Frequently Asked Questions

I lost my wallet at the Opera House, where should I enquire about it?

You can enquire after lost property from our concierge via telephone at (09) 4030 2306. Any belongings left behind are delivered biweekly to the lost property office of Suomen löytötavarapiste. We cannot accept responsibility for our visitors’ personal items.

Who designed the Opera House?

The Opera House was designed by Hyvämäki–Karhunen–Parkkinen architects. The Opera House was completed in 1993.

How much room is there?

The Main Stage seats 1,305, while Almi Hall seats 200 to 500, depending on the configuration.

How long is the interval?

The interval is about 25 minutes long. Some performances have two intervals, though most have just one.

Is the interval included in the estimated total duration?

Yes, the interval is included in the estimated total duration.

How long is the performance?

The duration of a performance depends on the work being performed. Information on the duration of the performance may be found in the insert in the programme booklet.  The duration of each performance is also given for each production on the FNO website.

How do I find my seat?

You should enter the auditorium according to what it says on your ticket – left or right. The stalls are located on the same level as the Main Foyer. Access to the balcony is by lift or by stairs. Row numbers are at the ends of rows, and seat numbers are on the seats. Every ticket has a designated seat. You may look for your seat in the seating plan beforehand to find out where your seat is located in the Main Stage or Almi Hall. Seating plans are displayed at the Opera House and are also available on our website. Staff will be happy to help you find your seat.

Where are the toilets?

There are several restrooms in the Opera House: in the Alfons Lobby near Töölönlahti entrance, the Aino Lobby near main entrance (Mannerheimintie side) and Juha Corner in the Main Foyer. An accessible toilet is available in the Alfons Lobby near the Töölönlahti entrance.

Where is the lift?

The lift is in the Alfons Lobby on the Töölönlahti entrance. Access to the 1st and 2nd balconies is by lift.

How should I dress? Should I dress formally for a premiere?

The FNOB is intended for everyone, and because of this there is no dress code. You are equally welcome whether you like to dress formally or in jeans and pullover.

Having said that, we should note that there is a tendency to dress more formally than normal: men often wear a jacket and tie or a suit, and women sometimes appear in full-length formal gowns. Premieres have a touch more glamour about them, and the dress sense of the audience tends to reflect this.

As we said, there is no dress code, but audiences seem to want to dress up just a bit when coming to the opera. It is up to you.

Can I go to the toilet if I need to?

We do not allow people to leave the auditorium in the middle of a performance, as we wish to guarantee an undisrupted performance for the audience and performers alike. If you have to leave the auditorium in the middle of a performance, you can only re-enter after the interval.

Why can I not get in if I am late?

We do not admit late arrivals, as we wish to guarantee an undisrupted performance for the audience and performers alike. Should you arrive late, please ask for the concierge in the lobby or foyer to assist you.

Can I take pictures during the performance?

For copyright reasons, taking photos and recording music in our performances is strictly forbidden. Not to worry, however, as you’ll find lovely photos of each production on our website. On the other hand, taking photos and videos of the curtain call and updating your social media in our foyers is permitted, even very much encouraged! Share the magic moments and tag your photos with @oopperabaletti so we can see them, too. Please don’t share photos of other visitors without their permission.

Are mobile tickets valid?

Yes, mobile tickets are valid.

Do I have to fold my ticket to get in?

No, you do not need to fold your ticket.

When is the box office open?

The Customer Service is open Tue–Fri 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Sat 12 a.m to 6 p.m. At other times our customer service point is usually open from 2 hours before Main Stage performances and 1 hour before other performances and concerts. Summer, bank holidays and other exceptional circumstances may affect these hours. You will find the current opening times here.

Is there a waiting list for sold-out performances?

Unfortunately we do not keep a waiting list for sold-out performances. You may ask about returns by phoning us or by visiting the Customer Service. Tickets are changeable until 24 hours before the performance, so ticket availability during the season can change at short notice.

Will you inform us when tickets will be available?

We always announce beforehand on our website when sales of tickets for the next season will begin.

Ticket sales for autumn season performances generally start in March/April and for spring season performances in September/October. Nevertheless, there may be some exceptions to this.

Who should I contact about a change of address?

You can inform our customer service personnel about changes to your email address, telephone number, home address, etc., by phone on 09 4030 2210 Mon–Fri 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. or via email at liput@opera.fi.

Is there a cloakroom charge?

No, there is no cloakroom charge. However, there is a 5 euro charge for lost cloakroom tickets. Please also note that large backpacks, bags or other bulky items are not allowed inside the auditorium for fire safety reasons.

How is the visibility from the balconies?

