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Winter in Rovaniemi
Experience the snowy, crispy winter wonderland at the Arctic Circle, Lapland, Finland. Early winter brings the first breeze of cold air, shortening days and expectation of true winter days. By December, the darkness of the Polar Night has descended upon Rovaniemi, but the snow and Christmas lights brighten the surroundings with their merry glow. Beauty of the winter is unreal and worth experiencing it yourself.
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![Northern Lights dancing in the sky in Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland.](https://www.visitrovaniemi.fi/wp-content/uploads/Northern-Lighrs-Aurora-Borealis-in-Rovaniemi-Lapland-Finland-Toni-Eskelinen-Winter.jpg)
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Winter wonderland
Winter wonderland
Winter in Rovaniemi can be divided into 3 different kind of winter season; Early winter, Mid-winter and snowy spring.
Early winter is crispy and cold, days are getting shorter with daylight, Northern Lights appear and early-winter activities start.
Midwinter and Polar night starts in December. With only a few hours of daylight, a rather mysterious air of silence and peacefulness shrouds the natural surroundings. In the Official Hometown of Santa Claus December and Christmas is a special magical time.
The sun comes out in February and marks the start of the snowy, light-filled spring.
March and April are still snowy months, with a hint of spring vide. March and early April is often terrific time for Northern Lights viewing and sunny winter activities.
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Snowish town half of the year
Snowish town half of the year
When do you get snow in Rovaniemi? This is one of the most common questions we get. We wish we could say for sure, but every year it is a surprise. The local winter enthusiastists are as excited about the first snow as the visitors!
Usually, the first snow falls in November, sometimes as early as in October, sometimes around December. Snowy winter months create a wonderful winter wonderland and enable a platform for fun winter activities and for unforgettable Rovaniemi holiday.
In some snowy years, there can be snow around 6 months of the year from late October until early May. Snow usually lasts until April, and in May the last traces of winter disapear as the nature wakes up and gets ready for arctic summer.
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Magical Christmas time
Magical Christmas time
If you are a Christmas lover, you can combine the Christmas magic and snowy winter wonderland in Rovaniemi. The town is buzzing with visitors from around the world who have come to meet Rovaniemi’s most famous citizen, Santa Claus.
Polar night – shortest day of the year
Did you know? The shortest day of the year is December 21st or 22nd (varies annually). As Rovaniemi is located right on the Arctic Circle, on this day, the sun doesn’t rise at all in Rovaniemi. This is called Polar Night and it is an opposite phenomena to the Midnight Sun.
Information about the winter months
Northern Lights: Possible to appear
Snow: Possible to appear
Phenomenon: Northern lights
Average temperature: Between -10 to 5 degrees Celsius
Lenght of the day, average: In the beginning of the month around 7 hours, at the end of the month around 5 hours.
Northern Lights: Possible to appear
Snow: Most likely snowy
Phenomenon: Polar Night
Average temperature: Between -20 to -10 degrees Celsius
Lenght of the day, average: 2,5 hours
Northern Lights: Possible to appear
Snow: Snowy
Phenomenon: Polar Night
Average temperature: Between -30 to -15 degrees Celsius
Lenght of the day, average: 4 hours
![](https://www.visitrovaniemi.fi/wp-content/uploads/Autumn-colors-ruska-in-Rovaniemi-Lapland-Finland.jpg)
Northern Lights: Possible to appear
Snow: Snowy
Phenomenon: Sun appears as the days get longer / snowy spring
Average temperature: Between -20 to -15 degrees Celsius
Lenght of the day, average: 8 hours
Northern Lights: Possible to appear
Snow: Snowy
Phenomenon: Snowy Spring
Average temperature: Between -15 to -5 degrees Celsius
Lenght of the day, average: 12 hours
![](https://www.visitrovaniemi.fi/wp-content/uploads/Spring-winter-sun-snow-skiing-in-Rovaniemi-Lapland-Finlanf.jpg)
Northern Lights: Possible to appear until around mid April. It becomes more difficult as the evenings and nights get lighter and brighter.
