Espoo New Year 2023–2024 – Water Show in −25°C Winter Conditions

A water show executed in exceptional winter conditions

The water show created for the City of Espoo’s New Year celebration in Tapionpuisto was a unique project particularly because of the extreme weather conditions. Temperatures occasionally dropped to –25°C, which placed unusual demands on both the water technology and the overall execution of the show.

The installation was built as an approximately 35-metre wide water feature where moving water, music and lighting created a visually striking part of the New Year event programme. The music was commissioned in collaboration with the City of Espoo, and the choreography was programmed using the Syncronorm Depence environment.

My role in the project focused on programming the show and supervising the operation on site during the event. Through careful preparation and continuous monitoring, the water elements remained operational throughout the performance, even though ice forming around the pumps occasionally had to be removed during the show.

The project demonstrated that a well-designed and carefully operated water show can perform reliably even in extremely demanding winter conditions. The result was a visually impressive and technically successful installation that brought a distinctive and memorable water element to the New Year celebration.