The best time to visit Finland depends on where you go and what you want to experience. Helsinki is a year-round destination, while the south lends itself to long summer days outdoors, and the north steps into the spotlight during winter.
During December, Christmas markets festoon Helsinki, and Lapland bursts into celebrations that play out for months afterwards. Temperatures are freezing, and the sun is extremely shy, so we recommend packing plenty of layers.
Meanwhile, southern Finland and its Lakeland district shine from June to August, when sunny days extend to midnight and beyond, giving you the opportunity to hike, kayak, and fish well into the night.
Spring and autumn are the most peaceful seasons and a good time to visit Finland’s Golden Triangle of cities — Helsinki, Tampere, and Turku — before the summer crowds arrive.
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Month-by-month guide for traveling in Finland
Visiting Finland in December - January
Winter shrouds Lapland in a thick blanket of snow, and temperatures can reach -30 C (-22 F). Meanwhile, Helsinki’s coastal location affords it a milder (though still snowy and cold) climate. The polar night, when the sun doesn’t rise, can last from a few days to several weeks, the further north you go. This is the most popular time to visit Lapland because Christmas festivities are in full swing.
- Finnish Independence Day (6th) is marked with candles and a military parade in Helsinki.
- Santa Claus Park is open every day, including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
- The dark polar night can offer good conditions for viewing the northern lights, as long as the sky is clear.
Visiting Finland in February - March
While the festive season is over in much of the world, it rings on in Lapland. Days get longer, temperatures climb (though they’re still sub-freezing), and the crowds thin out. Before late March, when the snow becomes less bountiful, you can still do everything you can during the Christmas season: snowmobiling, husky sledging, and meeting Santa Claus — though you’ll have to wait a while before he puts your requested gifts under the tree.
- February and March offer quieter conditions for seeing the northern lights.
Visiting Finland in April - May
Most of Lapland is now winding down after the winter season, and the weather can be unpredictable. That said, it can be a good time for a city break in Helsinki before the summer crowds arrive, as long as you don’t mind some rain. You could tie it in with a train journey to the cities of Tampere and Turku for a culture-focused trip.
- There’s a small chance of seeing the northern lights in northern Lapland during early April.
Visiting Finland in June - August
Summer is a complete contrast to Finnish winter — the midnight sun brings long, bright days, and temperatures peak at a comfortable 25 C (77 F) in Helsinki. It’s a busy time to travel, especially in and around the capital. However, Finnish life ticks to a completely different pace during the stretched-out days, when alfresco dining continues well into the night (and morning). The Finns make the most of the great outdoors during this season, and we suggest visiting Lakeland for a dose of nature.
- The third week of June is midsummer, celebrated with bonfires and nature-inspired festivities.
- The midnight sun extends from June to July near the Arctic Circle.
Visiting Finland in September - October
Visitor numbers ease off once again, and autumn brings all shades of red and gold to the landscape. Temperatures are cool (near freezing in Lapland), and there’s little snow. It can be a good time to visit the Arctic Circle to glimpse the northern lights with fewer people around.
Visiting Finland in November
Snow starts to arrive, and winter activities, like sledging, return toward the end of the month in Lapland. The festive season gently ramps up, so it can make for a quieter time to soak up the celebrations ahead of Christmas.
- November is one of the best months for seeing the northern lights in Lapland.
Finland Climate Guide
| Destination | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finnish Lapland | 14°F 1" | 16°F 1" | 25°F 1" | 34°F 1" | 46°F 1" | 59°F 2" | 64°F 3" | 59°F 2" | 46°F 2" | 34°F 1" | 25°F 1" | 16°F 1" |
| Helsinki | 27°F 2" | 27°F 1" | 32°F 1" | 43°F 1" | 57°F 1" | 66°F 2" | 70°F 3" | 66°F 3" | 57°F 3" | 46°F 3" | 36°F 3" | 30°F 2" |
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Travel advice
Practical tips for traveling to Finland, from social protocols to guidance on money matters, with a link to the latest US State Department travel advice.
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