborg is both diverse and rich in activities. Here you can find for example a wide range of nature trails with the mix of nature, culture and history. Pack a tasty snack and enjoy a break in the middle of nature. In Västerby outdoor recreation area, Kopparö, Gumnäs as well as at some other outdoor destinations, there is the possibility of a barbecue area.
Do not forget geocaching either – Raseborg is an excellent place for this and the search for hiding places makes wandering in nature guaranteed to be more exciting.
Curious to see the best view of Ekenäs? Pick up the key to the old water tower from the RaseborgMuseum, climb 164 steps and admire the magical view!
If you enjoy riding a bike, there are several nice bike routes that takes you between villages and historical sites. For the more adventurous, Fiskars Village offers excellent mountain bike routes in beautiful surroundings. The city bikes are also available until the end of the month.
For the smaller ones in the family, there is a wide range of different playgrounds, so go and discover the city’s 36 playgrounds. Among the children’s favourites are Lejonparken in Ekenäs, Fiskars playground and the new adventure course at Pumpviken in Karis.
When the evening darkness falls and the autumn chill sets in, it’s the perfect time to move your activities indoors. Raseborg has a wide range of activities to choose from – for example, you can visit the public swimming pool, watch a film at one of the two cinemas, try bowling or play padel. Aktia ice hall in Karis also organises public ice skating on Fridays and Saturdays from 4th October!
The public pool in Ekenäs offers Friday Fun on Fridays for children who can swim, from 5 PM to 7 PM. During two hours, children can use the pool’s water toys and other equipment in lanes 4-6. On Fridays from 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM, the swimming pool has a Relax session, which means dimmed lighting, a calm atmosphere, and soothing music.
2. Exciting history
Although the city of Raseborg is only 15 years old, its districts and villages hold a much older history than that. In the old iron works in Svartå, Billnäs and Fiskars, you can learn more about the history behind the old iron mills. In order for the old iron mills to once function, coal was produced in the forests of Snappertuna. In the coal village of Malmbacka, you can learn about the history behind coal production.
In the old town of Ekenäs, you can walk along the narrow streets, admire the old wooden houses and imagine how the life in the city used to be. You get clues from the street names in the old town, which reveals how the townspeople made their living. Here, the streets have existed in the same place since the 16th century. The oldest remaining houses are from the 18th–19th centuries.
Learn more about Raseborg and book a talented guide with you. Choose your field of interest and learn more about the old iron works, the old city of Ekenäs or perhaps one of the beautiful natural areas.
3. Diverse cultural life and locally produced delicacies
Let your imagination and creativity flow during the autumn holidays! Try glassblowing in Fiskars or book a chocolate class in Billnäs. Or immerse yourself in the world of fairy tales in one of the city’s six libraries. The city’s library offers books in at least 28 different languages. On Tuesday 15 October, the reading dogs Scooby and Atlas will visit the libraries in Karis and Ekenäs!
Combine history and culture and visit interesting museums. For several of the city’s museums, the Museum Card serves as payment. At Raseborg Museum, you can take part in Helene Schjerfbeck guided tours in Swedish or Finnish. Admission to Fiskars Museum is free during 16th-18th October, where you can solve fun picture puzzles.
Treat yourself with something delicious and fill your stomach with local delicacies! Visit cozy cafes, versatile restaurants and traditional markets during your visit. In Raseborg there is also a dense network of local food lovers, producers and organic farms.
Smaller and larger events are also organized around the city, so take a look at Raseborgs event calendar to see what is happening during your visit. The event calendar is continuously updated.
Bonus reasons
• Raseborg is located halfway between Helsinki and Turku, so it is easy to travel to Raseborg by public transport as well as by car.
• Raseborg offers a diverse range of accommodation, from cottages to castles and hotels, so extend your stay and discover all the fun that can be found here.
• Raseborg is a bilingual city, with Swedish as the majority language, so during your visit you can practice both local languages - if you want.
The extensive outdoor area in Västerby is the city residents’ meeting place for outdoor activities of various kinds. Here, skiers, orienteers, exercisers, mountain bikers, frisbee golfers and nature lovers meet. The approximately 1,500 ha large outdoor recreation center consists of varied terrain with hiking trails, ski trails and picnic areas.
The popular outdoor recreation center has a new and updated map, to make your visit even more enjoyable. In addition to a new map, the outdoor recreation center has also received some news, such as exercise stairs, a roller ski track and a barbecue hut easily accessible with a pram and wheelchair.
The map of the outdoor area can be downloaded from the link below or be picked up from the tourist information service in Ekenäs.
Are you dreaming of a break from everyday routines or perhaps an extended visit on your next trip? Extend your stay in Raasepori and work remotely from the city. There are many co-working opportunities here, both within walking distance of the train station and within driving distance of the city center.
We have listed five reasons why remote work from Raseborg is always a good idea.
1. Perfect location
Raseborg’s geographical location makes it easy to travel to the city from both Helsinki and Turku. Hop on the bus or train, or bring your own car – all roads will take you to Raseborg. Come for the day and experience a different environment and atmosphere or extend your trip with remote work. Because of the short distance from two of Finland’s largest cities, you can spend less time traveling and more time enjoying your leisure time.
2. City of opportunities
Stay in one district of Raseborg, discover another, work from a third. The possibilities are many, and the distances relatively short to enjoy the possibilities in versatile Raseborg.
