Rovaniemi in December: How Dark, How Cold, and Will You See the Northern Lights?

Yes, December is worth it if you want Christmas in Lapland, and it is the darkest month of the year. Around the solstice the sun is up for only about two hours (roughly 11:00 to 13:20), and the average temperature is around −8°C, with colder spells well below −20°C. Everything Christmas is open: Santa Claus Office from 8:00 to 20:00, Snowman World from 6 December, SantaPark all month. The long darkness gives you long nights for the northern lights, though December is also cloudier than late winter.

How short are the days?

Very. On 1 December Rovaniemi gets about three and three-quarter hours of daylight; by the solstice on 21 December it is down to about two and a quarter, with sunrise around 11:07 and sunset around 13:22. The town never has a true polar night, because the sun still rises briefly every day, but the light is blue twilight for much of the day. Plan outdoor activities around midday and expect to do a lot in the dark.

Is Lapland too cold in December?

Not if you dress for it. Expect −5°C to −15°C on an ordinary day and occasional drops below −20°C. Safari operators usually lend thermal overalls and boots for the activity itself; the hours walking round the village are on you.

What not to wear in Lapland

• Cotton next to the skin. It holds sweat and makes you cold. Wear wool or synthetic base layers.
• Jeans as your only layer. Put thermal leggings underneath, or wear proper winter trousers.
• Fashion boots. You want insulated, waterproof boots with grip, and warm socks.
• Thin gloves alone. Wear thick mittens or gloves, with thin liners for using a phone.

Will you see the northern lights in Rovaniemi in December?

You might, and you have more hours of darkness to try than in any other month. The limit is cloud: December skies are often overcast, so the tours that drive for clear sky, up to 200 km or into Sweden, give you much better odds than looking up from town. Book a chase for your first evening, so a cloudy night still leaves you time for another. Every one of the most-booked Rovaniemi chases refunds you if the camera catches nothing.

That calendar is for the featured chase, from $78 a person with Arctic clothing included (checked October 2026). The Rovaniemi northern lights tours page compares it with the other guaranteed chases.

Is there snow in December?

Usually. Permanent snow typically settles in late November or early December and lasts into spring. Husky and reindeer sled rides need that cover, so they usually run from around mid-December; earlier in the month some farms still run wheeled rides.

Is 2 days in Rovaniemi enough?

Two days covers Santa Claus Village, one safari and one aurora night. Three or four days is better in December, because it gives you a spare evening if the first aurora night is cloudy and room to add SantaPark or Snowman World without rushing.

Is Lapland at Christmas expensive?

It is the busiest and most expensive time to visit. Hotels and the popular safaris fill early around Christmas, so book both as soon as you have dates. The village itself stays free; our Santa Claus Village prices guide shows what everything else costs.

Sources: daylight figures from local almanac data and Yle; December averages 1979–2022; Santa Claus Office, Snowman World and SantaPark for 2026–27 hours and seasons; GetYourGuide product data. Checked 21 October 2026.