Northern Lights Season in Rovaniemi
From late summer to early spring
The Northern Lights season in Rovaniemi begins in late August and continues through the winter months into early spring, to the beginning of April. This means you can combine an autumn or early winter trip to Lapland with an exciting Aurora hunt, even before the landscape is covered in the deepest winter snow.
As the nights grow darker, the chances of seeing the dancing lights in the sky increase. Whether you visit at the beginning of the season or in the heart of winter, seeing the Aurora appear above the Lapland landscape can be a truly magical experience!
Explore Northern Lights Activities
Northern Lights Hunt & Photography Experience
Join Kotatuli Experiences, a family-run company from Rovaniemi, for an intimate Northern Lights hunt where you’ll not only witness the aurora but also learn how to capture it yourself.
Evening Escape – Snowmobile safari and campfire
Join us to experience the magic of the northern nature in the evening twilight on 3 hour snowmobile safari.
Aurora Hunt by Atv
Experience an exciting ATV adventure through the Arctic night while searching for the magical Northern Lights.
All-in-one Northern Lights on a Private Island
Choose more than a Northern Lights tour — experience an intimate Arctic evening rooted in silence, fireside dining, and winter activities, get away from the city lights by a snowmobile-pulled sled.
Northern Lights skiing adventure
On this tour you will go out searching and photographing the Northern Lights by skis!
Northern Lights Hunting Adventure – Small Group Photography Tour – Rovaniemi
A small-group experience designed for comfort, flexibility, and the best possible Northern Lights viewing conditions.
Pure Snowmobile night experience (Small-Group)
A unique and intimate small group snowmobile adventure in the forest scenery in Rovaniemi, Lapland.
Small Group Snowmobile Safari to the Aurora Cabin
Small Group Snowmobile Safari to the Aurora Cabin
Seasons When the 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
Christmas Magic Beneath the Northern Lights
Christmas Magic Beneath the Northern Lights
Imagine spending Christmas in Rovaniemi, surrounded by snowy Lapland landscapes, Christmas lights and the magic of the Northern Lights dancing overhead. As the Official Hometown of Santa Claus®, Rovaniemi offers a unique chance to combine the festive atmosphere of Christmas with the natural wonder of the Northern Lights.
Also known as the Aurora Borealis, the Northern Lights can be seen on around 150 nights a year in Finnish Lapland when weather and viewing conditions are favourable. In Rovaniemi, the lights can be spotted in and around the city from late August until early April, giving you plenty of opportunities to add an Aurora hunt to your Christmas holiday.
And while the Northern Lights are a seasonal visitor, there is one very special resident you can count on seeing all year round: Santa Claus. He is in Rovaniemi every day of the year, ready to add a little extra Christmas magic to your visit – whether the Aurora decides to join the celebration or not.
Northern Lights Experiences for Every Traveller
Northern Lights Experiences for Every Traveller
Whether you dream of watching the Northern Lights from the comfort of a unique glass accommodation or would rather head out into the night in search of the Aurora, Rovaniemi offers plenty of ways to experience the phenomenon.
Choose from a wide range of accommodation, activities and guided experiences to create a Northern Lights adventure that suits you. From cosy stays under the stars to exciting excursions in the Lapland landscape, there is something for different travel styles and preferences.
Find the Right Aurora Tour for You
Find the Right Aurora Tour for You
Want to make your Northern Lights hunt an adventure in itself? Join one of the many Aurora tours available in Rovaniemi. Choose between private and group tours, smaller or larger groups, family-friendly experiences or longer Aurora hunts for those who are determined to spend more time searching the skies.
Experienced local guides know the surrounding area and can take you to suitable viewing spots, helping to maximise your chances of seeing the Northern Lights. Along the way, they can also share fascinating insights into the science behind the Aurora, as well as the myths and legends that have surrounded the lights for generations. Choose the tour that suits your interests and make the Aurora hunt part of the adventure.
Read More about the Northern Lights in Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland
Explore Seasons in Rovaniemi
Early winter
Winter
Rovaniemi is the official hometown of Santa Claus and reallife winter wonderland located at the Arctic Circle in Lapland Finland.
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!
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.