Heikinpäivä

This midwinter celebration of Finnish culture brings out the wacky side of winter. Starting in mid-January, just as the midwinter blues begin to hit, the shenanigans of Heikinpäivä (hosted by Hancock’s Finlandia University) last for up to a month. The Heikinpäivä parade featuring creatures from Finnish legend, and the legendary wife-carrying contest, an obstacle course that sends married couples careening from one bizarre station to another. In between, there are kicksled races, musical performances, cultural and craft-making workshops, and a traditional Finnish contra-dance with a live band.