Autumn in Rovaniemi
Ruska is the Finnish word for Autumn leaf colour. Natures amazing display is at its best usually in mid-September or at the end of September. This phenomenon is triggered by the dropping temperatures as the nature begins to prepare for winter. Trees get different leaf colours from sparkling yellow to warm oranges and fiery red, even with splashes of purple.
Some summer activities continue until autumn and some early winter activities start at the autumn months, so it is a wonderful time to experience a lot in between the seasons. Versatile services guarantee a lovely holiday.
Harvesting season
Harvesting season
August and September in Rovaniemi are defined by harvesting nature’s crops, namely berries and mushrooms. Locals flock to forests in search of cloudberries, bilberries, lingonberries, boletuses and russula / brittlegill. For visitors, guidance on what and where to pick is available. Typical temperature is 10°C to 20°C.
Northern Lights season
Northern Lights season
Northern Lights are visible starting from late August, so you can combine your autumn trip with unforgettable Auroras. The Northern Lights season continues from the end of summer to early spring in Lapland, Finland. Seeing the dancing lights in the sky is a dream come true experience!
Autumn activities
Autumn activities
Ruska time is one of the best hiking and activities season in Lapland, the nature is booming of colours of fire, it is cooler to hike and the scent is earthy and soft, you can truly breathe nature in and let it fill all your senses. Ruska is also one of the photographic seasons in Lapland. Being one of the best periods for landscape photographers, Rovaniemi might surprise you with easy access to Autumn Colour nature just outside the city centre. There are plenty of routes close to the rivers and scenery spots to marvel the fiery landscapes.
Information about the autumn months
Northern Lights: Possible to appear
Snow: No snow
Phenomenon: Autumn foliage
Average temperature: Between 5 to 15 degrees Celsius
Lenght of the day, average: 13 hours
Northern Lights: Possible to appear
Snow: Possible to appear
Phenomenon: Northern lights
Average temperature: Between October: 0 to 10 degrees Celsius
Lenght of the day, average: 9 hours
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.
If there is no snow yet in November, the available activities are same as in autumn months.
Autumn activities
Aurora Photography Hunt
Embark on a Northern Lights Photo Experience tour and witness the awe-inspiring beauty of the aurora borealis in Rovaniemi, Finland.
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.
Private Korouoma Canyon Tour with picnic
Enjoy the nature sceneries of Korouoma canyon! Tour for Your group or family only, flexible timing.
Crossing the Arctic Circle Ceremony – Year-Round Atmospheric Experience
Fascinating Ceremony at the Arctic Circle
Arctos Winter Spa – Day session (Private)
Spa experience against an Arctic backdrop. Includes wood-heated sauna, hot tub & ice-dipping. Price: 155€ per person
Visiting package: Ice sculpting and dinner at Kota Restaurant (Autumn)
Create your own ice sculptures and have 3 course dinner by the fire at the Kota restaurant
Northern Lights Hunting tour by Van
This 3-hour tour includes transportation, guidance, storytelling and hot sausages by the campfire. Learn about Nordic myths and see the colorful lights fire up the sky.
Private Korouoma Canyon Summer and Autumn Tour
Enjoy the nature sceneries of Korouoma canyon! Tour for Your group or family only, flexible timing.
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.
Aurora Train to Wilderness Camp
The magic of an autumn night is made up of many things: the starry sky, the silence of nature, and the crackling campfire, to mention a few. Take a trip on our Aurora Train to a wilderness camp in the Lappish woods.
Watching the Northern Lights from a campfire on a reindeer pasture in Rovaniemi
Spend the evening sitting by a campfire, watching the Northern Lights and feeding the reindeer.
Early Winter Snowmobile Safari 2 hours
Put on your helmet and hop onto a snowmobile; your adventure into the wild is about to kick off. Enjoy the leisurely ride on our snowy routes and take in the sights of the early winter nature.
Aurora Arctic Ice Floating
We are about to introduce you to the most original, ultimately fun, and a fantastic way of experiencing the Northern lights. Take a dip in a frozen lake under the Northern lights!
Aurora ice floating
Dip yourself into frozen lake under the Auroras and let your mind and body float wearing rescue suit that covers your whole body and keeps you dry.
Arctic Wilderness Hike
Explore the Arctic wilderness! Your outdoor guide will lead you on a hike and show you the beauty of Lapland nature. You will learn some basic survival skills, how to take advantage of your surroundings or how to make a fire.
Letter Elf Brev’s adventure walk for little explorers
Experience Rovaniemi through the eyes of Letter Elf Brev. Guided tours are specially designed for families with small children.
Aurora Pass : Unlimited Northern Lights Hunting Pass
We know nature is unpredictable so we offer you 3 or 5-day pass to increase your chances of seeing the Northern Lights. Our guides will show you where can you see the northern lights from and help you with capturing them on camera.
Massive Northern Pike Fishing Day Experience (Rovaniemi, Finland)
Massive Northern Pike Fishing Day Experience (Rovaniemi, Finland)
The Wilderness
Did you know that Rovaniemi is located in the middle of an impressive wilderness. We spot wild animals and birds in the forests and enjoy a delicious lunch!
Arctic Survival
Learn how to survive in a wild nature together with a guide on a day trip to the forest by learning different survival tasks. Suitable for a whole family!
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Finnish Sauna Culture
There are over 3 million saunas in Finland – that’s more than passenger cars. It’s safe to say we love our saunas! For an absolute Rovaniemi experience one must try sauna.
Lapland’s food culture in Rovaniemi
Read more about Lappish treats
Nature trails in Rovaniemi
Rovaniemi area is a versatile playground for day hikers. Explore the rugged wilderness, climb a fell, and wander in the relaxing sounds of nature
Reindeer, husky and other Arctic Animals
Examples of Activity products
Rovaniemi cultural attractions
Rovaniemi with kids
Santa Claus and Christmas time sights & attractions Christmassy winter activities for families Indoors – all year round Culture experiences…
Santa Claus Village at the Arctic Circle
Santa Claus Village Activities in Santa Claus Village Accommodation in Santa Claus Village Restaurants in Santa Claus Village Sights and…
Shopping in Rovaniemi
From small boutiques to shopping centres. Versatile products and services at the Arctic Circle and Rovaniemi City centre
Sustainable Tips for visitors
Sustainable Travel Finland companies
The local companies and Visit Rovaniemi are taking part in the Sustainable Travel Finland (STF) program
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!
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.
Explore the Arctic Seasons
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!
Northern Lights Season
Seasons when Northern Lights appear Read more about Northern Lights in Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland Explore Seasons in Rovaniemi