St. Urho's Day

Categories:: Cause
Tags:: Cultural Festivities
Where:: International
Date change rule:: Every March 16
Holiday emoji:: 💜

St. Urho’s Day brings a vibrant splash of purple and green to March 16, celebrating the fictional Finnish saint said to have driven grasshoppers from Finland. This whimsical holiday, often seen as a prelude to St. Patrick’s Day, encourages revelers to embrace Finnish-American culture. Join the fun by wearing purple, enjoying Finnish delicacies, and sharing your unique celebrations!

Deals
Platforms
Social
Hero
History
Timeline
Businesses
FAQs
Importance
Celebrate

Expected St. Urho's Day Deals

While official 2027 promotions are still under wraps, history shows St. Urho’s Day often inspires unique, themed deals. Look for Finnish-inspired menus at local restaurants, special purple-and-green cocktails at bars, and discounts on Nordic goods from retailers like IKEA and World Market. Specialty food stores may highlight products from brands such as Fazer chocolates or Finlandia Vodka. Expect online retailers like Etsy to feature handmade Finnish-themed crafts and apparel. Even local bakeries might offer purple-frosted treats. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as March 16 approaches.

Platform Guide for St. Urho's Day

TikTok

Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #StUrhosDay. Share videos of your purple and green outfits, Finnish food creations, or humorous skits about grasshoppers.

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #StUrhosDay. Post vibrant photos of your St. Urho’s Day decorations, festive meals, or community celebrations.

X/Twitter

Mention @NatlToday and use #StUrhosDay. Share fun facts about the legend, engage in lighthearted debates about purple vs. green, or tweet about local events.

St. Urho's Day Hero

St. Urho

St. Urho is a fictional Finnish saint credited with driving grasshoppers from Finland, much like St. Patrick drove snakes from Ireland. The legend was created in the 1950s by Finnish-Americans in Minnesota, blending Finnish folklore with American humor. He is celebrated with the colors purple and green, and his day serves as a lighthearted prelude to St. Patrick's Day.

History of St. Urho's Day

St. Urho is an unusual character. As legends have it, the saint chased the grasshoppers out of Finland shouting at them, “Grasshoppers, Grasshoppers, Go to Hell!” But why did he want grasshoppers to disappear from Finland? This was so the wine vineyards could be saved from destruction. He also wanted to save the grapes and the worker’s jobs, all while feeding on only sour milk and fish soup. Thanks to his noble deeds, he became a hero. That sounds similar to St. Patrick, doesn’t it?

Legend also has it that St. Urho was inspired by St. Patrick. As the Finnish version of the Irish saint, you will find statues of St. Urho, one such in Minnesota, depicting him holding large grasshoppers in honor of his sacrifice. People wear purple and green on this day and celebrate by drinking wine and reciting this unusual story. The story is unusual because St. Urho doesn’t exist and never has! His is a story born purely out of fascination and humor. However, many people claim to know how St. Urho’s Day originated. They say that the originator is a department store owner Richard Mattson in Virginia, Minnesota who along with some friends created the character as a joke.

The story quickly spread all over the country, mostly to the southern states. The Finnish living in these areas would celebrate the saint as part of their national heritage. Some other people say that Finnish resident Sulo Havumaki of Bemidji, Minnesota is the creator of the holiday and he changed the theme from plague to grasshoppers.

St. Urho's Day timeline

1737

St. Patrick’s Day in the U.S.

The first parade is held in Boston.

1950s

Origins

St. Urho's Day is believed to have originated in Minnesota, U.S.

1962

Chicago Starts a Tradition

The Chicago River is colored green to celebrate the day.

1975

Government Proclamation

The Minnesota governor declares a proclamation recognizing St. Urho's Day.

How Businesses Can Celebrate St. Urho's Day

Local businesses can embrace St. Urho’s Day with creative promotions. Finnish restaurants can offer special menus featuring traditional dishes and purple-themed desserts. Bars might craft unique ‘Urho’s Brew’ or ‘Grasshopper’ cocktails, encouraging patrons to wear purple for discounts. Gift shops could curate a selection of Finnish-inspired goods or items in purple and green, drawing in customers looking for festive novelties.

St. Urho's Day FAQs

When is St. Urho's Day?

In 2027, St. Urho’s Day is observed on Tuesday, March 16. This mid-week placement offers a perfect opportunity for a themed dinner or a fun break from the routine.

What are the traditional colors of St. Urho's Day?

Unlike the predominantly green of St. Patrick’s Day, St. Urho’s Day is uniquely associated with purple and green. Revelers often incorporate these colors into their attire, decorations, and even food and drink.

How many people celebrate St. Urho's Day?

The exact number of celebrants is difficult to pinpoint, but St. Urho’s Day enjoys a dedicated following among those who appreciate its unique blend of cultural pride and playful legend. Celebrations can be found in various forms, from small family gatherings to larger community events.

What is the legend behind St. Urho's Day?

St. Urho’s Day originated in the 1950s as a lighthearted myth among Finnish-Americans, particularly in Minnesota. The story recounts St. Urho’s heroic act of saving the grape crops from destructive grasshoppers, embodying a spirit of resilience and fun.

St. Urho's Day Activities

Wear purple
The color of St. Urho's Day is purple. Mark the day by dressing up in purple. Wear purple suits and if you want to look minimal, a purple scarf would look lovely. Go the extra mile by dying your hair purple.
Eat Finnish food
St. Urho's Day is a celebration in honor of the Finnish people. Why not celebrate the day by indulging in Finnish cuisine? Have a taste of the famous salmon soup and Finnish rye bread.
Join the celebrations
Mark St. Urho's Day by joining the celebrations. St. Urho's Day is celebrated with much fervor in Finnish communities. Find out if the Finnish community in your city is celebrating and join in the fun.

5 Interesting Facts About Finland

The country is full of saunas
Finland has more than three million saunas.
The Finnish consume the most milk
The average annual consumption of milk is 34 gallons per annum.
They also drink the most coffee
A Finnish consumes 12 kg of coffee every year.
World’s third-most powerful passport
The Finnish can travel to 175 countries without a visa.
There’s a ‘Day for Failure’
Celebrated on October 13, on this day the Finnish talk about their failures.

Why We Love St. Urho's Day

We gear up for the festivities
St. Urho's Day sets the ball rolling on the upcoming festivities. The day prepares revelers for all the drinking and partying for St. Patrick’s Day. Today is the day to let your hair down and have a great time.
It’s a celebration of Finnish culture
Even though St. Urho is a fictional character, he is a big part of the Finnish culture. St. Urho's Day is a true celebration of Finnish traditions. This is the day to celebrate all things Finnish.
It’s a fun holiday
The best thing about St. Urho's Day is how fun it is. Dress up in funny colors, party with your friends, and enjoy jokes on this day. It’s truly the best way to prepare yourself for St. Patrick’s Day.