Lapland at Christmas and New Year's Eve: Why January to March are more ideal

Hello dear Northern Lights enthusiasts,

Lapland in winter – it sounds like snow crystals dancing softly in the polar night. Like a sky streaked with green northern lights. Like crackling fireplaces, atmospheric lighting, and childlike wonder when Santa Claus himself appears in the forest. Especially at Christmas time, Finnish Lapland shows its fairytale side.

The landscape is covered in deep snow, the atmosphere is festive, and many resorts offer sumptuous Christmas and New Year's Eve buffets, decorated lodges, and activities for children and adults alike. During the day, husky or reindeer sleigh rides through the silent winter landscape, snowmobile excursions through snow-covered forests, or small adventures feeding reindeer beckon. In the evening, you can retreat to the warm cabin and experience perhaps the most beautiful spectacle of the north from the panoramic window : the Aurora Borealis.

What many people don't know: Christmas and New Year's Eve are peak season – with all the consequences that entails.

The weeks around Christmas and New Year's Eve are among the busiest times in Lapland. Families from all over the world travel there with school-age children, and demand regularly exceeds supply during this period—which has a noticeable impact:

• Resorts, lodges, and family-friendly hotels are often booked up more than a year in advance.

• Prices are rising significantly—in some cases by up to 50% compared to January or March.

• Flight prices to Rovaniemi, Ivalo, or Kittilä can sometimes reach peak values of over €1,000 per person during this period.

• Long lines at airports, overloaded transfer services, and fully booked activities are not uncommon.

If you still want to travel at this time, you should plan well in advance—ideally two years ahead—and be flexible with your travel dates and departure airports. We are always happy to provide you with travel tips for Lapland and a free consultation!

Alternatively, it is worth taking a look at the quieter, often even more intense months that follow.

Our favorite resort in Lapland – ideal for couples and friends: Aurora Village

Alternative winter months: January, February, and March—the smarter choice?

But take a look at the days and months around the holidays. The period before and after Christmas and New Year's Eve is often much more attractive. And fortunately, the German school system offers winter vacations, long weekends for Carnival, and sometimes even Easter vacations in March if you want to travel with children. If you don't have to rely on vacations, the period before and after the holidays is the much better time to travel anyway.

January
Immediately after January 7, things quiet down considerably. The sun still does not rise above the horizon, and the polar night continues to reign in December. But slowly, the days are getting a little longer. Many resorts lower their prices, while the snow conditions are ideal—dry, deep snow, perfect conditions for husky tours or romantic reindeer sleigh rides. Enjoy the afternoons in the sauna and then in the jacuzzi. Or do you dare to jump into an ice hole in the lake or river? The dark season is ideal for observing the northern lights – especially impressive during a nighttime snowmobile ride under clear skies.

February
In Germany, winter vacations often fall in February—a popular travel time for families, but more relaxed than around Christmas. The days are already longer, the temperatures are usually pleasant, and the combination of snow-covered wilderness and longer daylight hours is ideal for active experiences. In the evenings, private cabins with saunas, open fires, and views of the dancing sky beckon – without any hustle and bustle. Insider tip: Avoid the Chinese New Year period! It's just as crowded as Christmas and New Year's Eve in the Western world.

March
The insider tip among the Lapland months. End of the season, but often with the best snow conditions. The sun shines for several hours a day, and the aurora borealis is still visible on clear nights. Dog sledding tours or excursions to remote winter landscapes are particularly enjoyable at this time of year, often with more pleasant temperatures. If you are flexible, you can take advantage of public holidays or the Easter break (which sometimes falls in March or early April) for a relaxing end to the winter.

Our favorite resort—ideal for families: Levi, the village of the Northern Lights

And what about November and December?

November
Late autumn is the preseason. In southern regions such as Rovaniemi, there is often no snow yet, the landscape appears barren, and the weather is reminiscent of late autumn in Central Europe: gray, rainy, with overcast skies—not ideal conditions for the Northern Lights, as clear skies are one of the prerequisites for viewing them. Many activities are not yet available or are limited.

December
December marks the slow start of the snow season – but not everywhere at the same time. If you're traveling early in the month, you should head for regions north of the Arctic Circle. Saariselkä, about 250 km north of Rovaniemi, is particularly known for its reliable snow conditions and is ideal for an early start to the winter season. Levi, located to the west and perfectly equipped for winter activities, is also recommended from the beginning of December.

Rovaniemi itself is usually only really covered in snow from mid-December onwards. If you don't want to miss out on a wintery snow-covered Christmas backdrop, it's best to plan your trip for the end of December or beginning of January – then all activities such as reindeer safaris, snowshoe tours, or a visit to Santa Claus Village are possible without restriction.

Adults only:

The magic of Lapland unfolds at different times of the year, each with its own unique character.

Christmas and New Year's Eve in Lapland are undoubtedly an experience – but also an organizational and financial challenge. Those who are flexible in their travel planning will find that the months of January to March offer significantly quieter, often even more impressive opportunities to experience the winter wonderland of Lapland in peace and quiet.

Whether watching the northern lights from your bed in the evening, taking guided snowmobile tours to see the aurora borealis, or enjoying a quiet ride on a reindeer sleigh through snow-covered forests—Lapland is a special place at any time of year. The key is deciding when and how you want to experience it.