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

Forssa:
December 29, 2025, 4:00 PM–6:00 PM, Finnish Red Cross Forssa Branch premises, Siurilankatu 28, 30300 Forssa

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

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

Huittinen:
December 26, 2025, 1:00 PM–3:00 PM, Ystävänpirtti Einola, Karpintie 8, 32700 Huittinen

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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