Heikinpäivä

An Original Copper Country Celebration

Hancock, Michigan is the home of a truly one-of-a-kind festival - Heikinpäivä! Created in 1999, this festival draws deeply from the culture and folklore that followed Finnish immigrants who came to America to work Keweenaw copper mines. This January celebration (part-festival, part-holiday), is a Copper Country homage to Finnish-American identity and a mid-winter burst of joy and quirkiness to hearten the community through the long Keweenaw winter. 

Heikinpäivä hosts a bevy of events during a month-long lead up to the main event in late January. During the headliner day enjoy a parade featuring creatures from Finnish legend, the legendary wife-carrying contest, kicksled races, musical performances, cultural and craft-making workshops, and a traditional Finnish contra-dance with a live band.

All are welcome to Heikinpäivä! 

Attend Heikinpäivä

Location: Downtown Hancock, Michigan and the Finnish American Heritage Center

Date: January 24, 2026

Participate: Vendor, Volunteer, or Parade Entry!

Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture

During Hancock, Michigan’s annual Juhannus (Midsummer) festivities in 2025 the announcement came that Hancock, Michigan was named the Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture for 2026 – the first in North America, and the first outside a region indigenous to any of the Finno-Ugric peoples.

Participate in Heikinpäivä

• Join the Parade:  The public is invited to have entries in the Heikinpäivä parade. Entries should reflect Nordic, Finnish, Finno-Ugric, winter fun.  Cash prizes for the three best entries.
• Volunteer at Heikinpäivä:
  • Wear Finnish national costumes or Finnish American/Finnish folk characters during the parade down Quincy
  • Help with set-up for the Tori and the Iltamat (evening dance and social)
• Contact the Finnish Theme Committee to participate!

Vend at the Heikinpäivä Tori

There are still a few tables available, both at the Finnish American Heritage Center and the United Methodist Church of Hancock. Click on the button below to apply!