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
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Snow and Ice Buildings in Rovaniemi
Winter activities
Electric Snowmobile Safari & Reindeer Experience in Rovaniemi
Go and admire the snowy forests of Porovaara on an electric snowmobile! On a silent and peaceful electric snowmobile safari you will get closer to nature and forest animals.
Husky Safari 5 km With Hot Drink, Self Driving, in Small or Private Group
Husky Safari 5 km Self-Driving With a Hot Drink in Small Group, into the Wild!
Visiting package: Introduction to Arctic SnowHotel (Afternoon)
Visit to Arctic SnowHotel with transfer from Rovaniemi
Snowshoeing to Scenic Hut & Signature Sausage
This tour leads you to a scenic private hut in the Bear Hill area, where your guide prepares a fire and serves our signature reindeer sausage with lingonberry. The combination of peaceful snowshoeing and a private wilderness setting.
Northern Lights Tour Snowmobile Driving
Snowmobiling allows you to explore snowy landscapes in search of the best spots to witness the ethereal beauty of the Northern Lights, the Aurora Borealis.
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.
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.
Ranua Zoo Family Tour from Rovaniemi
Daily tour to Ranua zoo
Running with the Pack, 5km Husky tour with a Kennel visit
Visit the kennel, meet the pack and experience the running dogs on a 5km sled ride!
Ice Fishing with Snowmobiles
Going to the ice fishing with snowmobiles is a refreshing way to spend the winter day like a local. Enjoy local snacks and warm drinks by the campfire.
Rovaniemi: Insider Complete Winter Clothing Set
Rent a full set of warm winter gear—jacket, pants, gloves, and boots—for a comfortable day in Lapland’s cold.
All-in-one Private Island Rovaniemi Experience
Choose more than an activity— all-in-one Rovaniemi winter experience with ice fishing, snowshoeing and local lunch, is rooted in respect for nature and the beauty of local winter lifestyle.
Family Snowmobile Safari from Rovaniemi with Hot Drinks & Kids Snowmobile Experience
A high-quality and family-friendly snowmobile experience designed for those who appreciate comfort, safety and authentic Arctic moments together.
Winter Clothing Set Rental in Rovaniemi
Rent warm and trendy winter clothes for adults and kids in Rovaniemi
Premium Ice Climbing in Pyhä Lapland
For enthusiasts, Bliss Adventure offers a tailored ice climbing experience in the Tajukangas ice fall
Rovaniemi: Ice Fishing Tour on Private Lakefront & Bbq – Small Group
Go ice fishing from our private lakefront property — on a quiet Arctic lake far from tourist crowds. Small groups only, brand-new 2025 luxury 4×4 vans, thermal overalls, all equipment, hot drinks & barbecue by the fire
Ice Fishing Trip by Minibus, Rovaniemi
Enjoy the silence of a wilderness lake while ice fishing
Arctic Family Nature Hike with Picnic
A half-day wilderness adventure is our way to experience the remote and untouched nature of Lapland.
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
Riisitunturi National Park Adventure
This wilderness adventure takes you to our absolute best photography location in Riisitunturi national park.
Electric Fatbike Tour to Pyhä-Luosto National Park – Private
Looking for an exclusive electric fatbike adventure with personalized guidance? In Pyhä, you may also choose the private tour. Your group gets the scenic trails to yourselves, plus expert instruction tailored to your skill level for an unforgettable ride!
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.
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 Tour with Finn Horses Sleigh Ride in Lapland
Sleigh Ride with Finnhorse and Aurora Hunting
Private Wooden Heated Sauna and Ice Swimming
Experience a local winter tradition with a sauna session followed by a refreshing ice swim. Cleanse and strengthen your body, mind, and spirit on this exhilarating private tour in Rovaniemi.
Excursion to Aurora Borealis Camp by Electric Snowmobile, Rovaniemi
Ride through the wilderness and discover the phenomena of the northern sky at our Northern Lights base
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.
Aurora Dinner at Private Happy Fox Farm, 3 hours (Private Tour)
Private traditional Finnish Dinner inside the luxurious Fox Cottage and have the opportunity to see the Auroras in the midst of the forest.
Campfire Tour
Experience the ride of 10km driven by a professional musher through snow-crusted forests to a wilderness camp and enjoy a cup of fire-brewed coffee!
Local Husky experience with sled ride and photographer
Meet the Huskies, the Arctic’s most adorable animals! On this tour, you get to the meet the huskies, try husky sled riding and have the experience captured in memorable, professional photographs.
Northern Lights Photo Hunt
Chase the Northern Lights from Rovaniemi with a professional photography guide.
From Haparanda & Tornio: Icebreaker Sampo Cruise and Ice Floating
Step aboard Icebreaker Arktis and dive into a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
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 the Northern Lights Appear Read More about the 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.