Tickets and performances
- What is on today?
You can find up-to-date programme information in the Finnish National Theatre programme calendar. Unfortunately the calendar is available only in Finnish. The shows with English subtitles are marked with a symbol TXT.
- Where can I buy tickets?
Tickets can be purchased or reserved directly from the Finnish National Theatre box office. You can also buy tickets from Lippu.fi, Lippu.fi sales outlets or the Lippu.fi telephone service on 0600 900 900 (€2/min + standard network charge).
- Why do I need to provide my contact details when buying a ticket?
We ask for your contact details so that we can reach you in the unfortunate event that a performance is cancelled. We also send a service message before the performance date. The Finnish National Theatre complies with data protection legislation.
- How can I buy a Finnish National Theatre gift card?
Finnish National Theatre gift cards are available from the theatre’s own box office, as well as from Lippu.fi outlets and the Lippu.fi online shop.
- Until when can I buy tickets? Is there a box office at the stage entrance?
Tickets can be purchased from the Finnish National Theatre box office and Lippu.fi until the performance begins. There are no ticket sales at the stage entrances.
- Can I show my ticket on my phone?
Yes. Both printable tickets and mobile tickets can be displayed on your phone screen.
- How long is the performance? Is the interval included in the running time? How long is the interval?
The duration of the performance is announced close to the premiere. The interval lasts approximately 20 minutes and is included in the estimated performance duration. You can find the duration on the production's webpage, in the programme and on your ticket. Bells heard in the foyer announce the beginning of the performance and the end of the interval.
- Can I leave the auditorium during the performance?
If necessary, you may leave the auditorium during the performance. However, you can only return during the interval, if the performance has one.
- May I photograph the performance?
Photography and all forms of recording are prohibited during performances.
- Where can I find photographs of a performance?
Photographs of Finnish National Theatre productions are available on the theatre’s Flickr account. A link is provided on each production's webpage.
- Which stage is the performance on, and how do I find it?
The Finnish National Theatre is located beside Railway Square in Helsinki. The entrance to the Main Stage is on the Railway Square side of the building. The entrances to the Small Stage, Taivassali and Maalaamosali are on the Kaisaniemi Park side. The stage is stated on the production page, in the programme and on your ticket.
Getting here and visiting the theatre
- Can I get to the theatre by public transport?
The Finnish National Theatre is very easy to reach by public transport. Its location beside Railway Square offers convenient connections by bus, tram, train and metro.
- Is there bicycle parking?
Unfortunately, the Finnish National Theatre does not have its own bicycle parking for visitors. The nearest bicycle parking is at the Kaisaniemi Park end of Helsinki Central Railway Station. The bicycle parking facility in Kaisantunneli at the station is also free of charge for registered users of the service.
- Can I come by car?
We recommend arriving by public transport, bicycle or on foot. If you are driving, we recommend the paid P-Eliel car park, which is convenient when arriving to the Finnish National Theatre.
- Can I attend a performance in a wheelchair?
Wheelchair spaces can be purchased for every Finnish National Theatre auditorium, although, for example, the entrance to the Main Stage is not step-free.
The Main Stage wheelchair spaces can be reached by a lift on Itäinen Teatterikuja. The lane is cobbled and there is a threshold of approximately 4 cm in front of the door. We recommend bringing your own personal assistant. A ticket for an assistant accompanying a wheelchair user is free of charge.
Please contact our box office well in advance if you require a wheelchair space, an induction loop or other access arrangements.
- Which entrance should I use if I am arriving with a wheelchair or stroller?
For the Main Stage, ring the doorbell at the eastern stair tower at Itäinen Teatterikuja 2a. This will connect you with the head ushers, who can assist with step-free access inside the theatre.
The entrance on the Small Stage side is step-free. The same entrance also provides access to Taivassali and Maalaamosali.
- Where can I leave my coat and valuables during the performance?
The attended cloakrooms for the Main Stage and Small Stage look after coats, belongings and valuables during the performance. The cloakroom service is free of charge. You may make a voluntary cloakroom payment if you wish.
- Why can’t I take a large backpack or bag into the auditorium?
Leaving outerwear and large bags in the cloakroom helps make both the stage and auditorium comfortable and safe.
- Where are the toilets?
Each stage has its own toilet facilities, which are signposted. Our staff will be happy to help you find them. Tip: additional toilets are available on the upper floors of the Main Stage.
