Alexandra Lindqvist has been chosen as Finland's Lucia for 2025, according to the event's organiser, Folkhälsan, a social welfare NGO.
After learning that she had been chosen, the 21-year-old told Yle's Swedish language news unit that "it still feels unreal, but it's starting to sink in".
"It's wonderful and I am overwhelmed," she said, adding she is looking forward to the Lucia Day coronation ceremony next month.
As in past decades, the ceremony will be held at Helsinki Cathedral on Saturday 13 December. From there, Lucia joins a holiday-themed parade through the city centre.
"This is a childhood dream. I've never been Lucia," Lindqvist said, adding that she has only taken part in Lucia events in supporting roles.
The Lucia event is organised by Folkhälsan. Every autumn, a jury picks 10 finalists to take part in a popular vote.
The winner of the fundraising event gets to don the candle-adorned crown and then makes appearances at events in schools and senior care centres ahead of the Christmas holidays.
Lindqvist revealed that she is nervous about some parts of her new role, saying the engagements and meetings required of the official Lucia "feel very important".
"Even after Lucia Day, it will be intense. I think there will be many assignments," Lindqvist told Svenska Yle.
Last year, the Lucia fundraiser garnered more than 735,000 euros in donations, which was a record high.
However, last year's event also generated an unusual amount of headlines, due to widespread racist reactions over the winning candidate.
The winner, Daniela Owusu — whose father is from Ghana and mother is Finnish — received thousands of racist messages after she was named Lucia.
News about the racist abuse sparked condemnation from many people across the country, including President Alexander Stubb.
