In Finland, Christmas (Joulu) shares many customs and dishes with its Scandinavian neighbours, but the Finnish way of celebrating also has a distinctive charm: What else would you expect from the homeland of Santa Claus?
At the very heart of the Finnish Christmas spirit lies the Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi (Lapland, Arctic Circle), where visitors from all over the world meet Joulupukki himself. Visitors also enjoy quintessential Arctic adventures, from husky and reindeer sleigh rides to snowshoeing through frozen forests while chasing the Northern Lights.
From the Christmas Goat to Joulupukki
Before Joulupukki became the kind, red-clad Finnish Santa beloved today, he had a much darker past as Nuuttipukki (‘Christmas Goat’) a masked, horned creature who went door to door during midwinter, demanding food and drink. Over centuries, Nuuttipukki softened into the benevolent gift-giver of today.
On Christmas Eve, Finnish families gather for the traditional joulupöytä, a festive buffet reminiscent of the Swedish julbord. At the centre of the table stands a baked Christmas ham, served with mustard, surrounded by an array of fish dishes — gravlax, herring, or cold-smoked salmon. Root vegetable casseroles as lanttulaatikko (rutabaga), porkkanalaatikko (carrot), and perunalaatikko (potato) warm even the darkest Lapland night. Joulutorttu (star-shaped pastries filled with prune jam) and spiced gingerbread cookies bring a scent of cinnamon and nostalgia to every home.
The Warm Heart of a Cold Season
No Finnish Christmas is complete without rice porridge, sprinkled with cinnamon and hiding a single blanched almond: The lucky finder of the almond receives a small gift. A glass of glögi (Finland’s version of mulled wine, either with or without alcohol) is a must. Joulu is also about rituals of warmth and togetherness like the Christmas sauna, a moment of reflection and purification before the festive celebrations. Many Finns still leave a small offering for the Saunatonttu, the ‘sauna elf’ said to protect the bathhouse. The Finnish Christmas is a season where light conquers darkness, and ancient beliefs coexist peacefully with modern joy.
In the land where Santa lives, Christmas is a return to wonder, to silence, and to the heart of the Nordic winter.
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