Top 5 Christmas traditions in Finland
What is a Finnish Christmas made of? Christmas is the happiest celebration of the dark season for Finns, where people gather around a shared dining table, enjoy the steam of the Christmas sauna, and open gift packages after Santa’s visit. These and many other Christmas traditions are part of the Finnish Christmas celebration, which culminates on Christmas Eve, December 24th. On this page, you will find tips for celebrating a traditional Christmas in the Jyväskylä Region!
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1. Christmas sauna
One of the most important Christmas Eve traditions is the Christmas sauna, which offers a moment for relaxation and calm before the celebration begins. The atmosphere of the Christmas sauna is created with candles and lanterns, clean sauna towels, and perhaps various Christmas scents.
Have a real Finnish sauna experience at public saunas in the Jyväskylä Region.
2. Santa Claus
Everyone knows that Santa Claus is from Finland, but did you know that the white-bearded man living in Lapland truly goes around distributing gifts to all Finnish children? It is the most anticipated moment of Christmas for children when Santa arrives to visit on Christmas Eve. In addition to distributing gifts, songs are sung and conversations are had with Santa before he continues on his journey.
Tip! You are able to meet Santa Claus at Toivola Christmas Courtyard.
3. Traditional Finnish Christmas food
Rice porridge is traditionally found on the plates of many Finns on Christmas Eve morning. Rice porridge is often served with an almond hidden inside, and the person who finds the almond is believed to have good luck in the coming year.
On Christmas Eve, people gather around a shared dining table for a plentiful and diverse meal. The centerpiece of the Christmas table is usually a ham, which is slowly roasted in the oven and served with mustard. Alongside the ham, various casseroles are served, such as sweetened potato casserole and carrot, rutabaga, and liver casseroles, which are classics of the Finnish Christmas table.
A fresher taste is brought to the Christmas table by rosolli, a traditional beetroot and potato salad, often served with pickles and sour cream. For fish lovers, there is flamed salmon or gravlax, which complement the flavors of the Christmas table.
The dessert table features familiar treats, such as homemade gingerbread cookies and star-shaped pastries with plum jam. These pastries are enjoyed with steaming hot mulled wine (glögi). Mulled wine, flavored with cinnamon and cloves, is also available at Christmas markets, which are held in the Jyväskylä Region in November and December. Indulge in Finnish Christmas flavors at the Christmas lunches of Jyväskylä Region’s restaurants.
4. Christmas carols
The Jyväskylä City Church has historically served as the premiere venue for many traditional Finnish Christmas carols, and Christmas carols still remain an essential part of the Finnish Christmas.
Christmas carols resonate throughout the Jyväskylä Region in many events and communal singing occasions even before Christmas. For example, several congregations organize “The Most Beautiful Christmas Carols” events, where you can get into the Christmas spirit. In the Jyväskylä Region, you can also hear Christmas carols at numerous Christmas concerts as the holiday approaches.
For many families, visiting the Christmas church is also part of their Christmas traditions, especially on Christmas morning or during the Christmas Eve service, where the Christmas gospel is heard and Christmas carols are sung. Additionally, many people visit the graves of their loved ones on Christmas Eve to place candles, which is an important moment for reflection and remembrance.
5. Winter activities and board games
The Christmas holidays are for many not only a time to relax but also a time for fun togetherness, and the traditions include a lot of activities both outdoors and indoors. The snowy winter landscapes invite people to go outside, and many spend the Christmas holidays engaging in winter activities. Sledding, skiing, and ice skating are popular pastimes that the whole family can enjoy.
Indoors, many enjoy board games that are part of many Finnish Christmas traditions. The leisurely atmosphere of the Christmas holidays also offers time to focus on activities like assembling puzzles, which is fun and relaxing.
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Christmas Events in Jyväskylä Region
Get in the mood for Christmas at multiple events such as Christmas Markets and concerts.
Fun Christmas activities with kids
Looking for some fun Christmas activities for the whole family? The Jyväskylä Region has you covered!
Happening this week
The travel advisors of Visit Jyväskylä Region have gathered a weekly list of events taking place in the Jyväskylä Region.
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