Below you will find answers to frequently asked questions regarding our courses and other activities. If your question is not answered here, please contact us at one of the email addresses listed at the bottom of the page.
WEEKLY CIRCUS CLASSES
- How do I register for a circus course?
- How do I choose a course?
- How much does my course cost?
- Where is the training space located?
- Can I train at Circus Helsinki even if I have not signed up for weekly classes?
- What are the semester dates and holidays?
- If I register for several courses, do I get a discount?
- What if I miss one of my circus classes due to illness or other reasons?
- Do I need an insurance?
- Do I get a refund if I quit before the semester ends?
OTHER
- How can I book a circus performance?
- When can I see a circus show at Circus Helsinki?
- I am a professional circus artist. Can I train at Circus Helsinki?
- I have a question that is not answered on this page. How can I contact you?
CIRCUS CLASSES
1. How do I register for a circus course?
You can register for our courses and workshops electronically on our registration page. You do not need to pre-register for Morning Acrobatics (Aamuakro) or Open training. See question 5 for details. Registration for new students for the season 2024-25 opens on Mon 3.6. at 10 am.
2. How do I choose a course?
We have circus courses for all ages and experience levels. Most of our courses are general circus courses, where you will learn acrobatics and various circus disciplines. Some of our courses focus on a particular discipline, such as trampoline, handbalancing, or aerial acrobatics. Please read the course description carefully before signing up for a course. All courses are described on our registration page.
3. How much does my course cost?
You can find the course prices on our registration page. See question 5 for price information regarding Morning Acrobatics (Aamuakro) and Open training.
4. Where is the training space located?
We have two training spaces in the Suvilahti area:
- Generaattorisali: Voimala/Building 1, C-door, 2. floor (Sörnäisten rantatie 22)
- Konttori: Konttori/Building 7, B-door, 2. floor (Kaasutehtaankatu 1)
You can find the location of each course on the registration page. A map of the area is available here.
5. Can I train at Circus Helsinki even if I have not signed up for weekly classes?
On Sundays, we have three Open training sessions in the Generaattorisali:
16:15-17:30 Open training for 1. graders and younger students (student must be accompanied by an adult)
17:30–19:30 Open training for children and youth
19:30–21:30 Open training for adults (15-year-olds and older)
Dates (Spring 2024): Sundays 14.1.-12.5.2024. No open training on 31.3.
You can make up Autumn season absences in open training until the Winter break. Absences from the Spring season cannot be made up in the following circus year.
Open training is meant for safe, uninstructed training. You do not need to register for the session in advance, but please note that the hall can accommodate a limited number of people at a time.
You do not have to be a student of Circus Helsinki to participate in Open training. Small children can practice in “Open training for 1st graders and younger students” in the company of their parents.
Open training costs 6 € / person. You can pay a one-time fee to the Open training supervisor or alternatively buy a 10-session card (60 €) from the supervisor. With the 10-session card, the first training session is free of charge.
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On Thursdays we have Morning Acrobatics (Aamuakro) in Generaattorisali at 8:30–9:30.
Dates (Spring 2024): Thursdays 25.1.-2.5.2024, but no morning acrobatics 28.3.
You can make up Autumn season absences in morning acrobatics until the Winter break. Absences from the Spring season cannot be made up in the following semester.
Morning Acrobatics is an open level class. The class includes a warm-up, strength and mobility exercises, and floor acrobatics (e.g. rolls, handstand, cartwheels).
Morning acrobatics costs 11 € / person. You do not need to register for the classes in advance. You can pay a one-time fee or alternatively buy a card for 5 or 10 sessions (50 € / 100 €). Please pay at the Circus Helsinki office before the class starts.
6. What are the semester dates and holidays?
The semester dates and holidays for season 2023-2024 are listed below. Please note that the Finnish Model for Leisure Activities -groups (Harrastamisen Suomen Malli) have a shorter term.
Autumn semester, Mon 14.8. – Sun 10.12.2023 (16 sessions)
Note! The season end date for for Wed groups is 13.12., for Sat groups 16.12.
Mon 9.10. – Sun 15.10. open doors
Mon 16.10. – Sun 22.10. autumn holiday, no lessons
Sat 4.11. public holiday, no lessons, substitute lessons Sat 16.12.
Wed 6.12. Independence Day, no lessons, substitute lessons Wed 13.12.
Spring semester, Mon 8.1.2024 – Sun 12.5.2024 (16 lessons)
Mon 12.2.-Sun 18.2. open doors
Mon 19.2. – Sun 25.2. winter holiday, no lessons
Thu 28.3. – Wed 3.4. Easter holiday, no lessons
Wed 1.5. May Day, lessons according to a special schedule
Thu 9.5. Ascension Day, lessons according to a special schedule
Mon 13.5. – Sat 18.5. Spring Festival week
The Finnish Model for Leisure Activities 4.9.2023 – 6.5.2024
Autumn semester, Mon 4.9.- Thu 7.12.2023
Mon 16.10. – Sun 22.10. autumn holiday, no lessons
Spring semester, Mon 15.1.- Mon 6.5.2024
Mon 19.2. – Sun 25.2. winter holiday, no lessons
Thu 28.3. – Wed 3.4. Easter holiday, no lessons
NOTE! Thu 9.5. no lessons
Circus Helsinki reserves the right to make changes.
