World Village Festival is Finland’s leading event for global action for the whole family, an admission free cultural festival and a trade fair for sustainable development. World Village Festival will be held May 16–17, 2026, at Bio Rex and in the Lasipalatsi and Mauno Koivisto squares.
World Village raises global challenges and solutions, increases people’s understanding and provides concrete ways to take action to create change. World Village brings people together, because only together we can change the world. Festival’s core values are diversity, inspiration, equality, responsibility and communality.
World Village Festival has been organized since 1995 and gathers thousands of people yearly. The main organizer is Finnish Development NGOs Fingo, which is an umbrella organization for approximately 250 development organizations. Read more about the festival’s history.
Year 2026 themed on Freedom
The festival program and content are built around a contemporary theme each year, and next year’s theme is Freedom. We live in a time when human rights and freedoms are being curtailed all over the world. Freedom is the ability to make choices and act independently as individuals and societies, to express oneself and participate in society. Freedom thrives in civil society, free media, science, art, and culture.
New location in Lasipalatsi District
World Village Festival will be held May 16–17, 2026, at Bio Rex and in the Lasipalatsi, Narinkka and Mauno Koivisto squares and Luckan. Lasipalatsi’s address is Mannerheimintie 22–24, 00100 Helsinki. Check out the map for more information. Luckan’s address is Yrjönkatu 27.
We recommend the use of public transportation or bicycling when coming to the festival. There is no designated bike parking area on the Festival site. We recommend leaving your bikes in parking lots outside the site. There is no stroller parking area on the site. For more information on bringing strollers, visit the Children’s Festival and Accessibility pages.
The closest stations and stops:
Metro – Kamppi and Central Railway Station
Bus – Kamppi and Central Railway Station, Mannerheimintie
Tram – Lasipalatsi, Railway Square, Kamppi
For more detailed information about public transportation, please visit The Helsinki Region journey planner (Reittiopas) by HSL.
From farther away, you can reach the festival conveniently and in an environmentally friendly way by public transport to Kamppi or the Railway Station. For example, choose OnniBus, which runs to Helsinki from dozens of different locations in Finland.
Safer space for everyone
The festival and all of its digital channels are safe spaces, and any inappropriate behaviour or harassment is forbidden. Inappropriate comments are not allowed and will be removed from all social media channels. World Village Festival will provide access to the services of a Harassment Contact Person in case of any incidents of harassment. Read more.
Forbidden items
All such objects and substances described as prohibited by law. In addition to this:
- Tools, knives, hammers, pliers, etc., without accreditation
- Poles over a meter long, telescopic rods, etc.
- Umbrellas
- Compressed air horns and other mechanical/electrical noise-producing devices
- Laser pointers and radio transmitters etc. electrical equipment
- Flares, smoke, fireworks, etc
- Racist or degrading texts or images
- Disposable grills and fire-making equipment
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find the festival map and programme?
Here are the links on our website: map, schedule and programme. Download the festival brochure (pdf). You can get the brochure also from the festival’s info at Bio Rex.
Why aren’t there any food vendors this year?
The festival is going through a transformation, and the event area is clearly smaller than before. We have focused particularly on the visibility of non-governmental organisations and exhibitor stands. Food vendors have been an important part of the festival, but the practical arrangements required for their operations could not be implemented this year given the available space.
Does the festival have an admission fee?
No. Entrance to the festival area is free.
Does the festival have an age limit?
Most of the festival’s programme is open to everyone regardless of age.
Where should I enquire about lost property?
Lost property can be inquired from the festival sites and the info. On Monday after the festival, they will be delivered to Lost and Found Office. The office is open weekdays from 10-20, Saturdays 10-19, and Sundays 12-18. The Lost and Found Office is authorized to hold passports, ID cards, and driver’s licenses for 3 days before forwarding them to the police.
Is the festival accessible?
The entire festival area is barrier-free and open to all.
Where can I leave my stroller?
You cannot bring strollers or baby carriages into Luckan’s indoor venues because the areas are very cramped. Strollers must be left, for example, locked up at Kukontori. There is no stroller parking at the festival site, so leaving strollers outside is at your own risk. For more information about Luckan’s indoor venues here.
Where can I park my bike?
Unfortunately, you cannot bring your bike into the Festival site, but you can park it outside the festival, for example at the train station or on Mannerheimintie.
Where are the restrooms and the childcare station?
Luckan has four smaller women’s and men’s restrooms in the basement. A larger accessible restroom is located both in the basement and on the second floor, adjacent to LillaLuckan. The accessible restrooms can be reached by elevator. The restroom at LillaLuckan also has a childcare station.
There are also portable restrooms located throughout the Festival site.
Does the festival account for its carbon footprint?
Yes. Read more about the festival’s environmental work and carbon footprint on the Environment page.
Is it ok to do face-to-face promotion or distribute flyers?
Face-to-face promotion or handing out flyers in the festival area is only permitted by separate agreement.
How can I give feedback?
If you visited the festival, please answer the visitor survey. By answering the survey, you can take part in a lottery and win a Pelago Brooklyn bike! The survey is open until 24 May.
Who organises the festival?
The festival is hosted by Fingo ry, an umbrella organisation for 250 CSOs and an expert organisation in the field of development. Fingo is funded through the Ministry for Foreign Affairs’ development cooperation appropriations. The event is also supported by the City of Helsinki and the Swedish Cultural Foundation.
World Village Festival is an excellent opportunity to get to know Fingo and its member organisations. The festival’s exhibitors include lots of NGOs as well as other organisations.
For a more sustainable and just world
World Village Festival is a sustainable development event open for all. Festival is organized by Fingo, so that life would be better – for everyone.
