Celebrate Vappu Like a Finn: Finland’s Joyful Spring Festival🎈
Vappu is one of the most anticipated celebrations in Finland, marking the arrival of spring and bringing people together in colorful and joyous festivities. It's a fun-filled tradition celebrated by Finns all across the country. Curious about how Finns celebrate Vappu? Let’s dive into this unique Finnish tradition, which combines great food, lively celebrations, and a sense of community.
What Is Vappu?
Vappu is traditionally celebrated on April 30th and May 1st, and while it’s officially recognized as Labour Day, most Finns don’t think of it as a political event. Instead, it's all about the fun, the festivities, and the celebration of spring.
In Finland, Vappu marks the end of a long, cold winter, and Finns embrace it with open arms and big smiles. It’s a chance to gather with friends, enjoy tasty treats, and celebrate the arrival of warmer weather.
How Finns Celebrate Vappu
The celebrations start on April 30th, with the entire country coming alive with color, laughter, and excitement. Here’s what you can expect when Vappu rolls around:
1. University Overalls and Graduation Hats
One of the most distinctive features of Vappu is the high school graduation hats, that everyone who's graduated high school proudly wear. The rest of the year those hats just gather dust in some dusty box on the closet floor, but on this one day of the year, they shine. Alongside the graduation hats, university students wear their colorful overalls.
2. Traditional Finnish Foods
During Vappu, food plays an essential role. People enjoy munkki, a Finnish donut that’s similar to the classic ring-shaped donut but just dusted with sugar. Another must-have treat is sima, a homemade, sweet, and fizzy drink made from lemons, sugar, and yeast, which is enjoyed by all ages during Vappu celebrations.
3. Picnics and Outdoor Celebrations
Vappu celebrations often include outdoor picnics with friends and family. Finns flock to parks, squares, and even beaches, bringing along delicious snacks, sima, and good company. The colorful decorations (like paper streamers) make the whole scene even more festive and cheerful.
4. A Time to Be Happy
Above all, Vappu is about being happy, and it’s no surprise that Finland is often ranked as the happiest country in the world. With the energy of Vappu, Finns embrace the spirit of fun, togetherness, and celebration, creating memories that last a lifetime.
Vappu: More Than Just a Holiday
For many Finns, Vappu isn't just about the party; it's also a time to honor the season change, connect with nature, and celebrate the country’s traditions. Whether it's enjoying a picnic in the park, dancing with friends, or just savoring a delicious donut, Vappu is an experience that brings people together and reminds them of the simple joys in life.
If You Want to Experience Vappu Like a Finn, Start with the Language!
Would you like to know more about Vappu and other Finnish traditions? My course “Learn REAL Finnish by Listening” offers you an immersive and fun way to learn about Finnish culture and language, while having a great time! You can start speaking and understanding Finnish in no time – and you won’t even realize how much you're learning because it’s all part of the fun.
Don't miss out on learning about Finland’s quirky traditions while improving your Finnish skills! If you’re already part of my course, you might have already heard me mention Vappu in the lessons!
Why You’ll Love Learning Finnish with Me
Learning Finnish can be challenging, but it doesn’t have to be boring! I offer courses that make learning fun, engaging, and, most importantly, effective. Whether you’re a beginner or someone looking to improve your skills, my courses are designed to get you speaking and understanding Finnish quickly.
Fun, practical lessons help you learn real-life Finnish that you can use right away! My listening course is the perfect way to get started, as it teaches you Finnish naturally, through real conversations and situations – just like a Finn would speak.
Final Thoughts: Celebrate Vappu & Learn Finnish with Me!
Now that you know how Finns celebrate Vappu, I hope you’re feeling inspired to join in on the fun! Celebrate like a Finn, enjoy the delicious treats, and get ready to experience the spirit of Finnish culture.
If you're interested in learning Finnish in a way that feels natural and exciting, you’re in the right place! Check out my courses today and get ready to speak real Finnish while learning about Finland’s fascinating culture. Who knows? Maybe you’ll be celebrating Vappu in Finland next year!
Ihanaa Vappua! (Happy Vappu!)
<3 Sabrin
Check out my learning materials
All my learning materials, courses and lessons are fully in puhekieli (spoken Finnish). Most things will also be explained in kirjakieli (written Finnish), so you will not miss a thing.
3 Finnish Easter Traditions You Might Not Know About 🐣🇫🇮
Today, I wanted to share more of a cultural insight than a language lesson. Since it’s Easter time, I thought it would be the perfect moment to tell you about some lovely and unique Finnish Easter traditions that I absolutely adore. If you’re learning Finnish or just interested in Finnish culture, you’re in for a treat!
Let’s go through three Easter traditions in Finland — how many of these do you already know?
And if you’re enrolled in my "Learn REAL Finnish by Listening" course, you might already recognize these from the Lempijuhlat Suomessa video!
1. Virpominen – Finnish Easter “Trick-or-Treating” (but cuter!)
Virpominen is something kids do on Palm Sunday (which was last Sunday!). If you saw me dressed as a witch on Instagram, now you know why! 🧙♀️
Here’s how it works:
- Kids pick willow twigs and decorate them with colorful feathers, ribbons, and other cute bits.
- Then they dress up as witches, bunnies, or cats and go door to door, offering their decorated twigs in exchange for candy, chocolate eggs, or even money.
- Before handing over the twig, they recite a sweet little rhyme — kind of like a song-spell combo.
