Best Time to Visit Finland to enjoy Snow, Santa and Northern Lights
Finland transforms dramatically with the seasons so it is a common question that might pop up in your mind: what time will be the best time to visit Finland? If your bucket list includes deep snow, a visit with Santa, and the shimmering northern lights, here's when to plan your Finnish vacation.
December: Peak Christmas Magic
December is Finland at its most beautiful. At the height of the festive season, Finland is blanketed in layers and layers of snow with sub-zero temperatures. There are Christmas lights illuminating every corner and Christmas markets in full swing in most city centers. This is also the peak of the northern lights season, when the cold, calm winter nights give you the best chance of catching a view of the aurora. The sea is frozen so this is also the best time to enjoy icebreaker cruising. If you are looking to celebrate Christmas in an unique way, enjoy winter activities and see the northern lights, you should plan your vacation between the end of November and December. Being the most popular season for travellers, accommodation and flights can get scarce quickly so it is recommended to book everything well in advance.
Photo credit: Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort
January to February: Best for Northern Lights and Winter Activities
If the northern lights are why you are travelling to Finland, January and February are often considered the sweet spot. Skies tend to be clearer than in December, temperatures are consistently cold enough to guarantee snow cover but not too extreme. Long nights guarantee lots of chances to see the Northern Lights. This period is also ideal for snowmobiling, husky sledding, ice fishing, and staying in glass igloos built specifically for aurora viewing. Crowds thin out slightly after the New Year rush, so this is when you should plan your holiday if you are looking for a little more relaxed pace.
March: Sunshine, Snow, and Fewer Crowds
March offers a wonderful middle ground. There's still plenty of snow on the ground, but daylight hours increase significantly, giving you bright, sunny days perfect for outdoor adventures. Most highlights of the winter season in Finland, like the icebreaker or ice restaurants close their doors for the year at the end of March. It's an especially good choice for families or travellers who want to spend time outdoors but still enjoy the offerings of winter wonderland Finland. Crowds are significantly lesser too.
What About Autumn or Late Spring?
Late October and November do bring the first snows and darker skies, but conditions can be unpredictable. Snow cover isn't guaranteed, and slush is common so activities like snowmobiling, snowshoeing and even husky safaris can be tentative. However, autumn brings beautiful colours to nature in Finland, rich maroons, oranges and rusts of the vibrant fall foliage - ruska. April brings melting snow and softer landscapes so that month is better suited to spring skiing than a winter wonderland experience. In coastal Finland, you might be able to catch flocks of migratory birds flying into Finland for the summer.
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