All Saints’ Day observed in Finland with altered store hours and public ceremonies

On Saturday, November 2, All Saints’ Day will be observed in Finland. This Christian holiday may affect the opening hours of individual grocery stores, shopping centers, and specialty shops. For instance, Alko liquor stores will remain closed on this day. Public transportation may also experience changes; however, major operators such as HSL in the capital region, Föli in Turku, and Nysse in Tampere will generally run their services as usual. Some smaller towns may have bus services operating on a Sunday schedule due to the holiday.

Graves will be adorned with candles as families remember their deceased loved ones, as well as martyrs and saints from the Christian faith. It is customary for relatives to place flowers and candles on graves, and candles can also be left at memorials for those buried elsewhere. Many congregations will hold All Saints’ Day masses and candlelight ceremonies to honor the occasion. In Christian belief, All Saints’ Day and the candles lit for the deceased symbolize hope for reunions with lost loved ones in the afterlife. The tradition of visiting cemeteries and lighting candles began during World War II, according to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland.

All Saints’ Day is a significant Lutheran holiday, historically known as All Hallows’ Day until 1967. The date of the observance varies slightly each year, falling on the Saturday between October 31 and November 6. On the same day, Finnish Catholics celebrate the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls’ Day). It is important to note that this celebration can sometimes be confused with the Anglo-Saxon Halloween or the pagan harvest festival known as Kekri.