
Christmas
Christmas is the most important Christian holiday celebrated in Finland. It is a celebration of the birth of Jesus. The main event is Christmas Eve, 24 December. It is customary to bring home a Christmas tree and decorate it. Christmas gifts are usually exchanged on Christmas Eve. Finnish Christmas includes many traditional foods such as Christmas ham, rosolli, which is a beetroot salad, different casseroles, mince pies and ginger bread. At Christmas, Finns like to sing carols and spend time with family members and other loved ones.
(Source: InfoFinland: Joulu)
Christmas magic in Hämeenlinna
The full programme can be found at hameenlinna.fi-website in Finnish: Christmas Magic – Hämeenlinna (hameenlinna.fi)
Christmas concerts: Christmas concerts in Hämeenlinna 2023 – Hämeenlinna (hameenlinna.fi)
Week 47
A large Christmas tree at the Hämeenlinna market square. The lights will start twinkling on 26.11. The Christmas tree has arrived at the market square – Hämeenlinna (hameenlinna.fi)
week 48
30.11. and 1.12. Saiturin joulu at the bus station. A Christmas puppet show for the whole family.
2.12.-7.1. Christmas at Palander House – visit the museum to see traditional Finnish Christmas celebration in the past.

Christmas season at Palander House
week 49
4.-5.12. Christmas Market organized by Urban Culture Association “Kaputa”
5.12. Christmas Monthly Market, Hämeenlinna Market Square
5.12. Christmas event at Aulanko Nature Sports Centre
5.12., 7.12. Viiru the Cat’s Christmas (Viiru is the name of the cat in the story), Hämeenlinna Theatre. A wonderful Christmas story for the whole family.
9.12. Children’s Saturday at Hämeenlinna Theatre. Viiru the Cat writes letters/cards to Santa Claus with the children in the theatre’s foyer from 10.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m.
9.-10.12. Christmas market, Loimua Areena
9.-10.12. Christmas at Wetterhoff House. The Wetterhoff House is over 130 year-old, located in the center of Hämeenlinna offering unique art and handcraft.
10.12. Hämeenlinna Figure Skaters’ Christmas Show “Joulu runo i.e. Christmas Poem” at 1 pm
Week 50
11.12. Christmas show at the Dance and Sports Centre, Verkatehdas
12.12, 13.12, Viiru the Cat’s Christmas (Viiru is the name of the cat in the story), Hämeenlinna Theatre. A wonderful Christmas story for the whole family.
14.-23.12. Christmas handicraft pop-up shop, Kauppapaikka Tavastila
16.12. at 10-16 Christmas Market (Tuomaan Markkinat), Häme Castle, free entry! The festive lighting of Häme Castle will be lit at 3.30 pm.
16.12.-4.1.2024 Festive lighting at Häme Castle – National Museum of Finland

17.12. Snowman musical fairy tale, Musical Theatre Spektri
Week 51
18.12., 19.12. , 20.12. Viiru the Cat’s Christmas (Viiru is the name of the cat in the story), Hämeenlinna Theatre. A wonderful Christmas story for the whole family.

