Kekri event

Kekri is an old Finnish harvest festival that took place in autumn, usually in late October or early November, depending on when the harvest was completed.

In the past, Kekri marked the end of the working year and it could take place at different times in different households, depending on when the harvest was finished. Originally, Kekri was the name of an ancient Karelian deity, protector of animals.

Kekri was both the end of the working year and the eve of a new one. However, the new year did not begin the very next day, but only after an intermediate period of about twelve days in late October and November, called jakoaika (“the division time”).

During jakoaika, ghosts were believed to roam the earth, and the time was considered especially favorable for omens. The boundary between the living and the dead was thought to be thin, allowing the spirits of the departed to move among the living. Thus, in addition to harvest traditions, Kekri customs were strongly connected with omens, magic and ghosts.

In Hämeenlinna, various events are organized in honor of the festival around the time of kekri.

Sat 25 Oct 2025, 17:00–21:00 Kekri event

Palander House opens only in the evening, deviating from its normal opening hours. The recommended age limit for the event is 12+, as some parts may be thrilling or even a little frightening.