The visibility from the balconies is very good, although the guard rail may obstruct your view on the 1st row of the 3rd balcony. Visit the Services page for a description of the visibility from various locations in the auditorium.

Are the stalls raked?

The stalls are raked, meaning that the floor is tilted up towards the back rows. The Swedish and English surtitling is partly obscured when viewed from the leftmost and rightmost seats in row 19 in the stalls (seats 698–700 and 725–727).

Where do I go if I have long legs / have a long back / am short?

Phone our group sales to find out where seats with slightly more legroom may be found.

How do I get to the Opera House using public transport?

The Opera House is easily accessible by tram or bus. For information on routes and schedules, please consult the online guide of Helsinki Regional Transport.

Where can I leave my car?

The nearest public car park is 100 m from the Opera House on Mäntymäki field. The car park charges a fee until 19.00 Mon to Fri, but later in the evening and at weekends parking is free. The same parking serves the customers of Kisahalli sports hall, the Olympic Stadium and Sonera Stadium, as well as local residents, so it can get very busy. Please allow sufficient time to find a parking spot.

Please note that the car park may be crowded during events at the Olympic Stadium, as the car park is operated by the City of Helsinki.

How early should I order interval refreshments to ensure I can get my favourite table?

It’s always best to order refreshments well in advance, ideally at the same time as you buy tickets to the performance. By ordering early you can enjoy refreshments at your favourite table throughout the season. Refreshment orders can be made online, by phone or at our customer service point. The cost of the order is payable immediately. Please note that the best tables for premieres get reserved at the very start of the season.

Where can I order refreshments in advance?

You can order refreshments in advance via our Customer Service or in our online store.

Can all the products available in advance booking online be bought on site?

Unfortunately not. The advance-booking range is broader than the range of refreshments available on the service counters. Advance-booking products are on sale until 11.30 a.m. on the day of the performance by telephone. For Saturday performances we accept orders until 4 p.m. on the day before. Online sales are available until 24 hours before the performance.

Do you have vegan products?

Yes, we do. Dietary information is given for all products, also online.

Where can I find water?

Water is available near the refreshment counters in the Main Foyer and in the Balcony Foyer.

Can I get a cappuccino or an espresso?

Special coffees are available in the Side Foyer serving desk.

Where can I leave my used dishes?

You can leave your cups, saucers and cutlery on any table or any other flat surface.

Where is the restaurant’s service desk?

The Customer Service is in the Alfons Lobby next to the Töölönlahti entrance.

Where can I get a programme booklet?

You can get a programme booklet from the ushers, from the Opera Shop or at the programme booklet desk on the upper level.

The programme booklet gives you background information about the performance and introduces the creative team. It’s also a nice souvenir when you want to revisit the atmosphere of the performance later on.

How do I find step-free access?

The FNOB’s own car park on Oopperankuja on the Töölönlahti side is for disabled parking. There is step-free access to the Opera House from the Töölönlahti entrance.

Where is the lift?

The lift is in the Alfons Lobby next to the Töölönlahti entrance. Access to the 1st and 2nd balconies is by lift.

Are there any perfume-free performances or seats?

Many visitors like to dress up and wear perfume for the occasion. Unfortunately we can’t offer fully perfume-free seats, but we encourage everyone to consider others, as there are always people in the audience who are sensitive to fragrances. Read more about wheelchair seats, induction loops and other accessibility issues.

Which performances are suitable for children? 

Main Stage performances are not suitable for children under 5 years of age. The duration of the performances, the bright lights and the powerful sounds often prove to be too much for babies and toddlers. Because of this, under-5s are not admitted to our Main Stage performances. 

But don’t get us wrong – we’re delighted for the youngest family members to visit the Opera House, too. Our repertoire always contains operas and ballets suitable for audiences of all ages. We have productions designed specifically for children in terms of their length and content. Babies are welcome to our First Taste of Opera and Ballet workshops and toddlers to our Mini Operas. Preschoolers will love the Opera and Ballet in Action workshops. Our children’s performances are typically very popular, so you should book in good time.

What is the age recommendation?

We give age recommendations for productions intended for the whole family. Even if a work is intended for the whole family, it may contain scenes that children find intimidating. Age limit for Main Stage performances is 5 years. Please ask our box office for more details about age recommendations and -limits and the content of productions. You’ll find performance-specific age suggestions or limits on each dedicated performance page, too.

Where can children see the best?

This depends on the age of the child. For children aged 6 to 8, for instance, we recommend the front stalls or the centre of the 1st balcony. We also provide booster cushions to help children see better. For fire safety reasons, an adult may not have a child on his/her lap during a performance. Please note that all visitors, regardless of their age, must have their own ticket.  Read more about our services for families.