Laskiaisrieha 2026 – Helsinki’s legendary student sledding event
Laskiaisrieha is one of Finland’s largest and most popular student winter festivals, and a highlight of the annual Shrove Tuesday celebrations in Helsinki. This iconic outdoor student event takes place every year at Ullanlinnanmäki in Kaivopuisto, attracting thousands of university students from across Finland. Known for its vibrant atmosphere, downhill sledding, and traditional Finnish Laskiainen festivities, Laskiaisrieha combines winter sports, student culture, and carnival spirit in one unforgettable day.
Laskiaisrieha 2026
In addition to free-form sledding down the hill, visitors can enjoy live music, entertainment, themed activities, and the famous academic sledding competition.
Laskiaisrieha 2026
The undisputed highlight of Laskiaisrieha is the legendary academic downhill sled race. In this creative student competition, teams design and build their own sleds before racing them down Ullanlinnanmäki. Each year, the handmade sleds become more imaginative, inventive, and spectacular, as teams compete not only for speed but also for originality and showmanship. Only one team can win the prestigious first prize, but the real victory lies in the creativity on display. Over the years, spectators at Laskiaisrieha have seen incredible sled creations including trains, cars, tanks, and even a dramatic dragon scene.
Laskiaisrieha 2026
This year (2026), I happened to be at Laskiaisrieha and instantly found myself inspired by the energy, creativity, and pure joy that filled Ullanlinnanmäki. The combination of laughter, music, colourful student overalls, and wildly imaginative sleds created a vibe that was impossible to ignore. What started as simply being in the right place at the right time quickly turned into a desire to capture and highlight the spirit of the event. In this blog post, I’m sharing moments that reflect the atmosphere, community, and unforgettable winter festival feeling that make Laskiaisrieha such a special part of student life in Finland.
Laskiaisrieha 2026
