On this page we talk about what we are doing to make Musiikkitalo accessible for all. We’re committed to eliminating the barriers that hinder people’s participation in and enjoyment of our concerts and other events. Everyone is welcome at Musiikkitalo.
Accessible concert visits
All of our auditoriums are designed to have wheelchair spaces and accessible seating available to visitors. Please note that in our Concert Hall there are lots of stairs which lead to our non-accessible seating. Complimentary companion tickets are offered to the majority of our events.
Concert Hall
The Musiikkitalo Concert Hall has two different types of fully accessible provision: wheelchair spaces and accessible seating. These are completely step free, offering easy, level access for visitors. Our wheelchair spaces and accessible seats are located on the same level as our main entrance and can be found to the rear of seating areas C, D, E, H and J.
Our wheelchair spaces have no seating installed as they are intended for visitors who arrive in their own wheelchair and remain seated in it for the duration of the performance.
Our accessible seating is step-free but the spaces are fitted with regular seating. These accessible seats are the ideal choice for visitors who use a walker or other mobility aid and for anyone who requires step-free access.
Further inclusive seating is located near to doors 2–7 on the topmost rows of seating areas E, G, H, K, N and T. All of these seats can be accessed via just a few steps. Row 2 of galleries A, H, J and L and Row 3 of galleries D and E also enjoy level access. The galleries are accessible via a lift located to the rear of the Concert Hall.
Please be aware that the Concert Hall staircases are steep, and much of the seating is built on a steep incline. Because of the gradient, seating areas A, B, L, M, P and R are accessed via a long set of steps. The seating closest to the stage has the highest number of steps leading to it.
Our other auditoriums
Black Box, Organo, Camerata, Sonore and Paavo all have accessible seating located close to the entrances.
The availability of companion tickets ultimately depends on the concert and the individual event organiser. However, complimentary companion tickets are available for the majority of our events, including all concerts given by our resident ensembles, the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra and musicians from the University of the Arts Helsinki’s Sibelius Academy.
You can claim your complimentary companion ticket online, or request it from our physical box office or through our telephone box office service.
To book a companion ticket for a wheelchair seat online, please also select the available seat next to it. We will make a chair available for your companion in the space next to the wheelchair.
If you’re entitled to be accompanied to the concert, but you’re not a wheelchair user, you can claim a companion ticket at our physical box office. Alternatively, you can book the companion ticket by calling our telephone box office service.
Seating areas C, S, N and T in the stalls area of the Concert Hall are fitted with a fixed induction loop. If you are seated elsewhere or attending a different auditorium, you can collect a portable induction loop from our Visitor Information Point. Please make sure you select the correct auditorium setting before using the hearing aid amplifier. Our Visitor Information Point staff will be delighted to assist you with the device.
At Musiikkitalo, we advise all our visitors to avoid using strong perfumes as we know this makes a big difference to those with asthma or a fragrance sensitivity. However, we do not currently offer fully fragrance-free seating options or performances.
Your visit
At Musiikkitalo, we are committed to delivering a fully accessible experience to all our visitors and offer step-free access throughout. Please see below for more information on how to get here and how to navigate the building once you’ve arrived. Our staff are always on hand if you require any assistance. During concerts, members of staff can be found at the Visitor Information Point, foyer and cloakrooms. At all other times, please make your way to the Visitor Information Point.
Information on arriving at Musiikkitalo can be found under Your visit.
Musiikkitalo offers fully step-free access to visitors. All our floors are served by a lift. There are two separate lifts within the building. The lift adjacent to the Kansalaistori Square entrance provides access to the Lower Foyer, Paavo, Organo, Camerata and Sonore. The second lift, located in the Main Foyer between doors 4 and 5, connects to the Concert Hall’s gallery level.
Wheelchairs are available to borrow from our Visitor Information Point.
At Musiikkitalo, accessible toilets are provided on every floor.
- In the Main Foyer, accessible toilet facilities are located to either side of the cloakroom.
- On the gallery level, the accessible toilet facilities can be found next to the Glazer Foyer, opposite door 11.
- In the Lower Foyer, the accessible toilet facilities are located between Camerata and Organo, next to the lift.
We recommend that all visitors with restricted mobility use the Kansalaistori Square entrance to access Musiikkitalo. The nearest disabled parking spaces can be found on the bottom level of the Aimo Park Finlandia multi-storey car park which offers direct lift access to the Musiikkitalo Main Foyer.
Disabled parking is available free of charge for two hours on presentation of a valid Disability Card (vammaistodistus). If you have been issued with a Disability Card, you can collect a parking voucher from our Visitor Information Point. At the pay station, insert the parking ticket you received on arrival, followed by the Musiikkitalo parking voucher. The voucher will provide you with two hours of free parking.
All our Foyers have floor plans available which you can use to find out more about our building and discover the best and most accessible ways to get around. Tactile elements have been included across all our maps, signage and bannisters, with all text provided in braille. Tactile floor signage has also been installed throughout for blind and partially sighted visitors.
We look forward to welcoming both you and your guide or support dog at Musiikkitalo. You can always choose to have your dog in the auditorium with you. Alternatively, they can be looked after in our staffed guide dog park in the Main Foyer. Please make yourself know to our Visitor Information Point staff, and they will tell you how to find the dog park.
Our auditory maps (in Finnish) use spoken words to describe some of the key routes to and around the Musiikkitalo building.
We have also created a leaflet that tells you a little bit about Musiikkitalo in plain Finnish. You might also like to have a read of the Attending a concert at Musiikitalo e-book too.
You can also download one of our communication boards to support your visit. Our Visitor Information Point also has five communication boards that are available to borrow.
Our Visitor Information Point is located within our Box Office in the Main Foyer, opposite the cloakroom. It is always open when the building is open. The staff will be delighted to help you with any questions you may have about accessibility.
Accessibility at Musiikkitalo – tell us what you think
At Musiikkitalo, we’re committed to improving accessibility throughout our building and keen to hear your thoughts, ideas and suggestions on how we can do better.
You can submit your feedback using our online form or by speaking directly to a member of staff.