Rovaniemi in February: Is This The Perfect Time to Visit?

A trip to Finnish Lapland is expensive, so you’ll want to be sure you’re timing it perfectly so you can have the Arctic experience of your dreams.

And if you’re trying to decide what the best month to visit Rovaniemi in the winter is, I’d argue that February is a seriously strong contender for the most ideal winter trip conditions.

You get longer days than January (but still plenty of dark skies for aurora hunting), more reliable snowpack and snowfall than March — and most importantly, without the busiest crowds and lowest availability of December!

So if you’re considering a February trip to Rovaniemi, read on for my thoughts!

If you’re also considering Rovaniemi in January and March, I’ve been there during those months as well, and you can read my write-ups on each of those months as well, to help you plan the best winter month to visit.

Note: I don’t really recommend visiting in December both due to the insane Christmas crowds, the high prices that accompany the crowds, and poor snow conditions that mean that many winter activities like dog sledding are a gamble. However, if due to school holidays or other schedule limitations it is the only time you can visit Rovaniemi, it is fine; just be aware of the limitations I mentioned above.

Typical February Weather in Rovaniemi

In February, Rovaniemi is still very much in the grips of winter, and you’re all but guaranteed snow.

In terms of temperatures, be prepared to bundle up with lots of layers (wool is best). Typical daytime temperatures tend to average around roughly –8 °C (17 °F)… whereas nighttime lows can dip to around –14 °C (7 °F). But it can get a lot colder!

While most activities that you participate in which include a lot of outdoor time will include free expedition suit rentals to keep you nice and toasty, you’ll also want warm enough clothing for when you’re exploring the city not on a tour.

At a minimum, you’ll want: a hat, gloves, and scarf; a warm parka; a warm sweater, snow boots, thermal wool layers, and wool socks.

Helpful Tip: If you don’t typically visit cold climates and you don’t want to invest in a full winter wardrobe just for one Finland trip, you can rent winter clothing online via GetYourGuide and save money (and space in your suitcase!)

Daylight Hours in Rovaniemi

With the Arctic Circle running right through the city limits, Rovaniemi (briefly) experiences polar night. It’s just for one day, really, but still, that far north, the daylight hours are extremely limited in the period between November and January.

But in February, daylight hours start to come back with a vengeance. The beginning of February typically has just about 6.5 hours of daylight, with average sunrises around 9:20 AM and sunsets by 3:45 PM.

But by the end of February, that stretches to about 10 hours, with sunrises around 7:30 AM and sunsets around 5:30 PM.

Personally, I prefer a little more daylight and I’m happy to trade that off for later aurora-hunting departures, but that’s just me. I’ve visited Rovaniemi in the beginning of February and it was still enough daylight for me to enjoy without having the disorienting feeling of zero sunlight that I experienced in Svalbard in February.

Aurora Possibility in February

Yes, you can still see the Northern Lights in Rovaniemi in February, so long as the right solar conditions align with cloud-free skies.

Of course, the longer the night, the longer the window you have for aurora possibility. February also tends to have slightly fewer winter storms than January, giving you more ideal aurora-chasing conditions.

Even if you visit near the end of the month, you’ll be able to potentially see the aurora starting around ~6:30 PM, so you don’t have to stay up super late to have a chance at seeing the Northern lights.

Meanwhile, when I visited Rovaniemi at the end of March, we couldn’t really have a shot to see the aurora until almost 10 PM, so aurora chasing nights always meant going to bed rather late.

Tip: The aurora tends to be at its strongest around the fall and spring equinox (March 20th for spring), so you might want to weigh the possibility a stronger aurora vs. fewer nighttime hours to catch it.

What to Do in February in Rovaniemi

Honestly, anything you can do in winter in Rovaniemi, you can do in February. Just about every winter activity should be running.

See my full post on winter in Rovaniemi for more details and ideas, but here’s a quick list of ideas:

• Chasing the Northern lights as soon as the skies get dark
• Going on a snowmobile safari through frozen forests
• Mushing your own dog sled or going on a husky sleigh tour
• Snowshoeing & cross-country skiing
• Going on a day trip to Korouoma Canyon for the frozen waterfalls
• Downhill skiing or snowboarding at Ounasvaraa
• Visiting Santa Claus Village without the Christmas crowds
• Having a sauna and ice swimming experience, if you’re brave!
• Taking a snowy walk through the Arctic Circle Hiking Area
• Staying in a glass igloo or other similar Northern lights hotel!

Events & Festivals in February

Here are a few events that occur in Rovaniemi in February, that you might catch if you’re lucky with your timing:

PoroCup (Reindeer Racing)

This is not just organized for tourists. Reindeer races have been going on for nearly a century, with the first official reindeer race organized in 1932, and championships began in 1950!

Rovaniemi’s annual reindeer race has typically run in mid-February but it may have been moved to March as there is less information about it now than I’ve heard in the past. For 2027, I can’t find the dates.

Chamber Orchestra Concerts

While not yet announced for 2027, there are usually a few concerts at the Lapland Chamber Orchestra each month. Typically, the orchestra hosts one or two concerts at the Korundi Culture House (which also houses the art museum) each February.

Allison Green

Allison Green is a former teacher who has been travel blogging since 2016, visiting 75+ countries in total. She has a Masters in Teaching and a B.A. in English and Creative Writing. As a former educator, she merges her writing and educational experience to encourage ethical, sustainable travel. She has been a speaker at the World Travel Writers Conference and TBEX. Her writing, photography, and podcasting work has appeared in National Geographic, CNN Arabic, CBC Canada, and Forbes, amongst others. When she’s not on the road, she lives in Bangkok, Thailand.