Northern Lights, Aurora Borealis in Rovaniemi, Lapland
Northern Lights at the Arctic Circle
Rovaniemi is your perfect destination for witnessing the magnificent Auroras. The captivating astral show can be visible from late August until early April – until the nights are too bright to see the Auroras. There are endless ways and places for Northern Lights viewing around Rovaniemi, most of them literally a step away from the city center.
Seasons when 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
Explore Seasons in Rovaniemi
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
Nature’s bucket list light show in Lapland
The one unforgettable experience that sums up a perfect visit in Lapland, Finland? It must be the unforgettable Northern Lights! The Aurora Borealis are a magical phenomenon that lights up the Arctic sky, and for many it’s the bucket list experience that makes one’s heart sing.
The myth and the science behind the Aurora Borealis
The magical lights in the northern skies have always been a source of myths and beliefs. The people of the north believed the Auroras to be the souls of the dead, or the armors of the Valkyries glimmering when they ride the sky at night.
In Finnish language the word for Northern Lights – ‘revontulet’ – refers to a mystical firefox that lights the sky on fire with its tail.
Would you like to know about the science behind the Northern Lights?
Explore more about Northern Lights
A guide for responsible Northern Lights -experience in Rovaniemi
Find your Northern Lights -activity
Northern Lights in Rovaniemi Lapland
Northern Lights Tours
Northern Lights Season
Seasons when Northern Lights appear Read more about Northern Lights in Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland Explore Seasons in Rovaniemi
10 Northern Lights activities
Aurora Borealis are visible from late August until end of March or beginning of April
Northern Lights Alert Login Key for Rovaniemi Area
Real-Time northern lights alerts to your phone
More things to love about Rovaniemi
Arctic Capital
Rovaniemi combines the northern nature with urban surroundings, self-confident localness and open-minded internationality. Rovaniemi is also the Official Hometown of Santa Claus®.
Santa Claus
There’s no place like Rovaniemi, the Official Hometown of Santa Claus, for genuine Christmas experiences. See here for some Rovaniemi Christmas magic.
Arctic Circle
Rovaniemi, the Official Hometown of Santa Claus and the capital of Lapland, lies right on the Arctic Circle, which makes the town a gateway to the arctic. See more here.
Sustainable Rovaniemi
The local companies have been joining forces for Sustainable Travel Finland trademark that offers a concrete toolkit for travel destinations to help Finland’s travel destinations to adopt sustainable procedures and to make sustainable choices in their business.
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.
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!
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!