It’s such a lovely tradition, and I especially love the message behind it: you have to do something to earn your treats. The more effort you put into collecting and decorating twigs, the more goodies you get! 😉
🎥 Watch a video of virpominen here
2. Mämmi – The most controversial Finnish dessert?
Ah, mämmi. 😅 Let’s just say it’s not everyone’s favorite, but it’s definitely iconic!
It’s a traditional Easter dessert made from rye flour, and it’s served cold — usually with milk or vanilla custard. It has a very distinct look (some say it resembles... well... poop), and it’s not very sweet.
But don’t judge it too quickly — some people love it! And the only way to know where you stand is to give it a try. Are you team mämmi or nah?
3. Rairuoho – The Cutest Indoor Grass Ever
Rairuoho is basically Easter grass that you grow inside your home. You plant it on little plates or trays a few days before Easter, and once it sprouts, you decorate it with tiny chicks, bunnies, and chocolate eggs. 🐥🐰🍫
The name is a bit funny — "ruoho" means grass, but "rai"? We’re not totally sure what it means. Let’s just call it rai-grass for fun!
It’s super easy to do, very decorative, and such a cozy little Easter tradition.
Learn Finnish While Learning About Finland 🇫🇮✨
These kinds of fun, very Finnish things are exactly what I love to include in my courses — especially in "Learn REAL Finnish by Listening".
Other videos in the course include:
- A day at the mökki (summer cottage)
- Mushroom and berry picking in the forest with mummo
- Baking a pancake together
- And so much more!
It’s a fun and natural way to immerse yourself in Finnish language and culture, even from afar.
✨ Want to Join Us?
If you're interested in learning Finnish through real-life, spoken language and getting to know the culture at the same time — my courses are made for you!
📅 Registrations close on Sunday, so don’t wait too long.
👉 Click here to learn more and join us
Ihanaa pääsiäistä – Have a lovely Easter! 💐🐣
<3 Sabrin
Check out my learning materials
All my learning materials, courses and lessons are fully in puhekieli (spoken Finnish). Most things will also be explained in kirjakieli (written Finnish), so you will not miss a thing.
Feeling Stuck While Learning Finnish? Here's How to Boost Your Progress
Learning Finnish can feel like a rollercoaster. One day you're mastering new vocabulary, and the next you're asking yourself:
Why am I not learning? Why do I feel stuck? Why am I not improving?
You're not alone. Every Finnish language learner hits that wall at some point. But don’t worry—there are ways to move past it. Here are my top tips to make faster progress in Finnish, even when it feels like nothing is working.
1. Listen to Finnish—Really Listen
One of the best ways to learn Finnish naturally is by improving your listening comprehension. But passive listening isn’t enough.
Try this:
- Watch Finnish videos with English subtitles (or subtitles in your native language)
- While you're reading the subtitles, actively listen how those things are being said
- Pause and ask yourself, How would I say that in Finnish?
- Focus on intonation, sentence structure, and word choices
This kind of active listening is what helps your brain start to recognize how things should sound in Finnish.
🎧 Want to practice listening with real-life Finnish? Check out my course: Learn REAL Finnish by Listening
2. Stop Translating Word to Word
Literal translations are one of the biggest traps for learners. Finnish grammar is very different from English, and direct translations often don’t make sense.
For example:
"I feel sick" in English = Mulle tuli paha olo in Finnish (literally: “A bad feeling came to me”).
If you translate everything literally, you'll miss the natural flow of the language. The solution? More listening and more exposure to real spoken Finnish (puhekieli).
3. Copy How Us Native Finns Speak
Think about how babies learn their first language—by copying what they hear. You can do the same.
Here’s how:
- Mimic what you hear in podcasts, videos, or conversations
- Repeat common phrases out loud
- Use them in your own speaking practice
- Active listening helps with this as well
This helps you speak Finnish more fluently and naturally, even if you’re not fully confident yet.
4. Speak Finnish—Even If You Make Mistakes
I know it’s scary. You want to wait until you speak perfectly, but that day might never come unless you start speaking now.
Mistakes are part of the process. Your accent and errors are signs of growth—not failure. Most Finns are just happy (and impressed!) that you’re learning such a complex language. We don't expect perfection from you.
So go for it. Speak, even if it’s clumsy at first. Speaking Finnish regularly will boost your confidence faster than anything else.
5. Use Real-Life Finnish Materials in Your Routine
The best way to tie all these tips together is to use authentic Finnish listening materials.
That’s exactly why I created my course:
🎥 Learn REAL Finnish by Listening
You’ll get:
- Short videos of me speaking in spoken Finnish (puhekieli) about life in Finland
- Subtitles and transcripts in puhekieli, kirjakieli, and English
- Perfect for improving your Finnish comprehension, vocabulary, and speaking confidence
- Perfect for learning the differences between puhekieli (spoken Finnish) and kirjakieli (written Finnish)
Whether you’re stuck, plateauing, or just want a fresh way to learn Finnish more effectively, this course can help you move forward.
➡️ Ready to Get Unstuck?
Try applying just one of these tips to your daily Finnish practice and see how it changes your progress.
And if you’re ready for real, everyday Finnish that helps you finally feel confident and natural, check out the course here. 💙
<3 Sabrin
Check out my learning materials
All my learning materials, courses and lessons are fully in puhekieli (spoken Finnish). Most things will also be explained in kirjakieli (written Finnish), so you will not miss a thing.
