Miscellaneous

A Presidential Independence Day Reception is March 25–28 – (Påsk/Pääsiäinen) organised in the Presidential Palace on Easter is celebrated in a fairly calm manner, and December 6, where the president acts as host for shops are closed throughout Easter except on some 2000 guests. Easter Saturday.

December 13 - Lucia Day May 1 - (Vappen/Vappu) (Luciadagen/Lucian päivä) A big day of celebration among students and Lucia Day is not a public holiday, but one of workers, especially the night before, April 30th. the most traditional Scandinavian festivities, Current and former students of all ages are celebrated in the Swedish-speaking parts of wearing student overalls and their traditional , as well as in and , in white student caps and thousands of people memory of the Italian Saint Lucia. In Åbo, you gather on Vårdberget/Vartiovuori in Åbo to can witness the Saint Lucia procession in the celebrate. In many bigger university towns Cathedral. picnics are organised on May 1. April 30th is not a public holiday, whereas May 1 is. December 24–25 - Eve and Day (Julafton/Jouluaatto, Juldagen/Joulupäivä) May 5 -Ascension Day Christmas is celebrated on , (Kristi himmelsfärdsdag/ Helatorstai) although it is not a public holiday, and is A Christian holiday that celebrates traditionally spent with family and close friends Christ’s ascension to heaven. There are no special at home, whereas Christmas Day (public celebrations. holiday) celebration traditions vary somewhat throughout the country. May 8 - Mother’s Day (MorsdagÄitienpäivä)

December 26 - Boxing Day May 15 - Whitsunday/Pentecost (Annandag jul/Tapanin päivä) (Pingst/ Helluntai) Boxing Day is a public holiday. A Christian holiday where the event of the holy spirit descending to the apostles is remembered. December 31st - January 1st - New Year’s Eve There are no special celebrations. & Day (Nyårsdagen/ Uudenvuodenpäivä) Note that only the New Year’s Day is a public June 24–25 – Midsummer’s Eve and Day holiday but the celebrations take place already (Midsommar/Juhannus) in the evening of New Year’s Eve, which is not a Midsummer is celebrated on Midsummer’s Eve public holiday. which is not a public holiday, although shops may close earlier than usual. Midsummer’s Day is January 6 – Epiphany a public holiday. The cities may feel emptier than (Trettondagen/Loppiainen) usual as many Finns spend Midsummer at their A Christian holiday that marks the end of the summer cottages. religious Christmas time.

February 9 - Shrove (Fastlagstisdag/) Shrove Tuesday is not a public holiday but is quite widely celebrated among students. The main event in Åbo is the sledging competition on Vårdberget/ Vartiovuori.

62