Epiphany, known as 'Loppiainen' in Finland, is a public holiday that takes place on January 6th every year. This festival celebrates the visitation of the three Biblical Magi to the baby Jesus, marking the physical manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles. In Finland, this holiday serves as the conclusion of the Christmas season, thus workplaces and schools are closed, allowing everyone to participate fully in the celebration.
The Epiphany celebration in Finland essentially revolves around religious services and family gatherings. People commonly attend church services on this day, where the twelfth night of Christmas is recounted and hymns about the Wise Men are sung. Besides, Epiphany is also a time for families to come together, enjoy traditional Finnish meals, and delight in the beauty of the winter season.
Epiphany, as celebrated in Finland, also encompasses several unique cultural traditions, though they can vary somewhat from one region to another. For instance, the 'stjärngossar' (Star Boys) processions are a popular theatrical tradition in some parts of the country, where young boys dress up as Wise Men and a star carrier and sing traditional Epiphany hymns. Despite the frigid cold weather in January, the Finnish people regard Epiphany as a joyous moment of spiritual reflection and communal celebration.