Finland in December

Rovaniemi's Christmas peak, polar night in the north; Helsinki Christmas market; closures 24–26 Dec.

• South coast · Helsinki, Turku, Porvoo, Ålandcool

  Around −5 °C in January, 20–23 °C in July; 19 h of daylight at midsummer, 6 h in late December. The sea often freezes near shore in cold winters.

• Lakeland · Tampere, Savonlinna, Kuopio, Kolicool

  Colder winters, warmer summers; lakes freeze solid for skating and skiing in February–March. Mosquitoes in June–July.

• Lapland · Rovaniemi, Levi, Ylläs, Saariselkä, Inari, Kilpisjärvicool

  Snow from November to April; −15 to −30 °C in January. Polar night (kaamos) in the north from early December to early January; midnight sun in Utsjoki about 17 May – 27 July. Autumn colours (ruska) in early September.

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• Independence Day

  6 Dec

  Candles in windows, torch procession in Helsinki, the President's ball on TV; shops closed.

• Christmas big impact

  24–26 Dec

  Christmas Eve is the main day; most things closed; Lapland at peak.

• Helsinki Christmas Market on Senate Square

  Early Dec–Dec 23 · Helsinki

  Senate Square and the surrounding streets are crowded in the evenings.

Crowds · Finland

High

Prices · Finland

High

High-price month: see what to book ahead.

• Layers: a fleece or light jacket

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