When the first small drop of water falls over the edge of the dam, its foaming journey towards more spacious waters, towards the great lake of Ladoga begins. It first foams in the Imatrankoski Rapids and tries to escape the great water masses that follow. The drop swims under the old lanterns at Koskisilta Bridge. It spins past the idyllic Pavillion. It passes the venerable Valtionhotelli hotel and a rock cliff that in the past held a squeaky ropeway. It sprays some moisture on the guests standing at the viewing terrace and surges towards the centuries old rock engravings, the royal graffiti.
And this is how the water masses accumulate. They fill the rugged channel; they spin, agitate, thunder.
Visitor to Imatrankoski: If you have never heard the thunder of the rapids, experienced its magnificent force, now is the time. For a moment, you feel you are held tightly in the violent embrace of nature. For a moment, you feel you are one with history, with the ancient river bed.
That experience is just as large as the smallest drop of the foaming rapids.
The Rapids shows in 2024:
- December 31th at 8 PM New Year's Eve music by the Whitewater Symphony
The Rapids shows in 2025:
- January 1st at 2 PM New Year's Day music by the Finlandia hymn
- May 24th at 6 PM Imatrankoski Summer Opening event
- June: 1.6., 7.6., 8.6., 14.6., 15.6., 25. – 29.6. at 6 PM
- July – August: 2.7. – 31.8. From Wednesday to Sunday at 6 PM
- October 17th & 18th and 24th & 25th at 6 PM
- December 6th at 4 PM Finland's Independence Day music by the Finlandia hymn
- December 31th at 8 PM New Year's Eve
The Rapids show lasts approx. 16 minutes. Eight minutes after the flood gates are opened, the foams reach their peak with an average of 400 cubic metres of water per second flowing in the stream. In the summer rapids shows will be accompanied by music of Jean Sibelius or the Whitewater Symphony by the Osmo's Cosmos band.
The best places to watch the Rapids shows are Koskisilta Bridge and Koskipuisto Park.
During the summer season, guided tours are organized in the Kruununpuisto (the park surrounding Imatrankoski). You can inquire about your own guide for groups from Imatra Tours.
Information without obligation, subject to change of schedule. It is always advisable to check the timetable on this website closer to the planned date. The Imatrankoski dam is managed by Fortum, and the city of Imatra organises the rapid show events in cooperation with Fortum.
Last updated: 9th December 2024
