Pienten Helsinki
Find tips for celebrating New Year 2022 behind this link
The beginning of the new decade will be celebrated this year on Tuesday, December 31, 2019. You can celebrate the new year with children at a few events, but unfortunately this celebration has been underutilized in terms of children's events, so there isn't an abundance of events. Pienten Helsinki has compiled the available event tips for children's new year 2020 and New Year's Day, January 1, 2020.
HELSINKI
New Year's Eve at Ice Park
At the Ice Park at Railway Square, there will be fortune telling and star showers on New Year's Eve from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fee required. More information will be updated on the Ice Park's website.
New Year's Eve Dance at the Music Centre
At the Music Centre, people will dance in the traditional way on Tuesday, December 31, 2019 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Everyone from babies to grandparents is welcome to dance to the baton of Kyösti Mäkimattila. Read more on the Music Centre's website.
Uutela Star Trail
Uutela Star Trail is a different way to celebrate the new year. It takes you on an adventure into nature and the Uutela trails lit by flashlights and starlight. Pack snacks in your backpack and enjoy them at the trail's bonfire. You can buy firewood from Saunalautta Kahvila Kampela corner (open until 5 p.m.) or for example from several gas stations. Read more about the Star Trail on the event's Facebook page.
Children's New Year Celebration at Kansalaistor Square
This year's children's New Year celebrations are organized by the city at Kansalaistor Square on New Year's Eve from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. The program includes Pikku Pappu's Orchestra at 5 p.m. and children's own fireworks at 5:30 p.m. Read more on the event's Facebook page.
Last year I promised that the fireworks would be visible farther away, but we were disappointed by how modest they were, so it's probably best not to make too many promises. The fireworks can thus possibly be enjoyed from for example the steps of Parliament House, the rocks at Linnanmäki, the north shore of Töölönlahti Bay, and the surroundings of Eläintarha Bay.
For parents: Helsinki's New Year at Kansalaistor Square from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m., culminating in a midnight fireworks display. You can also watch the celebrations on TV1 starting at 11 p.m. More detailed information on the event's Facebook page.
New Year's Fireworks 2020
Find tips for celebrating New Year 2022 behind this link
Official fireworks will be held in Helsinki and Uusimaa on New Year's Eve at least in the following locations:
Children's Own Fireworks at Kansalaistor Square on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.
Helsinki's New Year and Midnight Fireworks at midnight at Kansalaistor Square.
Kerava: New Year's Fireworks at Aurinkomäki in Kerava city center on New Year's Eve at 8 p.m. More information on the event's Facebook page.
Sipoo: Family New Year's Fireworks in Nikkila on December 31, 2019 at 6 p.m. More information on Sipoo Municipality's website.
Pohja: In Raasepori, fireworks will be organized by Pohja FBK at 6 p.m. More information on the event's Facebook page.
You can watch the New Year changing around the world and fireworks in live streaming from Yle Areena.
Unofficial Fireworks in Helsinki
Find tips for celebrating New Year 2022 behind this link
In many Helsinki neighborhoods, unofficial gatherings are organized early in the evening with the intention of shooting fireworks, where self-purchased rockets are fired. You can find more information in your neighborhood's Facebook groups.
For example, in these places community gatherings have previously been organized for families with children.
NOTE! These are not official events. Information about the gatherings was collected in 2018 and the events are based on the activity of local residents. More detailed information can be found, for example, in neighborhood Facebook groups.
- In Lauttasaari, early evening fireworks gatherings at around Kasinoranta Beach at 7 p.m.
- In Roihuvuori and Tammisalo, a joint fireworks shooting event for families on Porosaar between Tammisalo and Roihuvuori from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- In Vartioharju, at Varjakanvalkama near the shore, there have been families in the early evening for several years.
- In Herttoniemi, a joint family gathering organized at the end of Majatai Road on a rock around 6-7 p.m.
- In Arabianranta, the traditional family gathering place has been at Toukola Waterfront Park at 7 p.m.
- In Kruunuhaka, family joint fireworks at 8 p.m. at Siltavuorenranta.
- In Kulosaari, early evening joint fireworks shooting at Kluuvi Park at 7 p.m.
Note! Neighborhood joint fireworks gatherings are not official events, so everyone is responsible for their own fireworks, safety, and trash cleanup.
Other Ideas for Celebrating the Last and First Days of the Year
Uutela Star Trail is a different way to celebrate the new year. It takes you on an adventure into nature and the Uutela trails lit by flashlights and starlight. Pack snacks in your backpack and enjoy them at the trail's bonfire. Firewood is sold at Saunalautta Kahvila Kampela or for example at gas stations. Read more about the Star Trail on the event's Facebook page.
Free Admission to Ateneum Art Museum on New Year's Eve, December 31, 2019 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. More information on the event's Facebook page.
Lux Korkeasaari Light Art Event takes over the zoo from December 25, 2019 to January 8, 2020. The zoo is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (January 4-8, 2020 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.). Admission fee required.
Fortress Elf Self-Guided Route in Suomenlinna from November 30, 2019 to January 6, 2020.
Read more about the self-guided elf adventure on Suomenlinna's website.
The Between Days in Helsinki article has more tips for more informal activities, which are also suitable for a New Year's Eve program in Helsinki. For example, Uutela Cottage and Fallkulla Farm Animals are also open on New Year's Day.
ESPOO
Espoo's New Year at Kirkko Park in Espoo city center on Tuesday, December 31, 2019 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Light Park also has programs for children, including workshops and a horse carousel. More information on the event's Facebook page.
PORVOO
Finland's Largest Outdoor Disco in the courtyard of Porvoo Art Factory on Tuesday starting at 6 p.m. More information on the Art Factory's website.
New Year's Day Activity Tips for January 1, 2020
Fallkulla Farm Animals is open every day until Epiphany, January 6, 2020, daily from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free. Read more on Fallkulla's website.
Haltiala Farm Animals some animals are also outdoors in winter and the farm's nice playground invites play. You can visit the farm yard year-round.
Lux Korkeasaari Light Art Event takes over the zoo from December 25, 2019 to January 8, 2020. The zoo is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (January 4-8, 2020 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.). Admission fee required.
Fortress Elf Self-Guided Route in Suomenlinna from November 30, 2019 to January 6, 2020.
Read more about the self-guided elf adventure on Suomenlinna's website.
Vantaa: Children's New Year Celebration at Taidetalo Pessi in Vantaa on Wednesday, January 1, 2020 from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. The program includes Erkki Karhu and Friend puppet theater performance. Free admission, but note that only 80 spectators can fit inside.
Activities at home? Your child's first ballet experience on the home sofa? The National Ballet's Pippi Longstocking ballet can now be watched in full on Yle Areena. Strong recommendation from the Pienten Helsinki background team!
To a Playground? Pienten Helsinki's Great Playgrounds Guide recommends the city's best parks!
Uutela Cottage is open on New Year's Day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Uutela Star Trail takes you on an adventure into nature during December's darkness, as you explore the Uutela trails by flashlight and starlight in December. Read more about the Star Trail on the event's Facebook page.
Ice Park at Railway Square is open between Christmas and New Year and you can ice skate daily (weather permitting). Fee required. Read more on the Ice Park's own website.
A new artificial ice rink has been opened at Laajasalo Sports Park, which has no admission fee and no reserved times or separate stick times. Read more about the city's artificial ice rinks on the City of Helsinki's website (some have a small admission fee).
Current ice conditions can be found on ulkoliikunta.fi service (change activity to ice skating).
Helsinki Places Guide is a lifesaver for boring days!
