St. Urho’s Day: History, Facts & Insights

This is an in-depth look at all the must-know facts about St. Urho’s Day (2024) 🗓️ that no one tells you about. St. Urho’s Day is observed on March 16th.

Among the information you’ll find below: the history of St. Urho’s Day, activities to do on and how to observe this holiday, as well as cool facts you should know about St. Urho’s Day.

📅 What day is St. Urho’s Day 2024?

In 2024, St. Urho’s Day is on Thursday, March 16th. It is the 3rd Thursday in March; in 2024, it is Saturday. There are until the next observance. You also can learn all fascinating details and facts about March 16, 2023, that you might not be aware of.

Each year on March 16, Finland celebrates St. Urho’s Day as a precursor to St. Patrick’s Day. Although St. Urho is not a real saint, the tales surrounding him are quite fascinating. This festive occasion serves as a joyful celebration to get people in the mood for the partying and drinking that will take place on St. Patrick’s Day. It’s a day to let loose and get ready for the upcoming festivities. Unlike St. Patrick’s Day, St. Urho’s Day is associated with the color purple. So, as you partake in the celebrations, remember to don attire in the colors of the day. Wishing everyone a happy St. Urho’s Day!

📜 St. Urho’s Day History

According to a story, St. Urho, a Finnish version of St. Patrick, is depicted in sculptures holding grasshoppers as a symbol of his sacrifice. On a special day, people dress in purple and green, drink wine, and celebrate this unusual narrative. The interesting aspect of this story is that St. Urho is a fictional character, created as a joke by Richard Mattson, a department store owner, and his friends. The tale quickly spread across the country, particularly in southern states where Finnish people would honor the saint as part of their heritage. Some also credit Sulo Havumaki, a Finnish resident in Minnesota, for introducing the change from a plague to grasshoppers in the narrative.

✅ St. Urho’s Day Facts

🔖 The Finnish consume the most milk
On average, people drink about 34 gallons of milk per year.

🔖 They also drink the most coffee
On average, a person from Finland consumes 12 kilograms of coffee annually.

🔖 The country is full of saunas
Finland boasts an impressive number of nearly three million saunas.

👍 Why Is St. Urho’s Day Important

The approaching celebrations are kicked off by St. Urho’s Day. The day prepares revelers for all of the drinking and partying that will take place on St. Patrick’s Day. Today is the day to let your hair down and enjoy yourself.
Despite the fact that St. Urho is a mythical character, he is an important component of Finnish culture. St. Urho’s Day is a genuine celebration of Finnish customs. Today is the day to celebrate everything Finnish.
The nicest part of Saint Urho’s Day is how much fun it is. On this day, dress up in bright colors, throw a party with your friends, and laugh at jokes. It is, without a doubt, the ideal method to prepare for St. Patrick’s Day.

🙂 How To Observe St. Urho’s Day

⚡ Join the celebrations
Come and join in the celebrations of St. Urho’s Day, a festive event that is widely celebrated in Finnish communities. Check if your local Finnish community is hosting any festivities and be a part of the fun!

⚡ Wear purple
St. Urho’s Day is often celebrated with the color purple. To honor this occasion, you can dress in purple by wearing purple suits or, if you prefer a more casual look, a purple scarf. For an even more festive touch, you can go all out and dye your hair purple.

⚡ Eat Finnish food
The Finnish people celebrate St. Urho’s Day and it’s a great opportunity to enjoy some traditional Finnish dishes. You can make the day special by treating yourself to the delicious salmon soup and Finnish rye bread, which are highly regarded in Finnish cuisine.

📅 When is St. Urho’s Day?

Explore all 🔗 March holidays, including 🔗 Cause and other 🔗 Cultural holidays.

We will continue to update this page with new information and fun facts about St. Urho’s Day. So be sure to check back soon.