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
Electric Fatbike Tour in Winter
Enjoy a pleasant e-biking tour from Rovaniemi in snowy Winter! With your electric fatbike, you can ride without limits : the fat tires and powerful electric engine allow you to enjoy easy rides on snowy trails!
Snowmobile Safari 2h, Rovaniemi
Discover Lapland’s unique snowy nature and the fun of snowmobiling
Daytime Reindeer Safari in Porovaara Hill
A beautiful sleigh ride experience on the Rovaniemi countryside.
Arctos Winter Spa for 2 persons with dinner – Evening session (Private)
Spa experience in a magical setting, just for the two of you. Includes grilling food in the Lappish hut, wood-heated sauna, hot tub and ice-dipping. Total price: 549€
Visiting package: Snow sauna experience with food by the fire
Try Finnish sauna and very unique & humid sauna made snow (!) and get to visit Arctic SnowHotel where everything is made of snow and ice
Thrilling day with Siberian Husky and snowmobile safari (Small group)
Action-packed, small group adventure day with real Siberian Huskies, authentic Laplandic lunch and a thrilling snowmobile ride through the pristine, snowy Lapland forests in Rovaniemi!
Hiking with Reindeer 1 hour (private)
Hiking with reindeer in the forest at Santa Claus Village and visit in Santa’s Pets.
Ice Climbing Day in Korouoma Canyon – from Rovaniemi
Unforgettable day trip to the Korouoma Canyon & Nature Reserve in Posio, where the mightiest ice falls in Finland are located.
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.
Outdoor Photo session in Rovaniemi
Immerse yourself in the stunning natural beauty of Rovaniemi with our Outdoor Photo Session!
Husky safari 5 km with hot drink, self driving private and small group
Husky safari 5 km self-driving with a hot drink in small group, into the wild!
Northern Lights skiing adventure
On this tour you will go out searching and photographing the Northern Lights by skis!
Handcraft Workshop with Lappish Family from Rovaniemi
Gain insight into Finland’s customs and culture on this 3-hour private handcraft workshop with a…
Northern Lights Safari by Electric Snowmobiles in Rovaniemi
eSleds upset neither the animals nor the nature’s delicate balance
Husky safari 5 km, barbecue, meet reindeers, hiking to the lake, ice fishing, day tour.
Husky safari 5 km, Finnish barbecue, meet reindeers, hiking to the lake, ice fishing, day tour.
Korouoma Canyon Frozen Waterfalls
Discover the Frozen Beauty: Korouoma’s Breathtaking Waterfall Expedition!
Visit to the Frozen Waterfalls of Korouoma
Join us on an unforgettable journey to the enchanting frozen waterfalls of Korouoma!
Coffee Tour
Drive out to a wilderness camp with huskies and have a cup of fire brewed coffee
Private Finnhorse Riding in Rovaniemi, Finland with Guide
Fun with Finnhorses
1 hour reindeer ride and farm visit
1 hour reindeer ride, reindeer farm visit, reindeer driving licence, hot drinks and a bun
Aurora Tour
Dedicated to all the awesome dogs who have crossed the rainbow bridge and joined the Aurora team in the sky. Their spirits run free forever across the arctic sky.
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.
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.
Aurora Husky Tour in Apukka
Combine two of the most popular experiences into one amazing adventure! Our energetic & eager huskies will take you on a ride, searching for the Northern Lights. In winter Tue – Sun at 20:30. 199€ / adult, 139€ / child.
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 Time at the kennel 08:30 – 11:30
3h Snowmobile Safari with Bbq
This long snowmobile tour will get you on the frozen lakes and snowy forests.
Rovaniemi Sightseeing and Santa Village guided tour
Discover the charming city of Rovaniemi and meet Santa Claus in his village office. This tour is an excellent opportunity to immerse in the local culture and go on guided sightseeing.
Husky Safari from Rovaniemi Including a Husky Sled Ride
Enjoy this tour and get charmed by the strength of huskies. Meet lovely, cuddly huskies…
Chasing Aurora on Different Spots – Small Group
Search for the Northern Lights with our professional Aurora hunters. This trip starts between 19:00-21:00,…
Lappish Lifestyle – Snowmobiling and ice fishing
Spend the day like locals
Snowmobile Safari to a Reindeer Farm and Santa Claus Village
This snowmobile safari will give you a chance to ride your own snowmobile on the forest trails around Santa Claus Village area. After snowmobiling you’ll get to experience a reindeer ride, lunch and the Santa Claus Village.
Electric Snowmobile Tour to the Amethyst Mine Lapland
Luosto Amethyst mine makes an unique tour destination – especially so when reached on an electric snowmobile! Ride across the Arctic forests with the maximum elegance and minimum emission. The best thing? Dig your own amethyst and bring it home!
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.