Experience the magic of Christmas in Old Town Raahe and explore the Christmas traditions of the Raahe region! The Old Town Raahe Advent Calendar takes you on a nostalgic journey, where each day is filled with surprises. The diverse selection of events offers something for every Christmas enthusiast, whether you wish to explore how Christmas was celebrated in the past, join a drumming parade with children, or have a pre-Christmas party with your friends. The best gifts for Santa's sack can be found at various Christmas markets or from local boutiques.
Events to Get You in the Christmas Spirit
The Christmas season in Raahe kicks off with the town's official Christmas opening on Saturday, November 21st, organized by the city and local merchants.
As Christmas approaches, a magical atmosphere descends upon Old Town Raahe as the window Advent calendar reveals 24 unique locations in Old Town Raahe, one day at a time. Come admire the beautifully decorated windows, on display until Epiphany, or follow the calendar’s daily openings through the Visit Raahe channels!
St. Anna's Day marked the beginning of Christmas anticipation in Old Raahe. On this day, locals traditionally gathered to parade beneath the windows of women named Anna to greet the celebrants. St. Anna's Day is celebrated annually on December 9th in Raahe with a grand parade in the morning. The festivities continue throughout the day with markets, concerts, exhibitions, and various events across the city, with Raahe Event House serving as the main venue.
Immerse yourself in an old-fashioned Christmas atmosphere and shop for local products at Annala's Christmas in Pyhäjoki on Friday, 27th November and at Seminar's Christmas on Saturday, December 12th at the old Seminar area in Raahe. You can also find handmade Christmas gifts and treats at the Piehinki country fair, which will be held on on Saturday, November 28th at the Lännenranta Bompatalo.
The Christmas season program at Raahe Event House features music, theatre, and dance. Konsta Hietanen will perform traditional Christmas carols on Saturday, November 28, and JP Leppäluoto will interpret beloved classics as well as surprising Christmas songs on Wednesday, December 9. Theatre Hevosenkenkä will bring a wintry Moominvalley to the stage of Raahesali on Tuesday, December 8, in Tove Jansson’s classic work The Fir Tree, which explores what or who Christmas really is. The play will be performed in Finnish. Funky Hall’s Christmas-themed student dance performances will be seen on Saturday, December 12.
The Four Seasons of Pyhäjoki event series culminates in Christmas on Sunday, December 13. During the event, participants will walk together along the elf trail on Matinsaari Island to the heart of the island, where they will join in singing Christmas carols.
At Raahe's oldest preserved residence, the Sovelius House, you can explore the Christmas celebrations of a 19th-century bourgeois family through guided tours from 9th to 18th December.
Throughout the Christmas season, the idyllic Kinosalonki Sofia will be showing Christmas films! The selection of movies and the schedule will be announced later.
Pre-Christmas Celebrations and Christmas Feasts
At Raahe Theatre, the psychological thriller Trap by Robert Thomas will be staged during the Christmas party season. A newlywed couple is spending their honeymoon in the French Alps when the wife mysteriously disappears after an argument. An experienced detective inspector launches a search, but the wife unexpectedly returns. However, her new husband does not recognize her. Is it a case of memory loss, mental illness, alcoholism, or something entirely different? This clever and fast-paced traditional “whodunit” thriller offers plenty of twists, contradictions, and delightfully intriguing characters. The play is performed in Finnish.
The Raahe's Taitopaja courses are perfect for small groups looking for a pre-Christmas activity. You can create traditional Finnish himmeli decorations, glass and mosaic works, or jewelry under expert guidance. Groups can also enjoy a tour of the atmospheric foundry, nearly 70 years old. In addition to demonstrations, the tour includes insights into the foundry tradition and himmeli craftsmanship.
Raahe's Hovi offers various meeting and sauna facilities suitable for both large and small pre-Christmas groups! Dine from either the pre-Christmas menu options or the traditional Christmas buffet. Celebrate in a private, peaceful setting, and at the end of the night, you can rest in the hotel without needing a taxi ride home. The Christmas party experience will be crowned by Vesku & The Trousers (28 Nov, 29 Nov and 4 Dec) and Heimoveljet (5 Dec).
At Trade House of Lang, you can enjoy traditional Christmas treats in a cozy Christmas setting with your group in a private space. The open pre-Christmas dinners (December 8th, 9th, 15th and 16th) are the perfect option for small groups. You can also order Christmas meals for your private celebrations from Trade House of Lang.
CakePop offers pre-Christmas parties by the sea in Lohenpyrstö. You can also book a sauna and hot tub! After the party, you can easily stay overnight in CakePop’s rooms. CakePop will prepare a delicious pre-Christmas menu for you, and you can also order treats for events held elsewhere!
Törmälä Farm in Siikajoki provides fantastic settings for both large and small pre-Christmas parties. Choose your favorite menu or plan the perfect catering with Törmälä Farm. Pre-Christmas catering is also available for your private event. The cozy Riverside Sauna Cottage, with three different saunas, is perfect for relaxation. Accommodation for up to 50 guests is available on-site.
Gunnarin Kartano offers pre-Christmas celebrations in Lampinsaari village in Vihanti! Book the manor’s event spaces and plan your Christmas menu with the staff.
If your own home feels too cramped for celebrating Christmas or you simply want a change of scenery, you can book Wanhakulma Guesthouse for Christmas! The guesthouse is perfect for celebration with up to 10 people, and overnight stays are also possible.
Open Christmas Dining for Everyone:
December 3rd–19th: Trade House of Lang's Christmas lunch
December 9th: Törmälä Farm's Christmas buffet
December 9th and 15th: Raahen Hovi's Christmas Breakfast
December 11th, 14th-18th and 21st-22nd: Raahen Hovi's Christmas lunch
December 8th-9th and 15th-16th: Trade House of Lang's open pre-Christmas dinners
If you’re looking for something other than traditional Christmas food, head to Pancho Villa! Mexican dishes with a Christmas twist will be available starting from the beginning of November.
Gifts for Santa’s Sack or Yourself
In addition to various Christmas markets, you can find local products and handicrafts for Santa’s sack at Raahe's Taitopaja, Trade House of Lang's shop, and Raahe Museum’s gift shops. Raahe's Taitopaja sells, in addition to their famous himmeli decorations and handmade candles, porcelain Raahe dogs, which adorn many Old Town Raahe windows. Lang’s shop offers treasures inspired by the 1864 shipping ledger: treasures from across the seas and local artisan products. At Raahe Museum’s gift shop, you’ll find items related to the museum’s finest collections, inspired by the world’s oldest diving suit, “Old Gentleman,” and Mikael Balt’s stunning 17th-century church sculptures.
Other local shops include Bear’s Book & Paper and Utua’s bag store. Bear’s Book & Paper offers unique book and paper goods, as well as high-quality art and office supplies. Utua produces high-quality, eye-catching leather bags and accessories. At Clozet you can find unique second-hand gifts as well as gift cards for color analysis. You can pick up experiential gift cards at the Raahe Event House ticket office. And if the recipient is a food lover, Pancho Villa is the place to go for gift cards. At Tirsanurkka, you can get not only Tirsaaja's herbal drink but also gift cards for comprehensive wellness services.
