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.
Winter wonderland
Winter wonderland
Winter in Rovaniemi can be divided into 3 different kind of winter seasons; 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 nights start 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 warmer and sunnier snowy months, with a hint of spring. They are great for sunny winter activities and often March and the beginning of April are also a terrific time for Northern Lights viewing.
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 enthusiasts are as excited about the first snow as the visitors!
Usually, the first snow falls in November, sometimes as early as in October, sometimes only around December. Snowy winter months create a wonderful winter wonderland and enable a platform for fun winter activities and for an 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 disappear as the nature wakes up and gets ready for the arctic summer.
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 the 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
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
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
Polar Night
Experience the Polar Night, celebration of mysterious lights on glittering snowdrifts.
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!
6 ways to experience frozen waters in Rovaniemi
Northern Lights in Rovaniemi Lapland
Northern Lights Tours
6 Wintery surfaces in Lapland
10 Romantic Winter Tips
5 Snow and ice buildings in Rovaniemi
Winter activities
Visit the Reindeer Sleigh School
If you love animals, this is the must have tour to you. Visit our Reindeer Sleigh school, meet our lovely students, and learn about animal friendly training methods usable also with other animal species.
Reindeer farm visit with 1,5km safari
Visit to the reindeer farm with 1,5km safari
Fisherman’s Luck by snowmobile
Head for the wild waters on your snowmobile and learn all about the favorite leisure time activity of the locals.
Wilderness Survival Tour – Winter
Experience the wild Taiga forest and what the Lapland wilderness has the best to offer. On this tour, you will feel the peace of Arctic nature, hike through the snowy forest, and learn about your surroundings and some basic survival skills.
Arctos Winter Spa – Day session (Private)
Spa experience against an Arctic backdrop. Includes wood-heated sauna, hot tub & ice-dipping. Price: 149€ per person
Aurora Photography Hunt
Embark on a Northern Lights Photo Experience tour and witness the awe-inspiring beauty of the aurora borealis in Rovaniemi, Finland.
Explore the Wilderness with Snowshoes
Snowshoeing Experience
Kota Dinner at Ounasvaara Chalets, without transfers, Rovaniemi
Traditional dinner in a traditional setting – enjoy an evening of Lappish food and culture
Premium Ice Climbing in Pyhä Lapland
For enthusiasts, Bliss Adventure offers a tailored ice climbing experience in the Tajukangas ice fall
Guaranteed Northern Lights Adventure
Join us for an unlimited & guaranteed Northern Lights hunt—see the auroras or get your money back! We’ll drive as far as needed and stay out as long as it takes to find the perfect view.
Reindeer farm and ride – short safari
Experience the magic of Lapland with a traditional reindeer sleigh ride and farm visit.
Snowmobile and Ice Fishing Experience
Drive a snowmobile to the frozen lakes in the Lappish forest. Try the art of Ice Fishing after your snowmobile adventure and savor a Lappish barbecue.
Ice karting ticket – speedy, fun and a winterlicious activity!
Join the exciting Ice Karting experience in Lapland Winter Park!
Husky Safari from Rovaniemi Including a Husky Sled Ride
Great Husky safari from Rovaniemi
Riisitunturi Wilderness Expedition & Barbeque – Small Group
Our Wilderness Expedition is designed for adventurous souls and photography enthusiasts who seek to capture the essence of Lapland’s untouched beauty
Winter Wonderland Vikaköngäs Hiking Tour & Barbeque – Small Group
Picture yourself surrounded by a pristine winter wonderland, the air crisp and pure. Our Vikaköngäs Hiking Tour invites you to step into a real-life snow globe, where every step is a unique memory waiting to be made
Northern Lights Reindeer Safari
A magical evening awaits you! Join Santa Claus Reindeer for a journey under the Arctic night sky. We’ll drive into the wilderness, into the world of reindeer, where electric lights and city bustle are unknown.
Rovaniemi City & Santa Claus Village Tour
Rovaniemi city tour with most popular sightseeings and guided Santa Claus Village tour
Private Wooden Saunahut with Ice Swimming Possibility
Book our traditional wooden saunahut for your company!
Northern Lights Trip to Porovaara Hill
Admire the northern lights in the wilderness on top of a hill with glorious views towards the northern sky!
Private Traditional Finnish Three Course Dinner, 3 hours (Private Tour)
Experience the traditional Finnish home made dinner in cosy private Fox Cottage without other guests.
Longer Trails
Your first ARCTIC ADVENTURE! Adults only*.
1 hour reindeer ride and farm visit
1 hour reindeer ride, reindeer farm visit, reindeer driving licence, hot drinks and a bun
Korouoma Frozen Waterfalls Hike
Korouoma is a Finnish national park known in winter for its frozen waterfalls, and where ice climbers can be found.
3 hour Evening Snowmobile Safari with Campfire & Northern Lights Chance – Small Group – Rovaniemi
Discover the Magic of Nighttime Snowmobiling in Lapland
Winter Daytime ice floating
Do what you never thought you would be doing in your lifetime! Swim in an icy lake in the north of Finland in the middle of winter!
White Dream Adventure (Small-Group)
A unique snowshoeing adventure in Lapland’s beautiful forest scenery. Admire the amazing landscapes, enjoy campfire treats and learn from the arctic lifestyle in Rovaniemi with our professional guide.
Explore the wilderness
A half-day wilderness adventure is our way to experience the remote and untouched nature of Lapland.
Private Electric Fat Bike Winter Tour in Rovaniemi
Book a Private electric fat bike tour just for you to experience the beautiful views and epic winter fat bike trails of Rovaniemi.
Private Northern lights picnic by the lake, Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland
Feel the athmosphere of Lapland evening and night and enjoy beautiful northern lights. You get to try also an easy winter activity, snowshoeing, and enjoy the quietness and beauty of the nature.
Fall in love with the Rovaniemi phenomena
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!
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.
Northern Lights
Experience the magic of the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) in Rovaniemi. Find out viewing spots, times and more here.
Polar Night
Experience the Polar Night, celebration of mysterious lights on glittering snowdrifts.
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
Early winter
Christmas time in Rovaniemi
Explore Seasons in Rovaniemi
Spring
Rovaniemi is the city of the Midnight Sun, surrounded by Arctic nature, where Lappish culture and a wide range of activities meet!
Summer
Rovaniemi is the city of the Midnight Sun, surrounded by Arctic nature, where Lappish culture and a wide range of activities meet!
Northern Lights Season
Seasons when Northern Lights appear Read more about Northern Lights in Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland Explore Seasons in Rovaniemi
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.