“It’s that time of year again,” Emily, a hairdresser from the Helsinki area, says with a touch of excitement. “People are ready for a change.”
As summer beckons, a growing number of her clients are looking to brighten their hair with lighter shades. Conversely, during the winter months, darker hues reign supreme.
When we spoke, Emily found herself contemplating her own summer plans, uncertain of what the season would bring. With one colleague on maternity leave and the salon awaiting word on hiring another employee for the bustling months ahead, she knows summer requires a well-staffed team. For hairdressers, this period is one of the busiest, as clients prepare for vacations and special occasions.
While summer often brings an uptick in service demands, many businesses gradually shift into vacation mode, with offices and schools beginning their summer breaks around the same time.
Ice cream kiosks dot the landscape across Finland, a beloved sight during the summer holidays.Photo: Marjaana Malkamäki, Keksi / Helsinki Partners
In Finland, schools typically close their doors in early June, resuming again in mid-August. During this same period, many workplaces slow down, particularly from late June through the end of July.
For countless Finns, the holiday season begins around Midsummer, coinciding with the summer solstice. The atmosphere shifts: apartment buildings quiet down, highways teem with vehicles heading to the countryside, and rural grocery stores become bustling hubs for summer visitors.
July: The Heart of the Holiday
Summer days come alive on courtyards, patios, and terraces, basking in the lingering evening sunlight.Photo: Unto Rautio / Helsinki Partners
Statistics Finland reveals that July stands as the crowning month for summer holidays in the country. In 2024, for example, a remarkable one-third of employed Finns enjoyed at least a week off during this month.
Legally, Finnish employees are entitled to annual paid leave—typically four to five weeks for those in full-time roles—most of which is often taken during the sunniest months. This vacation structure is a cornerstone of work-life balance in the country, a vital element of Finland’s broader “infrastructure of happiness.”
Throughout July, offices frequently operate with skeleton crews, with out-of-office replies assuring inquirers of responses come August.
The embrace of sauna heat and cool waters, coupled with the enchanting twilight, encapsulates the essence of a Finnish summer.Photo: Sanna Lehto / Finland Image Bank
Simultaneously, summer serves as a vital working season for many young people. As the season unfolds, student employment swells as temp jobs become available once school is out.
Summer also hosts a flurry of weddings, festivals, and domestic travel. In 2024, for instance, Finns embarked on over ten million leisure trips within the country from May to August, many of which included trips to summer cottages or visits with friends and family.
Embracing Cottage Culture
For many in Finland, summer evokes cherished memories of swimming in serene lakes or the sea.Photo: Carl Bergman / Finland Image Bank
For countless Finns, summer is synonymous with the cottage. Finland boasts nearly half a million summer cottages, often nestled near lakes or forests, just a few hours from major urban centers.
Some of these cottages are equipped with modern comforts, while others retain a rustic charm, lacking running water or full utilities.
Finnish summer holidays often involve tranquil days at the cottage with loved ones.Photo: Jussi Hellsten / Helsinki Partners
“I’m not really a cottage person,” Emily admits with a laugh. “It requires a lot of work!” Yet, she fondly recalls her childhood visits to her father’s remote retreat.
“There was no running water, no electricity, nothing,” she reflects. “When we went there, we truly disconnected from everything.”
For many, summer cottage life encompasses simple pleasures: warming up the sauna, taking a dip in a nearby lake, grilling outdoors, or simply savoring the late evening light.
An Outdoor Paradise
During summer, forests become gathering grounds for berry pickers, thanks to the “every person’s right” that grants access to nature.Photo: Sabrina Bqain / Finland Image Bank
Yet, cottage life represents just one facet of Finland’s vibrant summer outdoor culture.
Many Finns relish nature in their everyday routines, whether it’s hiking through local forests, swimming at nearby beaches, or embarking on weekend camping trips. National surveys show that walking in nature is one of the nation’s most cherished leisure activities.
As summer progresses, forests teem with berry pickers on the hunt for blueberries, raspberries, and lingonberries. Thanks to Finland’s “every person’s right,” residents can wander freely through nature and gather wild edibles, unhindered by property lines.
Seasons of Simplicity
Boats, rubber boots, and life jackets encapsulate childhood summers in Finland.Photo: Carl Bergman / Finland Image Bank
Summer in Finland doesn’t always revolve around extravagant travel schedules. For many, the extra time seamlessly blends into daily life: visiting relatives, tending to cottages, or completing long-overdue projects.
Emily mentions she’ll likely spend part of her vacation helping friends who recently bought a house. “They need assistance with the yard,” she explains.
This sentiment resonates across the country. For many Finns, summer becomes the moment to tackle those lingering tasks—like repainting fences, fixing docks, or assisting family with cottage upkeep. Even the time destined for rest often morphs into a chance for practical endeavors.
What many cherish most about summer is simply having the time to attend to these ordinary, yet meaningful activities.
By the Numbers: Finnish Summers
- July serves as the peak holiday month for those in Finland.
- In summer 2024, 33% of employed Finns enjoyed at least one holiday week in July.
- Schools typically begin summer holiday in early June and resume mid-August.
- As of late 2024, Finland boasted 495,145 summer cottages, with 58% located by lakes or ponds.
- The average cottage spans 70 square meters (753 square feet) and is situated about 91 kilometers (56.5 miles) from a permanent residence.
- Cottage owners spent an average of 85 days at their properties in 2024.
- Finns made 10.8 million domestic leisure trips with overnight stays from May to August 2024.
- A remarkable 96% of Finnish adults engage in outdoor activities.
- Of these, 57% participate in berry picking, 37% go hiking, and 67% swim in natural waters.
- Summer is also a season for celebrations: nearly half of all Finnish marriages in 2024 occurred between June and August, with roughly 450 summer music festivals taking place during this period.
By Tyler Walton, June 2026