While every family in Finland has its own traditions for year-end festivities, many consider a relaxing sauna with close family members an essential ritual for unwinding during the Christmas holidays.
Since the 14th century, Christmas Peace has been declared every year on December 24 at noon in the southwestern city of Turku. For many Finnish households, this proclamation marks the official beginning of Christmas. Today, a worldwide broadcast (on air at 11:55 am Finnish time) allows people everywhere to view this special moment.
Attention shifts to Christmas
You have to start heating the sauna early enough on Christmas Eve.Photo: Sauna from Finland
In Petri Karkola’s family, they begin to heat the sauna up after the declaration of Christmas Peace. It serves as a turning point on Christmas Eve. Before the sauna, regular chores are still allowed, but afterwards, all attention shifts to Christmas, family time and preparing for a festive dinner.
“Christmas sauna is a particularly dignified event, where everyone is expected to behave calmly,” Karkola says. “Beyond that, there are no strict rules, except for soaking the birch whisk we have stored since summer.”
Birch whisks are a quintessential Finnish sauna tradition, infusing the space with a summery aroma. These whisks can be gently tapped on the body to stimulate blood circulation, if desired. In summer, fresh whisks are used, but during winter, dried or deep-frozen ones -handmade or purchased from larger stores – are the only options.
Savouring stillness
Water thrown onto hot stones creates steam in a sauna at Korsuretket, located in the forest 70 kilometres (40 miles) northwest of the Finnish city of Tampere.Photo: Laura Vanzo/Visit Tampere
For the Kivilompolo family, outdoor activities, followed by relaxing in their candle-lit sauna, are integral to Christmas. For them, the sauna is a time to unwind, soak in the warmth and silence, and enjoy the cosy ambience. It is more a personal retreat than a social gathering.
“With no rush anywhere, it is a peaceful extended session for me, relishing the stillness and the beauty of the decorative Christmas lights outside our sauna window,” says Maarit Kivilompolo.
Thousands of years of tradition
Saunas hold a significant place in Finnish cultural heritage and holidays.Photo: Jukka Rapo/Keksi/Finland Image Bank
When their children were younger, the family would sauna together on Christmas Eve. Now, however, everyone chooses their own schedule and preferences.
“The youngsters often enjoy bathing late at night and stepping into the snowy yard straight from the hot sauna,” Kivilompolo says.
The exact origins of saunas in Finland are unknown, but they are believed to have existed for thousands of years. Saunas hold a significant place in Finnish cultural heritage and are closely tied to holidays such as Midsummer and Christmas.
About sauna elves
Atmospheric lighting and a sauna whisk made from birch leaves contribute to the relaxing Christmas sauna experience.Photo: Ismo Pekkarinen/Lehtikuva
Traditionally, back when all saunas were still heated by wood-burning stoves, preparations began early on Christmas Eve, especially in rural areas. That gave the sauna time to heat up and ensured that everyone had time to finish their work, bathe and savour a tranquil moment before gathering for Christmas dinner.
Nowadays, quite a few sauna stoves are electric, but the main traditions persist no matter how the sauna is heated. The wooden sauna benches receive a thorough scrubbing. Fresh linen seat covers and towels are brought in, as are fragrant birch whisks made the previous summer.
People usually avoid talking in loud voices in the sauna, not just at Christmastime but at any time of year. One traditional myth claims that every sauna has a guardian sauna elf, and that the sauna elf uses the still-warm sauna after the people have exited.
At the time of writing, we were unable to confirm whether sauna elves are related to the elves in Santa Claus’s workshop.
Abundant sauna options for visitors to enjoy
Löyly is the name of a popular waterside public sauna in Helsinki. It is also the Finnish word for the steam that comes off the stones of the sauna stove.Photo: Karoliina Bärlund/Löyly
In addition to private and communal saunas, nearly every hotel and guesthouse in Finland offers sauna services, with options for general admission or private bookings. Many hotel rooms even come equipped with their own private saunas.
Here is a small selection of the many places in Finland where you can enjoy this tradition at Christmastime – and at other times of year, as well. (It’s advisable to call ahead to ensure availability.)
- Löyly, Helsinki (closed on Dec 24)
- Kiilopää, Lapland
- Järvisydän, Lake Saimaa
- Christmas saunas in Helsinki
By Catarina Stewen, December 2024
