Lomakaudet

Lomakaudet is a term used to describe the annual holiday periods within a calendar year, particularly in Finland. The word combines loma, meaning vacation or holiday, with kaudet, meaning seasons or periods. Lomakaudet cover times when schools, workplaces, and public services adjust their regular schedules to accommodate holidays.

In the educational context, lomakaudet refer to the breaks when students and teachers have time off. The exact timing and duration vary by municipality and school year, but several common breaks recur each year. Syysloma, the autumn break, typically lasts about a week in October. Talviloma, the winter break, usually occurs in February and lasts about a week. Pääsiäisloma, the Easter break, takes place in spring and can range from a few days to a week, depending on the school. Joululoma, the Christmas and New Year break, is typically the longest, spanning roughly two weeks or more.

Kesäloma, the summer vacation, is the most extensive lomakausi for students, often extending from late spring or early summer into late August. For many families and tourism-related industries, summer is a peak period due to longer days and favorable travel conditions. Beyond schools, lomakaudet influence labor patterns, with some sectors observing slower activity or modified service levels during major holiday periods.

Dates and arrangements for lomakaudet are not fixed nationwide; they are coordinated locally and can change year to year. They are planned to balance educational needs, family time, and economic activity, making them a central feature of planning in Finnish communities.