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
Northern Lights Small-Group Tour To Shaman Village
Northern Lights Small-Group Tour To Shaman Village – Experience the Authenticity and Tranquility of Lapland
Snowmobile Safari 2h, Rovaniemi
Discover Lapland’s unique snowy nature and the fun of snowmobiling
Rider’s Dream Snowmobile Safari, Rovaniemi
Solo riding snowmobile adventure in beautiful white landscapes
Luxury Log Sauna and Finnish Dinner, 3 hours (Private Tour)
Experience the gentle heat of a log sauna and its invigorating health effects only with your own family or friends. After the sauna we’ll serve traditional Finnish home made dinner.
Ice Fishing Trip
This Ice Fishing Trip offers a great chance to enjoy the wilderness of Lapland while experiencing a traditional activity that many locals like to practice.
Fishing Experience by Snowmobiles 7.1.-7.4., Rovaniemi
Ride through the white wilderness to enjoy ice fishing on a frozen lake
Visit to a Family Husky Home and 8-10 km Sled Ride
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.
Dinner in Snowland Igloo-restaurant 26.12, Rovaniemi
Dine in a truly arctic atmosphere on ice tables and chairs
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
Rovaniemi Sauna World Ticket
Arctic Sauna World
Northern Lights Tour with Finn Horses Sleigh Ride in Lapland
Sleigh Ride with Finnhorse and Aurora Hunting
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.
Snowmobile Safari in the Heart of Nature 7.1.-7.4., Rovaniemi
Enter arctic nature on a snowmobile – try ice fishing and snowshoeing
Spend the night in nature like reindeer herders in Rovaniemi
Spend the night in nature of Lapland in a traditional reindeer herders’ wooden lean-to, laavu. Above, the sky is infinite, and you are surrounded by the silence of Porovaara and the reindeer pastures.
Thrill of Snowmobiling for Adults Only
This safari is all about riding a snowmobile and we’ve minimized the amount of stops to keep you moving as much as possible. Tour is for adults only – no sleigh is carried along on this safari to avoid it slowing us down.
Unlimited Time & Mileage – Aurora Hunting Pro Tour
Local Guided Real Unlimited Aurora Hunting with Photography (small groups)
Snowshoe Trip in the Wilderness
Explore the Arctic wilderness on snowshoes to feel the white silence of nature that surrounds you. This tour offers a perfect excursion for nature-lovers and all those who are looking for a peaceful walk far away from their daily reality.
Arctic Ice Karting and Snowmobile Safari
Snowmobile safari and Arctic Ice Karting, combine the best Rovaniemi has to offer!
Easy Snowmobile Safari
This tour is for all, who wish to have a first taste of driving your own snowmobile in the Arctic Circle area. Suitable for everyone, this is the best snowmobiling teaser safari in Lapland.
Combo: reindeer safari & ice fishing experience
Join us and experience our daily life! Combine a reindeer safari with in Lapland’s beautiful nature with an unforgettable ice fishing experience in Sierijärvi Lake.
Bus to Ranua Zoo from Rovaniemi
Bus to Ranua Zoo from Rovaniemi
Husky Park Visit with Enjoying the Feeling Five (5 km) Husky ride
Enjoy Lapland’s beautiful nature sitting in the sled! Meet after the tour our lovely Siberian Huskies in our Park.
Northern Lights Tour in Atmospheric Cottage
Feel the heritage and natural beauty of Finn-Lapland at the atmospheric cottage. Enjoy +100 years old traditional Finnish cottage located by a lake and a Laavu and explore the beautiful landscape.
Ice fishing on a frozen lake
On this tour you will learn basics of Ice Fishing and enjoy a pleasant afternoon fishing and photographing on a frozen lake.
Snowshoeing Adventure by Night (Aurora Borealis Tour)
Enjoy an evening snowshoeing adventure into the arctic nature of Lapland! Your outdoor guide will take you to some elusive nature area with no light pollution so you can observe the Northern lights in the sky.
Private Aurora Borealis Hunting for 1-6 group
Private tour to hunt for Northern Lights by minivan for group 1-6 persons. Price is for all group in hour (125€/h), not person.
Northern Exposure
3 hour program with 1,5 hour self driven husky tour (travel distance approx 12 – 18 km). This is an adults-only tour with a maximum of only 10 participants.
Northern Lights Hunt Including Snacks on Campfire from Rovaniemi
Discover the magic of the Finnish wilderness on this 3-hour Northern Lights hunt from Rovaniemi. Travel deep into the Finnish…
Lapland Reindeer and Husky Safari from Rovaniemi
Reindeer & Husky fun in one day
Riding Tour with Finnhorses at Santa Claus Village
Fun with Finnhorses
6 km twilight twirl, December
Husky tours at Korvala: 6 km sledding, including driving lesson, kennel tour, dog cuddles, photo ops, winter clothing, warm drinks & cookies. Max 9 participants. Starts at 14:30 on Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri & Sat. Price: €125/adult & €65/child.
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.