New closing time policy for outdoor concerts

The closing time policy for outdoor concerts is designed for venues with a high number of night-time concerts. The Environment and Permits Subcommittee of the Urban Environment Committee will discuss the policy proposal in its meeting on 12 March.

The purpose of the closing time policy is to allow for a vibrant urban culture, while taking into account the comfort of local residents. The aim is to make decision-making on closing times easily predictable for event organisers.

The policy for 2026–2028 covers the number of outdoor concerts and their closing times at Kansalaistori, Suvilahti, Olympic Stadium, Helsinki Ice Hall, Bolt Arena and Kaisaniemi Park. In addition, Meripuisto and Kaivopuisto parks have been included as outdoor venues in the policy. 

For other venues, the number of night concerts and their closing times will still be considered on a case-by-case basis. These include, among others, the Malminkenttä area, which has been removed from the policy for the time being.

The venues included in the closing time policy can only host the same number of concerts ending at daytime than nighttime concerts. However, exceptions can be made to the maximum number of daytime concerts on the basis of the noise level and duration of the concerts. 

The daytime concert series is covered by a proposed amendment to the environmental protection regulations currently being announced. Under the proposal, daytime concert series would be subject to submitting a noise notification.

Minor changes to the number and end times of evening concerts

The proposal would allow twelve open-air concerts, ending at midnight, to be held at Kansalaistori annually, instead of the previous ten concerts.

A total of seventeen open-air concerts ending between 22.00 and midnight could be organised in Eläintarha area, i.e. at the Olympic Stadium, in the outdoor areas of the Helsinki Ice Hall and at the Bolt Arena. The previous policy had only taken into account the Olympic Stadium, which had been allocated sixteen late concerts.

In principle, concerts ending at 1.00 would only be allowed in Suvilahti. Suvilahti's concert times will remain unchanged, meaning that the area could host two concerts ending between midnight and 1.00 and ten concerts ending between 22.00 and midnight each year.

A maximum of seven concerts ending between 22.00 and midnight could be held in Kaisaniemi Park. However, if more than four concerts are hosted in the park per year, the City will require special noise abatement measures to be taken.

In both Meripuisto and Kaivopuisto, four concerts ending between 22.00 and midnight could be hosted.

However, the decision-making authority could continue to use its discretion to decide on exceptions to the policy. Late closing times can be added on a case-by-case basis, e.g. on public holidays such as New Year's Eve, May Day, Midsummer Eve and the Night of the Arts.

Closing times aim to reconcile different needs

The aim of the concerts’ closing time policy is to take into account both the aspects of hosting the event and the perspective of the local residents, so that the noise nuisance caused by concerts is kept to a reasonable level.

Helsinki has surveyed local residents’ attitudes to outdoor concerts through questionnaires between 2015 and 2025. In the 2025 survey, the respondents on average considered the midnight closing time to be suitable for Friday and Saturday events and the 10.00 closing time suitable for events held on other days. In the Suvilahti area, people were on average more in favour of later concerts, while earlier closing times were preferred near the Olympic Stadium.

Event organisers, residents’ associations and other stakeholders in Helsinki have also been consulted when preparing the policies.

Noise permits for outdoor concerts are granted by the environmental protection authority, i.e. the decision is made by the City of Helsinki Environmental Services. Decisions on closing times for concerts are made on the basis of the Environmental Protection Act and the closing time policy.