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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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Korouoma Frozen Waterfalls
This Korouoma expedition takes you to this outstanding photography location led by a professional photographer.
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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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Pony Riding 15 min + Visit
Pony riding in Santa Claus Village and visit in Santa’s Pets
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Northern lights by snowmobile
Discover the stunning Arctic wilderness and chase the elusive Northern Lights by snowmobile on this unforgettable, magical adventure of a lifetime!
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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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Traditional Finnhorse Sleigh Ride at Scv (3km)
Fun with Finnhorses
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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.
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Northern Lights Snowmobile Safari from Rovaniemi with Campfire Picnic
Embark on a safari to drive a snowmobile through snowy forests and along the river…
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Rovaniemi: Aurora Hunting Tour
Northern Lights Hunting Tour
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Rovaniemi City & Santa Claus Village Tour
Rovaniemi city tour with most popular sightseeings and guided Santa Claus Village tour
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Taiga Husky Tour
6,5 hour wilderness husky tour (30-40km) including a campfire lunch. Only for adults.
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Spend a night in Lapland’s nature like a reindeer herder
Spend your night under the starry sky in nature in an authentic wooden laavu hut, which provides protection from the Arctic elements.
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E-fatbike rental, Rovaniemi
Electric fatbike is an amazing bike for beginners and enjoyable riding even for experts all…
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Private Korouoma Canyon Tour with picnic
Enjoy the nature sceneries of Korouoma canyon! Tour for Your group or family only, flexible timing.
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Daytime Reindeer Safari in Porovaara Hill
A beautiful sleigh ride experience on the Rovaniemi countryside.
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Animal Fun Day with Zoo, Husky & Reindeer Sleigh Ride
Observe more than 200 different species of Arctic animals, on your exciting day trip to Ranua Wildlife Park. Enjoy a traditional buffet for a lunch and experience husky and reindeer sleigh ride.
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Vikakongas Hike Nature and Silence
Vikakongas Hike – Where Every Season Unveils a Spectacular Symphony of Colors and Landscapes
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Finnish Christmas with Santa Claus, 3 hours (Private Tour)
Experience a traditional Finnish Christmas Dinner and meet Santa Claus in private.
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Korouoma National Park & Frozen Waterfalls Adventure
See picturesque frozen waterfalls in Korouoma National Park and join us for a guided hike through wintery Finnish landscapes.
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Snow and ice adventure day, snow hotel visit with ice fishing and dinner
Snow and ice adventure day
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Traditional Lappish Evening in the Wilderness with Dinner
Experience the traditional Lappish firewood sauna next to a cozy cottage and take a dip in the private Arctic lake! Blow off some steam and enjoy a peaceful night in the authentic Finnish sauna. End the night with a tasty dinner cooked over an open fire.
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Sunrise Safari to Scenic Hillside by Electric Snowmobiles in Rovaniemi
This is the way to start an unique day!
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Lapland Family Snowmobile Safari from Rovaniemi
Snow ride adventure where adults drive adult snowmobiles and kids drive special small snowmobiles
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Private Wooden Saunahut with Ice Swimming Possibility
Book our traditional wooden saunahut for your company!
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Ice Fishing with Snowmobiles
Join our Ice-fishing experience with a twist of snowmobiling!
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Electric Fatbike Tour to Pyhä-Luosto National Park
Hop on the electric fatbike and experience the future of trail riding. Once-in-a-lifetime cycling tour in the picturesque Arctic!
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Korouoma Canyon Frozen Waterfalls
Discover the Frozen Beauty: Korouoma’s Breathtaking Waterfall Expedition!
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Bus to Ranua Zoo from Rovaniemi
Bus to Ranua Zoo from Rovaniemi
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Aurora Borealis Picnic
Northern Light tour with picnic, by riverside. Tour operating from September to the end of April.
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Running with the Pack, 5km Husky tour with a Kennel visit
Visit the kennel, meet the pack and experience the running dogs!
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Wilderness Kota Dinner, Rovaniemi
Traditional dinner in a traditional setting – enjoy an evening of Lapland food and culture
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Arctic Circle Crossing Ceremony
Fascinating ceremony at the Arctic Circle
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!
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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.