Espoo permits Weekend Festival noise and fireworks in Vermo

The Weekend Festival is set to return to Espoo, Finland, with permission granted for significant noise and fireworks. The event will take place at the Vermo harness racing track's parking area from July 31 to August 1. While noise is permitted, it will be subject to strict limitations.

This follows a previous complaint about festival noise to the European Court of Human Rights by a resident near Vermo, where the event relocated in 2023. The Finnish state had previously argued that "merely ten hours of noise disturbance per day for two days in 2023 is not a disturbance that exceeds the normal disturbances associated with living in a modern city."

Noise from the festival is expected, particularly on the event days and the preceding Thursday. On Thursday, July 30, sound system testing is allowed between 12 p.m. and 8 p.m. On the main festival days, Friday and Saturday, noise is permissible from 11 a.m. until midnight. Fireworks displays on both July 31 and August 1 must conclude no later than 11:59 p.m.

Additionally, the festival's spotlights and light effects must not cause unreasonable disturbance to residents in the vicinity and should not be directed at apartments. The festival organizer, All Things Live Finland Oy, has submitted noise notifications to Espoo annually, and the city has approved them, considering the noise temporary. Espoo is also planning a dedicated event arena in the Vermo area for large concerts.