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
Wilderness Survival Tour – Summer & Autumn
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 forests, and learn about your surroundings and some basic survival skills.
Rovaniemi City & Santa Claus Village Tour
Rovaniemi city tour with most popular sightseeings and guided Santa Claus Village tour
Korouoma Frozen Waterfalls
This Korouoma expedition takes you to this outstanding photography location led by a professional photographer.
Authentic Reindeer Farm Visit with Canoe Trip in the Nature
The best summer combo experience to feel the complete harmony of Lapland nature – meet its most iconic animal and canoe around one of its many beautiful lakes.
Ranua Wildlife Zoo Park Visit & Auttiköngäs Visit
Don’t miss the opportunity to explore the Ranua Zoo in Lapland’s winter wonderland.
Lapland Berry Day Experience
Unique nature in Lapland prepares an amazing summer tour for you! In northern and eastern Finland you can find the largest quantities of berries.
Boat Fishing Tour
Experience a guided 2 hour fishing trolling tour on the rivers Kemijoki and Ounasjoki in Rovaniemi! Price is for group 1-5, not person.
Visit the Reindeer Farm
Visit our authentic reindeer farm, meet real-life reindeer herders, and feed reindeer in their natural surroundings.
Explore the wilderness (summer & autumn)
A half-day wilderness adventure is our way to experience the remote and untouched nature of Lapland.
Unlimited Northern Lights Guarantee Tour with Photographer & Unlimited Mileage/Time – Small Group
Join Rovaniemi’s Original Aurora Hunters—20 generations since 1600s. Guaranteed Northern Lights, expert‑led small‑group tour, brand-new 2025 luxury 4×4 vans, unlimited mileage, professional photos & 24/7 Aurora tracking!
Rovaniemi: Northern Lights Pro Guaranteed – Unlimited (Private)
PRIVATE Aurora Hunting Guaranteed Tour With Photography
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.
Hiking with Reindeer 1 H & Visit
PRIVATE Hiking with reindeer in Santa Claus Village and visit in Santa’s Pets. Share a reindeer walk. Price is per person for 2 people walking one reindeer.
Private Amethyst mine tour in Luosto, summer
Summer tour to Lampivaara Amethyst Mine in Luosto is a unique attraction in Lapland. Digging and finding own amethyst to keep as a souvenir.
Private Rovaniemi city & Santa Claus Village Tour
Get to know Rovaniemi city and meet Santa Claus at the Santa Claus Village on family-friendly private tour.
Northern Lights Trip – No kilometres or Time Limit
Unlimited Northern Lights Hunt Guarantee
Spend the Night in Nature Like a Reindeer Herder
Spend the night in nature of Lapland in a traditional reindeer herders’ wooden lean-to, laavu. Above, the sky is infinite, and you are surrounded by the silence of Porovaara and the reindeer pastures.
Private Northern lights picnic by the lake, Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland
Feel the athmosphere of Lapland evening and night and enjoy beautiful northern lights. You get to try also an easy winter activity, snowshoeing, and enjoy the quietness and beauty of the nature.
AuroraScapes Rovaniemi: Guaranteed Aurora Hunting Tour with Local Guide
Join a hunt for the Auroras from Rovaniemi with a rare 100% money-back guarantee. Find clear skies with an experienced local guide and witness one of the most beautiful shows nature has to offer!
Canoeing Trip from Husky Home to Reindeer Farm
See the huskies and reindeer while enjoying a lovely paddle trip.
Explore holiday tips
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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