Christmas Day 2025 in Finland

Christmas Day is a time for quiet celebration and rest, often spent at home with close family. Churches hold morning services, and the day is marked by peace, reflection, and enjoying leftovers from the Christmas Eve feast.

Christmas Day: A Public Holiday?

Christmas Day (Joulupäivä) is a public holiday in Finland, marked by nationwide closures of schools, offices, and most businesses. It is a calm and meaningful day, as families stay indoors, attend church services, and enjoy quiet moments together after the festive spirit of Christmas Eve.

Christmas Day

Christmas Day, or Joulupäivä, became an important part of Finnish culture with the arrival of Christianity in the country during the Middle Ages. Before this, Finns already celebrated the winter solstice with feasts and rituals that honored nature and the return of light. As Christianity spread, the Church introduced December 25 as the day to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Over time, the new Christian customs blended with old traditions, shaping the Finnish way of observing Christmas.

By the 19th century, the influence of European customs grew stronger, and Christmas Day gained more spiritual meaning. Attending church services and spending time with family became central parts of the day. While Christmas Eve became the main celebration for food and gifts, Christmas Day remained sacred and peaceful. It symbolized rest, gratitude, and spiritual reflection, and has continued to be observed in this quiet and meaningful way across Finland.

Christmas Day Celebration in Finland

Christmas Day in Finland is a national public holiday and one of the calmest days of the year. Unlike the festive and active atmosphere of Christmas Eve, the 25th of December is marked by stillness and peace. Most families stay at home, enjoying a slow morning after the previous night's celebrations. For many, a traditional part of the day is attending a Christmas Day church service, which offers a moment of spiritual reflection and quiet celebration.

The day is often spent in the company of close family members, enjoying warm meals and meaningful conversation. There is no rush or pressure to host events, and most people prefer to relax, take walks in the snow, or watch holiday programs on TV. The streets are typically quiet, and shops remain closed, reinforcing the day's restful nature.

Christmas Day is important not only for its religious meaning but also for its role in strengthening family bonds. It allows people to pause, appreciate what they have, and find peace during the darkest time of the year. For many in Finland, it is a day to reset, reconnect, and find comfort in simple moments.

Christmas Day Observances