Turku Christmas city of Finland
Since the Middle Ages, Turku has carried on the tradition of declaring Christmas Peace. It is likely to be the only Nordic city where the tradition has continued nearly uninterrupted year after year.
Christmas City Grand Opening is held in the Cathedral Square on Saturday 2.12. at 17.00. An audience of thousands will witness the lighting of the candles of Finland´s No.1 Christmas tree in a grand ceremony.
City of Turku Press Image Bank
Photo: Ville Santalahti
The Christmas tree will be hoisted upright on Cathedral Square as the Cathedral bells strike at high noon. After the tree has been brought up to stand securely in the round opening constructed in front of the cathedral to accommodate it, it will be decorated with more than 700 lights and stars.
City of Turku Press Image Bank
Photo: Ville Santalahti
Why is Turku Finland's Christmas City?
For centuries, Turku has had direct lines of communication to Central Europe, and has served as a port of entry to many innovative cultural concepts arriving to Finland from the west. This is also true in terms of Christmas traditions, which are part of western cultural heritage.
In 1996, the Turku City Board made the decision to declare Turku the Christmas City of Finland. The decision was based on the fact that the city offers countless quantities of events, concerts and exhibitions one more glorious than the other. The City Board wanted to make the general public aware of these events.
Turku Christmas city of Finland(Link to another website.) (Opens New Window)
The Heart of Christmas in Old Turku(Link to another website.) (Opens New Window)