Northern Lights in Lapland
Finnish Lapland covers a massive area, taking up about a third of Finland. Because almost the entire region sits above the Arctic Circle, it gets plenty of dark hours during the winter months, making it a reliable area for spotting the Northern Lights.
The Aurora Seasons in Lapland
The viewing season roughly spans from late August to early April.
If you visit in September or October, you can experience the autumn colors, known locally as ruska. During this time, the lakes aren’t frozen yet, which means you can sometimes catch the aurora reflecting off the water.
Deep winter, from December to February, brings the polar night (kaamos). The sun barely rises, offering long stretches of darkness. By March, the heavy winter weather often settles, and the region tends to see more cloudless nights, which is ideal for visibility.
Where to Base Yourself
Where you stay largely depends on how you want to spend your days.
- Rovaniemi: The main hub of the region and the easiest to reach by flight or train. It’s a larger city, so you’ll need to drive out of the center to escape the light pollution, such as heading out to the shores of the Kemijoki river.
- Inari and Saariselkä: Located much further north. The higher latitude naturally puts you under a very active part of the auroral oval.
- Levi and Ylläs: If you want to combine your trip with skiing or snowboarding, these fell villages are highly set up for winter sports, with plenty of dark fells accessible by snowshoe or snowmobile just outside the resort centers.
Local Sights and Activities
Lapland has a highly developed tourism infrastructure, so there is plenty to do while waiting for nightfall. Rovaniemi is widely known for the Santa Claus Village, which stays busy year-round. If you’re interested in indigenous history, the Siida Museum in Inari offers an excellent, in-depth look into Sámi culture.
Most towns and resorts offer husky and reindeer safaris, and you’ll find various ice hotels and glass igloo resorts scattered across the region—like the Arctic SnowHotel in Sinettä or the SnowCastle down in Kemi—designed specifically for winter visitors.