Sustainability and accessibility

Everyone’s Festival

Helsinki Festival is committed to observing operating principles that are designed to promote equality, diversity and non-discrimination in the cultural scene and at events in general (https://musiikkiala.fi/yhdenvertainenmusiikkiala-in-english/). We want Helsinki Festival to be a safe and welcoming space for audiences and staff alike.

Helsinki Festival follows the principles for a safer space and welcomes everyone exactly as they are. We try our best to prevent discrimination and harassment. We expect all staff, performers, partners, suppliers and visitors to comply with the following rules.

Principles for a safer space:

  • Respect everyone’s personal space and right to self-determination.
  • Do not make assumptions about others based on their appearance or other characteristics. Do not demean, discriminate against or ridicule anyone through your words, behaviour or actions.
  • Give everyone the opportunity to speak and take part in the conversation. Listen to others and be open to learning from different perspectives.
  • If possible, intervene if you witness inappropriate behaviour. Give and receive feedback constructively.
  • Apologise if you have intentionally or unintentionally offended or hurt someone.

If you experience or witness discrimination, harassment or other inappropriate behaviour, please report it immediately to the nearest security steward. Alternatively, you can email us at yhdenvertaisuus@eventshelsinki.fi or report the incident anonymously using our online form.

Emails are read by CEO Sami Ylisaari, and anonymous reports submitted using the online form are handled by Head of Administration Piia Lääveri.


Sustainability at Helsinki Festival

Helsinki Festival takes environmental friendliness, accessibility and safety very seriously. Each venue has its own policy, so please check the websites for individual performances or venues for more detailed information.

Key sustainability principles that apply to the entire Helsinki Festival:

  • When we book accommodation for our performers, we only use hotels that have been awarded third-party environmental certification (such as Nordic Swan Ecolabel or Green Key).
  • We only serve vegetarian food and fish to performers and production staff.
  • Production-related deliveries are coordinated so as to avoid unnecessary journeys.
  • The public are actively encouraged to travel to the events on foot, by bicycle or using public transport.
  • The principles for a safer space are displayed at all venues.
  • We take advantage of the existing electricity supply and waste management arrangements at the venues.
  • Security arrangements for the events that are part of Helsinki Festival are planned in collaboration with security professionals and the authorities.
  • We measure the carbon footprint of a few of the largest productions each year.
  • The Helsinki Festival programme also includes events that are free of charge, and we donate tickets on social grounds every year. The donated tickets are generally distributed via the City of Helsinki Social Services, Health Care and Rescue Services Division.
  • A plain-language summary of Helsinki Festival is kept available on our website.

Key sustainability actions at the Huvila tent and the Night of the Arts main event:

Helsinki Events Foundation uses the EcoCompass environmental management system to plan environmental initiatives and to measure their effectiveness. The Huvila tent, which is traditionally the main venue of Helsinki Festival, was awarded EcoCompass certification for the first time in 2015.The environmental impacts of the Night of the Arts are monitored as part of Helsinki Events Foundation’s EcoCompass environmental programme.

The following are some of the most notable sustainability actions relating to the Huvila tent and the Night of the Arts main event. Please note that the Huvila tent will not be erected in 2027 or 2028 due to park renovation works by the Tokoinlahti bay.

Electricity and heating

  • All event producers are supplied with EKOenergy-certified or otherwise emission-free mains electricity. 
  • We use energy-efficient light bulbs, equipment and production technologies.
  • The Huvila tent is heated using electricity instead of diesel. No heating has been necessary for the Night of the Arts main event.

Waste and waste management

  • Waste management at the event venues is based on a statutory waste management plan. The plan is reviewed by the Environmental Monitoring and Enforcement Unit of the City of Helsinki Urban Environment Division.
  • Comprehensive recycling facilities are available at the Huvila tent. The operators are given detailed instructions for sorting waste. 
  • Visitors are also encouraged to sort their waste.
  • In recent years, the Huvila tent has been fitted with sanitation systems that have made it possible to significantly reduce the volume of liquid waste requiring disposal and the resulting adverse environmental impacts.

Food and drink at the Huvila tent (the Night of the Arts main event does not involve food sales)

  • Only vegetarian food and fish are served at the Huvila tent. The meals also feature organic ingredients.
  • The restaurant’s selection of brewery products gives priority to Finnish brands, and there are also organic beverages on the menu.
  • All food and drink to be consumed at the venue are served in reusable or biodegradable containers. 

 Logistics and mobility

  • Production-related deliveries are coordinated centrally to prevent unnecessary journeys.
  • We encourage the public to travel to the venues on foot, by bicycle or using public transport. According to a visitor survey, approximately 82% of visitors to the Huvila tent have used these modes of transport to get to the venue in recent years, and 89% of visitors to the 2025 Night of the Arts main event used these modes of transport. 

Suppliers and partners

  • The structures and furnishings of the Huvila tent are made from durable materials and designed to withstand multiple years of use. 
  • The Night of the Arts generally requires much less setting up than the Huvila tent, but reusable solutions are prioritised whenever possible.
  • Any structures and materials purchased for Helsinki Festival are available for use in other productions of Helsinki Events Foundation.
  • When we book accommodation for performers, we only use hotels that have been awarded environmental certification.
  • We expect all our suppliers to contractually commit themselves to observing the principles of sustainability.
  • We make sure that all producers, partners and suppliers understand the environmental policies of the events in which they participate.

Accessibility

  • The event venues are wheelchair accessible.
  • Signage is designed with accessibility in mind.
  • There are both disabled toilets and facilities for Toilet Card holders at the Huvila tent. 
  • An accessibility assessment was conducted at the Huvila tent in 2025.
  • The tent is fitted with an induction loop system, and there are wheelchair spaces as well as a grounded power outlet in the accessible seating area. 
  • Companions or carers of people with physical or sensory disabilities are admitted free of charge. 
  • The Night of the Arts main event is free of charge, and we donate tickets to concerts in the Huvila tent on social grounds every year. The donated tickets are generally distributed via the City of Helsinki Social Services, Health Care and Rescue Services Division.


Download the Accessibility map

Carbon footprint

We use the City of Helsinki’s carbon footprint calculator for event organisers to measure the carbon footprint of the Huvila tent every year. The calculator allows us to track the emissions of events and identify ways to reduce their carbon footprint. The carbon footprint of the Night of the Arts main event was measured for the first time in 2026.


Safety and security

Security arrangements for the events that are part of Helsinki Festival are planned in collaboration with security professionals and the authorities. Always follow the instructions of venue staff and security stewards.

What can you do?

Familiarise yourself with the accessibility of the venue before the event. If possible, travel to the venue on foot, by bicycle or using public transport. You can plan your route using the HSL Journey Planner.