Top artists to star at Helsinki’s New Year’s Eve celebrations in Senate Square

Photo: Jussi Hellsten

Helsinki’s official New Year’s Eve celebrations will kick off once again with a special programme for kids, which proved to be such a success last year. The celebrations continue with a spectacular show in Senate Square starring top Finnish artists Vesala and Vesta.

Helsinki will ring in 2019 with a star-studded concert in Senate Square. Headlining the show will be Finnish singer-songwriter Vesala and the trendsetting pop act Vesta. The programme also incudes a theatrical fire show by the Maria Baric Company, while DJ Orion will keep the crowds dancing on their feet. The show will be hosted by Ernest Lawson from the TV comedy show Putous and TV personality Sampo Marjamaa. Mayor Jan Vapaavuori will deliver the traditional New Year’s speech before the main firework display at midnight.

The venue for this year’s celebrations will be Senate Square due to construction work at last year’s venue, the Kansalaistori square. Tens of thousands of locals and visitors are expected to join in the festivities; to accommodate the large numbers of people, a big screen broadcasting a live feed from Senate Square will be set up in the nearby Market Square. Many of the cafés and restaurants in the alleys connecting the two squares will remain open late into the night.

“This may well be the last time that the official New Year’s Eve celebrations take place in Senate Square, so it will be very nostalgic. The programme this year promises to be very visually impressive, fresh and musical, and the fire show will no doubt add to the warm and sparkling atmosphere. I can’t think of a better way to greet in the New Year!” says Event Producer Susa Nokelainen.

Organised by the City of Helsinki, the official New Year’s Eve celebrations include a special programme for kids and their families at the start of the evening. The internationally renowned Maria Baric Company will present a stunning show that combines music, fire, theatre, dance and circus, culminating in a firework display at 5:30pm.

New Year’s Eve in Helsinki

Monday 31 December 2018, Senate Square

Family programme:

17:00–17:30 Maria Baric Company
17:30 Firework display for kids

Evening programme:

22:00–23:00 DJ Orion
23:00–00:00 New Year’s Eve Show: Vesala, Vesta, Maria Baric Company
00:00–00:05 Firework display
00:05–01:00 DJ Orion

This event is free of charge, fully accessible and open to visitors of all ages.
As in previous years, the festivities can be enjoyed on television as well. A live broadcast will be shown on Yle TV1 from 11pm to 1am.
Further information about public transport schedules and special traffic arrangements on New Year’s Eve can be found here.

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Helsinki’s official New Year’s Eve celebrations are organised by the City of Helsinki. This traditional event has been held since the 1930s. The event is coordinated by Susa Nokelainen and Marianne Saukkonen at Helsinki Marketing.

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Media contacts and interview requests:

Annina Pikkumäki
Mellakka Helsinki
+358 40 575 5776
annina@mellakkahelsinki.fi

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Helsinki Marketing is a company owned by the City of Helsinki. It is responsible for operative city marketing and business partnerships for Helsinki. Helsinki Marketing interacts with local residents, visitors, decision-makers and experts.