Helsinki New Year’s Eve 2026 celebration preparations are officially underway as the Finnish capital gets ready to welcome the new year with music, fireworks, and large-scale public events across the city centre. The main celebration will take place on 31 December at Kansalaistori Square, drawing thousands of residents and visitors into the heart of Helsinki.
City officials, police, and emergency services have confirmed a full evening programme that includes family activities, live performances by popular Finnish artists, and extensive traffic and public transport adjustments.
A family friendly start to the evening
The celebration begins early to accommodate families and children. From 17:00, Kansalaistori Square will host a children’s programme led by the heavy metal band Hevisaurus, a group known for engaging younger audiences in Finland.
At 18:00, a dedicated fireworks display designed for families will light up the sky. Organisers are advising families to arrive early, as crowd control measures and movement restrictions will be in place throughout the city centre.
Evening concert programme at Kansalaistori
As the night progresses, the focus will shift to adult audiences. The main concert programme will start at 22:15 with DJ Pahkala setting the tone for the final hours of the year.
Rap artist Ares will take the stage at 22:30, followed by pop star Erika Vikman at 23:00. At 23:30, Helsinki Mayor Daniel Sazonov will deliver the official New Year address to the public.
The musical programme will conclude with a performance by the trio KAJ, scheduled from 23:40 until shortly after midnight at 00:15.
Midnight fireworks and viewing areas
The highlight of the night will be the midnight fireworks display marking the arrival of 2026. In addition to Kansalaistori Square, the fireworks will be visible from several nearby locations, including Mannerheimintie and Töölönlahti Park.
Television viewers can follow the celebrations live. Finnish broadcaster Nelonen and streaming service Ruutu will air the concert from 22:30 onwards.
Fireworks restrictions and safety measures
Police have confirmed a strict ban on private fireworks within the official event area. The Helsinki Rescue Department has defined a restricted zone covering parts of the city centre where private fireworks are not allowed. These areas are clearly marked on public maps provided by city authorities.
National regulations permit the use of fireworks only between 18:00 on New Year’s Eve and 02:00 on New Year’s Day. Anyone handling fireworks must be at least 18 years old and wear approved protective glasses.
Police patrols will be visible throughout the evening. Officers will focus on preventing illegal fireworks, underage alcohol consumption, and crimes involving young people.
Inspector Harri Kopra reminded parents of their responsibilities, stating that guardians are responsible for the safety of children and young people during the celebrations. Authorities encourage the public to report disturbances or suspected crimes involving minors.
Traffic restrictions and public transport changes
Due to expected crowds, traffic restrictions will begin as early as 16:30. The Baana cycling route will close near Kansalaistori around that time.
Access through the Sanomatalo building will close at 17:00, while the pedestrian route on Eero Erkon katu between Sanomatalo and the Oodi Library will close at approximately 19:00.
The most significant traffic restrictions will be in effect between 22:00 and 02:00.
Public transport will also operate on adjusted routes. From 21:45, tram lines 4 and 10 will be diverted. Elielinaukio bus terminal will close, with buses redirected to Kamppi. Metro passengers are advised to use Kamppi Station when travelling to or from the city centre.
Detailed updates are available on the official websites of the City of Helsinki and Helsinki Region Transport.
New Year events in Espoo and Vantaa
New Year celebrations will extend beyond Helsinki. In Espoo, residents will gather in Tapiola, where a light art installation by Swiss artist Dan Acher will illuminate the sky from 18:00 to 22:00. The installation, titled Borealis, recreates the visual effect of the northern lights and will remain on display until Epiphany.
Espoo’s Cultural Centre will also host a Skidit-disco for children from 17:00 to 20:00, with DJ Mortti performing until 22:30. The city discontinued traditional fireworks displays in 2008 and now focuses on light-based events.
In Vantaa, no central New Year event has been organised. Residents are expected to celebrate locally across different neighbourhoods. Fireworks are permitted only in authorised areas between 18:00 and 02:00.
Global New Year timeline
Globally, New Year celebrations will begin in Sydney at 15:00 Finnish time, followed by Tokyo, Seoul, and Pyongyang at 17:00. Helsinki will welcome 2026 at midnight, with London following at 02:00 and New York at 07:00 Finnish time.
