Last weekend, we had an amazing time visiting two fantastic events: the International Grand Market in Kerava and the Reflektor art festival in Vantaa. I want to tell you about the top 5 highlights from our adventure.
Highlights (1-5)
1. The Vibrant Atmosphere of the International Grand Market
The International Grand Market in Kerava was one of the top 5 highlights of our weekend. As frequent visitors, we always look forward to the diverse array of stands offering everything from delicious desserts and pretzels to soap and clothes. The atmosphere is generally relaxed at the International Grand Market, though it can get quite crowded at times. So, remember to take it easy and enjoy your time at the Grand Market.
2. Easy Access to Kerava
Kerava, where the market was held, is just a 35-minute train ride from Helsinki. You can easily get there using several different trains (K-, R-, or Z-train). The Z- and R-trains are about 15 minutes faster than the K-train since they don’t stop at every station. Despite the light rain, the market area was bustling with people. Our plan was to stroll around and eventually find a place to eat. One of the days highlights.
3. Delicious Buffet at PizzaBuffa
Hunger struck sooner than expected, so we decided to leave the market area and head to a nearby supermarket with a buffet restaurant, PizzaBuffa. The buffet was excellent—an all-you-can-eat feast for €15.90, and only €13.90 from Monday to Friday. We skipped the dessert option, but it would have been tempting in the summer for just €5-7 more. The quality of the food was good, and the restaurant was busy enough to ensure that the food was constantly fresh. Deserves a spot in the top 5 highlights for sure.
4. Exploring the Reflektor Art Festival
After filling our stomachs, we took a short train ride from Kerava to Tikkurila in Vantaa, where the Reflektor art festival was held. This free event, organized by Reflektor ry since 2023 (previously by Sun Effects Oy), featured various outdoor and indoor art installations, including a lit-up playground for kids.
The festival area was compact, making it easy to explore everything. However, one issue the organizers might want to address for future events is accessibility. This is because some areas were only accessible by stairs, posing a challenge for people with disabilities. This also deserves a spot in the top 5 highlights.
5. Mesmerizing Nighttime Art Installations
As night fell, the outdoor installations at Reflektor became even more mesmerizing. The lights hitting the trees at perfect angles and the changing colors were spectacular. There was even a dark area with a fog machine, creating a spooky Halloween vibe. Speaking of Halloween, it’s just around the corner, which is exciting! Something to look forward to in the coming weeks.
On our way back to the train station, we revisited the hanging lamps, which looked much better in the dark. The weather that day was a bit chilly with occasional rain, but it didn’t dampen our spirits. Both the International Grand Market and the Reflektor event were well worth the visit, especially since they were easily accessible by public transportation. This convenience is a significant factor for me when choosing events, as it saves the hassle of finding parking.
Have you ever visited an international market or an art festival like these? What was your favorite part?
Upcoming Schedule for the International Grand Market 2025:
- Tampere: 14.-18.5.2025 (5 days)
- Salo: 22.-25.5.2025
- Vaasa: 29.5.-1.6.2025
- Jyväskylä: 5.-8.6.2025
- Lahti: 12.-15.6.2025
- Mikkeli: 19.-22.6.2025
- Lappeenranta: 26.-29.6.2025
- Kotka: 3.-6.7.2025
- Kristiinankaupunki: 10.-13.7.2025
- Rauma: 23.-26.7.2025
- Kerava: 31.7.-3.8.2025
- Joensuu: 7.-10.8.2025
- Kuopio: 14.-17.8.2025
- Oulu: 21.-24.8.2025
- Tornio: 28.-31.8.2025
- Rovaniemi: 4.-7.9.2025
- Kokkola: 11.-14.9.2025
- Hyvinkää: 18.-21.9.2025
- Helsinki: 24.-28.9.2025 (5 days)
- Turku: 2.-5.10.2025
For more information, visit the International Grand Markets website (available only in Finnish). And if you’re interested in unique art experiences, check out the Reflektor art festival.
Hope you enjoyed these top 5 highlights. Only 220 days until the next International Grand Market, and who knows when the next Reflektor event will be! Until next week, have a great day!
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This post has been enhanced using AI for text improvement.