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 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.
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.
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
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
Aurora Photography Hunt
Embark on a Northern Lights Photo Experience tour and witness the awe-inspiring beauty of the aurora borealis in Rovaniemi, Finland.
Private | 10 km Husky Tour For Families
This is a lovely experience for families with small children. You will get to see local lifestyle, meet our lovely huskies, drive your own husky sled and enjoy relaxing with your family and friends.
Ice karting ticket – speedy, fun and a winterlicious activity!
Join the exciting Ice Karting experience in Lapland Winter Park!
Arctic Ice Karting
Enjoy an exciting drive on our popular ice karting track, set in the most picturesque location on a river bank in Rovaniemi, Lapland!
Private 6h Snowmobile Adventure in Arctic Wilderness – North Rovaniemi
Enjoy a private full-day snowmobile adventure through Lapland’s pristine wilderness with PolarMax.
Arctic Animals Combo Safari
It’s a Arctic Animals Adventure! Meet the magnificent Arctic Animals on our sweet combo adventure. Ride a reindeer sleigh and take a husky sleigh ride through winter landscapes.
2-Hour Snowmobile Safari
Join us on this unique 2-Hour Snowmobile Safari and feel the excitement of driving through the snowy forests in the Lappish wilderness.
Photoshoot in Nature Location
The cleanest air in the world, thousands of lakes, and an endless amount of forest – these are the things Lappish nature is made from.
Explore the wilderness
A half-day wilderness adventure is our way to experience the remote and untouched nature of Lapland.
Visit of authentic reindeer farm in winter (with a reindeer ride if conditions permit)
Visit an authentic reindeer farm in Sierijärvi Village in Rovaniemi, Lapland. Enjoy also a reindeer ride.
Snowmobile Safari into the Arctic Circle Forest
Explore the Arctic Circle forest trails with your very own snowmobile and a knowledgeable guide, who will take you to the most beautiful spots for memorable photos.
Aurora Borealis Picnic
Northern Light tour with picnic, by riverside. Tour operating from September to the end of April.
Visit the Reindeer Herd
A private tour to visit a big and beautiful free ranging semi-wild reindeer herd. On this unique reindeer herder’s real-life tour, you’ll get in the middle of hundreds of reindeer ranging free in their natural pastures and feeding sites.
Reindeer Safari Tour & 2.5 km Sled Ride (Reindeer Driving License)
Feel the rush of icy winds as you glide effortlessly across the pristine Lapland landscape on a traditional reindeer sled
Photoshoot in Santa Claus Village
This winter, you have a chance to record your visit in Santa Claus Village by a professional photographer!
Finnish Legends & Tales Night Around The Fire
Enjoy a relaxing night around the fire in the Arctic forests, listening to legends and tales of Finland. This story-telling experience will offer you an opportunity to learn more about Finnish culture, traditions and local history.
Winter Biking Experience with E-bikes, Rovaniemi
Ride the snowy trails on an electrically-assisted fatbike
The Frozen Waterfalls of Korouoma
Explore the Frozen Waterfalls of Kourouoma on an Enchanting 5km Hike from Rovaniemi
Santa´s Ice Karting 16.00
Ice driving fun with Go-karts!
Ranua Zoo Tour with buffet lunch option
Ranua Zoo tour with buffet lunch option. Meet many animals and birds that can be found in the arctic region.
Horse-Drawn Sleigh Experience
Come and experience an unforgettable horse sleigh ride in the traditional Finnish way. Kotatuli Experience offers a snowy adventure in a horse-drawn sleigh, where you can admire the winter Lapland nature and snowy forests.
Amazing Northern Lights with snowmobiles (Small group)
A unique and intimate small group snowmobile adventure in the Lapland’s beautiful forest scenery in Rovaniemi.
Magic of the Forest and Log Sauna Winter, 4 hours (Private Tour)
Feel the healing effects of the forest, herbs and log sauna of Fox Cottage with herbal bath for feet or treatment for hands. After the sauna we’ll serve you traditional Finnish dinner.
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
Starry Sky & Northern Lights Experience
Starry Sky & Northern Lights Experience at beautiful lake Vuosku
Horse Sleigh Ride under the Night Sky
As the dark has settled, the adventure has only begun. A horse sleigh ride across a frozen lake under the Arctic night sky – a dream made real. Mon, Wed & Fri at 20:30.
Excursion to Aurora Borealis Camp by Bus 7.1.-31.3., Rovaniemi
Discover the phenomena of the northern sky at our Northern Lights base
Ice Fishing Experience by Minivan
Catch trout, perch, and whitefish in the best fishing spots and learn the secrets of ice fishing in Rovaniemi with our Ice Fishing Experience by Minibus!
Snowmobile in the Arctic Nature
Join our snowmobile safari to feel the purity of the nature!
Backcountry Ski Adventure in Lapland (Beginner)
Enjoy a backcountry ski adventure, adapted to beginners, into the white pure nature of Lapland! Your outdoor guide will take you to some elusive nature area where arctic nature shows its best features.
Lakeside Aurora’s Paparazzi Photography
No one’s going to believe that you saw the elusive Ms. Aurora Borealis, so why not going on this trip…
Day tour to Ranua Wildlife Park – Visit the Arctic Animals!
Enjoy a day trip to Ranua Wildlife Park to see Polar Bears, arctic foxes, lynx and 50 other arctic species as well as 200 animal varieties!
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.