levi-finland

Finland Travel Guide

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When to go? Seasons, climate, festivities

  • November to April

    Winter is the longest season in Finland, lasting for about 200 days in the northern regions. It usually begins in late October and continues through until early April. Above the Arctic Circle, "polar night" lasts for 51 days, during this time the sun does not rise above the horizon at all.

  • May to June

    Spring in central Finland begins in late April and lasts for a couple of months. In spring, the daily temperature rises from around 0°C to around 10°C. The lakes take a while to thaw and only usually become ice free by late May.

  • July to August

    During summer, northern regions of Finland will experience "polar days", when the sun does not set at all. This lasts for 73 days throughout the summer months. Elsewhere, summer days still have up to 19 hours of daylight with maximum daily temperatures exceeding 25°C. Occasional thunderstorms will follow brief heat waves.

  • September to October

    In autumn, the daily temperature drops below 10°C and the first snowfalls will occur during this end of this season. This is the season known as ‘Ruska’ when the explosive autumn colours paint the trees and create stunning panoramas.

Temperatures and climate

Min/max temp (°C) / Average rainfall (mm)

  • Helsinki

    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
    Average temp C° min / max
    -7° / -2°
    -8° / -2°
    -5° / 1°
    0° / 8°
    6° / 14°
    10° / 18°
    14° / 22°
    14° / 20°
    10° / 15°
    4° / 9°
    0° / 4°
    -3° / 1°
    Average rainfall (mm)
    58
    48
    41
    40
    47
    74
    81
    82
    64
    65
    66
    64

  • Kuusamo

    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
    Average temp C° min / max
    -13° / -8°
    -13° / -8°
    -10° / -3°
    -4° / 3°
    1° / 9°
    7° / 15°
    11° / 19°
    9° / 16°
    5° / 10°
    0° / 3°
    -6° / -2°
    -10° / -6°
    Average rainfall (mm)
    40
    34
    37
    37
    57
    74
    91
    77
    62
    59
    53
    48

  • Rovaniemi

    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
    Average temp C° min / max
    -14° / -8°
    -13° / -7°
    -9° / -2°
    -4° / 4°
    2° / 11°
    8° / 16°
    12° / 20°
    10° / 17°
    5° / 12°
    -1° / 4°
    -5° / -1°
    -10° / -5°
    Average rainfall (mm)
    43
    37
    38
    37
    54
    77
    83
    76
    58
    55
    54
    51

Holidays and festivities

  • Ystävänpäivä

    February
    When the rest of the world is celebrating Valentines Day, the Finns celebrate Ystävänpäivä or "Friends Day". Friends, family, neighbours and partners send and receive cards, flowers and chocolates.

  • Pääsiäinen

    March/April
    A tradition dating back to Finland’s pagan past, on Palm Sunday children dress up as witches and wizards and parade the streets knocking on doors and shouting the lyrics to a spell. Generally they are offered a small treat in return.

  • Juhannus

    June
    Midsummer or “Juhannus”, is a national holiday on the Saturday between June 20th and 26th in Finland. On this date you'll find most locals relaxing at a summer cottage, cooking sausages on over a fire or going swimming.