Lapland, Finland67°46.8′ N · 025°36.0′ E

Finnish Lapland Planner
Snowy forest seen from the top of Levi fell in January

Best time to visit Lapland

Blue polar-night days or clear March aurora nights

Photo: Mountainstumble / CC BY-SA 3.0

Go from February to early April for northern lights and snow. Go in December or January for the darkest, most wintry weeks. September and October are mild and aurora-active, but snow is not certain.

By Finnish Lapland Planner editorial team Updated

Month by month

Month Rovaniemi mean Kilpisjärvi mean What sources say
September 7.7 °C 5.7 °C Most active aurora months, Sep–Oct (FMI)
October 0.8 °C −0.5 °C First snow usually (Lapland North)
November −4.4 °C −6.5 °C First snow usually (Visit Rovaniemi); lasting snow (Lapland North)
December −7.7 °C −10.1 °C Polar night in Levi from 10 Dec (2025, Levi.fi)
January −10.3 °C −12.2 °C Polar night in Nuorgam to 17 Jan (FMI)
February −10.3 °C −12.3 °C “The sun comes out” (Visit Rovaniemi)
March −5.6 °C −8.8 °C Best aurora month with weather counted (FMI)
April 0.1 °C −3.5 °C Early April still in the aurora season (Visit Finland)

Temperatures are FMI 1991–2020 monthly means, checked 21 October 2026.

Questions about Finnish Lapland

By the editorial team

What is the coldest month in Finnish Lapland?

January and February tie at most stations. FMI's January means run from −10.3 °C at Rovaniemi airport to −13.7 °C at Muonio, the nearest station to Levi and Ylläs.

When does snow arrive in Finnish Lapland?

Sources differ. Lapland North says first snow usually falls in October and lasts from November. Visit Rovaniemi says it usually comes in November, sometimes October or December.

Is December a good time to visit Finnish Lapland?

Yes, for deep winter darkness. Levi's polar night ran 10 Dec 2025 – 1 Jan 2026. FMI rates March and early April higher for auroras.

What is the best month for the northern lights in Finland?

March and early April once weather is counted, says FMI. Its other aurora page names September–October and February–March as the most active months.

Can you see the northern lights in summer?

No. FMI says summer nights are too light. Visit Finland gives the season as late August to early April.