Finnish nature celebrated at the Presidential Palace on Independence Day

Office of the President of the Republic of Finland
Press release 67/2026
30.10.2026

President of the Republic of Finland Alexander Stubb and his spouse Suzanne Innes-Stubb will begin this year’s Independence Day celebrations on Tuesday 1 December 2026, by hosting an honorary reception at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki for war veterans, members of the Lotta Svärd organization, and other representatives of the wartime generations.

This arrangement has been made in accordance with the wishes expressed by veterans, their families and the organisations representing them. Taking into account the advanced age and health of the honoured guests, the daytime reception enables more guests to attend and provides an opportunity for unhurried interaction and conversation. In addition to the presidential couple, other members of Finland’s state leadership will also attend the reception. The programme will feature performances by the Guards Band, the Finnish National Opera Children's Chorus, as well as Jannika B and Toni Wirtanen.

The Independence Day Reception held at the Presidential Palace on Sunday 6 December celebrates Finnish nature.

This year, the reception hosted by the President and Mrs Innes-Stubb will place particular emphasis on guests working in the field of the nature and environment, including researchers and experts, representatives of environmental organisations, nature tourism entrepreneurs, environmental educators, and volunteers engaged in environmental conservation. The guest list also includes people whom the presidential couple have met during their visits around Finland. Approximately 1,700 guests from across the country will attend the reception. Nearly half of those invited are first-time guests.

On Independence Day, the Hall of State will be filled with music performed by the Guards Band and the Guards Combo, with Kaija Koo and Antti Koivula as their vocalists. During the evening, guests will also enjoy performances by the Opera Singers of the Finnish National Opera. In the Yellow Room on the second floor, guests will be entertained by the Mikko Innanen & Suomi-Finland Jazz 100 Anniversary Ensemble. The Salon on the third floor will feature a performance by the duo Emma & Matilda.

This year, the reception’s culinary theme is inspired by the archipelago. Guests will be served delicacies from Åland and Southwest Finland in particular, including lamb, whitefish, archipelago bread and Åland pancake. The berries used in the cream cakes and the apple juice served at the reception will be sourced from the harvest of the gardens at Kultaranta, the presidential summer residence in Naantali. The menu highlights natural ingredients, regional culinary traditions, and products from small and local producers.

On display in the Gothic Hall is a photography exhibition by photographic artist Pekka Luukkola, whose work offers new perspectives on the Finnish landscape. Often featuring blue-toned scenes, the photographs explore light, movement and the passage of time. The exhibition presents a selection from a collection of approximately one hundred large-scale works created between 2006 and 2026.

The invitations to the reception are now being mailed and will reach invited guests over the coming weeks.

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