Christmas Eve at the Merchant's House

Step inside a nineteenth-century merchant house and experience the warmth, traditions and atmosphere of a Finnish Christmas evening.

Hosted at Langin Kauppahuone in the historic wooden town of Old Raahe, this festive experience combines traditional Christmas dining, storytelling and some of Finland's most cherished Christmas customs.

Guests are welcomed into candlelit dining rooms decorated for Christmas, where the atmosphere reflects the quieter and more meaningful side of the Finnish holiday season. Throughout the evening, Johanna, the lady of the house, shares stories of how Christmas was celebrated in Finnish merchant households during the nineteenth century, while Anna offers insights into the preparations that filled the days leading up to Christmas.

A traditional Finnish Christmas buffet is served during the evening, featuring seasonal dishes and festive flavours that remain an important part of Christmas celebrations today.

The experience concludes with one of the most anticipated moments of a Finnish Christmas Eve: a visit from Santa Claus. For many Finnish families, Christmas Eve is centred around gathering together after sauna, sharing a festive meal and welcoming Santa into the home. This experience offers visitors an opportunity to take part in that tradition in an authentic heritage setting.

Christmas Eve at the Merchant's House is ideal for international visitors seeking a deeper understanding of Finnish Christmas culture beyond lights, markets and commercial festivities.

• Traditional Finnish Christmas dinner buffet

• Stories from a nineteenth-century merchant household

• Johanna's account of Christmas traditions and celebrations

• Anna's stories of Christmas preparations in the merchant house

• Historic candlelit setting

• Finnish Christmas music

• Visit from Santa Claus

• Authentic Christmas Eve atmosphere

• Hosted Christmas heritage experience

• Traditional Finnish Christmas buffet

• Storytelling programme

• Visit from Santa Claus

• Historic merchant house setting

Approximately 3 hours

Minimum 10 guests
Maximum 40 guests

Selected dates during the Christmas season.

• Traditional Finnish Welcome Drink

• Wine pairing

• Combined walking tour of Old Raahe

• Sauna experience before dinner