Finland in winter: Lapland and Rovaniemi – northern lights, Santa Claus Village and reindeer sleighs

Rovaniemi in winter means snow, short days, northern lights and Santa Claus Village on the Arctic Circle – exactly how we spent the turn of the year in Finnish Lapland.

Rovaniemi is the capital of Finnish Lapland and lies where the Kemijoki and Ounasjoki rivers meet, just a few kilometres south of the Arctic Circle. In winter it’s the best-known base for northern lights, sleigh rides and Santa Claus Village. Around the winter solstice the sun only stays just above the horizon for about two hours, with a few hours of blue twilight before and after – the Finns call this time kaamos.

We were in Finnish Lapland in December 2023 and January 2024 – over the turn of the year, around Rovaniemi. Northern lights, Santa Claus Village and a reindeer sleigh ride were all part of it. Anything beyond that is general information that you should double-check before your trip.

The sights at a glance: location, time, cost

Distances are from Rovaniemi city centre and rounded. All prices are guide values (approx., as of 2026) and vary by provider and season – they’re highest around Christmas.

Map: where the highlights are

The city centre lies on the banks of the two rivers, with Arktikum right on the Ounasjoki. About 8 km north are Santa Claus Village, the Arctic Circle line and SantaPark, with the airport right next to them. Ounasvaara is east of the city on the other side of the river. Reindeer farms and husky yards are scattered around the area, usually with hotel pick-up.

Our top list in detail

1. Northern lights: what matters

The northern lights (aurora borealis) can be seen in Lapland from roughly late August to early April; what matters is darkness and a clear sky. A high activity index is no use if there are clouds. In the evening, first check the cloud forecast and the aurora forecast of the Finnish Meteorological Institute, then drive to where the sky is clearing. Just a few kilometres out of town, for example by a frozen lake or on the riverbank, the street lights no longer get in the way.

The aurora comes in waves, often between 9 pm and 1 am. After an hour standing at −15 °C it feels much colder – good clothing decides whether you last. For photos: phone in night mode on a solid surface, or a camera on a tripod with an exposure of several seconds.

Typical mistake: only looking up in town. Rovaniemi’s lights almost completely swallow a faint aurora.

2. Santa Claus Village and the Arctic Circle

Santa Claus Village sits right on the Arctic Circle line, which is marked on the ground. The village is open every day all year round and entry is free. You can meet Santa in his office – the visit is free, photos and videos cost extra. At Santa’s Main Post Office you can send mail with the Arctic Circle postmark. Around it there are souvenir shops, cafés and activities such as reindeer and husky rides on site.

Around Christmas the village is very busy. Come first thing in the morning or late in the afternoon, when the coach groups have left. A city bus runs out from the centre.

3. Reindeer sleigh: slow and quiet

In Lapland reindeer aren’t wild animals – they belong to reindeer herders and roam semi-free in the forests. On many farms around Rovaniemi you can take a sleigh ride: one reindeer pulls the sleigh, usually led on a rope by the herder. It’s calm and cosy – completely different from a husky team. Short loops take only a few minutes; longer rides lead through snowy forest.

Good farms tell you about reindeer herding and the culture of the region along the way. Make sure the animals don’t seem stressed, and only feed them if the herder offers it.

4. Husky tour and snowmobile

If you want more speed, book a husky tour. Depending on the operator, you drive your own team or sit in the sleigh. The dogs are loud, excited and incredibly fast as soon as they set off. Snowmobile tours across frozen rivers and lakes are also available; you usually need a valid driving licence for them.

5. Arktikum and the city

Arktikum is a museum and science centre in one, showing nature, climate and life in the Arctic as well as the history of Lapland. The building with its long glass gallery towards the river is worth seeing in itself – a good plan for the darkest hours of the day. The city itself was almost completely rebuilt after the Second World War. A well-known landmark is the Jätkänkynttilä bridge with its “candle flame” on the pylon.

