In Finland, the May Day festival is known by what name? Vappu.
Vappu is Finland’s name for the May Day celebration held on 1 May, with festivities beginning on the evening of 30 April. It is one of the country’s major annual celebrations, combining springtime revelry, student traditions, picnics, music, and public gatherings with the international workers’ holiday associated with the same date.
University students have played a particularly important role in shaping modern Vappu. Since the late 19th century, students and graduates have celebrated in distinctive white student caps, while many current students wear colorful coveralls associated with their academic organizations. In Helsinki, the capping of the Havis Amanda statue on 30 April is a famous part of the festivities.
Traditional refreshments include sima, a lightly fermented homemade mead, as well as sparkling wine and tippaleipä, a funnel-cake-like pastry. On 1 May, large picnics are held in parks such as Kaivopuisto in Helsinki. Vappu is sometimes described as Walpurgis Night because the celebration spans the eve and May Day itself, but Vappu is the canonical Finnish name.