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 seasons; 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 nights start 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 warmer and sunnier snowy months, with a hint of spring. They are great for sunny winter activities and often March and the beginning of April are also a terrific time for Northern Lights viewing.
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 enthusiasts are as excited about the first snow as the visitors!
Usually, the first snow falls in November, sometimes as early as in October, sometimes only around December. Snowy winter months create a wonderful winter wonderland and enable a platform for fun winter activities and for an 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 disappear as the nature wakes up and gets ready for the 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 the 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
Snowmobile Sleigh Ride to the Aurora Cabin (Northern Lights)
Snowmobile Sleigh Ride to the Aurora Cabin (Northern Lights)
Ranua Wildlife Park – Small-Group Photography Tour
This photography tour takes us to Ranua wildlife park where we can meet more than 50 species of Arctic animals.
Lapland Winter Park Lunch buffet
Experience delicious Lappish flavors in our atmospheric Kota restaurant
Small Group Ice Fishing Experience With Snowmobile Sleigh ride
Experience the untouched silence of Lapland on a private ice fishing adventure. Ride a snowmobile-towed sleigh, try ice fishing, enjoy a campfire snack, and meet real reindeer.
Santa Village & Arctic Animals Combo Adventure
What would you do if you wanted to experience an ultimate winter adventure? Well, of course, you would visit Santa’s village and try husky and reindeer sleigh rides!
Northern Lights Tour At The Campfire
Enjoy the peace and quiet of our private forest location to watch the northern lights. Includes an enclosed Teepee for roasting snacks over the campfire + our winter clothing.
Nulkki Husky Adventure
Family Friendly 5km Self Driven Husky Sleigh Tour
Husky Park Visit with Enjoying the Feeling Five (5 km) Husky ride
Enjoy Lapland’s beautiful nature sitting in the sled! Meet after the tour our lovely Siberian Huskies in our Park.
Snowmobile Safari 2h (Adult), Rovaniemi
Discover Lapland’s unique snowy nature and the fun of snowmobiling
Family Snowmobile Experience at Arctic Park
Experience safe, family-friendly snowmobiling, sledding, campfires, and reindeer encounters—an authentic winter adventure for all ages, guided by a local Lapland family.
Rovaniemi: Northern Lights Group Tour – Guaranteed View
Guaranteed Viewing – No Auroras, Full Refund
Santa´s Ice Karting 16.00
Ice driving fun with Go-karts!
Aurora for two
Two hearts-one sky.
Highlights of Rovaniemi Day Tour
Adventure through the Arctic! Check out the view from the peak of the local fell. Encounter Santa´s favourite animals. Meet Santa Claus in his village and get your Arctic adventurer certificate for crossing the Arctic Circle.
Snow Express (5km tour)
Snow express tour starts at 12.30 / Best choice for families with small children and for those who are satisfied with a shorter ride.
Rovaniemi: Insider Reindeer Farm Visit and Short Sleigh Ride
Enjoy a peaceful 400 m reindeer sleigh ride, meet the animals up close, and warm up with drinks and cookies by the fire—just a short trip from Rovaniemi and perfect for all ages.
Day trip to Ranua Wildlife Park
Day Trip to Ranua Wildlife Park – Including Transfer & Entrance Tickets
Winter Biking Experience with E-bikes, Rovaniemi
Ride the snowy trails on an electrically-assisted fatbike
Kuoksa Reindeer Adventure
Welcome to experience a unique family friendly reindeer safari in in arctic landscapes
Northern Lights Snowmobile Safari from Rovaniemi Sinettä, 3 hours
A 3-hour evening snowmobile safari from Sinettä, 20 minutes north of Rovaniemi. Small group, away from city lights, riding up to a private hill with our own kota at the top — fire, sausages, hot drink, and open views of the night sky. Children welcome fro
Northern Lights Photography Tour (Full Refund) + Deep Sky Telescope Experience
Chase the Northern Lights from Rovaniemi with a photographer
Rovaniemi Insider: Aurora Self-Drive Adventure
Aurora Self-Drive Adventure gives you a new 5-seat car, curated viewing spots, and handy tools for spotting and photographing the Aurora. With safety tips for Arctic driving and optional comfort add-ons, you get the freedom to chase the Northern Lights
Family Snowmobiling
Snowmobiling is perfect for family fun! Adults drive the snowmobiles while kids enjoy a sled ride. Later, children get to have their own adventure on mini snowmobiles for even more excitement.
Meet the Reindeer
Get an insight to the most traditional livelihood of Lapland and meet the legendary reindeers of Lapland.
Insider Santa’s Secret Home – Private
Experience the magic of Christmas with an exclusive, private visit to Santa’s Secret Home
1 hour husky ride
45min – 1 hour husky safari (7-10km) self-driving, huskyfarm visit and hot drink & cookie
Combo: reindeer safari & ice fishing experience
Join us and experience our daily life! Combine a reindeer safari with in Lapland’s beautiful nature with an unforgettable ice fishing experience in Sierijärvi Lake.
Twilight Magic in the Lapland Wilderness
Experience Lapland’s winter magic like nowhere else — glide through snow-covered forests in a unique heated sleigh.
Snowmobile Safari into the Wilderness
Learn the basics of snowmobiling while enjoying the stunning winter landscape. Watch as snow, ice, and frost transform the scenery, each month adding its own unique touch of Arctic beauty.
Kid’s Ice Climbing Adventure in Pyhä Lapland
Now even the younger ones can join the ice climbing safely and playfully! Also suitable for an adventurous family.
Husky Meet and Greet
Come and get to know our lovely purebred Siberian Huskies even closer! We have a fenced area where you can pet the dogs freely and enjoy their company.
Oulanka national park Adventure
Embark on an adventure to Oulanka National Park and observe the power and might of water! This new, private wilderness adventure takes you to one of the most picturesque and beautiful national parks in Finland.
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 Seasons in Rovaniemi
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.