6. Ounasvaara: views, skiing, cross-country

The city’s local hill has a small ski area, cross-country trails and snowshoe paths. From the top you look out over the forests and the city. On clear evenings it’s also an obvious place to watch for the northern lights.

What is overrated?

• Expensive photo packages with Santa: the meeting is free, but you usually can’t take your own photo. Decide beforehand whether the package is worth the price to you.
• A glass igloo just for the aurora: very expensive, and with clouds you see nothing. Heading out flexibly often gets you more.
• “Aurora guarantee”: it’s a natural phenomenon. Reputable operators promise nothing; some offer a second tour for free.
• SantaPark for adults without kids: lovely for families, otherwise Santa Claus Village is enough.
• Too much in one day: with a few hours of daylight and serious cold you get less done than in summer.

Suggested route for 4 days

• Day 1: arrive, check your warm gear, Arktikum in the afternoon, first aurora round outside town in the evening.
• Day 2: Santa Claus Village and the Arctic Circle in the morning, reindeer sleigh ride on a farm in the afternoon.
• Day 3: husky tour in the light hours, sauna and a second aurora attempt in the evening.
• Day 4: Ounasvaara on snowshoes or cross-country skis, SantaPark if you have kids.

Don’t plan the aurora for a specific evening – check the clouds and the forecast again every evening.

Cold, light and clothing

Layering works best: woollen base layers, a warm mid layer and a windproof jacket and trousers on top. Add lined winter boots, two pairs of gloves (thin and thick), a hat and a neck gaiter. Many tour operators provide thermal overalls and boots – ask when you book. Phone batteries drain quickly in the cold; a power bank in an inside pocket helps.

Put outings into the light hours around midday. The dark hours are good for museums, sauna and the aurora.

Getting there and getting around

You get to Rovaniemi by plane, usually changing in Helsinki (about 1¼ hours’ flight from Helsinki); in winter there are also direct flights from some European cities. The airport is just a few kilometres from Santa Claus Village and about 10 km from the centre. Alternatively, a night train runs from Helsinki to Rovaniemi; the journey takes around twelve hours, and you can bring your car.

In town a lot is within walking distance, and a city bus goes to Santa Claus Village. For chasing the aurora on your own, a rental car is handy. In winter cars have studded or good winter tyres; roads are cleared but often snow-covered. Drive slowly, expect reindeer on the road and never let the tank drop below half.

Best time to visit and typical mistakes

• December and January: Christmas atmosphere and plenty of snow, but short days and the highest prices. February and March offer northern lights and much more daylight.
• Booking too late: accommodation and popular tours around Christmas and New Year are booked out months ahead.
• Underestimating the holidays: Finland celebrates on 24 December. From 24 to 26 December many shops and restaurants are closed or have shorter hours.
• The wrong shoes: normal winter shoes don’t last long at −20 °C. Lined boots and wool socks are a must.
• Only one night for the aurora: the more evenings you have, the better your chance of a clear sky.

What winter looks like even further north is in our story Norway in winter: Lofoten, Alta and Tromsø – Christmas and New Year in the polar night.

Safety and entry

The usual EU and Schengen rules apply to Finland; the currency is the euro and cards are accepted almost everywhere. Finland is on Eastern European Time (UTC+2 in winter). For current information, check your government’s official travel advice shortly before you leave. In severe cold: take the first signs of frostbite on cheeks, nose and fingers seriously, warm up regularly and never leave the trail alone on tours.

Frequently asked questions

Last updated: 21 Oct 2026. Prices and rules change – please check with the official sources before you travel.

Rovaniemi in winter: our verdict

Our verdict on Rovaniemi in winter: give yourself several evenings for the northern lights, because the weather decides more than any forecast. Good layered clothing also pays off, because you often stand outside for a long time – waiting for the aurora just as much as at the Arctic Circle. What winter feels like even further north is in Norway in winter; background on the region is on Wikipedia.