Vanhojen tanssit

Vanhojen tanssit (or Wanhojen tanssit; in English "The dances of the old") is a formal prom held in Finnish upper secondary schools (lukio) during the second year. It is a celebration of the fact that the 11th graders are now the oldest of the school. The prom is usually held in February the day after the 12th graders have finished school, after which they have a study break to prepare them for the matriculation exams. Sometimes the first word is spelled with a w, which adds an oldish effect in Finnish. The people attending the dances are called Vanhat (or Wanhat; "The old").

The Finnish Wanhat tanssit is usually more formal than the American prom - in the sense that the dances are in fact old, performed for example in some royal courts. The Polonaise is generally the opening dance. Other dances are the Waltz, Salty Dog Rag, Quadrille, Virginia Reel, Krakowia, Cicapo, Gay Gordons, Viennese Waltz, Pas d'Espagne and Tango. Usually the event takes place in a big hall, often the school hall/gym, but an appropriate space may also be rented. The exact programme varies from school to school. In most schools a course for the students to prepare them for the ball is held.

Students attending the ball dress in formal attire; white tie (sometimes replaced with tuxedo) for boys and full-length evening gowns or dresses for girls. The dress code has somewhat changed during the course of time; the original idea in this event was to dress in old-fashioned outfits. This is still noticeable, as the girls' gowns are often modeled after historical styles and sometimes the boys wear historical suits for this occasion. Each person has a partner with whom they practice and then dance at the ball. Since girls usually outnumber boys in Finnish high schools (and other upper-level education) boys may occasionally have to get several partners. Girls may also dance with another girl for half a show and then switch to dance with a boy.

The coreographies are rehearsed from December to February. Students mostly have two showings: one around midday for the other class levels at their school and later another for parents, who attend the event held in the afternoon or evening. In bigger cities some schools take part in the joint grand prom of the schools in the region for the evening event.

After the dances in the evening a dinner is held in a sometimes very formal restaurant. Afterparties may occur with more dancing and/or drinking.

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