St. Stephen's Day Description
St. Stephen's Day (Tapaninpäivä) is the second day of Christmas and a public holiday in Finland. It honors St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr, but in Finnish tradition it is primarily a day for visiting friends and extended family. "Tapaninajelut" — sleigh rides with horses through snowy landscapes — were once a beloved rural tradition and are still practiced in some regions. Many Finns enjoy outdoor winter activities like cross-country skiing, ice fishing, or simple walks in the snow-covered countryside. Banks and government offices close, while the atmosphere remains festive yet more relaxed than Christmas Eve. A cherished wind-down to the Finnish Christmas celebration.
