Tampere to bring authentic sauna lounge to Eurovision in Vienna

Tampere will mount a sauna-centred lounge in Vienna during Eurovision week and roll out a citywide “Turn Up the Heat” campaign to support Finland’s entry, “Liekinheitin,” and artists Linda Lampenius and Pete Parkkonen, the City of Tampere says.

The initiative builds on Tampere’s visibility from Basel 2025, placing Finnish sauna culture at the heart of its outreach. AITO Sauna and Visit Tampere are partnering on the lounge. It will showcase authentic Finnish saunas and promote Tampere as a tourism destination and a European Smart Capital of Tourism.

According to Tamperelainen, the public sauna will be heated on Riesenradplatz in Vienna during Eurovision week (May 12–16). The report also describes programme details including live broadcasts of the Eurovision semi-finals and final on May 12, 14 and 16.

The city has released a campaign video produced by Karu Films. It features Mayor Ilmari Nurminen; Tappara and Ilves players; Windows95Man; singer Hanna Pakarinen; musicians from the Tampere Philharmonic and the Opera choir; and scenes of Nokia Arena, Särkänniemi, Pispala and Hiedanranta.

According to Aamulehti, the Eurovision-week video also shows Nurminen and other local personalities cheering on Finland’s entrants, Linda Lampenius and Pete Parkkonen.

Tamperelainen quotes Visit Tampere PR specialist Tuomas Paloniemi, who says: “Tampere is attracting attention globally right now.” The outlet adds that the city’s attraction extends beyond sauna tradition, highlighting its mix of urban culture, events, music and nature.

Officials from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Finnish embassy in Vienna, Visit Finland and the Finnish Sauna Society will join Tampere’s team in Vienna to explain public sauna traditions and the Finnish sauna story. Locals are invited to add Eurovision-themed events to Tampere’s events calendar. They can also show support during the semifinals and final via @VisitTampereOfficial on social media.

Aamulehti adds that Saara Saarteinen, Tampere’s events manager, estimates the Vienna arrangements will cost roughly €50,000, though the exact figure is still being finalised.