Snow: Most likely snowy
Phenomenon: Increasing light
Average temperature: Between 5 to 10 degrees Celsius
Lenght of the day, average: 15 hours
Explore winter
![](https://www.visitrovaniemi.fi/wp-content/uploads/Polar-Night-winter-in-Rovaniemi-Lapland-Finland.jpg)
Polar Night
Experience the Polar Night, celebration of mysterious lights on glittering snowdrifts.
![](https://www.visitrovaniemi.fi/wp-content/uploads/Winter-snow-nature-outdoors-Rovaniemi-Lapland-Finland-11.jpg)
Snow And Ice
For many, Lapland is synonymous with snow. In Rovaniemi, there’s white stuff on the ground for approximately six months of the year. Find out more here!
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6 ways to experience frozen waters in Rovaniemi
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Northern Lights in Rovaniemi Lapland
Northern Lights Tours
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6 Wintery surfaces in Lapland
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10 Romantic Winter Tips
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5 Snow and ice buildings in Rovaniemi
Winter activities
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Visit Arctic Snow Hotel
The Arctic Snow Hotel is located 25km away from Rovaniemi and is entire world of snow. Explore a guided tour in snow and ice hotel.
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Arctos Winter Spa for 2 persons – Evening session (Private)
Spa experience in a magical setting, just for the two of you. Includes wood-heated sauna, hot tub and ice-dipping. Total price: 499€
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Rovaniemi: Aurora Hunting Tour
Northern Lights Hunting Tour
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Northern Lights skiing adventure
On this tour you will go out searching and photographing the Northern Lights by skis!
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Korouoma Canyon – Snowshoe Trip
Korouoma Canyon is a famous hiking destination year around. In the summer time you can admire natural rapids and in the winter time famous ice falls.
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Arctic Day – a Survival Workshop
Adventurous, full day of snowy action in the wilderness, enjoying the peacefulness of the arctic forest blanketed with snow. Hiking through the forest and building together a quinzee, the traditional snow accommodation, which is both fun and educating!
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Pure amazing mushing husky experience (Small group)
A unique and intimate small group Husky experience in the Lapland’s beautiful winter scenery in Rovaniemi.
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Nulkki Husky Adventure
Family friendly 5km self driven Husky sleigh tour
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Night Safari: Chasing Northern Lights with Reindeer (sleigh ride about 40-60 min)
Night safari with reindeer: let’s go through the mystical forests of Lapland and look for the Northern Lights
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Snowmobile & Animals Day Tour
Experience an action-packed day in the Arctic and get to know the different means of transportation of the locals!
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Skiing Trip to the Arctic Nature, 3 hours (Private Tour)
Skiing is the most popular locals winter activity. On our private skiing trip you can experience beauty of the arctic winter forest and charm of the campfire and a traditional Finnish picnic.
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Snow Activities and Northern Lights in the Forest
Snowy Forest
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Ice Fishing Adventure!
Ice Fishing experience with local host on private lake
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Try Ice Climbing in Pyhä Lapland
Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a safe and true ice climbing experience in Pyhä. Just two hours away from Rovaniemi. Suitable also for the beginners, exciting and rewarding for everyone!
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Snowmobiling Quick Spin – 2 h snowmobile experience
Master the art of driving a snowmobile on 2 hour snowmobile safari
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Ice-fishing and snowshoe adventure by snowmobile (3h)
Head for the wild waters on your snowmobile and learn all about the favorite leisure time activity of the locals. During this experience you can also try snowshoes!
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Ice Fishing with Snowmobiles
Join our Ice-fishing experience with a twist of snowmobiling!
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Hiking with Alpacas 1 hour (private)
Hiking with alpacas in the forest at Santa Claus Village and visit in Santa’s Pets
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Private Ranua Zoo tour
Private tour to Ranua Zoo. Your group or family only, flexible timing.
