The primary venues to enjoy traditional social dancing in Finland – with foxtrot, waltz, jive, cha cha etc. – are the dance pavilions (Finnish: lavatanssit at a tanssilava), usually by a lake or in some other nice countryside setting, with live music. They have lost popularity since the 1950s, but do have a faithful audience, also among the young. Similar dances are arranged in many rural community centres.
There are of course also night clubs, dance restaurants, and dances on the Baltic cruise ferries. For fans of disco, these may be adequate, but if you like foxtrot, waltz, jive, cha cha and the like, you need quite some luck or research to find this kind of venues with good dancing. In dance restaurants and at the cruises, most people dance with their friends, but with some skill in reading the situation, you should be able also to ask strangers to dance.
In the summer (mid May–early September) there are dances at most dance pavilions at least weekly and often a dance somewhere in the region most days – in the regions with the densest networks. The price of a night is usually €12–25 (as of 2024).
Valasranta in Finland Proper arranges a week of dance courses and dances in July, in addition to the weekly dances. Seinäjoki has Tangomarkkinat, a 4-day tango festival with a crowd of thousands, also in July.
In the winter you can find part of the same crowd in heated indoor locations (mostly community centres, a few of the pavilions, some dance restaurants).
At the dance pavilions some dance with their partners or friends, but most participate in a scheme where women who want to dance line up by one of the walls, to be asked to by the men, with a women's hour at some point (when women ask), and at some venues also mixed asking part of or even all the night (there are usually signs lit to tell whose turn it is: miestenhaku/naistenhaku). Some venues have women's nights (naistentanssit), where women do all or most of the asking. At some venues, there isn't a line of women, but you ask anybody who might be willing to dance, whether you are a man or woman. You can try this also where there is a line and idle people, but in that case, don't be surprised if turned down.
Regardless of who asks, one is always expected to dance a pair of dances. There are usually more women than men and if so, some women dance also with each other. Knowing waltz and foxtrot (or waltz, fusku and bugg) you can dance most dances, regardless of the nominal dance; jenkka/schottische, polka and mazurka are mostly left to those who know them (note the dance floor getting half-empty). Unlike in Sweden, bugg is never danced all night in Finnish Finland; it is just one among several dances. Waltz is usually played as first and last pieces (extras not counted).
The names "tango" and "rumba" are used for several dances internationally. In Finland, tango is mostly danced with foxtrot-like steps, while rumba (bolero) is danced in the rhythm 1-(2)-3-4. Waltz is played fast or slow: the traditional waltzes are somewhat slower than Viennese waltz, while slow waltz (danced as English waltz) is played about equally often at many venues. Humppa is a Finnish innovation, danced either with fast jumpy steps or as a figure dance with walk-like basic steps. Fusku (single swing) is a simplified jive in foxtrot-like rhythm, bugg one with an even four-paced rhythm. Several swing and Latino dances are popular in part of the dancing crowd, while others skip the pieces or dance them as foxtrot, fusku or bugg. Some slow dances are also played, and danced in varying styles.
If you don't know how to dance to the music played, or the style your partner wants to dance, you should make that clear immediately and either agree on your partner showing you the steps (or your showing them yours) or quickly excuse yourself, to let them find another partner. Some are happy to try to teach you, some just don't have enough skill, and some really don't want to be a teacher (for this dance or in general). In the latter case, don't take it personally.
At some venues, an unfamiliar woman can have difficulties getting asked to dance (men ask themselves most of the night, so don't have this problem). If you can talk to some local – preferably a skilled dancer – to have him dance with you, that may help to introduce you. Male company of your own can do the same, and at least lets you dance part of the night. Use the women's and mixed hour(s) both to get to dance and to find men who might ask you to later. Don't be shy and avoid showing any frustration; a smile can save your night.
Some dance venues regularly arrange courses, where you could check in one or a few of the dances commonly danced, and get acquainted to part of the dancing community. If you have the chance, going to such a course before going to the dance proper can be a good way to get some confidence, especially if you are anxious about the dance itself.
Most dance pavilions have a café or a kiosk with at least coffee and snacks, and mostly free water. Some serve alcohol (which implies an age limit of 18, unless the serving area is delimited), but getting drunk at these places is frowned upon. The café may be a good place to spend part of the night socialising, especially if the dances seem difficult, but try to get out on the floor quickly not to miss out on it.
The dress code is relaxed even though people dress carefully, with a nice short-sleeved shirt common among men and a light dress common among women. Think twice if you consider high heels (and don't use wet outdoor shoes). Leave any bag in your car, in the cloakroom or wherever other dancers leave theirs (often by the stage or just by the bench or chairs).
The same dances (or rather the most common among them) are often danced at the end of certain types of formal parties, such as student union anniversaries and weddings. At some such events some other dances, such as walking polonaise, are also danced (if they are challenging, an advance course may be arranged).
Finnish folk dances (kansantanssi, tanhu/folkdans) aren't any more a living tradition among the general public, but if you are interested in them, you can probably find a local club. The heritage is nowadays shared between Finland, Scandinavia and, to some extent, the rest of the Nordic countries. At least in the biggest cities there are also clubs dancing Argentinian tango, U.S. country dances and other specific foreign genres.