joululoma

Joululoma is a Finnish term meaning Christmas holiday or Christmas break. It refers to the annual period around Christmas when many people are on leave, schools are closed, and businesses operate with reduced hours. The exact duration and timing vary by institution and year, but in practice the break centers on late December and early January.

In schools, joululoma usually lasts about two weeks. The break commonly begins in mid-December and ends in early January, aligning with Christmas Eve on 24 December, Christmas Day on 25 December, and the following days. Public offices and many retailers close or shorten hours around Christmas Eve, with more extensive closures on Christmas Day and Boxing Day (Tapaninpäivä). Some workplaces grant additional days or flexible scheduling before or after the official holiday.

Cultural practices during joululoma center on family gatherings, festive meals, and the celebration of Christmas Eve, which is the main event in Finland. Joulupukki, the Christmas or Santa Claus figure, is associated with the holiday period, especially for children. Many Finns also observe sauna visits, church services, and outdoor winter activities as part of the season. The period often concludes with New Year celebrations on 31 December and the return to work or school in early January.

The term is mainly used in Finland and, to some extent, in discussions of Nordic winter holidays. It denotes not only a religious observation but a secular family and public sector holiday period that coincides with winter tourism, shopping, and seasonal travel.