Aalto University Summer School
Everything you need to know about Summer School! Make this summer unforgettable and experience the best of Aalto University and Finland under the Nordic summer sun.
Summer School social programme and events
Make the most of your summer school experience and get to know your coursemates and Finland through engaging extracurricular activities and social events organised by the Summer School team.
Social program 2026
The extracurricular programme at Aalto University Summer School is a fantastic opportunity for course participants to build relationships with fellow students while exploring Aalto University and the Helsinki region.
The summer school social program includes several events that are free for participants. Free events, their dates and sign up information will be confirmed in June 2026.
Please note that most free events require you to purchase your own HSL ticket for transportation.
This upcoming summer, we offer Summer School students the opportunity to join a trip to the Nuuksio National Park. The fee for the trip includes a guided tour in the National Park, a private bus transportation, and a light meal.
Nuuksio Nature Experience
Unwind in the Finnish nature after a day of studies!
A bus will take us straight from campus to Nuuksio National Park, where you can enjoy the fresh forest air and gorgeous lake views. The Nuuksio area is truly the essence of Finnish nature and is known to inhabit dozens of species of animals, plants and fungi.
We will be visiting the Haukkalampi area, where you can choose from two hiking routes. The 2 km route is good for beginners, and the 4km route is more demanding with big height differences. After a walk in the forest, we will gather to a campfire place where you can enjoy your food and rest.
Read more about Nuuksio National Park
Price: 44€ (incl. VAT 25,5%)
Dates: July 29th, August 12th, August 19th
Preliminary schedule: the bus will leave from campus at 4:30 PM and return around 8:00 to 8:30 PM
What is included:
- charter bus transportation from the Otaniemi campus to Nuuksio and back
- walking tour in the forest
- cosy campfire (subject to wildfire warning)
- picnic bag for dinner
Signing up
The signup link is available in the digital welcome package which has been shared with all the students who have finalised the course fee payment.
| Trip Date | Sign up starts | Sign up deadline | Minimum number of participants | Maximum number of participants | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nuuksio trip I | July 29th | May 7th | July 8th | 24 | 45 |
| Nuuksio trip II | August 12th | May 7th | July 22nd | 23 | 45 |
| Nuuksio trip III | August 19th | May 7th | July 29th | 23 | 45 |
Note: if the maximum number of participants is reached before the deadline, the sign up will close earlier.
Free events summer 2026
Our dedicated Program Assistants will plan the events in June 2026 once all the summer events in the city have been published.
Examples from 2025:
- Welcome Event: City Centre – A fun scavenger hunt followed by a picnic.
- Welcome Event: Suomenlinna Sea Fortress – A visit to a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a picnic and games.
- Surprise Events – Attending some of Helsinki’s best summer events, such as group museum visits and open-air concerts.
- Farewell Coffee – A relaxed gathering to wrap up your summer school experience
Frequently asked questions
How to sign up?
- The signup links will be emailed to confirmed students and added to the digital welcome package.
What is the deadline for signing up?
- The deadlines will be confirmed once the events are published.
- You can see the deadlines for Nuuksio trips on this page.
Aalto University Summer School does not organise extracurricular activities on weekends. Most of our students prefer to explore Finland or our neighboring countries independently during the break between lecture weeks.
In our digital welcome package, we provide you with tips on what to see and do during their free time.
No, accommodation and daily meals are not included in our fees. Each event description will state if any food is included.
No, transportation tickets are not included in the free events. We ask participants to purchase their own tickets. Many students already buy their weekly tickets at the beginning of the course, so we want to avoid adding any extra charges for pre-buying single tickets for the participants.
All events are taking place within the AB Zones.
For more information on tickets and fares, please check the HSL website
- The same terms and conditions apply to both the summer school courses and the social program. The full terms will be provided before making any payments.
- You can find a summary of the cancellation terms on our website.
Do you have a question?
Summer School Team
We will get back to you as soon as possible! At the office from Monday to Friday.
Get to know Finland through Summer School
Gain new friends and experience the best Finnish summer has to offer.