summer
Because of the long, cold winter Finns celebrate their summer very passionately. Some go to music festivals, offering a choice of jazz, blues, rock, opera and chamber music. Others are sailing among the coastal islands or enjoying slow life at their summer cottages – swimming, fishing and cooking dinner on the grill. For three brief – but oh, so sweet! – months, the temperatures soar high and the sun does not set at all.
summer in figures
+15°C – +32°C
Around 100 days
June – August
Endless summer days and white nights
The summer isn’t endless in Finland, but there are almost endless summer days and white nights.
In Finnish Lapland a single summer day lasts for over two months. In the southern parts of the country it is never really dark either, just a period of twilight for a few hours. This is why we call Finland the Land of the Midnight Sun.
step outside
On a fine summer day, Finns have an overwhelming urge to get outside and get out of town. From the beautiful coastal islands to the ever-present forests and lakes everywhere and anywhere in the country, the nature is always nearby, even with the largest of cities. Some, of course, still stay in the city and enjoy slow city life under the sun.
When in the city Finns enjoy their months of sunshine (and a glass of cider) on the sidewalk and park terraces around town. Market places of all sort are another attraction. The signs are small at first – the marketplaces feature strawberries or peas eaten fresh – but by midsummer the Nordic nation has definitely defrosted.
Midsummer
Midsummer is a main national holiday in Finland. Originally a celebration of the summer solstice, it is typically spent with friends and family at a summer cottage away from the city, either partying or relaxing.
Midsummer is often seen as the beginning of warm summer weather and many Finns start their summer holidays on Midsummer Eve. Taking place at the end of June, longest day of the year is a key element in the festivities in the northern parts of Finland.
stay up all night
When nights are almost as light as day it is possible to do all the same things that you would do in the daytime – the greatest difference comes from the incredible change in the nature of the light… It takes on a reddish-yellow color – almost like during sunrise or sunset – and everything around you is bathed in an unimaginably warm, bright light.
Getting out of a dark nightclub at 3 a.m. can be a bit confusing, as it feels more like 3 p.m. You wouldn’t be the first to swap sleep for an after-party on the beach – in full sunlight, of course.
Festivals
Finland is one of the best places in Europe to go to festivals. From numerous rock, jazz, opera and folk festivals to chamber music and theatre events, there is always a party going on. Of course, you already know the sun never sets…
From large-scale rock festivals to small local happenings, you’ll find something going on more or less every day throughout the Finnish summer. The largest festivals have been around for decades and cater for all tastes in the popular music category, gathering tens of thousands of people.
Cottage life
Escaping to the countryside or wilderness is a national way of relaxation. Easy-going parties with friends and family remind us what life really is about – having a good time with the most important people in your life.
Often situated by water, cabins and cottages are an essential element in Finnish life, providing a physical and mental getaway from the daily grind. Forgetting the everyday worries is inevitable in retreats amid the country’s greatest resource: its rugged natural beauty.
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