Vappu (May Day)

Name: Vappu (May Day)
Start: 2025-04-29
End: 2025-07-04
Location: Helsinki

Finland's Vibrant Spring Awakening

As winter's grip loosens, all of Finland erupts into a joyous celebration known as Vappu. This lively festival, held annually on April 30th and May 1st, transforms cities across the country into a sea of white caps and colorful balloons. From students to workers, young to old, Vappu unites all Finns in a spirited welcome to spring, filling the air with laughter, the clinking of sparkling wine glasses, and the sweet aroma of freshly fried funnel cakes.

Main Attractions

The Capping of Havis Amanda Statue

The festivities kick off on April 30th with the capping of the Havis Amanda statue, an iconic symbol of Helsinki. Installed in 1908, this statue depicts a young woman rising from the sea, symbolizing Helsinki's rebirth. Each year, tens of thousands of people gather in the Market Square to watch university students use a crane to place a white student cap on the 5-meter-high mermaid statue. This tradition, officially recognized in 1951, has since become a central event of Vappu. At 6 PM, as the cap is placed on the statue's head, the crowd erupts in cheers, waving their own caps like a white wave, marking the official start of Vappu. The air fills with a mix of salty sea breeze and the sweetness of mead, creating an intoxicating atmosphere of joy and anticipation. Over the years, this statue has become a focal point for celebrating sports victories and cultural events, deeply loved as a symbol of Finnish student culture and the arrival of spring.

Picnics in the Park

On May 1st, parks across Finland transform into a patchwork of picnic blankets and revelers. In Helsinki's Kaivopuisto Park, over 100,000 people gather for a day of feasting and merriment. The grass becomes a mosaic of colorful blankets, dotted with bottles of sparkling wine and picnic baskets overflowing with traditional Vappu treats. The air is filled with the sounds of clinking glasses, laughter, and impromptu singing, as families and friends come together to celebrate the arrival of spring.

Vappu Costumes and Decorations

Vappu is a feast for the eyes, with revelers donning distinctive white graduation caps and colorful overalls. Students wear overalls emblazoned with patches, each telling a story of their academic journey. Helium balloons in every hue bob above the crowds, their strings tangling in the spring breeze. Face paint, silly string, and confetti add to the carnival atmosphere, transforming city streets into a kaleidoscope of color and movement.

Traditional Vappu Cuisine

No Vappu celebration is complete without its traditional delicacies. The star of the show is "sima," a homemade mead that fizzes with fermentation, its sweet and slightly tangy flavor perfect for the festivities. "Tippaleipä," a crispy funnel cake dusted with powdered sugar, entices people with its aroma. Savory options include "lihapullat" (Finnish meatballs) and "hernekeitto" (pea soup), providing sustenance for the day-long celebrations.

Cultural and Historical Background

Vappu's roots can be traced back to the 18th century when it began as a celebration for university students. Over time, it merged with International Workers' Day (May Day), becoming a holiday for both academia and labor. The tradition of wearing white graduation caps dates back to the 1870s, symbolizing the democratization of education in Finland.

For Finns, Vappu represents more than just the arrival of spring; it's a celebration of equality, education, and the resilience of the Finnish spirit. After long, dark winters, Vappu serves as a collective exhale, a moment when the entire nation comes together to revel in the promise of warmer days and new beginnings.

Participants Voices

Liisa, 23, student: "This is my first Vappu as a university student, and it's even more magical than I imagined! Putting on my white cap for the first time, I felt a surge of pride and connection to generations of students before me. I spent hours decorating my overalls with patches, each one a memory from my first year. When we gathered to watch the capping of Havis Amanda, I was moved to tears. It's not just a statue; it's a symbol of our shared experiences and hopes for the future."

Vappu has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. As a child, I loved the balloons and the sweet tippaleipä. Now, as a parent, I get to share those joys with my own children. This year, we had a big picnic in Kaivopuisto Park with friends and family. The kids ran around with face paint and silly string, while we adults enjoyed our homemade sima and reminisced about Vappus past. There's something special about seeing three generations together, all wearing those white caps. It reminds me that Vappu is more than just a party - it's a thread that connects us all.

Fun Facts

The tradition of drinking sima on Vappu dates back to the 1930s, with Finns consuming over 1 million liters of the homemade mead during the festival each year.
The white graduation caps worn during Vappu were originally designed in the 1870s and were inspired by the style worn by French naval officers.
In Helsinki alone, over 500,000 helium balloons are sold during Vappu celebrations.
The Havis Amanda statue, capped each year to start Vappu, was created in 1908 and has been a controversial symbol of Finnish womanhood ever since.
Vappu is one of the four biggest holidays in Finland, alongside Christmas, New Year's Eve, and Midsummer.