Estimated duration
1 h 15 min., no intermission
Organizer
Helsingin Musiikkitalo Oy
Let's sing Christmas carols! The concert is hosted by the Finnish Youth Choir of the Year, Larte.
Larte Youth Choir was founded in 1968. Since 1970, Larte has been part of the Western Uusimaa Music Institute. The choir is based in Lohja, Finland.
Throughout its more than 50-year history, Larte has performed extensively both in Finland and abroad. The choir works closely with various choirs and orchestras, including the Lohja City Orchestra and the Helsinki Conservatory. Over the years, Larte has participated in numerous international choir competitions and festivals. Most recently, in spring 2025, the choir took part in the Golden Voices of Montserrat competition in Spain, where it won first prize in both the youth choir and folk music categories. In Finland, Larte won the choir category of the national Youth Arts Event competition in 2018.
Larte’s repertoire often combines choral singing with various rhythmic elements using body percussion or other instruments, while never losing its sense of playfulness. Equally important is conveying the emotions of the music to the audience. The choir is a close-knit ensemble both musically and socially, with every member committed to maintaining a high standard of performance. Larte’s singers are between 12 and 20 years of age.
Since autumn 2010, Larte has been conducted by Elina Laakkonen. She works professionally as a primary school teacher and serves as a choir conductor alongside her teaching career. Elina Laakkonen has previously led children’s and youth choirs in Kirkkonummi and currently conducts both Larte and the Ojusirkut Children’s Choir.
At the concert hosted by Larte, the audience is invited to prepare for and celebrate the Christmas season together. Snowstorms and frosty winter weather also play a part in the programme. After all, who wouldn’t wish for a white Christmas? During the concert, the audience can participate in ways other than simply singing along with the choir. We warmly welcome you to join us on this festive Christmas journey!
Please bring your own Santa hat, preferably one with a jingle bell attached!
The concert will be hosted by Inari Tilli. The event will be broadcast live on Yle Radio 1.
Tickets available Tue 24th November
The Christmas Carols is a free event, but seats must be reserved by obtaining a complimentary ticket from the Musiikkitalo ticket office. Tickets will become available on Tuesday, 24 November at 1:00 p.m. through the online store, telephone service, and ticket desk. A limit of four tickets per purchase applies in the online store.
Tickets to Musiikkitalo concerts and other events are available to purchase on our website, by telephone and at our physical box office.
Book tickets for 10–20 or more people is by contacting group sales service by email at ryhmat@musiikkitalo.fi or by telephone on 0600 411 101 (Monday to Friday, 9:00–15:00).
How about a cup of coffee, a bite to eat or a glass of bubbly during the interval? Order your drinks in advance to beat the queues and make the most of your concert visit. Interval refreshments are not available at all concerts.
Our location could not be more central or easier to get to. Almost all forms of Helsinki public transport stop right outside our doors, cycle parking is provided at all our entrances, and Aimo Park Finlandia, our nearest multi-storey car park, offers lift access directly to our main foyer.
At Helsinki Music Centre we are proud to be an accessible and welcoming place for everyone. Tactile handrails and signage have been fitted across the building, and there are tactile indicator strips on the floor too to guide partially sighted and blind visitors. Induction loops are always available, and guide or companion dogs are of course permitted within the building.
Concert Hall
When purchasing a concert ticket in the Music Centre’s ticket shop, you can view the sightline from your seat in a 360-degree view.
How to use the 360-degree view: Select your preferred seat on the seating map and then choose the ticket type.
On a mobile device, the 360-degree image opens when you tap the chevron at the top edge of the bottom panel. Tapping the image again opens it in full-screen mode, allowing you to rotate the view.
On a computer, you will find the “My Seat” section in the upper-right corner of the ticket shop. Below the heading, a photo of the Concert Hall is displayed. Clicking the image opens the view from the selected seat. You can rotate the image with your mouse to explore the view from the seat in greater detail.
The route to your seat is always printed on your ticket. Check the door number to find out which entrance to take. The seating areas are marked with letters. There is level access to all wheelchair seats from the main entrances. Don’t worry if you’re not familiar with our venue – our staff are always on hand to help you find your seat.
Black Box, Camerata and Sonore
Use the row number printed on your ticket to find your seat. Wheelchair seats are situated on the same level as the entrance. Don’t worry if you’re not familiar with our venue – our staff area always on hand to help you find your seat.
Unallocated seating
Please choose your seat on the day.
Floor plans
You can view our floor plans before your visit.
Cloakroom
We ask you to leave your coat and any larger items in the cloakroom. The cloakroom is free of charge.
Latecomers
Latecomers will be asked to wait until a suitable break in the performance or admitted after the interval.
Photography
You are not permitted to record concert performances at Helsinki Music Centre. However, you may take photographs before and after the concert and during applause. Individual concert organisers may have their own, more detail guidance regarding recording and photography.
Dress code
We’re happy to say we have no dress code at Helsinki Music Centre, and we positively encourage you to come as you are. However, we would be grateful if you could avoid wearing strong perfume during your visit so that people with asthma and fragrance sensitivity can enjoy our concerts symptom free.
