Celebrations and traditions

In Finland today, a wide range of celebrations are held, and many traditions are followed. Some have ancient origins, while others are more modern. Many holidays combine Christian and pre-Christian influences.

Much of today’s celebration is secular, meaning that people spend time with friends and family without emphasizing the religious aspects of the holiday. For some people, however, religious and spiritual traditions remain important and meaningful.

In Finland, everyone celebrates holidays in their own way. Many public holidays from work and school are based on the religious calendar of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Major annual celebrations include Christmas, New Year, Midsummer, Easter, May Day, and Ramadan. Life events such as weddings, confirmations, graduations, and birthdays are also commonly celebrated.

Many Finnish celebrations and traditions have religious origins. Some are rooted in Christianity, while others stem from ancient nature religions and Many people take a candle to the graves of deceased relatives on Christmas Eve (jouluaatto). Churches are often crowded at Christmas. Many want to attend a Christmas service for the festive atmosphere and tradition. Before Christmas, Lutheran churches also organize Christmas carol events where people can sing popular carols together.

From the Christian church’s perspective, the most important Christmas holiday is Christmas Day (joulupäivä), December 25. However, for Finns, the most important day of celebration is Christmas Eve, December 24, not Christmas Day as in many other countries. After Christmas Eve, there are two public holidays, which are days off work for many. They are celebrated in a similar way to Christmas Eve. For Finnish Orthodox Christians, Christmas is preceded by a 40-day fast, which ends with a festive meal on Christmas Day

More information about flag days and public holidays: Yliopiston almanakkatoimisto (helsinki.fi) (Finnish, Swedish, English)

Other Finnish Celebrations

Other Finnish Celebrations

About 51% of children in Finland were baptized in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in 2023.
The baptism celebration is called a christening (ristiäiset). In the ceremony, the child is welcomed as a member of the church, and their name is announced for the first time. Other churches and religious communities in Finland also have ceremonies related to the birth of a child.

A naming ceremony (nimiäiset) is a non-religious celebration. It resembles a christening, and in both cases, family and relatives gather to celebrate the new family member. Christenings or naming ceremonies are held at home, in a church, or in other venues. Parents invite close relatives and friends to attend.

In both christenings and naming ceremonies, the child may receive two or more godparents, chosen from among friends or family. Originally, a godparent was a spiritual guardian responsible for the child’s Christian upbringing. Today, a godparent is a trusted adult who supports the child and their parents through different stages of life.

Confirmation classes teach the basics of the Christian religion

In Finland, many young people are confirmed in the Evangelical Lutheran Church during the year they turn 15. Confirmation is preceded by confirmation classes, which include learning the core teachings of Christianity, reflecting on life’s big questions, and spending time together. It lasts about six months and includes meetings, theme days, and participation in church activities. For many, the highlight is a week-long summer camp. Teens look forward to it because they get to spend time with their friends.

At the end of confirmation classes, a confirmation ceremony is held. It is a church service in which the church affirms the young person’s membership in the Lutheran congregation. After the ceremony, families usually host a celebration at home, where the young person receives gifts. Many other churches and religious communities in Finland also organize similar courses or camps for youth. Confirmation class can also be completed as an adult, for example during military service or through adult confirmation classes offered by the church.

Young people also have the option to attend a non-religious and politically neutral Prometheus camp. The goal of the camp is to encourage young people to reflect on and develop their own worldview. After the camp, families often organize a celebration similar to a confirmation party, where the young person also receives gifts.

Graduation parties mark the completion of general and vocational upper secondary education

Once a young person has finished general upper secondary school (lukio) and has passed the matriculation examination (ylioppilastutkinto), ceremonies and celebrations at home and school are organized to honour graduates (ylioppilasjuhlat). At school, the graduate first receives a certificate and the traditional white student cap (ylioppilaslakki). Coffee is served and gifts are given at home. Guests may include relatives, friends, and, for example, the parents’ co-workers and other acquaintances.

Those completing their vocational upper secondary qualification or other vocational qualification also have a similar celebration where they receive their certificate (päättäjäiset, valmistujaiset).

After getting married, the couple usually has a wedding party

In Finland, a wedding ceremony can be conducted either by a representative of a church or other religious community, such as a priest. The other option is a civil ceremony, which takes place at the premises of the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (Digi- ja väestötietovirasto). Weddings typically begin with the wedding ceremony, which is usually attended by family and friends. After the ceremony, many couples host a wedding reception where guests enjoy food, dancing, and other entertainment in celebration of the newlyweds. The program often includes speeches, games, and performances. Guests also bring gifts for the couple.

Weddings are private events, and attendance is by invitation only. Since food and drinks are usually served in a restaurant or other venue, organizing a wedding can be expensive. For this reason, not all acquaintances are typically invited. Many couples go on a honeymoon after the wedding celebration.

Both children’s and adults’ birthdays are celebrated

Birthday celebrations are particularly common for children in Finland, often involving friends, family, and godparents. These events typically include games, cake, and the exchange of gifts.

Adults also organize birthday celebrations, especially when turning 50, 60, or 70. At some workplaces, an employee’s 50th or 60th birthday is celebrated with coffee, a gift, and even a paid day off. Many adults celebrate their birthdays with friends and family every year.

At funerals, people honour and say goodbye to the one who has passed 

When a person dies, the relatives arrange a funeral in a church, chapel, or another venue. Funerals are usually attended by family, relatives, friends of the deceased, and sometimes co-workers. In Christian funerals, the service begins with a blessing of the grave, followed by a memorial gathering. During the memorial, people eat, have coffee, and share memories of the deceased.

After the blessing, the coffin is lowered into the grave. If the deceased is to be cremated, that takes place later at a crematorium. The ashes can be scattered in a designated area or buried in an urn at a cemetery. In Finland, funerals can be arranged according to the religion of the deceased. A funeral may also be non-religious if the deceased person did not belong to any religious community.