3. Closeness to nature
Thanks to the closeness to nature and the short distances within the districts, you will always have a short way to a lush forest, a beautiful park or a soothing shoreline.
4. Bilingualism
Work in one language and practice another on your spare time. In bilingual Raseborg, where the majority speak Swedish, your remote work becomes a real language course – if you want.
5. Entrepreneurship deluxe
Share working space, work enjoyment and knowledge. Raseborg has plenty of entrepreneurs, small and large, so come and exchange knowledge with entrepreneurs in the city. And above all, come and make connections with the business community in Western Uusimaa.
Tips for co-working spaces in Raseborg
In Raseborg, there are co-working spaces both with and without accommodation. Read more about the different options in the different city districts:
Raseborg is continuosly developing the public transportation system to make it smoother and more accessible, also for our visitors! During the summer of 2023, the entire ticket and timetable system has been renewed and is now known as Bosse. You can take the train to Karis and then hop on the local Bosse bus to experience the versatile and exciting neighborhoods in Raseborg.
Travel to the peaceful archipelago village of Bromarv and enjoy a delicious meal at a local restaurant or explore Bromarv’s highest mountain (60m), Vaktkojberget, through a digital nature trail. There are also multiple daily bus tours to Ekenäs, where you can stroll among charming red cottages in the idyllic old town. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the newly opened art museum Chappe. Buses also conveniently take you to the historic Billnäs and Fiskars ironworks in Raseborg. Get off the bus at the ironworks to learn more about their fascinating history. Explore workshops, galleries, and historical buildings to gain a deeper insight into their cultural heritage and enjoy everything they have to offer.
All bus timetables and routes in Raseborg can be found in the new travel planner, which is part of Bosse, and you can travel on them using Bosse tickets.
Tickets
All ticket options are conveniently accessible through the Waltti Mobiili app! You can download the app for free from Google Play or the App Store. Alternatively, you can purchase a Bosse travel card, which allows you to load it with credit. These travel cards can be purchased from the Waltti online shop, R-kioski in Ekenäs or Luckan in Karis. The cost of a Bosse travel card is 5 €.
Ticket Options
Single ticket – Suitable for those travelling occasionally in the region. The single ticket is valid for 120 minutes. Single tickets can be purchased:
in Waltti Mobiili – 3,20 €
by obtaining a Bosse travel card and loading it with credit – 3,20 €
from a service point (R-kioski in Ekenäs, Luckan in Karis) – 3,40 €
on the bus with bank- or credit card – 3,40 €
Daily ticket – Suitable for those wanting to travel much under one day. The ticket is valid for 24 hours. Daily tickets cost 8,00 € and can be purchased:
from Waltti Mobiili
by obtaining a Bosse travel card and loading it with credit
from a service point (R-kioski in Ekenäs, Luckan in Karis)
on the bus with a bank- or credit card
30-day ticket – Suitable for those travelling on a regular basis. This ticket offers unlimited travel for the duration of its validity, allowing you to travel as frequently as you desire within that time frame. 30-day tickets cost 60,00 € and can be purchased:
from Waltti Mobiili
by loading the 30-day ticket on your Bosse travel card from the Waltti online shop or from a service point (R-kioski Ekenäs, Luckan Karis)
Value ticket – Suitable for those travelling a few times a week/month. With the Bosse travel card, you can load value that decreases as the card is used. With the value ticket, you can pay for single and day tickets on the bus. Value tickets can be purchased:
by buying a Bosse travel card and loading it with an optional amount in the Waltti online store
by buying a Bosse travel card and loading it with an optional amount in a service point (R-kioski in Ekenäs, Luckan in Karis)
Children aged 0-6 travel for free when accompanied by a paying passenger. Children under 7 travelling on their own need to purchase a child ticket.
PLEASE NOTE! Timetables and tickets for bus transportation going outside Raseborg are available on Matkahuolto’s website. Raseborg’s internal bus transportation is not visible on Matkahuolto.
Take the opportunity to enjoy the scenic surroundings and attractions of Raseborg and travel with Bosse, which will take you wherever you want in a comfortable and more sustainable way. Welcome to explore Raseborg with Bosse as your travel companion!
Raseborg museum in Ekenäs/ Raseborg’s Tourist Information point Raseborg museum is located at Museigatan 8, 10600 Ekenäs – near the Market square Rådhustorget. Check the opening hours. Here you will find information, maps and brochures about Raseborg and you can borrow the key to the Ekenäs Old Water Tower (observation tower) for a deposit of 20 €. You can also borrow frisbees from us for a deposit – in Raseborg we have several great frisbeegolf routes. Free WiFi is available for customer’s use. In the museum you can also get acquainted with the current exhibitions. There is also a café, a small shop and a customer toilet.
Luckan Raseborg sells tickets to various events through Netticket, Lippupiste and Ticketmaster Suomi.
The stately Svartå Manor also serves its local customers and can help with booking guided tours, accommodation or perhaps reserving a table to have a good meal at Slottskrogen-restaurant.
The Frimans Diversehandel-shop in Tenala village serves tourists all year round when the village shop is open. Here you’ll find information and some maps and brochures about Raseborg. In the authentic Village Shop you’ll find a bit of everything including a gourmet shop. Restaurant Bakfickan operates in another traditional building connected with the shop. Address: Sockenvägen 19, 10520 Tenala.
