It started as a secret recipe whispered over coffee at Lasipalatsi. It ended as an explosive, six-hour, glitter-soaked takeover of the capital. On June 25th, the first-ever Helsinki Drag Marathon didn’t just hit the stage—it forged a vibrant new milestone for Finnish queer history, business, and raw artistic visibility.

A Secret Cooking in Lasipalatsi

Spring had barely brushed its touch across Helsinki earlier this year when we sat down at Café Lasipalatsi with Joonas Kuusisto. Known across the capital’s nightlife as the electrifying, sharp-witted drag powerhouse Slaya Bit, Joonas possessed an unmistakable spark that day. Something big was brewing.

Slaya Bit, the host of Helsinki Drag Marton 2026 ©QueerlandMedia

Drag Queen performance in Lasipalatsi at the Helsinki Drag Marathon 2026 ©QueerlandMedia

Helsinki Drag Maraton 2026 ©QueerlandMedia

The venue details were tightly locked, the artist contracts were still floating, and the logistics were a highly classified affair. It felt like watching a master chef refuse to reveal the secret ingredients of a groundbreaking recipe because it simply needed time to simmer.

When Joonas finally dropped the term “Drag Marathon,” my mind instantly conjured images of fierce queens sprinting down Mannerheimintie in six-inch stilettos, battling for a finish line. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Within minutes, Joonas mapped out a vision that was infinitely more ambitious: a non-stop festival featuring around thirty drag artists sharing a single stage for nearly six consecutive hours. At broad daylight. In the beating heart of the city. During Pride Month.

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From Brooklyn to Helsinki: The Blueprint of Inclusivity

To bring this dream to life, Kuusisto drew inspiration from New York’s legendary Bushwig festival. Founded back in September 2012 in Brooklyn by icons Matthew Mendoza (Horrorchata) and Simon Leahy (Babes Trust)—who themselves were inspired by Lady Bunny's historic Wigstock—Bushwig became a global gold standard for celebrating DIY, queer, and local drag subcultures. Kuusisto wanted that exact same unmanufactured, community-driven magic here in Finland. Why not?

Heidi (HEBE Productions) & Slaya Bit (Diivavälitys) Helsinki Drag Maraton 2026 - ©QuerlandMedia

To pull off a logistical feat of this scale, a powerful coalition formed. The marathon was brought to fruition through a seamless collaboration with Diivavälitys (Finland’s very first dedicated drag booking agency.), Lasipalatsikortteli, and the powerhouse creative team at HEBE Productions. Together, they transformed Lasipalatsi Square into a fully accessible, free, and family-friendly cultural arena.

Diivavälitys - Read more HERE.

HEBE Productions - Read more HERE.

Lasipalatsikortteli - Read more HERE.

Six Hours of Pure Power: The Structural Metamorphosis

The marathon wasn’t just a random succession of performances; it was a curated artistic statement divided into six thematic hours. Each segment was sponsored by an organization championing LGBTQ+ rights and culture, providing specific conceptual themes that push drag past mere entertainment into the realm of social critique and high art:

Sateenkaariperheet (LGBTQ+ Families Association): Theme — Birth
Sateenkaariseniorit (LGBTQ+ Seniors Association): Theme — Coming Out
Regnbågsallians Svenskfinland rf: Theme — Unity
B-gallery: Theme — Art as a Tool for Social Influence
Mansedrag ry: Theme — Television
Diivavälitys: Theme — Party

The Vanguard of Talent: 30 Names You Need to Know

Performances by great local artists Drags in Finland - ©QueerlandMedia

Hosted by Kuusisto’s alter-ego, Slaya Bit—whose trademark deadpan humor and razor-sharp crowd work kept the momentum flawless—the stage welcomed local legends, rising national stars, and international disruptors. The sheer diversity of drag expressions, including drag queens, drag kings, and gender-fluid performance artists, showcased the absolute breadth of the craft:

Anna-Kari Virranviemä, Boy Clit, Carita Pani, Ellu Jallu Koskenkorva, Friday Mayhem, G-Fluids, Gisella, Gee Gee Van De Slay, Hoebizcus, Jamie Deetz, Kariana Grandi, Kelly Babah, Kiukkupussy, Labia Koidula, Literally the Devil, Lordi Mörmöntti, Mealworm, Meiton 2, Måns, Penislow Pallinowski, Prinz Siegfried, Roseta La León, Shady Stardust, Slaya Bit, Tuhlaajapotka, Twiggy Mallet, Varanka, Victoria Line, Whipher Snipher, Will Turneron & Yulia Vagina.

Helsinki Drag Maraton 2026 in Lasipalatsi Square ©QueerandMedia

An Economic Blueprint and Urban Triumph

For a long time, the most common question Joonas received was: "Is there actually a drag scene in Finland? Where can we even see it?" The Helsinki Drag Marathon didn’t just answer that question—it permanently silenced it. The square became a melting pot where local families, international tourists, seasoned activists, and even the most conservative passerby were seen swaying to the music, transfixed by the sheer technical skill on display.

This event proved that drag is not merely a subculture confined to dark, late-night bars. It is a powerful urban catalyst. Helsinki’s Mayor, Daniel Sazonov, perfectly encapsulated the city's stance: “Let us be proud of who we are and respect every person for who they are. Promoting human rights is a common cause for us.”

The success of the marathon highlights three crucial areas of urban and economic growth:

Normalizing What Is Normal: Bringing queer identities into full public view fosters authentic civic integration, replacing prejudice with shared cultural experiences.
The LGBTQ+ Economy: The influx of domestic and international queer tourism directly boosted local hospitality, restaurants, hotels, and retail spaces surrounding Lasipalatsikortteli, showing the tangible commercial power of inclusive events.
Safe Spaces, Shared Realities: It established an essential, intergenerational meeting ground where the community and local residents could cultivate mutual respect through celebration.

Looking Ahead: The Call for a 365 Vision

Bringing **queer** identities into full public view fosters authentic civic integration, replacing prejudice with shared cultural experiences. ©QueerlandMedia

The Helsinki Drag Marathon was an integral cornerstone of Diiva Pride Week, powered by main partners including HEBE Productions, Biletti.fi, KokoTeatteri, Olarin Panimo, Lasipalatsikortteli, Kulttuuritehdas Korjaamo, and us at Queerland Media—Finland's international queer media outlet.

While the first edition of 2026 was a monumental triumph, it shouldn't just be an annual summer anomaly. The sheer artistic depth and business viability demonstrated on June 25th prove that Helsinki needs daily, consistent visibility for its local LGBTQ+ talent. The conversation cannot fade when the stage lights pack up. The groundwork for the 2027 edition is already sizzling—and trust us, you absolutely cannot afford to miss it.

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Daylight Visibility: How Helsinki Drag Marathon Turned Lasipalatsi Into a Queer Wonderland.