Easter in Finland

Easter witches, sweets, and a long, quiet weekend mark Easter celebrations in Finnish cities and the countryside.

Easter celebrations in Finland tend to be subdued and reserved for families to spend time together, eat sweets, perhaps have an Easter sauna, and enjoy nature. The weather has been uncharacteristically warm lately, with temperatures ranging between 40-50 degrees F (5-13 degrees Celsius), so people are outside enjoying the sunny (albeit windy) weather, sans the snow and ice that normally cover the ground this time of year. Buying ice cream from one of the outdoor stands that have flung open their shutters since the weather turned warm and walking along Helsinki’s seaside is a popular activity for those who have not left town to spend the weekend at their countryside cottages. Business and shops close on Good Friday and stay closed through Easter Monday, although some grocery stores and restaurants open Saturday and or Monday. Unlike in the US and other countries, there are no “Easter sales” in the stores.

Witches and Sweets

On Palm Sunday, the week before Easter Sunday, children dress up as “Easter witches” and go door to door to collect candy. The Fazer Mignon egg, which is a mass of solid chocolate inside a real egg shell, is one of the most popular types of chocolate candy to eat this time of year. Pulla, a sweet, ball shaped pastry filled with cream and fruit jam, start appearing on bakery counters around Easter.

Easter Events

Finland is not a particularly religious country, but all of the churches have an Easter celebrations, whether they are Lutheran (Finland’s official religion), Eastern Rite Orthodox, or Catholic. Helsinki’s outdoor museum, Seurasaari, has an Easter bonfire where children dress up as trolls, sing songs, and recite poems. The Via Crucis dramatization (also known as the Way of the Cross) on Easter Sunday starts from Helsinki’s main church on the Senate Square and continues through downtown Helsinki, to the delight of spectators lining the streets. Over 100 volunteer actors take part. On Suomenlinna, Helsinki’s island fortress, the Toy Museum opens its doors to visitors after being closed all winter. There are thousands of toys on display, with the oldest dating from the 19th century.

Easter in Finland is a good time to relax and enjoy the slow pace.