Finland’s Boxing Day pizza boom is turning 26 December into one of the busiest days of the year for pizzerias and delivery platforms, as many people swap heavy Christmas dishes for an easy takeaway meal. Finnish outlets and restaurant operators describe a clear pattern: the appetite for traditional Christmas food often fades after Christmas Day, and demand for pizza rises sharply during Boxing Day (Tapaninpäivä).
Why Boxing Day becomes Finland’s pizza day
In Finland, Boxing Day (Tapaninpäivä) is a public holiday that sits inside the extended Christmas period. For many families it is still a day for visits and shared meals, but the catering workload shifts quickly once Christmas Day is over.
Restaurant operators told Yle that the enthusiasm for traditional Christmas food typically lasts only until 25 December. After that, households look for something familiar and effortless, and pizza becomes the default option because it requires no cooking and is widely available for takeaway and home delivery.
Delivery apps see a post-Christmas spike in pizza orders
The shift is visible in delivery data. According to figures shared by Foodora, the number of pizzas ordered through the platform rises by 43% in the days after Christmas compared with other periods. The same trend appears on other services: Wolt says burgers lead its Boxing Day and “in-between days” orders, with pizza close behind.
Delivery companies also report that the festive break changes what people add to their baskets. Foodora highlighted a surge in snack items, with dip sauces increasing by 130% compared with a normal day—an additional indicator that many customers treat Boxing Day dinners as low-effort, “comfort” food at home.
Less ham, more chicken: how toppings change after Christmas
Pizzerias and chains report that Boxing Day is not only about higher volumes, but also about changing preferences. One reason is straightforward: after several days of holiday meals, many customers avoid toppings that resemble Christmas dishes.
Representatives from Kotipizza said ham becomes less popular during the “in-between days”, while people pick different proteins such as chicken, locally sourced fish, tuna, or mushrooms. In Vaasa, the long-running pizzeria O Sole Mio described a steady Boxing Day rush and noted that the busiest period can extend into early January, until schools reopen.
Chain restaurants report a measurable Boxing Day sales jump
Large operators see the same effect in their sales statistics. S Group restaurant chain Rosso said its pizza consumption can rise by around 30% on Boxing Day compared with an ordinary weekday.
Alongside delivery demand, restaurant groups also point to gift-giving habits: pizza gift cards are a recurring Christmas present, and they tend to be redeemed immediately after the holiday meals—feeding into the Boxing Day peak.
What the trend says about convenience—and the economy
The Finnish Hospitality Association MaRa links the phenomenon to convenience: after the most labour-intensive meals of the year, people choose food that is quick and predictable. MaRa’s CEO also noted that fast-food restaurants typically perform better when households feel financial pressure, suggesting that Boxing Day ordering patterns can overlap with broader consumer caution.
For operators, the challenge is capacity: Boxing Day concentrates demand into a single evening, while the wider holiday season can keep kitchens and couriers busy for days. For consumers, the pattern is becoming a recognisable part of the Finnish Christmas calendar: once the last slices of Christmas ham are cleared, pizza takes over.
