Experience the Dancing Fountains light and water show at Vaasa’s Market Square on New Year’s Eve

– We decided to stop organising fireworks displays three years ago, and we have received a lot of positive feedback on this decision. In honour of the City Council’s upcoming anniversary year, we wanted to try something entirely new and environmentally friendly to welcome the New Year, says Jari Karjalainen, Director of Corporate Administration.

The Dancing Fountains show combines music, lights, fire, and water. The show is eco-friendly, suitable for everyone, and can be carried out even in freezing temperatures. The show is produced by Dancing Fountains Finland (Suomen Ilotulitus Oy).

Admission is free and the show can be seen up to seven times, as shows will be held at 18, 18.30, 19, 19.30, 20, 20.30, and 21.

– The timing was chosen to allow as many people as possible, including families with children, to attend. We have received numerous requests for an early evening event on New Year’s Eve, particularly from families with children, and we wanted to accommodate these requests, Karjalainen continues.

The event will be opened at 18 by Sari Somppi, Chair of Vaasa City Council.

The paid Toriparkki parking garage will be open until 22 on New Year’s Eve.

What does Vaasa sound like?

At the event, the new theme music for the Vaasa region will also be heard for the first time, as part of the show. The music, or sound logo, is composed and produced by Miracle Sound Oy.

– Vaasa is all about energy, sea, passion, and happiness – and those things were also the starting points for our composition. We wanted to create a sense of a vibrant and youthful city where it is easy to be happy. The music must be timeless, allowing the desired feeling to build over time. The theme music is of high quality even by international standards and contains memorable elements, much like visiting and living in Vaasa. Hopefully, the people of Vaasa will feel a connection to the music, says Ossi Jaala of Miracle Sound Oy.

The theme music will be used by the City of Vaasa, Visit Vaasa, Vaasa region communications, and EnergyVaasa. It is based on the shared brand and story of the city and region, developed in collaboration with local residents and communities.

– Custom theme music, or sound logos, for cities is still quite rare in Finland. We wanted to create theme music for Vaasa that could be used in videos and at events, for example. Currently, we must purchase music for different purposes, and the same music may also be used by other brands, says Leena Forsén, Vaasa’s Director of Communications and Marketing.

The anniversary celebrations will continue in January with a ceremonial council session and a special ceremonial decision.