Season 2024-2025
Autumn semester, Mon 12.8. – Sun 8.12.2024 (16 lessons)
Note! The season end date for Fri groups is 13.12., Sat groups 14.12.
Mon 7.10. – Sun 13.10. Open door week
Mon 14.10. – Sun 20.10. Autumn holiday, no lessons
Sat 2.11. public holiday, no lessons, substitute lessons Sat 14.12.
Wed 6.12. Independence day, no lessons, substitute lessons Fri 13.12.
Spring semester, Tue 7.1.2025 – Mon 12.5.2025 (16 lessons)
Mon 10.2.- Sun 16.2. Open door week
Mon 17.2. – Sun 23.2. Winter holiday, no lessons
Fri 18.4. – Wed 23.4. Easter holiday, no lessons
Thu 1.5. May Day, no lessons
Tue 13.5. – Mon 19.5. Spring Festival week
Circus Helsinki reserves the right to make changes.
7. If I register for several courses, do I get a discount?
If the student registers for several weekly courses, the cost of the most expensive lesson remains the same while a 30 % discount is granted for the other course(s). The discount is not granted for afternoon circus classes or family groups (baby/toddler/child-parent).
It is possible to apply for a discount or a fee-waiver from the board of Circus Helsinki, if the financial circumstances of the student’s family require it. The discount is granted for one academic year at a time. If you are signing up for several classes or intend to apply for a discount from the board, contact the office (toimisto@circushelsinki.fi).
8. What if I miss one of my circus classes due to illness or other reasons?
If the student is absent due to illness, etc., he can make up for his absence on Sunday, in the open training session of his own age group. First graders and younger children can participate in open training only in the company of an adult. Students in adult groups can make up for their absences in the morning acrobatics classes or in the open training session for adults. Longer absences must be discussed in advance with the study secretary (info@circushelsinki.fi).
Absences in the fall semester can be made up until the winter break of the following spring. Absences during the spring semester must be made up during the same semester.
9. Do I need an insurance?
Students under the age of 20 are insured for weekly lessons, camps and short courses at Fennia Vahinkovakuutus Oy. You can find the insurance conditions here. For those over 20 years old and those who want a more comprehensive insurance coverage (e.g. magnetic resonance imaging), we recommend getting your own insurance. In the event of an accident, the teacher gives the student instructions. If necessary, the student can also request instructions directly from the office: toimisto@circushelsinki.fi.
10. Do I get a refund if I quit before the semester ends?
If the student quits in the middle of the term or takes a break from training, the tuition fee will not be refunded, unless there are compelling reasons such as pregnancy, moving out of the capital region, serious injury or illness.
If the student quits due to illness or injury, he will receive the fee (excluding the 10 € office fee) back provided they present a medical certificate. However, this requires that the student has notified the office (toimisto@circushelsinki.fi) of the termination and the reason for the termination as soon as the injury/illness occurs. Refunds are not made retroactively.
If the student has signed up for a group that Circus Helsinki has to cancel due to the low number of participants, efforts will be made to find another suitable circus group for the student. If a suitable group cannot be found, Circus Helsinki has the right to cancel the student place, in which case the payment will be refunded in full.
In cases of force majeure, the tuition fee will not be refunded.
OTHER
11. How can I book a circus performance?
We have a high-level youth performing group consisting of around 30 young artists aged 8 to 20 years. The group has received numerous awards for its performances. The Finnish Ministry of Education has appointed the group as the Finnish Young Culture Ambassador. Their shows have toured European festivals and have been invited to perform in various events in Finland and in Europe. Please take a look at some of our photos and videos.
The group performs on request in different public and private events. In addition, Circus Helsinki offers circus themed events. Our packages include a venue and entertainment for your event. If you would like to know more about our performances and facilities, please contact: saga@circushelsinki.fi.
12. When can I see a circus show at Circus Helsinki?
Circus Helsinki presents one to three full-length circus shows annually. To catch a show, please follow our news through this website or on social media: Facebook, Instagram.
We also organize the international YlösAlas Youth Circus Festival which brings together young circus artists from all over Finland and Europe. For more information on the festival, click here.
13. I am a professional circus artist. Can I train at Circus Helsinki?
During daytime Circus Helsinki offers its high-quality space (Generaattorisali) and equipment for circus professionals’ independent training and creation. A fee of 6 € must be paid to the office before training.
Training time is mainly from Monday to Friday 9.00-15.00, but other reservations affect these times. Please check the weekly training times in advance from the Facebook group Circus Helsinki – päivätreenaajat.
14. I have a question that is not answered on this page. How can I contact you?
- If you have any questions about our circus classes, please contact: info@circushelsinki.fi
- If you are interested in a private circus classes, please contact: toimisto@circushelsinki.fi
- If you are a circus professional visiting Finland and would like to offer a workshop, please contact: rehtori@circushelsinki.fi
- If you would like to know more about our performances and facilities, please contact: saga@circushelsinki.fi