Finns welcome New Year amid festivity, joy

The celebrations of New Year 2026 have begun across the country late Wednesday night and continued on Thursday amid festivity and joy.

The celebrations attracted several thousands of people who welcome the 2026 moment after midnight through fireworks displays almost every part of the country.

Several local authorities organised the traditional New Year’s Eve celebration with fireworks while people also individually organised the fireworks by their own across the country.

Some cities hosted various public events on Wednesday evening to ring in the new year.

In Helsinki, the city organized a celebration at Citizens' Square that includes pyrotechnics and a concert featuring artists Ares, Erika Vikman and KAJ. These festivities disrupt traffic in the area from 5:00 pm to early Thursday night.

Many cities pointed out environmental issue, austerity and avoiding noise as reasons behind refraining from welcoming the new year through the fireworks.

People from different strata rushed to the bank of rivers, lakes and other remote areas to bid farewell the 2025 and welcome the 2026.

Meanwhile, the festival-goers were entertained in late-night concerts by top Finnish artists and other performances to celebrate the beginning of the new year.

Thursday is the public holiday to celebrate the first day of the year.

All government, semi-government and most of the private organisations will remain closed.

The emergency services, some shopping mall and groceries, however, will remain open.