A Local’s Guide to Visiting Rovaniemi in November (2025)

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Usually, when someone asks me about the best time to visit Rovaniemi, I have my answers prepared. I tell them fall is my favorite season but March is probably the best month for the northern lights and the summer is teeming with mosquitoes (but epic, nonetheless). And then I get the question I fear the most…

“Is it worth visiting Rovaniemi in November?”

This question makes me shudder. No offense to the person asking, of course. It is just that November is probably the most unpredictable month in Rovaniemi. And one that can often disappoint travelers if they do not manage their expectations accordingly.

Are you planning your trip to Rovaniemi last minute?

If youʻre booking your trip to Lapland last minute, I have you covered. Below are some of the top tours, hotels, and more!

🇫🇮  Top activities and tours in Rovaniemi:

  1. Northern lights photo tour with lavvu (the BEST aurora tour!)
  2. Frozen waterfalls of Korouoma Canyon (tours start mid-November)
  3. Ice floating with the northern lights (starts mid-November as well)

🛌  Top hotels and lodging in Rovaniemi:

  1. Arctic TreeHouse Hotel (famous place by Santa Claus Village)
  2. Apukka Resort (glass igloos in a remote location)
  3. Arctic Light Hotel (top-rated in Rovaniemi city center)

🚗  Looking to travel around Lapland independently? Click here to check Finland rental car rates!

In this post, I cover everything to know about visiting Rovaniemi in November, including what to expect with the weather, snowfall, the northern lights, and more. I also discuss some of my favorite things to do in November in Rovaniemi!

Let me preface this by saying that each year is different and if you are coming to Rovaniemi for snowfall and the northern lights, please consider a different month if you have the flexibility to do so.

Rovaniemi in November (Santa Claus Village)
Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi in November – unedited

I will go further into details below. I also want to state that this post applies to Rovaniemi and not the whole of Lapland. But, you will find that November in Lapland (as a whole) is pretty unpredictable, just like Rovaniemi.

📝 QUICK NOTE: I have intentionally left some of the photos that were taken outside unedited in this guide. I want you to have an accurate idea of what the daylight and sky tend to look like in November here in Rovaniemi. Each unedited one will be disclosed in the caption.

Weather in Rovaniemi in November

As noted above, the weather in Rovaniemi in November is unpredictable and can vary from year to year.

In November 2022, it was foggy and pretty snow-free. In November 2023, we had snow all month and an early winter. November 2024 has been similar to 2022 – foggy, mild weather, and not much snow at all.

The average temperatures range from -10°C to 5°C (14°F to 41°F) during November.

Snow in November in Rovaniemi

Each year is different. A few years ago, we had no snow in Rovaniemi during November (mostly just frost with the occasional flurry). In 2023, however, we had a lot of snow during November!

This year (2024), we have had hardly any snow but there is some expected toward the end of the month but I am not sure how much will actually show up. It can be very disappointing for those visiting Rovaniemi with the expectations of snowy landscapes.

Snow accumulation on November 17, 2024
Snow accumulation on November 17, 2024 (unedited)
Snow accumulation on November 20, 2024
Snow accumulation on November 20, 2024 (after a little more) – unedited
Situation in downtown Rovaniemi on November 27, 2024 (mostly ice)
Situation in downtown Rovaniemi on November 27, 2024 (mostly ice) – unedited

In November the average snowfall ranges from 11.5 cm to 16.2 cm (4.5 inches to 6.3 inches).

Unfortunately, when we don’t have snowfall here in November, we often have rain instead. And that rain turns to ice – making it slippery outside the city center!

I suggest bringing crampons if you’re venturing outside Rovaniemi city center or Santa Claus Village. You can see more under my packing suggestions later in the post.

November Daylight Hours

Daylight hours drop significantly during November here. On November 1, we have 7 hours and 25 minutes of daylight. By November 15, however, we have 5 hours and 39 minutes. On November 30, we had 3 hours and 48 minutes of daylight.

For this to make sense, you can see the sunset and sunrise times below:

  • November 1: sunrise 8:17am, sunset 3:42pm
  • November 15: sunrise 9:11am, sunset 2:51pm
  • November 30: sunrise 10:11am, sunset 1:59pm

Please keep in mind that each year is slightly different, but the times indicated above will be close to the same.

Outside Santamus at SCV in mid-November at 1pm
Outside Santamus at SCV in mid-November at 1pm – unedited

Another thing to keep in mind is that just because the sun rises doesn’t mean it sits high overhead. It will still feel relatively dark during the ‘daylight’ hours because the sun is over the horizon, but not by much!

Northern Lights in November

Yes, November is listed as one of the best northern lights months by a lot of media outlets, but optimal northern lights experiences are largely based on cloud coverage. In November, the cloud coverage ranges from 70% to 80% (higher toward the end of the month).

