HALLOWEEN/ ALL SAINTS

This weekend will see some changes in opening hours and transport schedules owing to the All Saints holiday.
      Saturday, October 31st is a public holiday and stores will be closed.
      Shops are permitted to stay open today until 21:00, but will shut their doors on Saturday. Supermarkets in the underpass beneath the central railway station in Helsinki will nevertheless be open as normal even on Saturday from 10:00-22:00.
      Alko liquor stores will be open until 20:00 on Friday, but thereafter it will not be possible to get anything in the way of alcoholic good cheer for Halloween parties.
      Banks are open normally on Friday, but closed (as they would be in any case) on Saturday and Sunday. ATMs should work as normally.
      Post offices are open until 18:00 on Friday, and then closed, with the exception of the main post office in Helsinki, which will be open until 21:00 on Friday and between 12:00 and 17:00 on Sunday.
     
Things get a bit more complicated at this time of year, as Sunday shopping in the run-up to Christmas kicks in from this weekend, so everywhere (well, not everywhere, but...) will be open on Sunday.
      The shops are allowed to trade on Sunday between the hours of 12 and 21:00. Some speciality stores may nevertheless choose not to open up.
      By the way, just as you get used to the idea of Sunday shopping from now to Christmas, you should remember that NEXT weekend they will not be open, as it's Fathers' Day.
     
Details of bus and train schedule changes and other matters are best taken from the service providers' websites, but the main thrust is that Sunday services will be in effect on Saturday, although there may be some extra bus and commuter train services put on for Saturday night latebirds. .
     
Let's hope you won't need them, but for emergency health services, either get help and use the collected Finnish links below, or call the advice line on 10 023 around the clock.
      As always, forewarned is forearmed. If you are unsure about how things work - ask a Finnish colleague or friend for help.
     


See also:
  ALL SAINTS Reminders (in Finnish)

Links:
  Helsinki City Transport
  Finnish Railways - Long-distance services
  Finnish Railways tickets and timetables
  Helsinki Metropolitan Area Council journey planner