Brahen kenttä is a much-loved neighbourhood sports ground in the heart of Helsinki's hip Kallio district — and in winter, when it freezes over into a free outdoor ice rink, it becomes one of the city's most cheerful local spots. Locals of all ages lace up here to skate under the lights, a wonderfully everyday, authentically Helsinki way to enjoy the long northern winter.
In the cold months the field is flooded and maintained as natural ice — usually one rink for skating and one for pick-up ice hockey — with simple changing huts alongside. The rest of the year it is a normal sports field, but in winter it is all about the skating, free to use and buzzing with families, kids and after-work skaters.
Local tip: It is a winter thing, so come when the ice is in (roughly December to March), bring your own skates, and go after dark when it is floodlit. Warm up afterwards in one of Kallio's cosy bars nearby.
Good to know
- Where: Helsinginkatu 25a, Kallio, Helsinki
- City: Helsinki