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Lapland Snowmobile Safari from Rovaniemi
This snowmobile safari will give you a chance to ride on the forest trails around…
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Arctic Snowshoeing Day
Join the tour to try an authentic way to go through powdery fresh snow. The snowshoes are the best for hiking on rolling to steep hills.
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Husky safari sleddog
SLEDDOG HUSKY SAFARI
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Excursion to Aurora Borealis Camp by Bus 1.12.-6.1., Rovaniemi
Discover the phenomena of the northern sky at our Northern Lights base
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Apukka Snow and Fun
Huskies, reindeer, snow fun and mini snowmobiles for children! You can have it all! Apukka Snow and Fun is a great way for families to have a taste of the best experiences at the Arctic Circle! Mon, Wed, Fri & Sat at 10:00
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Snowmobile Safari to Husky Kennel 1.12.-6.1., Rovaniemi
The thrills of snowmobiling and mushing in one adventure
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Northern Lights Reindeer Safari
Relax on a reindeer sleigh ride and admire the northern lights on top of a hill with glorious views towards the northern sky!
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Aurora Hunting Pro Tour
Local Guided Real Unlimited Aurora Hunting with Photography (small groups)
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Santa Claus Safari 7.1.-7.4., Rovaniemi
An arctic day of snowmobiling and reindeer sleigh riding completed with meeting Santa
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Sauna and Ice Swimming – Comfort Level
Experience traditional Sauna and ice swimming in Ounas River close to Rovaniemi centre!
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Snowshoeing and Ice Fishing Tour
This must-do trip combines two great local activities – snowshoeing through the Taiga forest and ice fishing on a frozen lake. Those 4 hours of adventure will give you a great insight of Lapland nature and life in the Arctic!
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Santa Village & Arctic Animals Combo Adventure
What would you do if you wanted to experience an ultimate winter adventure? Well, of course, you would visit Santa’s village and try husky and reindeer sleigh rides!
Fall in love with the Rovaniemi phenomena
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Autumn Colours
When bright arctic summer ends and nature is preparing for winter at the Arctic Circle, we are enchanted by the changing colors of the season. In Rovaniemi this amazing nature’s display is at its best in September when trees and ground is covered with spectacular colours. Get your cameras out and head to nature!
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Midnight Sun
The Midnight Sun, the nightless night or polar day – can be seen only here in Rovaniemi on the Arctic Circle or above. From early June until early July, and nights are white throughout the summer. See more here.
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Northern Lights
Experience the magic of the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) in Rovaniemi. Find out viewing spots, times and more here.
![](https://www.visitrovaniemi.fi/wp-content/uploads/Polar-Night-winter-in-Rovaniemi-Lapland-Finland.jpg)
Polar Night
Experience the Polar Night, celebration of mysterious lights on glittering snowdrifts.
![](https://www.visitrovaniemi.fi/wp-content/uploads/Winter-snow-nature-outdoors-Rovaniemi-Lapland-Finland-11.jpg)
Snow And Ice
For many, Lapland is synonymous with snow. In Rovaniemi, there’s white stuff on the ground for approximately six months of the year. Find out more here!
Explore the Arctic Seasons
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Early winter
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Christmas time in Rovaniemi
Explore Seasons in Rovaniemi
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Spring
Rovaniemi is the city of the Midnight Sun, surrounded by Arctic nature, where Lappish culture and a wide range of activities meet!
![](https://www.visitrovaniemi.fi/wp-content/uploads/Santa-Claus-Rovaniemi-Lapland-Finland-_-1.jpg)
Summer
Rovaniemi is the city of the Midnight Sun, surrounded by Arctic nature, where Lappish culture and a wide range of activities meet!
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Northern Lights Season
Seasons when Northern Lights appear Read more about Northern Lights in Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland Explore…
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Autumn
There is something so magical in nights spent under the Auroras in Glass Cabins and Igloos or waking up from a unique accommodation to a first snowfall.