Activities & Experiences

Experience the wonder of the Northern Lights

The colourful Northern Lights playing in the sky are one of the most beautiful phenomena in nature. The geographical location of the Santa Claus Village and the surrounding area makes it a suitable area to encounter the Northern Lights. It’s important to remember that the Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon. This means that while there’s no guarantee you’ll see them, the search will be even more exciting!

Experience the wonder of the Northern Lights

The colourful Northern Lights playing in the sky are one of the most beautiful phenomena in nature. The geographical location of the Santa Claus Village and the surrounding area makes it a suitable area to encounter the Northern Lights. It’s important to remember that the Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon. This means that while there’s no guarantee you’ll see them, the search will be even more exciting!

The Arctic Circle – a Northern Lights hunter’s paradise

According to an old legend, the Northern Lights are created when a fox running through the fells of Lapland sheds sparks from its tail into the northern sky, colouring the streaks of light across the sky. The appearance of the Northern Lights at Arctic Circle latitudes requires a clear sky, suitable space weather, and of course a bit of luck.

Autumn and late winter are the best time to spot the Northern Lights

Northern Lights season on the Arctic Circle begins in late August and continues until early April. The best time to see the Northern Lights is autumn (September and early October) and mid-spring (mainly March.) Statistically, Northern Lights are most visible around the autumn and spring equinoxes. Naturally, the Northern Lights appear regularly in the sky throughout winter. 

Memorable Northern Lights safaris

There are several operators in Santa Claus Village that organize Northern Lights safaris through the nearby nature of the Rovaniemi area. With the help of competent guides, you’ll hunt the Northern Lights in the best possible conditions.

Safari companies and other service providers will take you to places where there is little artificial light and the views to the North are picturesque. The guides will also tell you stories about the Northern Lights and assist with photographing the auroras.

The mysterious and enchanting Northern Lights have inspired people and stories for centuries. 

FAQ

Autumn and late winter are the best time to spot the Northern Lights – at the time of the midnight sun in the summer, you naturally cannot see the Northern Lights in the Arctic Circle. The incidence of the Northern Lights also varies with the time of day. On average, their probability of occurrence reaches its peak around 11:30 P.M., or magnetic midnight, and the Earth’s magnetic field disturbances related to auroras are at their highest.

Only a short drive from the Arctic Circle, you’ll find many great destinations for independent travelers to track the Northern Lights. However, in order promote sustainable tourism and in order not to disturb local inhabitants we recommend you to use our local operators of Santa Claus Village, which organise North Lights tours & excursions through the nearby nature of the Rovaniemi area. More information about these companies HERE.

You can also enjoy the Northern Lights in the wonderful glass igloo accommodations. At the edges of Santa Claus Village, there are several glass igloo-type accommodation providers.

See all accommodations

Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, and their visibility depends on many factors, such as space weather and cloudiness. Therefore, Santa Claus Village and its companies (like all tourism companies in Lapland) cannot guarantee that you’ll see the Northern Lights during your visit.

Useful links for Northern Lights hunters:

Real-time Aurora Alerts
Space weather over Finland

Prepare for capturing the Northern Lights before your holidays! Northern Lights photography is especially popular, as the current day and age allows you to display your unforgettable memories at home as well as share them on social media. However, you should carefully prepare for capturing the Northern Lights before coming to Lapland.

Useful tips for capturing Northern Lights

Discover Northern Lights experiences

  1. Arctic Snowhotel & Glass Igloos Rovaniemi

    30 km from Santa’s Village, resort provides the luxury of sleeping under a 360º glass roof or in hotel made of snow & ice.

  2. Visit Lapland Tours: Aurora Hunting & Lappish food

    Aurora Hunting adventures and Lappish food in the own forest base in Rovaniemi’s country-side.

  3. Sky bar of Arctic SnowHotel

    The coolest drink bar in town! Sky Bar is located in the shores of Lake Lehtojärvi, a 30-min drive from Santa Claus Village.

  4. Lapland Deluxe

    Welcome to Lapland Deluxe: an authentic 160 years old country estate by the lake Vanttausjärvi around 50 km from Santa Claus Village. Come to relax!

  5. Apukka Resort Rovaniemi

    Apukka Resort: an Arctic wilderness resort hotel in the capital of Lapland, surrounded by lakes and magical nature, just 10 min drive from Santa Claus Village!

  6. Restaurant Aitta in Apukka Resort

    Restaurant is located in Apukka Resort, 10 km from Santa’s Village. The 100 years old timber log walls have tens of stories to tell.