Northern lights in November (can be a challenge)
Northern lights in November (can be a challenge)

I would encourage still coming if date flexibility is not an option for you. If you take a northern lights tour in Rovaniemi, you will be driven out of the city in search of clear skies, so you still have a chance to see the aurora!

Best Things to Do in Rovaniemi in November

Here are some of the activities and things to do available during November in Rovaniemi. Please note that some of these experiences do not begin until the middle of the month and the start date may change year-to-year.

SnowGlow (this was in February but it opens in November)
SnowGlow (this was in February but it opens in November)
Sami exhibit at Artikum
Sami exhibit at Arktikum

If you’re looking for a more in-depth guide, you can check out my guide to visiting Rovaniemi in winter. I give a larger list of things to do (and not just seasonal activities.

Activities It Is Too Early For

While I can name a plethora of things to do in Rovaniemi in November, there are quite a few activities that it is too early for. These are:

  • Snowmobiling: it says tours are starting around November 20, but unless we get some snow, this will be pushed back. I would count on snowmobile tours beginning in December.
  • Dog-sledding: it can sometimes start in November but typically not. You can do the dog-carting which I highly recommend and it also prepares the pups for the upcoming season!
  • Arctic SnowHotel: the SnowHotel is not ready yet and will open on December 15. You can still visit and stay at the property in a glass igloo, though! And they have the kota restaurant and a small ice bar set up during this time of the year.
  • Icebreaker cruise: this experience starts on December 4 this year.

What to Wear & Bring

The temperature drops in November but it is still typically warmer than January/February.

Some things to pack in November (too much pink, eh?)
Some things to pack in November (too much pink, eh?)

Here are some things I would recommend bringing with you:

  • Parka or heavy winter coat
  • Wool sweater (I like ones from Devold of Norway or Dale of Norway)
  • Base layers (I use ones from Kari Traa… but they are only for females. Devold of Norway is also good for men and women both.)
  • Mittens or gloves (I prefer mittens as they keep your hands warmer)
  • Wool socks
  • Snowboots (You can get by with insulated boots in November usually, but if you have snowboots you want to wear, why not?)
  • Crampons (November can be icy, especially if you venture outside the city center or main parts of SCV)
  • Hat
  • Mobile power bank (phone batteries can drain in cold weather – especially on northern lights tours)

If you are going on a tour (besides a northern lights tour), look to see if a suit is included. However, if you want to rent clothing for your trip, you can do so at Wild Nordic (SCV) or Winter Rent (city center).

Winter Rent in Rovaniemi city center (not in November)
Winter Rent in Rovaniemi city center

FAQ about Lapland in November

Is snow guaranteed in Lapland in November?

Nothing is ever guaranteed at any time of the year and November is certainly no exception. While I have always seen snow flurries in Lapland in November, there is not always an accumulation.

Arctic Snowmobile Park at SCV in November
Arctic Snowmobile Park at SCV in November – unedited

If snow is a must for your trip, do consider booking during a month when you’ll have a better chance of snow (January, February, March). This goes for all of Lapland and not just Rovaniemi.

Can you see the northern lights in Lapland in November?

Yes! If the activity is high enough and the skies are clear, you can see the aurora. But, if the aurora is a must for your trip, consider booking in March, when the activity is higher and the skies are clearer.

Is Santa Claus Village open year-round?

Santa Claus Village is open year-round and Santa is also available for visits throughout the year.

Santa Claus Village in November
Santa Claus Village in November – unedited

Santa Claus Village in November is less crowded than in December.

How much daylight does Lapland get in November?

It varies throughout the month from start to finish (you get less as the month goes on). It will be pretty dark by the end of November and even though there is a sunrise, it is still pretty dark as the sun does not rise high up into the sky.

Should you visit Rovaniemi in November?

I do believe that November is a fine time to visit Rovaniemi if you are completely incapable of adjusting your trip to another month.

While this post may have seemed a bit pessimistic at times regarding the weather, it is more just me preparing you to manage your expectations and prepare for the worst (snow-wise) so that you’ll have an enjoyable time no matter what happens.

Cozy Santamus at SCV
Cozy Santamus at SCV in November

Lapland and Rovaniemi are gorgeous and worth the visit regardless of the time of year! Try planning your trip toward the end of the month and put together an itinerary that offers a few alternatives in case the snow doesn’t arrive throughout the month.

If you have any questions, please let me know in the comments. Thanks!

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Considering traveling to Rovaniemi in November? This guide contains all you need to know - including things to do, snowfall, weather, what to pack, and more! | Lapland in November | November in Rovaniemi | What to do in Rovaniemi | Rovaniemi in winter | Lapland in winter | Thanksgiving in Lapland | Visit Lapland | Visit Rovaniemi | Weather in Rovaniemi | Northern lights in Rovaniemi | Things to do in Rovaniemi | Rovaniemi itinerary

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