IRON MOUNTAIN — The Iron Mountain area Finnish American Raja Ryhma Border Group invites the community to the annual Pikkujoulu gathering on Saturday, Dec. 13, at Recreation Lanes Antoine Room in Iron Mountain.

A meet and greet time starts at noon, with a catered meal served by Zollner’s at 1 p.m.

Pikkujoulu — translated “Little Christmas” — is a custom in Finland, which developed as a pre-Christmas event to brighten the long Finnish winter nights and to get people into a holiday mood.

The Raja Ryhma Border Group enjoys following Finnish traditions and has had an annual Pikkujoulu for many years.

Music by Majority Finn, a musical family from Hancock, will play a variety of Christmas music and might even include a group sing-a-long.

They were featured at the 2025 Finn Fest in August in Duluth, Minn., has performed at Finn Fun Day in Negaunee, and recently completed a tour in western states.

Kelli Ellis, an art teacher at the Florence County School District, will give a presentation on the tradition of the Finnish Himmeli. Ellis will teach the group how to make these delicate sculptures, usually made of paper straws.

Everyone is welcome. Cost for is $25 per person and $10 for children age 10 or younger. Send prepaid reservations to Raja Ryhma, P.O. Box 565, Iron Mountain MI 49801 by Friday, Dec. 5.

For more information, call Karen Wertanen at 715-528-4744.