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
Arctic Day – a Survival Workshop
Adventurous, full day of snowy action in the wilderness, enjoying the peacefulness of the arctic forest blanketed with snow. Hiking through the forest and building together a quinzee, the traditional snow accommodation, which is both fun and educating!
Snowmobile Photography Trip to Hunt the Auroras
Northern Finland is full of marvelous places for watching the Northern Lights. The first rule is go away from the city lights. The clear and starry sky means you can see the brightest Auroras Borealis!
Rovaniemi City & Santa Claus Village Tour
Rovaniemi city tour with most popular sightseeings and guided Santa Claus Village tour
Family Fun with Snowmobiles
Experience snowmobiling with children
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.
1h Snowmobile Safari
Join our snowmobile safari to feel the purity of the nature!
Private Visit Experience with Reindeer & Alpaca Walking
Walking with reindeer and alpacas and meeting every animals 2h – Privately!
1 hour husky ride
45min – 1 hour husky safari (7-10km) self-driving, huskyfarm visit and hot drink & cookie
Arctic Snowshoeing Day
Join the tour to try an authentic way to go through powdery fresh snow. The snowshoes are the best for hiking on rolling to steep hills.
Aurora hunting photo tour
Ride around the surroundings of Lapland in a bus to observe the auroras.
Winter Adventure – 1 hour Reindeer Safari in Santa Claus Village
A magical 3-kilometer-long reindeer sleigh ride in Santa Claus Village.
Reindeer and Husky Experience, Rovaniemi
Meet two furry arctic favourites on one trip – and take rides with both!
Winter clothing set week rental | Rovaniemi
Warm and trendy, high-quality winter clothes for rental during your visit. Choose this option for rentals between 5 to 8 days.
The Longest Reindeer Safari (7km)
Enjoy the longest reindeer ride possible in Rovaniemi area and Southern Lapland. You will visit an authentic reindeer farm, harness your own reindeer and go for a long reindeer sled ride through the white forests of Lapland!
Family Winter Fun, 4 hours
Experience the joy of winter by playing in the snow, snowshoeing, skiing, ice fishing, youth snowmobiling or taking a ride on a snowmobile-pulled sled at the Happy Fox farm by the Ounasjoki river.
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.
Winter clothing set day rental | Rovaniemi
Warm and trendy, high-quality winter clothes for rental during your visit. Choose this option for 1 to 4 day rental.
Family Day
Family Day – 500m reindeer ride, reindeer farm visit, 800m husky ride, salmon soup lunch
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
Excursion to Aurora Borealis Camp by Bus 1.12.-6.1., Rovaniemi
Discover the phenomena of the northern sky at our Northern Lights base
Experience Lapland – Ice Fishing
Ice fishing is the best choice for people seeking for an authentic local experience. Rovaniemi is an ideal location for fishing enthusiasts with a land of forests and lakes covered in snow.
Outdoor Photo session in Rovaniemi
Immerse yourself in the stunning natural beauty of Rovaniemi with our Outdoor Photo Session!
Santa Claus Safari 1.12.-6.1., Rovaniemi
An arctic family day of snow fun activities and reindeer sleigh riding completed with meeting Santa
Hiking in Riisitunturi National Park
Experience the ultimate adventure in Riisitunturi National Park
Traditional Finnhorse Sleigh Ride at Scv (3km)
Fun with Finnhorses
Private Wooden Saunahut with Ice Swimming Possibility
Book our traditional wooden saunahut for your company!
Photo Session with Northern Lights
Embark on a Northern Lights Photo Experience tour and witness the awe-inspiring beauty of the aurora borealis in Rovaniemi, Finland.
3h Snowmobile Safari with Bbq
This long snowmobile tour will get you on the frozen lakes and snowy forests.
Reindeer farm visit and 1 hour safari 13:30-16:30
Meet the original Reindeer farm with long safari. Experience old and new reindeer husbandry culture working hand-in-hand.
Auroras – Northern Lights Trip (photographing tour)
Lapland Welcome legendary evening trip for searching Aurora Borealis – the Northern Lights at the best possible spot. 21.8.-21.4.
Ice Fishing Trip
Drill ice holes, try ice fishing and enjoy beautiful landscapes on a lake ice!
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.
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…
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.