Christmas brings light to the darkest time of the year. Throughout December, all the way until Epiphany in January, Christmas is celebrated in the Espoo Parishes, with events also held in English. Come sing Christmas carols together, join the Worship services on Sundays or our Christmas party as well as the Worship service on Christmas Eve. We start of with the multilingual worship service on Finland’s Independendence day at the wonderful Helsinki Cathedral to celebrate independent Finland! 

"These events we have organized are also a great opportunity to invite your friends and neighbours who may feel more comfortable with English than Finnish, or who understand English better than Finnish. The events are also open to everyone, and you you can come with children to the church or the chapel", says Oili Karinen, Pastor at Olari Parish

Music also transcends language barriers - many concerts are organized in the churches during Christmas, and participating doesn't require any special language skills.  

"The message of Christmas, the birth of the Christ Child - joy, hope, and peace - is for everyone and the whole world", she continues. 
 

Events in English and other languages, December 2024 

Christmas carols 

Greatest Christmas Songs

Wednesday, 11th December, 6 pm, Leppävaara Church
You are warmly invited to our multicultural Christmas celebration! We will sing Christmas carols together in different languages.

Sing along Christmas Songs at Hotel Tapiola Garden 

Wednesday 18th December, 6 pm, Hotel Tapiola Garden Dining Room (Tapionaukio 3)
We sing together both Finnish and International Christmas songs at the Dining Room of Tapiola Garden. The event is hosted by Pastor Lauri Ijäs, on the piano will be Pastor Hans Krause. Welcome! 

English Christmas Carols

Saturday, 21st December, 7pm, Espoo Cathedral (Kirkkopuisto 5)
Get yourself into the Christmas spirit and join us to sing your favourite English Christmas Carols at the Espoo Cathedral!

Worship services 

Multilingual Independence Day Worship Service

December, 5 pm, Helsingin tuomiokirkko  (Unioninkatu 29, Helsinki)

Welcome to celebrate Finland’s Independence Day with us! Languages: Arabic, Chinese, Finnish, English, Estonian, Russian. Music, prayer, word, Worship, spending time together.

Espoo International Lutheran Worship

Sunday, 8th December, 3 pm, Suvela Chapel (Kirstintie 24)

Second Advent, Your King comes in Glory. Join us for worship and fellowship! This Worship service is bilingual, English - Finnish. Sunday School in Finnish during the service. Pastor Laura will lead the service and Pastor Hans gives the sermon. Coffee fellowship after the service in a pre-Christmas spirit. Welcome! Tervetuloa!

Worship service in Igbo and English 

Sunday, 8th December, 5.30pm, KilonRisti (Vanharaide 1, Espoo)

Worship and eucharist in Igbo and English. Children have their own progamme during the service. Led by Anglican Pastor Isaac Ohaju, phone 044 019 7344.

International Lutheran Worship

Sunday 15th December, 5 pm, Tapiola Church (Kirkkopolku 6)

Welcome to join us in Espoo International Lutheran Worship Tapiola! Tea fellowship after the worship. The service is bilingual. You are invited with the warmest welcome, also regardless your religion. Come and meet new friends. There is a place for playing for small children at the Parish hall.

Worship service in Igbo and English 

Sunday 15th December, 5.30 pm KilonRisti (Vanharaide 1, Espoo)

Worship and eucharist in Igbo and English. Children have their own progamme during the service. Led by Anglican Pastor Isaac Ohaju, phone 044 019 7344.

Espoo International Lutheran Worship Christmas Party 

Sunday, 22nd December, 3 pm, Karakappeli (Karakalliontie 12)

Welcome to join us for our International Lutheran Church Christmas party and potluck after the service. Bring something to share!

Finnish-English Christmas Worship

Christmas Eve, 24th December, 2 pm, Matinkappeli (Liisankuja 3)

Come by yourself or with family, or friends to our bilingual (Finnish - English) Christmas Worship and devotion! We sing Christmas carols in two languages and hear the Christmas gospel. The Christmas Worship lasts about 30 minutes.

Christmas Carol Mass  

Sunday, 5th January, 10 am, Olari Church (Rälssitilankuja 1)

Still a chance to sing Christmas Carols together! There is a play area for the kids in the back of the church. A warm welcome! This Mass will also be streamed on the Olari Church YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/@Olarinsrk).
 

Other Christmas events 

International Living Room

Wednesday, 11th December, 5 to 7 pm, Tapiola Church (Kirkkopolku 6)
Come and meet with people from various parts of the world. Getting together and discussion about different topics. You can also read magazines, play board games or suggest what else to do together. Tea and snacks will be served. We observe principles for a safer space.

The Chosen - Christmas Special

Wednesday, 11th December, 7pm to 8.30 pm, Tapiola Church (Kirkkopolku 6)
The Chosen Christmas Special: Birth of Jesus. We will watch together Christmas Special from The Chosen movie, directed by Dallas Jenkis. You have option to join at International Livingroom and evening snacks at Cafe Valo before the film. 

"Christmas Together" concert - The Very Best Xmas Carols 

Thursday, 19th December, 7 pm, Espoo Cathedral (Kirkkopuisto 5) 
The Exodus Choir of Espoo Cathedral Parish and Grankulla Chamber Choir of Kauniainen perform principally English Carols, Anna-Liisa Haunio and Håkan Wikman as directors. Free entrance, the programme 20€. 
 

For more details and contact details of staff,  please visit our Christmas page. 
 
All our Christmas events in Finnish (including concerts) you can find here. 
 

Follow us on Facebook:
Espoo International Lutheran Church
Espoo International Lutheran Worship 

Also, follow us on Instagram:
@espoolutheranchurch 

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Espoo International Lutheran Church is the brand used by the Evangelical Lutheran Parishes in Espoo for our international and multicultural activities. These activities are held in several languages and we invite people from all different cultures to share about questions of life and faith.  Activities comprise worship services, informal social gatherings, and camps and outings. Everyone is welcome to join these events regardless of language, cultural background or religion.