pyhäinpäivä

Pyhäinpäivä, known in English as All Saints’ Day, is a Finnish Christian observance dedicated to honoring saints and remembering the dead. In Finland it is celebrated on the first Saturday between October 31 and November 6, a date range that situates it within the autumn All Saints’ period.

On Pyhäinpäivä many people visit cemeteries to light candles on the graves of relatives and friends. Churches may hold memorial services, and candlelight vigils are common on church grounds and at cemeteries. The day is generally observed in a solemn and reflective spirit, emphasizing remembrance rather than festivity. In recent decades, Halloween has gained popularity in Finland, but Pyhäinpäivä remains focused on commemorating the deceased.

Historically the observance derives from All Saints’ Day in the Christian liturgical calendar; in Finland, the date was adapted to fall on a weekend to accommodate participants and families. While rooted in religious tradition, Pyhäinpäivä has also become a cultural marker of autumn for many Finns, blending liturgical rites with family remembrance and cemetery visits.