What's on in Rovaniemi (Lapland), Finland through the year

Peak crowds — Arctic Lapland Rally, Christmas peak at Santa Claus Village

• Festival

  Arctic Lapland Rally

  20 Jan – 5 Feb · usuallyMotorsport weekendCrowded

  Snow-and-ice stages on the forest roads out of town in late January, run since the 1960s and used by the world's rally drivers as winter practice. Spectator points are marked and cold. Source ↗

Still on: Aurora season (25 Aug – 10 Apr (usually)), Christmas peak at Santa Claus Village (25 Nov – 7 Jan), Husky, reindeer and snowmobile season (10 Dec – 5 Apr (usually))

Peak crowds — Arctic Lapland Rally, Winter/ski break in Finland

Nothing new starts in February.

Still on: Arctic Lapland Rally (20 Jan – 5 Feb (usually)), Aurora season (25 Aug – 10 Apr (usually)), Husky, reindeer and snowmobile season (10 Dec – 5 Apr (usually))

Busy — Winter/ski break in Finland, school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in March.

Still on: Aurora season (25 Aug – 10 Apr (usually)), Husky, reindeer and snowmobile season (10 Dec – 5 Apr (usually))

Shoulder season — school holidays in 6 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in April.

Still on: Aurora season (25 Aug – 10 Apr (usually)), Husky, reindeer and snowmobile season (10 Dec – 5 Apr (usually))

Busy — Summer holidays in Finland, school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in May.

Busy — Summer holidays in Finland, school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it

• Festival

  Jutajaiset folklore festival

  20–30 Jun · usuallyMajor festival

  A Lappish folklore and dance festival around midsummer, when the town does not get dark at all. It is the one week in summer Rovaniemi is about something other than Santa. Source ↗

Busy — Summer holidays in Finland, school holidays in 7 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in July.

Busy — Summer holidays in Finland, school holidays in 7 of the markets that fill it

• Nature

  Aurora season

  25 Aug – 10 Apr · usually

  Sitting on the Arctic Circle, the lights are a regular event rather than a rare one from late August to April. The town's own glow means driving fifteen minutes out.

Shoulder season — school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

• Nature

  Ruska

  5–30 Sep · usuallyAutumn colour

  The birch forest along the Kemijoki turns through September and the walking trails at Ounasvaara are at their best. It is over within a fortnight and the first snow follows it.

Still on: Aurora season (25 Aug – 10 Apr (usually))

Busy — Autumn break in Finland, school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in October.

Still on: Aurora season (25 Aug – 10 Apr (usually))

Busy — Christmas peak at Santa Claus Village, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

• Holiday

  Christmas peak at Santa Claus Village

  25 Nov – 7 JanChristmas & New YearCrowdedBook early

  Charter flights land daily, the village runs at capacity and cabins are booked a year ahead. Santa leaves on his round on 23 December, which is the day to be there or to avoid. Source ↗

Still on: Aurora season (25 Aug – 10 Apr (usually))

Peak crowds — Christmas peak at Santa Claus Village, Christmas holidays in Finland

• Season

  Husky, reindeer and snowmobile season

  10 Dec – 5 Apr · usuallyIce seasonBook early

  The safaris need a frozen base, so the season runs roughly from mid-December to early April rather than the whole cold half of the year. Late season has the same snow and four more hours of light. Source ↗

Still on: Aurora season (25 Aug – 10 Apr (usually)), Christmas peak at Santa Claus Village (25 Nov – 7 Jan)