The legendary play Kiviä taskussa will give its final performance at Helsinki City Theatre’s Arena Stage on 10 November. The much-loved production has broken Finnish records both for the number of performances and as the longest continuously running full-length play in the repertoire. Premiered 24 years ago, this theatrical phenomenon will bring a remarkable era in Helsinki City Theatre’s history to a close.

Astrid Menasanch Tobieson’s play När Baba faller i poolen är kl. 23.47 is a moving story about trying to find your place between different cultures. Directed by Icelandic director Hallveig Eiríksdóttir, the production premieres at Lilla Teatern on 29 October. The cast features Antonia Atarah and Elihú Galván.

The Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra and Helsinki City Theatre join forces once again – Culture Kids will experience a reimagined version of Prokofiev’s beloved Pekka ja susi.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, Shed musical theatre brings a completely new take on Lewis Carroll’s classic tale to the Studio Pasila stage in December. Set in the Wonderland video game, Liisa pelimaassa premieres on 1 and 2 December. At the heart of this musical by Helsinki City Theatre and the Shed musical theatre group – now a beloved Christmas tradition – are Shed’s captivating young performers.

Nauravan kulkurin tarina tells the story of how Vesa-Matti Loiri became an artist beloved by the entire nation. Written by Sami Keski-Vähälä and adapted and directed by Paavo Westerberg, this new Finnish musical drama premieres on 30 September on the Main Stage of Helsinki City Theatre, where Loiri himself once performed. Santeri Kinnunen plays the older Loiri, while Oliver Kollberg portrays him as a young man.

Fretti Mercury etsii onnea, a fast-paced musical for the whole family based on the children’s book of the same name by Miika Nousiainen and Sanna-Mari Pirkola (Otava, 2020), premieres at Studio Pasila on 23 September. Adapted for the stage by Nousiainen himself, the story explores the search for happiness and the importance of friendship, brimming with the author’s trademark wordplay. The musical’s exceptionally diverse score is composed by Marzi Nyman, with lyrics by Mariska.