May Day celebrations culminate when Havis Amanda receives a graduation cap – UniCafe is a partner for the event
In 2026, it will be the turn of the Student Union of the University of Helsinki to place the graduation cap on our city’s Mermaid of the Baltic, Havis Amanda. UniCafe is a partner in Finland’s largest public event, which attracts 80,000 people every year.
As ever, the best May Day parties will be held near the Havis Amanda statue. The ceremony of placing the graduation cap on Havis Amanda, called Manta by locals, is a key May Day tradition in Helsinki. This year, the Student Union of the University of Helsinki will do the honours.
UniCafe’s contribution will culminate in a performance on the festival stage where UniCafe’s ambassador, Masse, will lead the crowd in song. Melodies will include the UniCafe Anthem, as seen on Instagram.
The theme of this year’s Manta cap ceremony is the Baltic Sea. An environmental impact assessment conducted by Ylva revealed that more than 60 per cent of the eutrophication potential of Ylva’s restaurant business is in the Baltic Sea drainage basin. For this reason, over the past two years, Ylva has donated the funds it has raised for impact work to promote the conservation and amelioration of the Baltic Sea.
May Day Eve celebrations begin at UniCafe
The UniCafes on the campuses will be open on May Day Eve (30 April), and UniCafe Kaivopiha will serve lunch until 7:45 pm. It is wise to have a good, nutritious lunch before partying.
The lunch menus and opening hours of all UniCafe restaurants are available on the mobile app menu.unicafe.fi and on the website www.unicafe.fi.
Myöhä hosts the best May Day pre- and after-parties
Myöhä Café & Bar is the place to be throughout the May Day weekend. After lunch, snacks and drinks will be available at a special price. Relax with karaoke, table football (foosball) and board games for groups of all sizes.
On Tuesday 21 April, Myöhä will host a sea-themed music quiz arranged by the Manta Crew in honour of this year’s theme for the Manta cap ceremony. The quiz is open to everyone.
Order tasty May Day treats in advance at UniCafe
No May Day is complete without mead and doughnuts. Advance sales of UniCafe’s home-made May Day doughnuts and mead will begin on Monday 13 April.
Advance order forms are available at the checkouts of every UniCafe, and you can pick up your order on Wednesday 29 April or Thursday 30 April. Contact your nearest UniCafe for more information!
Additional information:
IG: @mantanlakitus
Photo: HYY, Ville-Veikko Niemelä.