lomakausi

Lomakausi is a seasonal period in Finland during which many people take annual leave and schools are on break. The term is commonly used to describe the time of year when holidays, travel, and leisure activities are at their peak, especially in the summer months, though the exact timing can vary by sector, employer, and municipality.

Etymologically, lomakausi combines lomä or loma, meaning holiday or vacation, with kausi, meaning season. The phrase is used across different contexts to indicate a time frame when work schedules are loosened, staffing is adjusted, and people plan time off. In workplaces, the start and duration of lomakausi depend on collective agreements, employment contracts, and personal leave choices. In education, lomakausi often aligns with the long summer break, during which schools and many public services have reduced operations or closed entirely for part of the period.

Social and economic aspects of lomakausi include a rise in travel and leisure activities, cottage and nature visits, and increased demand in the tourism and service sectors. Families commonly coordinate vacations during this period, while some industries emphasize peak holiday staffing or temporary layoffs to manage reduced or concentrated demand.

While the summer is the most prominent component of lomakausi, the term can also be used more generally to denote holiday seasons at other times of the year, such as winter holidays, depending on cultural and regional patterns. Overall, lomakausi marks a recurring, culturally significant period of rest, recreation, and altered work rhythms in Finnish society.