Aalto University Winter School
The application period for Winter School 2027 runs from 15 September to 15 November 2026.
Winter School social program and events
Discover the amazing people in your class and uncover the wonders of Finland with exciting cultural and nature activities and social events arranged by the Winter School team.
Get the most out of your stay in Finland by signing up for the Winter School social program
The social program at Aalto University Winter School offers you an incredible opportunity to build meaningful connections with your peers while getting to know the Helsinki region and Finland.
You can choose between the fun Winter Experience Package and the unforgettable Nuuksio Nature Experience, or add both to your stay to get the most out of your adventure in Finland!
The campus tour and the Farewell event are open and free for all Winter School students.
How to sign up?
- You can register for the social program through a portal similar to the tuition fee portal.
- Once you have paid the course tuition fee, you will receive the payment link to the social program portal.
What is the deadline for signing up?
The deadlines to purchase the social program are:
- Winter Experience Package: 3 January 2027
- Nuuksio Nature Experience: 21 December 2026
If the minimum number of participants is reached by these deadlines, we may continue to sell more tickets to the events.
Free events
The campus tour and the Farewell event are open and free for all Winter School students.
Winter Experience Package
The Winter Experience Package includes three events:
- Winter Garden visit and Scavenger Hunt
- Visit to the Olympic Stadium and Café Regatta
- Afterwork event in Helsinki City Centre
Please note that these events require you to purchase your own HSL ticket for transportation.
Nuuksio Nature Experience
The Nuuksio Nature Experience is a separate event from the winter experience package with an additional fee.
| Package | Sign up deadline | Min. number of participants | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter Experience Package | 3 January 2027 | 20 participants | 40€ (incl VAT 25,5%) |
| Nuuksio Nature Experience | 21 December 2026 | 18 participants | 74€ (incl VAT 25,5%) |
| Total for both packages | 114€ (incl VAT 25,5%) |
Events and trips for Winter School 2027
| WEEK 1 | Monday 18 January | Tuesday 19 January | Wednesday 20 January | Thursday 21 January | Friday 22 January |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning (9-12) | Course sessions | Course sessions | Winter Garden | Course sessions | Course sessions |
| Afternoon & evening | Aalto University Campus Tour (free) | Course sessions | Olympic Stadium and Café Regatta |
| WEEK 2 | Monday 25 January | Tuesday 26 January | Wednesday 27 January | Thursday 28 January | Friday 29 January |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning (9-12) | Course sessions | Course sessions | Course sessions | Course sessions | |
| Afternoon & evening | Winter Warmer Social | Course sessions | Nuuksio Nature Experience | Farewell event (free) |
Aalto University Campus Tour
Discover our Otaniemi campus on a guided tour for Winter School students. Explore iconic architecture of Alvar Aalto and more contemporary buildings, study spots and student restaurants and cafés.
Date: Monday 18 January, afternoon
This event is open and free for all Winter School students.
Winter Garden
Are you ready to explore one of the most beautiful and unique buildings in Helsinki? The Winter Garden, founded in 1893, has been a recreational meeting place for the residents of Helsinki for over a century. This historic house of plants features more than 200 different plants that flourish in three rooms: the Cactus Room, the Palm Room and the Western Wing.
The Winter Garden is a perfect spot for a playful scavenger hunt in teams. We have prepared you a series of different tasks to collect points from.
Date: Wednesday 20 January, morning
What is included:
- A thrilling scavenger hunt
-> Learn more about the Winter Garden
This event is included in the Winter Experience package.
Visit to the Olympic Stadium Tower & hot chocolate at Cafe Regatta
The Helsinki Olympic Stadium is the largest stadium in the country. The stadium is best known for being the centre of activities in the 1952 Summer Olympics. The tower of the stadium, a distinct landmark with a height of 72.71 meters, is equivalent to the length of the gold-medal win by Matti Järvinen in javelin throw during the Summer Olympics in 1952. From the top, you can glance one of the best views of Helsinki.
After the stadium visit, we walk to the favourite outdoor winter café in Helsinki, Cafe Regatta.
Date: Wednesday 20 January, afternoon
What is included:
- Entrance fee to the Olympic Stadium tower
- Hot chocolate with whipped cream at Cafe Regatta, a close-by cozy outdoor cafe by the sea
-> Read more about the Olympic Stadium
This event is included in the Winter Experience package.
Winter Warmer Social
Kick off the second week of Winter School with an afterwork-style event in the heart of Helsinki! Enjoy a signature mocktail and tasty cocktail bites while catching up with fellow Winter School students and swapping weekend stories. This is a cozy, casual way to reconnect, make new friends, and set the tone for the week ahead.
Date: Monday 25 January
Location: Deliberi Keskuskatu (Keskuskatu 7)
What is included
- Alcohol-free mocktail
- Pintxo cocktail bites
- Social activity by the Winter School team
This event is included in the Winter Experience package.
Nuuksio Nature Experience
Elevate your stay with an additional trip to Nuuksio National Park!
Unwind in the Finnish nature during the second week of Winter School! A bus will take you 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, even more special and unique in the winter with a break by the campfire and a visit to the reindeer park on the agenda.
Date: Wednesday 27 January, afternoon
What is included:
- Direct and quick private bus transportation to the national park
- A walk in the forest
- A visit to the Reindeer Park and feeding the reindeer
- Coffee/tea and pastry by the campfire
-> Read more about Nuuksio National Park
A separate fee of 74€ applies for this event. The Minimum number of participants for this event is 18 and maximum is 40. If the maximum number of participants is reached before the deadline, the sign up will close earlier.
Farewell event
As your winter school course is coming to an end, it's time to say farewell to the new friends you made during the program.
The farewell event is scheduled for the final Friday of the course, and it offers you an opportunity to celebrate and enjoy the company of your peers one last time before you part ways.
Date: Friday 29 January, afternoon
This event is open and free for all Winter School students.
Frequently asked questions
- You will receive the payment link by email once you have confirmed your participation by paying the tuition fee.
- The deadlines to purchase the social program are:
- Winter Experience Package: 3 January 2027
- Nuuksio Nature Experience: 21 December 2026
If the minimum number of participants is reached by these deadlines, we may continue to sell more tickets to the events.
Aalto University Winter School does not organise any extracurricular activities on weekends.
Most of our students prefer to explore Finland or our neighbouring countries independently during the break between lecture weeks. However, before the arrival, we give our students 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.
- 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.
Summer School team
If you have any questions about Winter School 2026, please contact the Summer / Winter School team. We're here to help!
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