New Year's Eve 2024-2025 in Finland

After Christmas, the Finns save energy for the last night of the year, which promises to be a bit wild. While some people ring in the New Year in front of the TV with the President's speech and vintage movies, many also gather for gala dinners, live concerts, dance parties, and fireworks while usually drinking lots of alcohol. Others prefer to end the year in nature, on the skis, and possibly with northern lights on the horizon. Anyways, if you're looking for the best events and activities for a New Year's break in Finland, we've got you covered here.

National NYE Celebration in Helsinki

The main national celebration traditionally takes place in Helsinki, the capital and largest city in Finland. Usually, the official festivities hit Senate Square next to Helsinki Cathedral, or Kansalaistori (Citizens' Square), nestled between the Oodi Library and the Music Centre. Besides live entertainment, the official part of the program features a speech by the city mayor, a national anthem, and other patriotic songs. All wraps up with the grand pyrotechnic spectacle at midnight.

Later, folks often move to the harbor for a more frivolous bash, which can continue into early morning hours. This massive celebration draws in approximately 70,000 people during its peak years and has featured renowned Finnish music stars, like Käärijä, a representative of Finland at Eurovision 2023.

Happy New Twice Countdown in Haparanda & Tornio

If your taste is for something really extraordinary, consider a Happy New Twice New Year's countdown on the Finnish-Swedish border by the Torne River in the unique twin city of HaparandaTornio. Head to Tornio on the Finnish side to welcome the new year with live performances, DJ sets, and a splendid fireworks display over the river. Then, take a 5-minute drive across the bridge to Haparanda in Sweden and enjoy another round of New Year fireworks just an hour later.

Schedule

The gates to the border area open at 10 pm Central European Time (Swedish time) and 11 pm Eastern European Time (Finnish time). At 10:45/11:45 pm, respectively, the DJ entertains the crowds with groovy music, followed by a stunning fireworks display at 11 pm/12 am, celebrating the Finnish New Year. The party then moves to the Swedish side of the border, repeating the cycle with a DJ set at 11:05 pm/12:05 am, followed by Swedish New Year fireworks at 12 am/1 am.

New Year's Show in Espoo

Just 14 miles northwest of Helsinki, the vibrant city of Espoo hosts is own New Year's celebration in a form of a mesmerizing light & water show. Held in the Tapiola center between the Espoo Cultural Center, Tapionpuisto, and the AINOA Shopping Center, the event transforms the bustling shopping hub into a magical fairytale. The highlight is the light & water show, inspired by the fountain show at the Las Vegas fountains. The show, synchronized to music, usually takes place three times, at 6:30 pm, 7:30 pm, and 8:30 pm. Visitors can also witness breathtaking circus art and flow art performances, fascinating light installations, and workshops.

Fireworks in Finland

The only timeframe when you can legally set off fireworks in Finland is 6 pm on December 31 to 2 am on January 1. Otherwise, you need to notify and obtain permission from the local authorities previously. In 2023, many firework displays were canceled in major Finnish cities, like Helsinki, Tampere, Espoo, Vantaa, and Oulu, due to environmental, financial, and noise concerns. Some cities, like Helsinki, opted to replace the fireworks with pyrotechnic displays, a more sustainable alternative. However, many local residents in the capital and other cities will still be setting off fireworks, so consider taking a stroll through the city on the New Year's Eve.

Winter Fun in Finnish Lapland

You may want to escape traditional dancing and drinking and enjoy a fairytale Scandinavian winter with ample snow. Bundle up and set off further north to Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, the most magical site across Finnish Lapland.

Enjoy the outdoors while snowmobiling, dog sledding, Arctic wildlife watching, or chasing northern lights, which are more than impressive at this area. Make time for a Finnish sauna during the evening to relax after a long trip. As midnight approaches, you can arrange a private celebration for yourself and light some firecrackers.

Ski Holiday in Ruka

Lastly, why not ski into the New Year? Choose a ski resort to ride the slopes by day and party with fireworks by night. Ruka is the most popular pick, as it's not that far north, like the other skiing locations. With 200 days of snow, 35 slopes, 22 lifts, and nearly 100 miles (160 km) of cross-country skiing trails, Ruka caters to all kinds of skiers and snowboarders.