Viikonloppu

Viikonloppu is the period at the end of the work week that is commonly reserved for rest and leisure in Finland. It typically comprises Saturday (lauantai) and Sunday (sunnuntai), although in everyday speech many people also include Friday evening as part of the weekend. The term is a compound of viikon (week) and loppu (end) and literally means end of the week. It is widely used in calendars, schedules, and media to indicate days outside the regular work or school week.

The concept mirrors the standard two-day pause between workweeks in Finnish society, though practices have evolved with flexible work arrangements and retail hours. Sunday has traditionally been a day of rest in many communities, while modern retail and services often operate on Sundays, and Friday evenings can be busy in entertainment and hospitality sectors.

Weekend time is commonly devoted to family, friends, and outdoor or cultural activities. Popular patterns include trips to nature, visits to a cottage or sauna, sports, hobbies, and longer meals or gatherings. In the summer many Finns take extended weekend trips or use Friday as an early start to a longer break. When a holiday falls near a weekend, people may refer to a pitkä viikonloppu (long weekend).

See also: arkipäivä, työpäivä, pyhäpäivä.