Shrove Sunday is celebrated seven weeks before Easter. The official Shrovetide starts two days later, on Shrove Tuesday (US Mardi Gras). The next day, Ash Wednesday, is the beginning of the 40 weekday Lent for Easter, which has been followed by Roman Catholics since the 600's.

Although The Reformation removed the demand for Lent in Finland and Shrovetide became more like a peasant celebration, many traditions, beliefs and customs related to Lent, remained with the Finnish people. Men were not allowed to handle edged tools or make noisy work and women had to stop household duties early, as it was believed that this would ensure household activities would run smoothly for the rest of the year. Food on Shrove Tuesday had to be fatty. The more fat that shined on peoples fingers, the more fat the pigs would become during the year.

The Continental celebrations for Shrovetide came to Finland in the 1500's. Masquerades do not take place in Finland as much as in Central-Europe, but it is not an unknown tradition. Nowadays in Finland, the most common tradition for Shrove Tuesday is to go sledging with the whole family, and then return home to eat hot Pea Soup followed by delicious Shrove Buns.

Public Transportation runs according to the normal timetable for the day of the week on which this event occurs.

Finland shops and services run their normal opening hours according to the day of the week, on which this calendar event occurs.
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