🎅 Christmas traditions in Finland: food, family, sauna — how it really happens
If you want to experience Finnish Christmas from the inside
...imagine the short winter light on Aurajoki, the rustle of snow on the porch, steam from a cup of glögi, a hot joulusauna before dinner and children whispering: "When will Joulupukki come?" In this article, we will go through the day by day — from the midday announcement of peace to the evening gifts on the 24th — and gather everything important: times of traditions, service addresses, easy-to-follow recipes, non-alcoholic and vegan options, and guest rules. Let's go.
How 24 December unfolds in Finnish: a warm chronicle of the day
Finnish Christmas is on 24 December, and this is the day that feels most important.
● At noon, Joulurauha (Christmas peace) is proclaimed in Turku. In other cities, it simply becomes quieter at this time: shops close earlier and the streets empty.
● After lunch, candles are lit in the cemetery. Many families stop by for a moment of silence and light — this is how Finland remembers those who are no longer with us.
● Afternoon/evening — joulusauna. This is a way to get in the mood for the holiday: wash away the hustle and bustle, warm up, and get together.
● Around 5–7 p.m. — family dinner, joulupöytä: kinkku, laatikot, rosolli, bread, fish, sweets and, of course, glögi.
● In the evening — presents on the 24th. Some people get a visit from Joulupukki, while others find presents "appearing" under the tree while the children are away.
● Night or morning — joulukirkko: Christmas service on Christmas Eve or on the morning of the 25th. Sing Kauneimmat joululaulut — Christmas hymns, which are sung in almost every parish.
❄ Essential Recipe Cards: ham, casseroles, rosolli, rice porridge, glögi ❄
A compact Finnish Christmas table: the classics at a glance.
Christmas ham — basic method
- Roast at 100–125 °C until the internal temperature reaches 77–80 °C (approx. 1–1.5 hours per kg).
- Glaze: mustard + honey/syrup + breadcrumbs; add cloves if desired.
- Tip: place the thermometer in the thickest part, avoiding the bone.
Casseroles — the traditional trio
- Carrot casserole: carrot purée + rice + milk/cream, with breadcrumbs on top.
- Swede casserole: swede purée + cream + syrup + spices.
- Sweetened potato casserole: slowly baked until naturally sweet.
Rosolli — beetroot salad
- Beetroot, potato, carrot, apple, pickled cucumber, onion (diced).
- Served cold, sometimes with white and pink dressings.
- Add herring → “herring salad”.
Rice porridge
- For 1 litre milk: 2 dl rice + 2.5 dl water + pinch of salt.
- Start with water until absorbed; then add milk and simmer 40 minutes.
- Serve with cinnamon + sugar; almond hidden inside for luck.
Glögi — non-alcoholic version
- Black/redcurrant or apple juice + water + cinnamon, clove, cardamom, ginger.
- Heat gently (do not boil), add raisins & almonds to mug.
- Adult option: a splash of rum or port wine.
Joulusauna: when, how and in what mood
In Finland, there is a special silence in the soul on Christmas Eve. Joulusauna is done during the day or closer to evening, before dinner: to thaw out your thoughts, warm up, and open the doors to the holiday. In private homes, the heat is set to a low level, people talk quietly, and children run back and forth between the steam room and the relaxation room. Sometimes they leave the heat on slightly — for the sauna spirit, saunatonttu: this is a sign of respect for the home and its spirit.
Soft rules:
● Shower before entering the steam room, sit on a towel, do not splash water on the stones without the consent of others.
● In mixed companies — swimsuit/towel; in family companies — whatever is comfortable for everyone.
● Alcohol before/during the sauna is a bad idea: loss of heat control. Mulled wine — afterwards.
Joulukirkko and Christmas music: where to go and what to know
Services are held on Christmas Eve (the most popular day of the church year in Finland) and on the 25th. There are different formats: family services on the afternoon of the 24th, late services in the evening, and festive masses on Christmas morning. Before the holiday, parishes sing Kauneimmat joululaulut — favourite Finnish hymns.
How to find a service:
● Visit the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland website and check the calendar for your parish (e.g., Helsingin tuomiokirkko — Helsinki Cathedral).
● Look for keywords: joulukirkko, jouluaaton hartaus (Christmas Eve prayer service), jouluyön messu (night service), jouluaamun messu (morning service on the 25th), Kauneimmat joululaulut (songs).
Gifts on the 24th and Joulupukki: how it happens
Gifts are given on the evening of the 24th. Often after dinner, Joulupukki comes to the house with a bag, greetings and a leisurely "check" on the children (how was their year?). In cities, instead of a visit, there may be a "miracle pause": while the family drinks cocoa or someone airs out the room, packages appear under the tree. The cards usually say "Hyvää joulua!" and the name of the giver.
Visiting Finns: etiquette at the table and in the sauna
At the table:
● Arrive on time and without surprise guests.
● Take off your shoes at the entrance; gifts should be modest: chocolate, hyacinth or joulutähti (poinsettia), coffee, a small delicacy.
● Sauces and mustard are served generously with ham, but portions are moderate; "seconds" are always welcome.
● Photos of children/family are only taken with permission.
Sauna when visiting:
● Ask if it is a mixed group, where the shower and towels are, and if you can add water to the stones.
● Silence and friendliness are also part of etiquette.
Alternatives: vegan, lactose-free, alcohol-free
● Vegan "ham" (seitankinkku). Made from seitan dough, baked and covered with mustard glaze — served cold in slices or warm, like classic ham.
● Laatikot without milk. Carrot/beetroot casserole is easy to make with plant-based cream and oil; potato casserole takes longer to cook so that the sweetness comes out naturally.
● Glögi without alcohol. Currants/cherries/apples + spices; for adults, you can "spice it up" right in the mug.
● Lactose-free riisipuuro. Lactose-free milk/cream is easy to find in Finland — the taste is not affected.
🚫 Beginner mistakes — bright stickers
A small cheat sheet that saves both the Christmas sauna atmosphere — and the hosts’ nerves.
1) “Sauna after dinner — and with wine”
In Finland, sauna usually comes before dinner so everyone arrives refreshed. Leave the alcohol for later.
2) “Showing up unannounced — and empty-handed”
Christmas visits are arranged in advance; a small gift is a gesture of respect.
3) “Opening presents on the morning of the 25th”
In Finland, presents and the main celebration happen on Christmas Eve, the evening of the 24th. Christmas Day is quiet and restful.
4) “Overcooked ham”
Track the ham’s internal temperature ~77–80 °C — that’s how it stays juicy.
5) “Throwing steam without asking”
Pour löyly water only with group agreement — comfort matters more than extreme heat.
FAQ
It is a "Christmas sauna": usually in the afternoon/evening before dinner. The idea is to wash away the hustle and bustle and enter the holiday calmly and warmly.
Insert a thermometer and cook to ~77–80 °C inside. Maintain the temperature at 100–125 °C; allow 1–1.5 hours per kilogram.
Beetroot, potatoes, carrots, apples, pickled cucumbers, onions; topped with cream sauce (sometimes coloured with beetroot juice to make it pink).
Yes, it is most often non-alcoholic: blackcurrant/apple + spices, heat and serve with raisins and almonds. In the "adult" version, fortified wine is added.
Yes, seitankinkku (seitan "ham") is popular — it is baked and covered with mustard glaze, like the classic version.
Layers (thermal → wool → wind protection), warm shoes with treads. In church, dress calmly and modestly; the streets are slippery, so ice cleats are a lifesaver.
It is a warm tradition of remembrance: people place candles on graves and memorials during the day/evening of the 24th — a moment of silence amid the lights.
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