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Mi s ce l l aneou s
A Presidential Independence Day Reception is
organised in the Helsinki Presidential Palace on
December 6, where the president acts as host for
some 2000 guests.
December 13 - Lucia Day
(
Luciadagen/Lucian päivä
)
Lucia Day is not a public holiday, but one of
the most traditional Scandinavian festivities,
celebrated in the Swedish-speaking parts of
Finland, as well as in Sweden and Norway, in
memory of the Italian Saint Lucia. In Åbo, you
can witness the Saint Lucia procession in the
Cathedral.
December 24–25 - Christmas Eve and Day
(Julafton/Jouluaatto, Juldagen/Joulupäivä)
Christmas is celebrated on Christmas Eve,
although it is not a public holiday, and is
traditionally spent with family and close friends
at home, whereas Christmas Day (public
holiday) celebration traditions vary somewhat
throughout the country.
December 26 - Boxing Day
(Annandag jul/Tapanin päivä)
Boxing Day is a public holiday.
December 31st - January 1st - New Year’s Eve
& Day
(Nyårsdagen/ Uudenvuodenpäivä)
Note that only the New Year’s Day is a public
holiday but the celebrations take place already
in the evening of New Year’s Eve, which is not a
public holiday.
January 6 – Epiphany
(Trettondagen/Loppiainen)
A Christian holiday that marks the end of the
religious Christmas time.
February 9 - Shrove Tuesday
(Fastlagstisdag/Laskiainen)
Shrove Tuesday is not a public holiday but is
quite widely celebrated among students. The
main event in Åbo is the sledging competition
on Vårdberget/ Vartiovuori.
March 25–28 – Easter
(Påsk/Pääsiäinen)
Easter is celebrated in a fairly calm manner, and
shops are closed throughout Easter except on
Easter Saturday.
May 1 - May Day
(Vappen/Vappu)
A big day of celebration among students and
workers, especially the night before, April 30th.
Current and former students of all ages are
wearing student overalls and their traditional
white student caps and thousands of people
gather on Vårdberget/Vartiovuori in Åbo to
celebrate. In many bigger university towns
picnics are organised on May 1. April 30
th
is not a
public holiday, whereas May 1 is.
May 5 -Ascension Day
(Kristi himmelsfärdsdag/ Helatorstai)
A Christian holiday that celebrates
Christ’s ascension to heaven. There are no special
celebrations.
May 8 - Mother’s Day
(MorsdagÄitienpäivä)
May 15 - Whitsunday/Pentecost
(Pingst/ Helluntai)
A Christian holiday where the event of the holy
spirit descending to the apostles is remembered.
There are no special celebrations.
June 24–25 – Midsummer’s Eve and Day
(Midsommar/Juhannus)
Midsummer is celebrated on Midsummer’s Eve
which is not a public holiday, although shops
may close earlier than usual. Midsummer’s Day is
a public holiday. The cities may feel emptier than
usual as many Finns spend Midsummer at their
summer cottages.