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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.
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![Northern Lights dancing in the sky in Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland.](https://www.visitrovaniemi.fi/wp-content/uploads/Northern-Lighrs-Aurora-Borealis-in-Rovaniemi-Lapland-Finland-Toni-Eskelinen-Winter.jpg)
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Winter wonderland
Winter wonderland
Winter in Rovaniemi can be divided into 3 different kind of winter season; 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 night starts 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 still snowy months, with a hint of spring vide. March and early April is often terrific time for Northern Lights viewing and sunny winter activities.
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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 enthusiastists are as excited about the first snow as the visitors!
Usually, the first snow falls in November, sometimes as early as in October, sometimes around December. Snowy winter months create a wonderful winter wonderland and enable a platform for fun winter activities and for 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 disapear as the nature wakes up and gets ready for arctic summer.
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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 an 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
![](https://www.visitrovaniemi.fi/wp-content/uploads/Autumn-colors-ruska-in-Rovaniemi-Lapland-Finland.jpg)
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
![](https://www.visitrovaniemi.fi/wp-content/uploads/Spring-winter-sun-snow-skiing-in-Rovaniemi-Lapland-Finlanf.jpg)
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
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Polar Night
Experience the Polar Night, celebration of mysterious lights on glittering snowdrifts.
![](https://www.visitrovaniemi.fi/wp-content/uploads/Winter-snow-nature-outdoors-Rovaniemi-Lapland-Finland-11.jpg)
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!
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6 ways to experience frozen waters in Rovaniemi
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Northern Lights in Rovaniemi Lapland
Northern Lights Tours
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6 Wintery surfaces in Lapland
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10 Romantic Winter Tips
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5 Snow and ice buildings in Rovaniemi
Winter activities
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Deep Snow Powder Driving
Like it out of trails? Our new deep snow driving safari brings you far to the wilderness where drive partly on untouched powder snow and explore new tracks and spots every day.
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Wilderness Sauna Experience in Winter (Private)
Enjoy a relaxing moment in a wilderness sauna located on the sides of a lake in remote forests. An ice hole in the frozen lake can be open so you may enjoy a dip in the cold waters between two sauna sessions!
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Asking for Ahti’s treats
A unique ice fishing experience in the Lapland’s beautiful winter scenery in Rovaniemi.
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Scenic electric fat bike group ride in Rovaniemi
Join us to the group ride every Monday, Wednesday and Friday to experience the beutiful views and epic winter fat bike trails of Rovaniemi with electric fat bike.
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Santa Village and the arctic circle
Let’s go to the most memorable and extraordinary place in Finnish Lapland. To the magical town of Santa Claus to meet the real Santa
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Private Visit Experience with Reindeer & Alpaca Walking
Walking with reindeer and alpacas and meeting every animals 2h – Privately!
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Visiting package: Food by the Fire at Kota Restaurant
Great chance of seeing the northern lights in the evening! Visit also Arctic SnowHotel where everything is made of snow and ice
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Atv Safari on Ice
Come and experience the winter nature by driving an ATV!
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Late Night Ride with Finnhorses
Night rider’s dream
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Skiing Trip to the Arctic Nature, 3 hours (Private Tour)
Skiing is the most popular locals winter activity. On our private skiing trip you can experience beauty of the arctic winter forest and charm of the campfire and a traditional Finnish picnic.
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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.
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Ice fishing on a frozen lake
On this tour you will learn basics of Ice Fishing and enjoy a pleasant afternoon fishing and photographing on a frozen lake.
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Handcraft Workshop with Lappish Family from Rovaniemi
Gain insight into Finland’s customs and culture on this 3-hour private handcraft workshop with a…
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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.
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Snowmobile Safari 2h (Adult), Rovaniemi
Discover Lapland’s unique snowy nature and the fun of snowmobiling
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Lunch at Snow restaurant in Snowman World
Have lunch surrounded by snow and ice sculptures!
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Aurora hunting photo tour
Ride around the surroundings of Lapland in a bus to observe the auroras.
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Rovaniemi 2 days Adventure Package
Join us for the Rovaniemi 2 day adventure package! Experience the most sought-after Rovaniemi activities from your to-do list!
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Excursion to Aurora Borealis Camp by Bus 7.1.-31.3., Rovaniemi
Discover the phenomena of the northern sky at our Northern Lights base
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Private Wooden Saunahut with Ice Swimming Possibility
Book our traditional wooden saunahut for your company!
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Aurora Hunting Pro Tour
Local Guided Real Unlimited Aurora Hunting with Photography (small groups)
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Santa’s Pets Visit
Meet domestic animals next to the Santa Claus Office. Tickets are valid all day!
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Outdoor Photo session in Rovaniemi
Immerse yourself in the stunning natural beauty of Rovaniemi with our Outdoor Photo Session!
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Arctic Day – a Survival Workshop
Adventurous, full day of snowy action in the wilderness, enjoying the peacefulness of the arctic forest blanketed with snow. Hiking through the forest and building together a quinzee, the traditional snow accommodation, which is both fun and educating!
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Lappish Lunch Break – Snowmobiling, ice fishing and tasty food
Today we do what the locals do on their day offs: snowmobile to a frozen lake for ice-fishing!
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Snowmobile Safari 2h, Rovaniemi
Discover Lapland’s unique snowy nature and the fun of snowmobiling
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Night Snowmobile Safari
Imagine a snowy forest beneath a starry sky illuminated by the dazzling Northern Lights. Now, envision yourself on a snowmobile, experiencing the spectacle firsthand. Interested? Daily at 20:30
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Trail Riding in Breathtaking Arctic Hillscapes 1,5h
Trail riding in breathtaking arctic hillscapes. This experience is especially suitable for nature lovers who want to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, and experience Lapland’s nature and the current season together with horses.
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Arctic Animals Combo Safari
It’s a Arctic Animals Adventure! Meet the magnificent Arctic Animals on our sweet combo adventure. Ride a reindeer sleigh and take a husky sleigh ride through winter landscapes.
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Traditional Finnhorse Sleigh Ride at Scv (3km)
Fun with Finnhorses
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The magical smoke sauna and a traditional Lapland dinner
Experience a magical smoke sauna and a traditional Lapland dinner
Fall in love with the Rovaniemi phenomena
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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!
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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.
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Northern Lights
Experience the magic of the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) in Rovaniemi. Find out viewing spots, times and more here.
![](https://www.visitrovaniemi.fi/wp-content/uploads/Polar-Night-winter-in-Rovaniemi-Lapland-Finland.jpg)
Polar Night
Experience the Polar Night, celebration of mysterious lights on glittering snowdrifts.
![](https://www.visitrovaniemi.fi/wp-content/uploads/Winter-snow-nature-outdoors-Rovaniemi-Lapland-Finland-11.jpg)
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
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Early winter
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Christmas time in Rovaniemi
Explore Seasons in Rovaniemi
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Spring
Rovaniemi is the city of the Midnight Sun, surrounded by Arctic nature, where Lappish culture and a wide range of activities meet!
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Summer
Rovaniemi is the city of the Midnight Sun, surrounded by Arctic nature, where Lappish culture and a wide range of activities meet!
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Northern Lights Season
Seasons when Northern Lights appear Read more about Northern Lights in Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland Explore…
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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.