National Sauna Week 2024

THE THIRD ANNUAL SAUNA CELBRATION DREW ENGAGED AUDIENCES INTERESTED IN THE HISTORY, TRADITION, CULTURE, AND APPRECIATION OF SAUNA IN THE U.S. TODAY

Our live programs, described below, are posted on the FFN YouTube channel, where you’ll also find programs from National Sauna Week 2022 and 2023.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and subscribe to our YouTube channel for updates on all FFN programs throughout the year. And mark your calendar for National Sauna Week, February 16-22, 2025.

Sauna Quest
with Aarne and Steve

7 p.m. SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18

Longtime friends and sauna enthusiasts Steve Leppälä, a former environmental regulator who describes himself as voluntarily unemployed, and Arne Vainio, a family practice MD in Cloquet, Minnesota, share humorous stories of their sessions at Steve’s basement sauna at his home and other locations—including Finland—in search of sauna experiences to write home about.

Steam Through Time: The Four Generations of the Finnish Sauna

1 p.m. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 19

Sauna advocates and hosts of the podcast, The Upper Bench, are joined by Helsinki-based Lassi Liikkanen in a discussion about the different eras of Finnish sauna through a historical lens. They will look at how the technology of sauna has shaped the practice of sauna, beginning from shadows of pre-historic sauna and emerging at the 21st century dominated by the technically colorful world of private saunas. 

America Doesn’t Have a Sauna Culture: Myth or Reality?

5 p.m. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20

Adam Bamba Tanaka moderates a panel discussion on the “new wave” of sauna culture, delving into the history of authentic sauna in the U.S., reasons for its current popularity, differences in sauna between urban and rural areas, and how the panelists’ businesses are contributing to growing sauna culture in this country.

Hot Spot Minnesota:
The Steam Is On!

5 p.m. WEDNESDAY,
FEBRUARY 21

From early Finnish immigrants to wellness-centered Millennials and younger generations, Finnish saunas represent an integral part of personal wellness. A panel of sauna enthusiasts and entrepreneurs talk about developments in the Minnesota sauna scene that have attracted a  large community of young people, especially in their 20s and 30s, who have made Minnesota one of the hottest spots in the country, with sauna experiences in various shapes, sizes, and heating methods.

Sauna: Traditional 
Knowledge, Folk Healing and Magic

1 p.m. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22

Dalva Lamminmäki and Frank Eld will talk about Finnish sauna culture, within and outside of Finland by asking: Do we still have space for these myths and rituals as part of the experience of taking a sauna, and can we recognize the intangible cultural heritage in our sauna activities?

ERIC AHO: LIFE IN CONTRAST – ART AND THE SAUNA

12:30 p.m. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23

Finlandia Foundation National Artist of the Year Eric Aho explores the role that sauna has played in his life and its impact on his painting. An American of Finnish descent who lives in Vermont, his paintings focus on nature and forest scenes. In interviews and discussions, Eric never misses an opportunity to note his Finnish heritage as an influence on his work and inspiration.

Saturday, February 24:

Tune in for an exclusive screening of the Finland episode of Perfect Sweat by Mikkel Aaland. In the 34-minute video, Mikkel visits a variety of Finnish saunas with local host Samuel Aarnio.

The documentary series is inspired by Mikkel’s 1978 book Sweat, which is out of print but available in Kindle versions:

Purchase an ebook version of the original book, which includes the how-to-build section, here. 

Purchase an ebook of the how-to-build section of Sweat, here.

Just Add Sauna Instagram Contest!

Our popular Instagram contest returned, with a record number of entrants for the prize of TWO Marimekko robes and an assortment of sauna goods perfect whether you now have a sauna or are dreaming about one.

Kiitos to FinnStyle of Minnesota for co-sponsoring this prize package.

A second winner will receive the winning poster in the inaugural National Sauna Week poster contest.