Northern Lights Season in Rovaniemi
From late summer to early spring
The Northern Lights season in Rovaniemi begins in late August and continues through the winter months into early spring, to the beginning of April. This means you can combine an autumn or early winter trip to Lapland with an exciting Aurora hunt, even before the landscape is covered in the deepest winter snow.
As the nights grow darker, the chances of seeing the dancing lights in the sky increase. Whether you visit at the beginning of the season or in the heart of winter, seeing the Aurora appear above the Lapland landscape can be a truly magical experience!
Explore Northern Lights Activities
Northern Lights Trip – No kilometres or Time Limit
Unlimited Northern Lights Hunt Guarantee
Hunting Northern Lights with Lappish Barbecue
Hunt for the Northern Lights in the middle of the untouched nature, escaping from the light pollution of the town. Taste a traditional Lappish barbecue and warm yourself by the fire while waiting for the magical lights.
Polarman’s camp Live ® with Snowshoeing to the Frozen Lake, Rovaniemi
Spend an Arctic evening at Polarman’s Camp Rovaniemi, then snowshoe through the winter forest to a nearby frozen lake for a wide northern horizon, returning to the warm Aurora Dome and firepit.
Aurora Hunt by Atv – Rovaniemi
Experience an exciting ATV adventure through the Arctic night while searching for the magical Northern Lights.
Rovaniemi Insider: Aurora Self-Drive Adventure
Aurora Self-Drive Adventure gives you a new 5-seat car, curated viewing spots, and handy tools for spotting and photographing the Aurora. With safety tips for Arctic driving and optional comfort add-ons, you get the freedom to chase the Northern Lights
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
Aurora Arctic Ice Floating
We are about to introduce you to the most original, ultimately fun, and a fantastic way of experiencing the Northern lights. Take a dip in a frozen lake under the Northern lights!
Northern Lights Hunting tour by Van
This 3-hour tour includes transportation, guidance, storytelling and hot sausages by the campfire. Learn about Nordic myths and see the colorful lights fire up the sky.
Seasons When the Northern Lights Appear
Autumn
Autumn: September and October
Typical daytime temperatures in the Autumn:
- September: 5 to 15 degrees Celsius
- October: 0 to 10 degrees Celsius
Early winter
Early winter: November
Average temperature: -10 to 5 degrees Celsius
Christmas time in Rovaniemi
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Winter
Winter: From November until March
Typical daytime temperatures in the winter:
- December: -20 to -10 degrees Celsius
- January: -30 to -15 degrees Celsius
- February: -20 to -15 degrees Celsius
- March: -15 to -5 degrees Celsius
Average length of the day at wintertime:
- December: 2,5 hours
- January: 4 hours
- February: 8 hours
- March: 12 hours
Christmas Magic Beneath the Northern Lights
Christmas Magic Beneath the Northern Lights
Imagine spending Christmas in Rovaniemi, surrounded by snowy Lapland landscapes, Christmas lights and the magic of the Northern Lights dancing overhead. As the Official Hometown of Santa Claus®, Rovaniemi offers a unique chance to combine the festive atmosphere of Christmas with the natural wonder of the Northern Lights.
Also known as the Aurora Borealis, the Northern Lights can be seen on around 150 nights a year in Finnish Lapland when weather and viewing conditions are favourable. In Rovaniemi, the lights can be spotted in and around the city from late August until early April, giving you plenty of opportunities to add an Aurora hunt to your Christmas holiday.
And while the Northern Lights are a seasonal visitor, there is one very special resident you can count on seeing all year round: Santa Claus. He is in Rovaniemi every day of the year, ready to add a little extra Christmas magic to your visit – whether the Aurora decides to join the celebration or not.
Northern Lights Experiences for Every Traveller
Northern Lights Experiences for Every Traveller
Whether you dream of watching the Northern Lights from the comfort of a unique glass accommodation or would rather head out into the night in search of the Aurora, Rovaniemi offers plenty of ways to experience the phenomenon.
Choose from a wide range of accommodation, activities and guided experiences to create a Northern Lights adventure that suits you. From cosy stays under the stars to exciting excursions in the Lapland landscape, there is something for different travel styles and preferences.
Find the Right Aurora Tour for You
Find the Right Aurora Tour for You
Want to make your Northern Lights hunt an adventure in itself? Join one of the many Aurora tours available in Rovaniemi. Choose between private and group tours, smaller or larger groups, family-friendly experiences or longer Aurora hunts for those who are determined to spend more time searching the skies.
Experienced local guides know the surrounding area and can take you to suitable viewing spots, helping to maximise your chances of seeing the Northern Lights. Along the way, they can also share fascinating insights into the science behind the Aurora, as well as the myths and legends that have surrounded the lights for generations. Choose the tour that suits your interests and make the Aurora hunt part of the adventure.
Read More about the Northern Lights in Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland
Explore Seasons in Rovaniemi
Early winter
Winter
Rovaniemi is the official hometown of Santa Claus and reallife winter wonderland located at the Arctic Circle in Lapland Finland.
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!
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.