Juhlapäivät

Juhlapäivät is a Finnish term for days set aside for celebration, remembrance, or special observance. The word combines juhla (celebration) and päivä (day). In everyday use, juhlapäivät covers both religious feast days and secular commemorations.

Typical juhlapäivät include religious feast days in the church calendar, national or historical anniversaries, and culturally significant occasions. They may be marked by church services, family gatherings, public ceremonies, or community events. Some are observed with specific customs, meals, or rituals, while others are celebrated more informally through greetings, gifts, or public performances.

Juhlapäivät are distinct from pyhäpäivät, i.e., official holy days or public holidays in Finland, when government offices and many businesses close. The term is broader; many juhlapäivät are not public holidays yet are still widely observed in communities or families. Conversely, some official holidays are also counted as juhlapäivät.

Calendar usage: In Finnish calendars, juhlapäivät may be indicated alongside workdays, holidays, and other observances. The specific dates and customs can vary across religious denominations and cultural groups, and new celebrations may emerge over time.