Rovaniemi in December
Christmas in Lapland
By Daan · Last reviewed October 2026
The short answer
December is a reasonable month in Rovaniemi — with trade-offs.
December is Christmas in Lapland, with snow and Santa Claus Village at its busiest. Around December 21 there are only about 2 hours of daylight.
December in detail
What December actually feels like
- Weather
- -11–-5°C
- Very cold, around -5°C, snowy.
- Crowds
- High
- Peak crowds.
- Prices
- €€€€€
- The highest rates of the year.
+Santa Claus Village at its best.
–Peak prices and around 2 hours of daylight.
My tip for December
Book Christmas trips a year ahead.
- Christmas
- Families
How December compares
Against the other eleven months
6th of 12 overall in Rovaniemi, 8th for weather, 12th for space, 12th for value. The emptiest month is May; the best value is May.
See all twelve months for RovaniemiPlan around
What’s on in Rovaniemi in December
- Christmas peak
- The highest prices of the year, and only about 2 hours of daylight around December 21.
December
Not set on December?
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Also good in December
Weather
Weather in Rovaniemi in December
In December Rovaniemi averages a high of -5°C (23°F) and a low of -11°C (12°F), with about 51 mm of rain or snow over 12 wet days. The warmest month is July (around 20°C) and the coolest is January (around -7°C); the wettest month is July.
- Average high
- -5°C
- 23°F
- Average low
- -11°C
- 12°F
- Precipitation
- 51 mm
- Wet days
- 12
Climate data: Finnish Meteorological Institute (Rovaniemi Airport, 1991–2020). Temperatures are averages of daily highs and lows.
Quick answers
Rovaniemi in December: the questions people ask
- Is December a good time to visit Rovaniemi?
- December is a reasonable month in Rovaniemi — with trade-offs. It ranks 6 of 12 months in Rovaniemi overall (8 for weather, 12 for space, 12 for value). The main upside: Santa Claus Village at its best. The main downside: Peak prices and around 2 hours of daylight.
- What is the weather like in Rovaniemi in December?
- Average highs are around -5°C and lows around -11°C. Expect about 51 mm of rain or snow over roughly 12 wet days. Very cold, around -5°C, snowy. For comparison, the warmest month is July (around 20°C) and the coolest is January (around -7°C).
- Is Rovaniemi crowded in December?
- Crowds are high. Peak crowds. The quietest month is May.
- How expensive is Rovaniemi in December?
- Prices are at level 5 of 5 (€€€€€). The highest rates of the year. The best-value month is May.
- When is the best time to visit Rovaniemi?
- In the CrowdFreeViews month scores, March is the best month overall (December ranks 6 of 12). The quietest month is May and the best value is May.
Ready to book December in Rovaniemi?
Santa Claus Village at its best.
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