Christmas Eve is a cherished holiday in Finland, marked with a variety of long-standing traditions that hold a special place in the heart of its residents. It is the main event of Christmas, bearing more significance than Christmas Day itself. The holiday season commences at the start of December, replete with daily advent calenders, baking of traditional Finnish Christmas pastries, and the display of brilliant light fixtures, all culminating in the spectacular celebration on the 24th of December.
The celebration on Christmas Eve traditionally begins with a visit to the cemetery, where families remember their departed loved ones by lighting candles at their graves. This results in the cemeteries glowing beautifully in the snow-covered landscape. Traditional Christmas saunas, where families cleanse themselves spiritually and physically, are also a well-loved tradition. Meals are often traditional with dishes such as Christmas ham, lanttulaatikko (rutabaga casserole ), rosolli salad and karjalanpiirakka (Karelian pies).
For Finnish people, Christmas Eve takes on a spiritual importance. It's regarded as a peaceful time for family reunions, reflecting on the past year, and expressing hope for the future. The significance of Santa Claus, or Joulupukki as he is known in Finnish culture, is also ingrained deeply in the holiday traditions. Originating from Finnish Lapland, Santa makes his journey to deliver gifts to children on Christmas Eve. This, combined with beautiful carol singing and the resonating sound of church bells, creates a magical, festive atmosphere that forms an integral part of the Finnish Christmas Eve.