- How do I find my seat?
Your ticket shows the stage, row, and seat number. The row number is displayed at the end of each row, and the seat number is marked on the seat. If the auditorium has unreserved seating, this is also stated on the ticket.
You can view seating plans in advance on the pages for each stage. The indication left/right (in Finnish vasen/oikea), viewed while facing the stage, directs you to the correct auditorium entrance. On the Main Stage, stalls (in Finnish permanto) mean street level; the first balcony is one flight of stairs up, and the second balcony is two flights up. A lift is also available. The other stages do not have balconies.
Restaurant services
- How do I order interval refreshments?
The easiest way to order food and drinks for your theatre visit is online in advance.
You can contact the restaurant by email at ravintola@kansallisteatteri.fi or by telephone on 040 450 3297, Wednesday to Friday, 10.00–15.00.
Advance orders are available for performances on the Main Stage and Small Stage. At the other stages, refreshments are purchased at the venue.
Advance orders are accepted until 12 noon on the working day before the performance. Please note that the number of places available for advance booking is limited.
- Can I buy refreshments at the theatre?
Yes. Our foyer restaurant opens one hour before the performance, and interval refreshments can also be purchased during the interval.
- Are dietary requirements catered for?
Interval refreshments can be ordered lactose-free and gluten-free, and vegan options are also available. For further information, contact the restaurant at ravintola@kansallisteatteri.fi or on 040 450 3297, Wednesday to Friday, 10.00–15.00. Our professional staff will be happy to help.
- May I eat my own food at the theatre?
The Finnish National Theatre foyers are licensed premises, so you may not consume your own food or drink there. Drinks and refreshments purchased from the restaurant must be enjoyed in the foyer and may not be taken into the auditorium.
- Is drinking water available in the foyer?
Drinking water dispensers and glasses are available in the foyer before the performance and during the interval.
Other questions
- What should I wear to the Finnish National Theatre? Is there a dress code?
There is no dress code for audiences at the Finnish National Theatre. You are equally welcome to enjoy a performance in jeans or evening dress. Please be considerate of other audience members and avoid strong fragrances.
- Where can I find the creative team and cast details?
The programme contains full cast and creative team credits, as well as other interesting background information about the production. Printed programmes can be purchased from the box office and from the ushers before the performance. Programmes bought in advance from the box office cost less than those purchased in connection with a performance. If a digital programme is available, QR codes in the foyers allow you to open it on your phone.
Creative team information is also available on each production page on our website. Close to the premiere, you can also view photographs on our Flickr pages.
- Are performances subtitled?
Our programme occasionally includes surtitled performances. These are mentioned on the production pages and marked in the programme calendar with a small TXT symbol. The subtitles are mainly available in Finnish and English and can be followed during the performance using the Subtitle Mobile app.
- How do I use the subtitling app?
- Download the free Subtitle Mobile app to your phone from the App Store or Google Play.
- Make sure your phone has sufficient battery charge and is set to silent.
- During the performance, we recommend using the theatre’s free SKT-GUEST Wi-Fi for a reliable connection.
- Enter the performance code provided in the service message sent to you in advance. The code is also displayed on screens in the foyer before the performance begins.
- Select the subtitle language (English or Finnish).
Subtitles will start when the show begins.
- What should I do if a performance for which I have a ticket is cancelled?
A Finnish National Theatre performance is cancelled only in the event of force majeure, most commonly a sudden case of illness. We notify customers who have provided a telephone number by text message.
Tickets already purchased for a cancelled performance may be exchanged for another performance of the same production or for a gift voucher valid for one year. Alternatively, the ticket price can be refunded to a bank account. Service, booking, and delivery fees for tickets purchased through Lippu.fi channels are not refunded. Tickets must be exchanged within one month of the cancelled performance. To avoid busy telephone lines, please wait a few days before calling the box office. The theatre does not reimburse any other costs arising from a cancellation.
- Don’t you have understudies?
The Finnish National Theatre does not use double casting, as its productions are created through close ensemble work in which every member of the team has their own essential part. Occasionally, another performer may step in and learn the role of an actor who is unable to perform.
- How can I give feedback?
Your views and experiences are important to us. You can email feedback to myynti@kansallisteatteri.fi or use the feedback form on our website to comment on your experience of a performance.