🎆 How Finns celebrate New Year: customs, traditions, dishes

If you want to understand Finland in one New Year's Eve

On this night, the country is divided into two rhythms. Some heat up the sauna, put kuohuviini (sparkling wine) in the fridge, cut perunasalat and warm up nakit sausages — everything is simple and homely. Others go to the square: music, lights, hot drinks, countdown. At dawn, Finnish cities quietly creak with snow, and shop windows are already changing their signs to "Tervetuloa 2026". Below is how to repeat this scenario without fuss and with respect for the local culture.

How Finns celebrate: home and city scenarios

Home ritual. By the evening of 31 December, many families switch to a mode of "cosiness + simple table": nakit ja perunasalaatti (sausages and potato salad), a plate of pickles and fish, toast at midnight, and sometimes a joulusauna as a "bonus". Children watch the fireworks from the window or in the yard — in Finland, safety and peace are more important than a marathon "sleepless night."

An urban ritual. Cold air, music in the central squares, warm drinks and a big countdown clock. In Helsinki, they celebrate at Kansalaistori, in Turku people gather on the banks of the Auranjoki, and in Rovaniemi — Lordi-aukio and the Arctic Circle. At midnight, the sky lights up — either with a pyrotechnic show or a light/drone show (sometimes cities refuse fireworks for environmental reasons).

A little secret: Finns often plan an early outing for their children: a short walk, an early show for families, and then back home to the warmth, for dessert and board games.

Fireworks according to the rules: what is allowed and where

Finland respects the tradition of fireworks, but emphasises the safety and peace of mind of its citizens (including animals). Here are the basic principles for the night of 31 December to 1 January:

● The permitted time for domestic fireworks throughout the country is from 6 p.m. on 31 December to 2 a.m. on 1 January. Outside this time frame, a separate approval procedure is required.

● Age and protection. Only persons aged 18+ may set off fireworks, and protective eyewear is mandatory for those setting them off and strongly recommended for spectators. It is prohibited to use pyrotechnics while intoxicated.

● Prohibited areas. Helsinki has a list of areas where private individuals are prohibited from setting off fireworks (including the city centre) — the list is published by the city's rescue department. Similar restrictions apply in a number of resorts (e.g. Levi, village centre).

● Tampere. Private fireworks are prohibited in the city centre, and the city has not held an official fireworks display in recent years.

● Signal flares and sky lanterns. Signal flares are not "festive fireworks"; their use is dangerous and not permitted for entertainment purposes. Sky lanterns are not prohibited at the national level, but are not recommended due to the risk of fire/harm to animals and are often restricted locally. Check local regulations.

Safe alternatives to "tin casting"

Old "tin" in Finland was often lead (sometimes 95%+ lead) — now it is not sold: it is harmful and prohibited. Instead, "lyijytön" (lead-free alloy) lines have appeared, as well as metal-free home options.

What to choose in 2025–2026:

● Lyijytön uudenvuodentina — lead-free (usually ~97% tin + 3% antimony): melts in the "classic" way, but is safer; ensure ventilation and wear thermal gloves, pour into water at a distance.

● Beeswax/paraffin — "soft" fortune telling: melt, pour into cold water, read the silhouette.

● Chocolate/sugar — a children's version with a "sweet prediction".

● A creative alternative — "year collage": cut out words/print out words representing goals from magazines and draw 3-5 "mood setters for the year".

There is one rule: no lead and good ventilation, even for "eco-alloys".

What's on the table: salads, fish and pike ideas

Finnish New Year is not about hours spent in the kitchen. On the contrary: simplicity, self-service, cold appetisers and one or two hot "anchors".

The classic dish of the night is nakit ja perunasalaatti: warm sausages and a large bowl of potato salad. Almost every home has ready-made versions from the supermarket, but the homemade version can be prepared in 20-30 minutes.

Fish table — salted/marinated salmon (graavilohi), marinated herring (silli), caviar/mousses, smoked trout. January marks the start of pancake season (bliniviikot): buckwheat pancakes with caviar/sour cream are a great way to keep the holiday spirit going.

Pike (hauki). Pike is used to make pâtés, cutlets, and casseroles — it is lean, dense, and holds its shape well. New Year's Eve dinner will feature pike cutlets with dill and lemon, or pâté in tartlets. (This will appeal to those who want to move away from the classic salmon dishes.)

Drinks. Sparkling kuohuviini, non-alcoholic spritzers for children, glögi mulled wine before and after the walk.

Scenarios for different types of people

● Families with children. Choose early family programmes (Espoo 17:00–22:00; children's blocks in Helsinki often start at 18:00). Return home by 21:00 to warm up and spend 'your midnight' an hour earlier — children will remember the atmosphere, not the timing.

● Lone explorer. First, a sauna by the water, then the square (Kansalaistori), followed by a late snack in the market hall. The metro and suburban trains in Helsinki usually run longer than usual on New Year's Eve — check the HSL website.

● Budget traveller. City shows are free, hot food is available from the supermarket, and mulled wine is non-alcoholic in a thermos mug before and after the square.

● Romantics. Turku: watch the fireworks from the Auranjoki embankment; Rovaniemi: "snow disco" at the Arctic Circle or dinner at SantaPark with a toast at midnight.

● Expatriates/friends. Gather a Finnish-international table: herring in lingonberry marinade, blinis in January, hot fish soup. The weather changes quickly — wear wool and wind protection in the square.

Midnight toast over the Baltic

The city freezes for a second, as if before taking a breath. The snow glitters, the clock in the square slowly counts down to midnight, gloves rustle in hands. To your left are strangers, but when the first ring of light flashes in the sky, you suddenly realise: everyone here is family. In Finland, New Year's Eve is not about fireworks for the sake of fireworks, but a gentle restart. A clean slate. If you found this article useful, share it, save it to your bookmarks, and write in the comments where you celebrated New Year's Eve in Finland and what dish became your "anchor" for the evening.