Finland, Europe

Finnish Lapland in January

Deep snow and long nights for aurora. Few hours of daylight and serious cold.

GoodVery cold, highs near 10F (-12C), lows can fall below -20F (-29C)

Reindeer sled in a snowy Lapland forest — Finnish LaplandPhoto: Jacek Rużyczka, CC BY-SA 4.0

The straight answer

January is a good month to visit Finnish Lapland. Deep snow and long nights for aurora. Few hours of daylight and serious cold.

Weather: Very cold, highs near 10F (-12C), lows can fall below -20F (-29C)
Crowds: 3 of 5
Prices: 3 of 5

What January is like in Finnish Lapland

January is deep winter in Finnish Lapland. Highs sit near 10F (-12C), and lows can fall below -20F (-29C). Snow is deep, and daylight is short, with polar night lingering into early January in the far north. The upside is long, dark nights for aurora hunting and a quieter feel after the Christmas rush. Prices drop from December, and husky and reindeer safaris are running.

This month suits hardy travelers and aurora hunters who can handle serious cold. Very young kids may find it tough. If you want more daylight and milder cold with the same snow, March is the easier choice.

Make the most of January

What is especially good about Finnish Lapland this month.

Long nights for the aurora

Dark skies from afternoon to morning give you many hours to watch for the northern lights. Stay three to four nights to improve your odds.

Blue-hour light at midday

In the far north, the sun barely rises, and the snow glows pink and blue around noon.

Post-holiday safaris

Husky and reindeer safaris are easier to book after the Christmas rush.

What to pack for January

A heavy insulated parka, or confirm your tour lends thermal overalls
Thermal base layers and wool socks
Insulated winter boots rated for extreme cold
Mittens, a warm hat, and a face cover
Hand and toe warmers

Our timing tip

Book aurora trips for the middle of your stay, so a cloudy night early on still leaves you more chances.

Book Finnish Lapland for January.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Finnish Lapland
Opens a hotel search for Finnish Lapland in January, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for January
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Vacation rentals in Finnish Lapland
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Finnish Lapland
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Finnish Lapland for January. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in January

Northern lights season

Late August to early April, best on dark clear nights from September to March

Stay at least three to four nights to improve your odds, and get away from town lights.

Polar night (kaamos)

Roughly December into early January in the far north

The sun does not rise above the horizon in northern Lapland. Blue-hour light and pink skies at midday instead.

Things to do in Finnish Lapland

Full guide

Rovaniemi and the Arctic Circle

The regional capital and the gateway for most visitors, with Santa Claus Village on the Arctic Circle line just outside town.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Santa Claus Village

Open every day of the year. Go in the morning to avoid the longest lines to meet Santa in December.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Arktikum

Science center and museum in Rovaniemi on Arctic nature and people. A great first stop to understand the region.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Siida, Inari

The Sami museum and nature center on Lake Inari. Well worth the drive north.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Levi and Yllas

The two biggest fell resorts, with downhill and cross-country skiing in winter and hiking and biking in summer.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Husky and reindeer safaris

Most run from December to early April, with the best snow conditions from February to March. Book ahead in peak weeks.

Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

For a winter trip, aim for March instead of December or February school holidays: better light, lower prices, and still excellent snow.
Stay outside Rovaniemi, for example in Saariselka, Levi, Yllas, or Inari, for darker skies and fewer tour buses.
Book safaris, glass cabins, and flights for December months ahead; prices and demand peak around Christmas.
Summer and September hiking trails are uncrowded almost everywhere; the national park huts rarely feel busy outside holiday weeks.

Know before you go

May and early June (the melt season) and October to November (before snow) are gaps: many safaris, hotels, and restaurants close or run limited service.
Snow-dependent activities like husky and snowmobile safaris usually run from December to April. In some years, early December snow can be thin.
Around Christmas, restaurants and activities can be booked out; confirm Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dining in advance.
Some ski lifts and resort services close in late April or May, depending on snow.

Finnish Lapland in January, quick answers

Is January a good time to visit Finnish Lapland?

January is a good month to visit Finnish Lapland. Deep snow and long nights for aurora. Few hours of daylight and serious cold.

What is the weather like in Finnish Lapland in January?

Very cold, highs near 10F (-12C), lows can fall below -20F (-29C).

Is Finnish Lapland crowded in January?

Crowds in Finnish Lapland are moderate in January; timed bookings still help at the biggest sights.

What is happening in Finnish Lapland in January?

Northern lights season (late august to early april, best on dark clear nights from september to march); Polar night (kaamos) (roughly december into early january in the far north).