Tapaninpäivä

Tapaninpäivä, or St. Stephen’s Day, is a Finnish holiday observed on 26 December, the day after Christmas Day (Joulupäivä). The name derives from Tapani, the Finnish form of Saint Stephen. In Finland it is recognized as a public holiday and is considered part of the Christmas season.

Historically, St. Stephen’s Day is a Christian feast day honoring Saint Stephen, the first Christian martyr. In Finland, the day has become largely secular in character, with emphasis on family, visits, and continuing holiday activities rather than religious services.

Traditionally, Tapaninpäivä has been a time for family and friends to visit each other, share meals, and enjoy leftovers from Christmas celebrations. Many households extend the festive mood by hosting relatives or visiting others. As a public holiday, shops and some services operate with reduced hours, and workplaces are often closed or operate on limited schedules.

Today the significance of Tapaninpäivä in Finland is primarily cultural and familial, with regional variations in how the day is spent. It commonly marks the closing phase of the Christmas period in daily life, after the celebrations of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.