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
Auroras – Northern Lights trip – guaranteed lights – Rovaniemi
Lapland Welcome legendary evening trip for searching Aurora Borealis – the Northern Lights at the best possible spot. 21.8.-21.4.
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!
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.
Wilderness Survival Tour – Winter
Experience the wild Taiga forest and what the Lapland wilderness has the best to offer. On this tour, you will feel the peace of Arctic nature, hike through the snowy forest, and learn about your surroundings and some basic survival skills.
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.
Private Korouoma Canyon Tour with picnic
Enjoy the nature sceneries of Korouoma canyon! Tour for Your group or family only, flexible timing.
Korouoma Canyon & Auttiköngäs Waterfall Tour with picnic
Enjoy the the nature sceneries during this whole day tour to Korouoma Canyon and Auttiköngäs waterfall!
Photoshoot in Nature Location
The cleanest air in the world, thousands of lakes, and an endless amount of forest – these are the things Lappish nature is made from.
The Frozen Waterfalls of Korouoma Tour
Hike in the stunning beauty of the Finnish landscape with a spectacular view of dripping icicles. Discover the nature of Arctic Circle, including frozen waterfalls, canyons and forests, as you stop and taste the Lappish cuisine.
Private meeting with Santa Claus in Rovaniemi in summer
Meet Santa Claus in summer and feel the warm glow of Christmas magic! Santa will have time for an unhurried, private meeting with you and your family.
Trip to Ranua Wildlife Park
This guided trip to the famous Ranua Wildlife Park will give you great insight and the opportunity to see and learn about all the Arctic animals, from Polar bears and Arctic foxes to wild boars and otters.
Rovaniemi: Korouoma Frozen Waterfalls Hike with Hot Bbq Lunch
Discover the Frozen Beauty: Korouoma’s Breathtaking Waterfall Expedition!
Sunset at the Arctic Circle – Rovaniemi
Join our nature experts and enjoy our little nature trip and come admiring exceptionally beautiful mountain landscape in Katkavaara – the mountain area of southern Lapland.
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.
Korouoma Frozen Waterfalls
This Korouoma expedition takes you to this outstanding photography location led by a professional photographer.
Reindeer, Berries & Fire: An Authentic Lapland Nature Experience
Experience the peace of Lapland’s wilderness with a unique reindeer farm visit in Rovaniemi. Walk among reindeer, pick wild berries, discover the healing power of nature, and learn traditional fire-making in this unforgettable Finnish nature experience.
Santa Claus Summer Magic in Rovaniemi – a Fun and Unforgettable Encounter with Reindeer in Summer and Autumn
Santa Claus Summer Magic in Rovaniemi awaits — Meet arctic reindeer up close and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of Lapland, no booking needed!
Canoe Trip in Lapland
Discover the peaceful summer scenery of Lapland with this guided canoeing tour. The activity level is adapted to your skills to let you enjoy Arctic nature in the most relaxing way!
Northern Lights Photography Hunting Experience in Rovaniemi
This Northern Lights photo hunt is your best opportunity to properly chase the precious Aurora Borealis from Rovaniemi. Pictures, aurora expert guiding and analysis report are included.
Aurora Borealis Picnic
Northern Light tour with picnic, by riverside. Tour operating from September to the end of April.
Explore holiday tips
Unbelievable seasonal experiences in Rovaniemi
A day in Rovaniemi city
Alvar Aalto Architecture in Rovaniemi
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 Services Activities in Santa Claus Village Accommodation in Santa Claus Village Restaurants in Santa Claus Village Sights…
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