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
Santa’s Pets Visit
Meet domestic animals next to the Santa Claus Office. Tickets are valid all day!
Snowmobile Safari in the Heart of Nature 15.12.-6.1., Rovaniemi
Enter arctic nature on a snowmobile – try ice fishing and snowshoeing
Long Reindeer Safari in the nature of Lapland (sleigh ride about 50-60 min)
Welcome to experience a unique reindeer safari in Lapland’s beautiful nature in our long reindeer safari.
Lappish Lunch Break – Snowmobiling, ice fishing and tasty food
Today we do what the locals do on their day offs: snowmobile to a frozen lake for ice-fishing!
Sleigh Ride around Santa Claus Village
Fun with Finnhorses
Reindeer safari in forest of Lapland (sleigh ride about 30-40-min)
Welcome to experience a unique reindeer safari in Lapland’s beautiful nature.
Christmas is Coming! 3 hours (Private Tour)
Experience the excitement of the arriving Christmas and its activities in a traditional way only with your own family.
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.
Finnish Christmas with Santa Claus, 3 hours (Private Tour)
Experience a traditional Finnish Christmas Dinner and meet Santa Claus in private.
Lapland Snowmobile Safari from Rovaniemi
This snowmobile safari will give you a chance to ride on the forest trails around…
Tour to Aurora Horses Farm with Charming Finnhorses
Hug a Finnhorse
Rider’s Dream Snowmobile Safari, Rovaniemi
Solo riding snowmobile adventure in beautiful white landscapes
New Year Party at Kingdom of Snow and Ice
Safartica invites you to celebrate the New Year 2025 to the amazing Arctic SnowHotel!
Private experience: Learning through and about arctic nature
Not just an activity, but a local experience, with the locals. Are you excited about learning the unique wilderness of Lapland? We’ll show you how to combine outdoor activities with knowledge, facts and hands-on way of doing things.
Aurora Picnic by Campfire at Private Happy Fox Farm, 3 hours (Private Tour)
Have a luxury experience on Aurora Adventure and Photography Tour at private forest. Enjoy the beauty of the Nordic nature by forest walk with campfire and a traditional Finnish picnic.
The magical smoke sauna and a traditional Lapland dinner
Experience a magical smoke sauna and a traditional Lapland dinner
Wilderness Kota Dinner, Rovaniemi
Traditional dinner in a traditional setting – enjoy an evening of Lapland food and culture
Hunting Northern Lights with Lappish Barbecue
Hunt for the Northern Lights in the middle of the untouched nature, escaping from the light pollution of the town. Taste a traditional Lappish barbecue and warm yourself by the fire while waiting for the magical lights.
Skiing Trip to the Arctic Nature, 3 hours (Private Tour)
Skiing is the most popular locals winter activity. On our private skiing trip you can experience beauty of the arctic winter forest and charm of the campfire and a traditional Finnish picnic.
Rovaniemi City & Santa Claus Village Tour
Rovaniemi city tour with most popular sightseeings and guided Santa Claus Village tour
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.
Northern Lights skiing adventure
On this tour you will go out searching and photographing the Northern Lights by skis!
Visit to the Frozen Waterfalls of Korouoma
Join us on an unforgettable journey to the enchanting frozen waterfalls of Korouoma!
Snowmobile Safari 2h, Rovaniemi
Discover Lapland’s unique snowy nature and the fun of snowmobiling
Korouoma Canyon – Snowshoe Trip
Korouoma Canyon is a famous hiking destination year around. In the summer time you can admire natural rapids and in the winter time famous ice falls.
Traditional Finnish Christmas Eve, 4 hours (Private Tour)
Experience a traditional Finnish Christmas Eve with Sauna, Christmas Dinner and meet Santa Claus in private.
Reindeer Farm Visit a real authentic experience
Experience the magic of Lapland’s local culture with our Authentic Reindeer Farm Visit Tour, including feeding, sledding, and cozy cabin time with hot drinks and cookies
2h Winter Bike Tour – Riversides of Rovaniemi
Get known to winter bikes and explore the river sides of the longest river in Finland.
Taste of Electric Snowmobiling in Rovaniemi
Are you ready for an adventure by electric snowmobiles?
Ice Fishing Like a Finn
Have you ever wondered how the Finnish people get through the rough, dark winter? It’s simple. They go ice fishing. Tue, Thu, Fri & Sun at 12:00
Ranua Wildlife Park Guided Tour, with Lunch
Guided tour of Ranua Zoo – the northernmost zoo in the world. We will take you to see 50 different animal species, including the only polar bears in Finland.
Exclusive Lapland Survival
Not just an activity, but a local experience, with the locals. Want to step out of your comfort zone? Come with us and exceed your limits in this unique survival experience!
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.