Red Cross holiday cafés offer warmth and company

Once again, Red Cross holiday cafés are open around the holidays in various parts of the country. They are free meeting places where you can hang out, chat and enjoy a snack and a drink. The cafés are run by volunteers.

Long-awaited encounters during the long holidays

Everyone is welcome at the Red Cross holiday cafés. The moments spent together at the holiday café bring much needed meaning to many people over the long holiday season. The cafés offer a sense of community, especially for those who would unwittingly spend the holidays alone.

“Loneliness can be particularly hurtful during the holidays. Many people are also financially struggling at the moment, meaning that they cannot afford to meet people in a restaurant, for example,” says Social Welfare Coordinator Maaret Alaranta from the Finnish Red Cross.

“Our holiday cafés welcome anyone who wants to get out and about for no cost at all and spend some relaxing time with other people. The holiday spirit comes from being together," Alaranta says.

Red Cross holiday cafés have been organised for ten years in a row in different parts of Finland. 

Red Cross holiday cafés in 2025

Akaa: 4 January 2026, 12:00 PM–4:00 PM, Finnish Red Cross Akaa branch, Syke, Valtatie 9

Forssa: 29 December 2025, 4:00 PM–6:00 PM, Forssa branch, Siurilankatu 28, 30300 Forssa

Hankasalmi: 24 December 2025, 10:00 AM–2:00 PM, Kuuhankavedentie 27A, 41500 Hankasalmi

Heinola: 30 December 2025, 12:00 PM–3:00 PM, Café HeiMo, Kaivokatu 14, Heinola

Huittinen: 26 December 2025, 1:00 PM–3:00 PM, Friend’s Cottage Einola, Karpintie 8, 32700 Huittinen

Hämeenlinna: January 5, 2026, 2:00 PM–6:00 PM, Finnish Red Cross Hämeenlinna branch office, Palokunnankatu 20 A, 13100 Hämeenlinna

Karkkila: December 30, 2025, 1:00–4:00 PM, Hiljan Kammari, Valtatie 8, Karkkila

Kemijärvi: December 23, 2025, 5:00 PM, Cultural Center, Hietaniemenkatu 5, 98100 Kemijärvi

Kiikoinen: 30 December 2025, 1:00 PM, Huhtahovi, Huhtatie 2, 38360 Sastamala

Kolari: February 1, 2026: Pappilantie 2a Kolari

Kurikka: 28 December 2025, 2:00 PM–5:00 PM, Finnish Red Cross Kurikka branch, Arontie 1, 61300 Kurikka

Kustavi: January 6, 2026, Kustavisali, Kivimaantie 20, 23360 Kustavi

Lempäälä: 22 December 2025, 12:00 PM–3:00 PM, Toimelantalo, Asuntotie 10, 33880 Lempäälä

Luvia: December 22 at 13:00–15:00: Tasalantie 6, 29100 Luvia

Malax: 27 December 2025, 2:00 PM–3:00 PM, Köpingsvägen 18, 66100 Malax

Merijärvi: 22 December 2025, 12:00 PM, Koivupuhdon School cafeteria, Merijärventie 106, Merijärvi

Nokia: December 30, 2025 at 10:00–15:00: Nokian Osasto (Kotipesä)

Oulu: December 22, 2025, 4:00–6:00 PM, Oulu Branch, Kainuuntie 1, 90130 Oulu

Padasjoki: 6 January 2026, 5:00 PM, Multipurpose space, Padasjoki Library, Vaahteratie 4, 17500 Padasjoki

Pargas: December 30 at 13:00–16:00: Strandvägen 16 Pargas

Parikkala: December 19, 2025, starting at 10:00 AM, Puoti ja Kuppila, Parikkalantie 29, 59100 Parikkala

Pello: December 28, 2025 at 16:00: Vuorelantie 5–7, 95700 Pello

Pirkkala: December 30, 2025, 1:00 PM–4:00 PM, Shared premises of Elokolo and the Finnish Red Cross, Suupankuja 8–10 D 55, 33960 Pirkkala

Porvoo: December 26 and 27, 2025 at 16:00–20:00: Jokikatu 25, SPR Kolo, Porvoo

Posio: 22 December 2025, 12:00 PM–1:00 PM, Pyrinnön House, Posiontie 44, Posio

Puolanka: 29 December 2025, 12:00 PM–2:00 PM, Activity Center Vihlakka, Kuntotie 3, 89200 Puolanka

Pörtom: 30 December 2025, 6:00 PM–8:00 PM, Korona Bar, Centrumvägen 8, 66270 Pörtom

Rantasalmi: December 26, 2025, 12:00 PM–3:00 PM, Turinatupa at S-Market, Kylätie 23, 58900 Rantasalmi

Riihimäki: 6 January 2025, 1:00 PM–3:00 PM, Finnish Red Cross Riihimäki branch, Keskuskatu 1, 11130 Riihimäki

Saarijärvi: 22 December 2025, 12:00 PM–3:00 PM, Paavonaukio 3E3, 43100 Saarijärvi

Sauvo: December 27, 2025 at 17:00–19:00 and January 3, 2025 at 17:00–19:00: Sauvontie 46, 21570 Sauvo

Seinäjoki: December 10, 14, 17, 19, 22 and January 6, 2026: Ruukintie 63, Seinäjoki

Siilinjärvi: December 29, 2025, 2:00 PM–4:00 PM, Tapaamo (library basement), Kasurilantie 7, 71800 Siilinjärvi

Sodankylä: January 6, 2026, 1:00 PM–3:00 PM, Kylälaaksontie 2, 99600 Sodankylä

Sonkajärvi: 25 December 2025, 10:00 AM–1:00 PM, 26 December, 10:00 AM–1:00 PM, 27 December, 9:00 AM–12:00 PM, 31 December, 8:00 AM–1:00 PM
and 6 January 2026, 10:00 AM–1:00 PM, ArjenAskel Rutakontie 24, 74300 Sonkajärvi

Tampere: 24 December 2025, 11:00 AM–5:00 PM, Meeting Place Tampuri, Otavalankatu 12 A, 33100 Tampere

Turenki: December 22, 2025 at 15:00–18:00: Kauppakuja 1, 14200 Turenki

Tyrnävä: December 27, 2025 at 15:00–17:00: Meijerinkatu 2, Ravintola Pömilä

Vesilahti: 27 December 2025, 1:00 PM–4:00 PM, Branch meeting place Vesperi, Tapolantie 1B, 37470 Vesilahti Kirkonkylä