The big stage

The main stage is located in the main building of the Helsinki City Theatre at Eläintarhantie 5, next to Tokoinranta. It is easy to reach us by public transport: the metro, trams and buses stop in Hakaniemi less than a ten-minute walk away. The auditorium with more than 900 seats, a 600-square-metre stage with its rounds , and internationally state-of-the-art stage, lighting and sound technology create a setting for a memorable viewing experience.

Arrival and services

The 923-seat large stage is accessed through the main entrance of the Helsinki City Theatre at Eläintarhantie 5. The nearest public transport stops are located around the Hakaniemi market square. The nearest metro station to the theatre is Hakaniemi. The nearest exits, A (Second Line) and B (Porthaninkatu), are located on the ground floor of the Lyyra building.

The doors to the theatre open one hour before the start of the performance.

The ticket office is open one hour before the performance. It is located to the right of the front doors of the main stage, in the corridor leading to the foyer of the small stage.

There is a free cloakroom on the big stage. The cloakroom is located in the marble lobby opposite the front doors.

In the foyer of the main stage, you can enjoy refreshments from Sodexo’s sales point before and during the intermission. See more information and book catering in advance on the Catering page.

Explore the virtual panorama of the big stage.

Print out the grand deck map here.

History of the building

Operations in the current theatre building on the shore of Eläintarhanlahti Bay began in the autumn of 1967. The building was designed by architect Timo Penttilä and commissioned by the City of Helsinki.

The Helsinki City Theatre has two predecessors, whose history is a significant part of Finnish theatre history. The Helsinki Workers’ Theatre was founded in 1902 and the Helsinki People’s Theatre in 1933. The theatres merged in 1948 to form the Helsinki People’s Theatre-Workers’ Theatre. The City Theatre became the successor of this activity in 1965 when the Helsinki Theatre Foundation was established.

Arrival instructions

By public transport

See the route in HSL’s journey planner »

By bicycle

Bicycle parking
In the parking lot of the City Theatre and next to the Playground Linja

HSL City Bikes

By car

Parking spaces
The City Theatre has paid parking spaces on the Eläintarhantie and First Line sides. Parking costs €2.10 per hour and the machine accepts Parkman, Easypark, coins and cards. There is a free parking area for buses on the Eläintarhantie side. The area is managed by EuroPark. There are also paid parking spaces along the streets, and these are zone 2. Easypark area code for the parking lot in front of the theatre: 898

Accessible parking
There are two parking spaces reserved for disabled parking in the Eläintarhantie parking lot and one on the First Line side. With a valid disabled parking permit, parking is free of charge both in an accessible parking space and in a regular parking space. The card should be clearly displayed on the dashboard.
The places are clearly marked.

Electric cars
There are six charging points for electric cars in the Eläintarhantie parking lot. Charging is paid for with the EasyPark app.
Electric car charging points

Programme

David West Read - Max Martin

& Julia

Nauravan kulkurin tarina

Seniorisoppa joulukonsertti

Arriving and moving around the premises

Accessible parking space in the parking lot (2 pcs) next to the electric car charging point
Automatic door at the entrance (door width 895 mm, threshold ramp height 40 mm)
Accessible service desks
Illuminated row numbers and steps
Handrails in the staircase of the auditorium

Elevator

Accessible elevator (elevator door width 890 mm, elevator car 1410 x 1000 mm).

Accessible toilets

Accessible toilet in the entrance hall on the floor and balcony floors, one on each floor.

For visually impaired people

For visually impaired people, there are attention plates at the top of the stairs to inform about the proximity of the stairs, as well as a uniform metal strip on the floor to guide from the front door to the cloakroom and the auditorium. On the stairs, there is also a contrast stripe at the edge of the step to indicate the locations of the steps.

Induction loops

The induction loop works in the stalls and balcony stands. The operation of the induction loop has been tested in accordance with the IEC60118-4:2014 standard, and the coverage maps have been published on the Kuulokuvat.fi website:
Main Stage Stalls
Grand Stage Loft

Wheelchair spaces

Four wheelchair spaces, row 14 of the stalls at both ends (2 pcs +2 pcs), electrical sockets
Four wheelchair spaces on the balcony on both sides (2 pcs +2 pcs), electrical sockets

Wireless wlan “Guest HKT”.

Assistants’ tickets

The assistant’s ticket is free of charge for spectators who need an assistant.

Sign language interpretation

Sign language interpretation can be arranged when the interpretation is agreed upon in advance with the theatre. If necessary, the theatre will help the interpreter prepare for the task.

Audio description

Visually impaired people (about 20 people) listen to the interpreter’s description through headphones. The Cultural Service for the Visually Impaired rents audio description equipment. The equipment rental company takes care of the practical situation. If necessary, the theatre will help the interpreter prepare for the task.

Inquiries

Ticket sales tel. (09) 3940 22, info@hkt.fi