Christmas in Finland

Come to the home of Santa Claus and meet "Joulupukki". Those who believe in it can be sure that they will see some elves scurrying through the forest. 

In this article you will learn more about Finnish Christmas traditions and traditional Christmas dishes.

What does Christmas mean to Finns?

Christmas is very important to Finns, it is a significant and traditional celebration. Christmas time is a quiet time when people try to put aside their daily worries and spend time with family or close friends. On December 24, the Declaration of Peace is announced in Turku, the former capital of Finland. At 12:00 noon, numerous residents of the city gather with their families and friends in front of City Hall to hear this announcement. For many Finns, this ceremony is highly significant and they take the three-day Christmas truce very seriously. The event is even televised and afterwards all stores close and public transport is suspended.

Each family has its own Christmas traditions, for example, lucky almonds can be hidden in fruit. Many traditions are associated with Christmas dishes, Christmas saunas and a visit from Santa Claus. A relaxing Christmas bath in a hot tub is also part of the plans of many Finns today.

It is said that Finland is a rather irreligious country, but at Christmas the churches are filled to capacity and traditional and secular songs are sung. Candles are lit on the graves of deceased relatives to commemorate the deceased and to give light and warmth to the people. Sometimes wreaths or fir branches are also placed on the graves. A Finnish cemetery is thus an impressive sight on Christmas Eve, as the light from thousands of candles is reflected in the snow.

The home of Santa Claus

The original origin of Santa Claus is near the mysterious Ear Mountain, also called "Korvatuntui". This is a 486 meter high mountain in the municipality of Savukoski. The exact location is a secret known only to a select few.

The origin of the current home of Santa Claus began after the Second World War. Rovaniemi was almost completely destroyed after the war, so the reconstruction was very troublesome and the place got help from UNICEF. Eleanor Roosevelt, the wife of former U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, traveled to Rovaniemi to see the reconstruction and also expressed her desire to cross the Arctic Circle. The Finns built a hut on the Arctic Circle after receiving this information just two weeks before entering the country. On June 11, 1950, the cabin welcomed its highly respected guest, the then First Lady. Eleanor Roosevelt's visit not only brought hope for a better future to the needy in postwar Lapland, but was also vital to the local tourism industry. Santa's Village grew over time around the Roosevelt house and is now the most famous attraction in Lapland. It offers over 50 different attractions in the form of stores, cafes and restaurants. You can be pulled on sleds by huskies or reindeer, plan snowmobile tours, admire buildings made of ice and snow, and much more. 

Santa Claus announces the start of the Christmas season in the village a month before Christmas. At this time, the eyes of the whole world turn to Rovaniemi and with it begins the high season in the village, as many people want to experience the true magic of Christmas in Santa's official hometown.  

Christmas delicacies

If you want to feast in Finland, you must try the Christmas ham, because without this specialty, which is also called "Joulukinkku", Christmas dinner is not complete. As an appetizer, fish is traditionally served in different variations, very popular for this are marinated herring, herring salads or stockfish. Depending on the region and family tradition, the recipes may differ in some details. Alternatively, lamb, turkey, venison, elk or wild duck can be eaten at Christmas. It is these small details that make Christmas so unique. Whether in the south or the north of the country, no holiday table should be without a plate of sweet, crispy puff pastry stars. These are usually refined with a little plum jam, which distinguishes them from German Christmas cookies.

Have we inspired you? Then visit with us Finland and look forward to an unforgettable winter experience!