Once again, Helsinki invites people of all ages to celebrate the New Year at Kansalaistori Square. Helsinki’s New Year celebrations will kick off at 17:00 with the family favourite Hevisaurus. The roaring Jurassic heavy rock band has released eight studio albums and twice received the Emma Award for Best Children’s Music Album. The gig will be topped off with a family-friendly pyrotechnic display at 18:00.
The late New Year Eve event will start at 22:15 when star artists Ares, Erika Vikman and KAJ take the stage. Ares, one of the pioneers of the new wave rap scene in Finland, makes music entirely on his own terms, and every track on his latest album APATHIA made it into Finland’s official chart.
Erika Vikman is one of the brightest stars of Finnish disco pop and a trailblazer of feminist pop; she rose to public attention with her hits Cicciolina and Syntisten pöytä. Her appearance at the Eurovision Song Contest established her a significant fan base across Europe.
KAJ, a trio from Vörå, is also gaining popularity both in Finland and overseas, their Eurovision hit Bara Bada Bastu shooting to number one on the Spotify Top 50 in both Finland and Sweden. The band has released seven albums, written and performed two musicals and sold out three arena gigs over the years.
The evening event will be hosted by Jaana Pelkonen and Christoffer Strandberg, both known from numerous hit shows, and the concert will be broadcast live on Nelonen and Ruutu. “It’ll be great to see in the New Year with great performers and a stellar programme together with people of Helsinki,” says Mayor Daniel Sazonov, who will deliver a New Year’s speech at the event.
Traffic restrictions will be enforced around Kansalaistori Square on New Year’s Eve, so it is advisable to arrive at the event area early. The event will culminate in a pyrotechnic display at midnight, which can be viewed from a distance at Mannerheimintie or Töölönlahti Park as well as up close in Kansalaistori Square itself. Bringing your own fireworks to the event area is strictly prohibited.
Helsinki’s New Year programme
17–18 Children’s New Year event: Hevisaurus
22:15–00:15 Helsinki’s New Year’s concert: DJ Pahkala, Ares, Erika Vikman and KAJ
Live broadcast on Nelonen and Ruutu 22:30–00:15.
Traffic restrictions will be in place during the event
Traffic restrictions covering the roads, bicycle lanes and pedestrian routes in the vicinity of Kansalaistori Square will be in force during the New Year event. Attendees are advised to reach the event area via Mannerheimintie. For those arriving by metro, it is recommended to exit at Kamppi station.
The pedestrian route through the Sanomatalo building will be closed to the public from 17:00, and Eero Erkon katu, i.e. the pedestrian and bicycle path between Sanomatalo and Oodi, from about 19:00. There will be traffic restrictions in place in the vicinity of Kansalaistori Square between about 22:00 and 02:00. For more detailed instructions on getting to the event area and traffic restrictions, please visit helsinginuusivuosi.fi.
The event will also impact public transport from 21:45 until 02:00. Buses will terminate at Kamppi as the Elielinaukio bus terminal will not be in use. Trams 4 and 10 will run on a diverted route after about 21:45 for the rest of the night. More detailed information about the diverted routes can be found on HSL’s journey planner and on the HSL website: www.hsl.fi(Link leads to external service) .
Fireworks Fired in a Crowd Pose a Danger
Fireworks endanger everyone’s enjoyment. Fireworks fired in crowds have raised concerns in Helsinki in the past, and recently fireworks have been used in particularly large numbers during all holidays.
As on all holidays and during end-of-school-year celebrations, a group of youth workers and volunteers also patrols on New Year’s Eve to ensure a safe festive atmosphere for young people. Youth work professionals, the police, volunteers and emergency medical services work together in collaboration. In general, young people behave well and look after their friends.
“Fireworks fired into a crowd endanger the safety of both celebrators and helpers. For some reason, fireworks have been present at all mass gatherings of young people for the last couple of years, regardless of the season. We are particularly concerned about the New Year. We really hope that parents will have a serious discussion with their teenagers about this. If fireworks are fired at buildings or other people, none of us are safe,” says Tiina Hörkkö from Helsinki Youth Services.
“Last year, we witnessed several dangerous situations in which fireworks were set off towards other people with no regard for safety,” says Chief Inspector Hanna Kiiskinen.
The police would like to remind people about the responsible use of fireworks and make a special appeal to parents. Fireworks must not be given to minors. Adults are always responsible for fireworks. Any fireworks or explosives found in the possession of minors are always confiscated. The use of protective goggles when setting off fireworks is now also compulsory.
Outreach youth work will be intensified in Helsinki on New Year's Eve
Youth workers will mainly walk around in the suburbs, shopping centres and stations, as well as other places where young people spend time, but resources have also been concentrated in the vicinity of Kansalaistori for the duration of the New Year’s celebrations. Outreach will start with around 30 youth workers and continue as needed for as long as there are young people out and about. The youth workers will move around the areas and meet young people, ask how they are and where necessary refer them to help.
The use of fireworks is banned in certain areas of the Helsinki city centre
The Helsinki City Rescue Department is on standby 24/7, which means that both our emergency rescue and prehospital emergency care services will be available on New Year's Eve as well.
The Helsinki City Rescue Department's checklist for New Year celebrations:
- When handling fireworks, always follow the safety instructions provided by the seller and emergency services. Remember your safety goggles!
- Celebrate without too much alcohol or other intoxicants.
- If you see someone who needs help, don’t leave them alone, whether you know them or not.
- Provide help yourself, if you can. Only call 112 in an urgent emergency.
- Let the authorities do their job in peace.
In Helsinki, the use of fireworks is banned in a designated area in the city centre.
The purpose of the fireworks ban area is to improve safety and reduce damage to people, buildings and other property.
Fireworks may be fired, except in the city centre, from 18.00 on 31 December to 02.00 on 1 January.
The fireworks ban area is marked on the map (in Finnish):
The news was first published on December 10, 2025, and updated on 29th of December 2025.
