Finland Weather in December 2025: Travel Tips for First-Timers

December is a great time of the year to visit Finland if you are looking for snow, freezing weather, and cozy retreats. We suggest visiting Helsinki, Pyhä, Levi, and Rovaniemi. Read on to find out more about travel and weather, including temperatures, rainfall, humidity, and tips for December.

Content Preview

• 1. Weather Overview
• 2. Best Places to Visit
• 3. Crowds and Costs
• 4. What to Wear

Finland Weather in December: Overview

Averages: 

• Temperature range: -6–-1°C (22–30°F)
• Rainfall: 6 cm (2 inches)
• Rainy/snowy days: 14
• Sunshine hours/day: 1
• Humidity: around 91% (very humid across Finland)

Finland is freezing in December, with temperatures below freezing point for most of the country. You can expect snow throughout the country, with the south of the country usually getting its first snow after Christmas, and the north of the country being blanketed throughout the month of December.

There are approximately 14 snowy days in Finland in December, and around 1 hour of sunshine per day, with the sun rising late and setting early. The humidity levels are high at around 91% due to the snowy conditions.

December Climate Comparison (Averages) for Finland's Top Tourism Areas

The Best Places to Visit in Finland in December

December is freezing in Finland, and for a true Finnish winter atmosphere, you will have to venture up north to see the stunning reindeer, Santa Claus' village, and the northern lights. With the build up to Christmas, there are lots of Christmas-related activities to do in Finland during this time of the year.

For a winter trip to Finland in December, we suggest checking out visiting Helsinki, Pyhä, Levi and Rovaniemi. Global Highlights can help you put together your ideal itinerary, no matter what your interests are. Just reach out and let us know what you'd like to prioritize seeing while you are in Finland, and our team can help ensure you have the best and smoothest experience visiting Finland. Plan a trip to Finland with us today.

1. Enjoy the Christmas Markets of Helsinki

Given Helsinki's freezing temperatures, visiting one of the many Christmas markets is almost a must! We suggest going to Senate Square for the Helsinki Christmas Market, running between November 29 and December 22 in 2024. It's the oldest outdoor Christmas market in Helsinki, offering delicious food, unique gifts, and a great Christmas atmosphere.

If you're up for traveling half an hour outside of Helsinki, there's a Christmas market in Porvoo, a small medieval city. Its cobbled streets will make you feel like you've gone back in time. Add some snow into the picture, and the Christmas mood is complete.

For the rest of your time, we suggest visiting Helsinki Cathedral, which you can read more about in our article about visiting Finland in January, Seurasaari Island Open-Air Museum, which we have some more information about in our article about visiting Finland in August, and the gorgeous UNESCO World Heritage Sea Fortress of Suomenlinna, as laid out in our piece about visiting Finland in February.

2. Ski Down the Stunning Peaks of Pyhä

You probably won't be surprised to find out that Finland is home to many ski resorts, and that December is a great time to go skiing there. The peaks of Pyhätunturi are a beautiful area to do this in, with skiers and snowboarders coming from all over the world to visit.

Pyhätunturi and the surrounding areas are home to a bunch of ski resorts that offer accommodation as well as day or multiple-day access passes. They have slopes for all levels of skiers. You can rent your equipment there too, so you don't have to take anything with you unless you have equipment you specifically want to use.

You can also go wild skiing in this area, although we do recommend bringing a tour guide along who will be able to guide you through the best untouched beautiful winter forests. Our team of experts can help you plan your ideal skiing trip, even if you are a complete beginner! Finland's slopes and ski resorts are suitable for all different levels. Contact us to plan your Finland trip.

3. Tick the Northern Lights off Your Bucket List in Levi

Another great place to ski is Levi, found around 170 kilometers (or 110 miles) north of the Arctic Circle. There are lots of winter sports in this area, but the city and surrounding region also attracts visitors looking to check the northern lights off of their bucket lists.

The season for catching a glimpse of the northern lights runs between mid-August and mid-April, with December a great time of year for this. We recommend finding a hotel with a lovely view, and enjoying the light show that mother nature puts on. Spending a few days is recommend to ensure that you get the experience that you are looking for, as the lights are unfortunately not visible every day and atmospheric activity can't be predicted precisely in advance.

4. Visit Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi

While Santa Claus Village is open and you can meet Santa himself there at any time of the day or year, December is the best time of year to get yourself into the Christmas spirit. Read more about visiting Santa Claus Village in our article about visiting Finland in November.

The capital of Lapland is also a great place from which to go on either a husky sled ride, or hop onto a snowmobile for a snowmobile safari. The scenery is absolutely stunning, and we highly suggest enjoying the peace and quiet of this magical snowy place.

After a cold day outdoors, we suggest visiting your hotel sauna for the best and most traditionally Finnish way to warm up!

And while Santa Claus Village is essentially a year-round Christmas market, Rovaniemi is also home to some seasonal marks, including the Taitava Lappi Christmas Market on the weekend of December 9 and 10, and the Arctic Market in Arktikum between December 8 and 10 in 2024. 2025 dates for these markets have not yet been confirmed.

Shoulder Season: Some Crowds and Higher Prices

December can be a little busier in Finland, even though it's not quite peak tourist season. This is because the Christmas holidays attract winter travelers looking to find Santa Claus, and the school holidays bring lots of families to visit.

On December 6 every year, Finland celebrates its Independence Day. This is a national holiday and some of the smaller restaurants and museums might be shut as a result, so we do recommend confirming that where you'd like to go is open.

On Christmas, you can also expect some closures. Finnish people celebrate Christmas between the evening of December 24 and December 26 every year. During this time period there are closures throughout the country and we do suggest planning ahead. The days between Christmas and New Year's can also be relatively quiet, particularly in the smaller towns where most people tend to visit family and friends.

What to Wear in December

December is freezing in Finland, and we suggest bringing thick winter coats as well as waterproof gear for those traveling up to Lapland or expecting to be out in the snow. Thermal under layers are important, as well as wool, fleece or cashmere jumpers that can keep you warm. The more layers you can fit underneath your coat, the better.

You definitely won't want to go outside without wearing gloves, a hat, and a scarf, and proper footwear is also important, particularly with a waterproof layer. You can usually rent skiing equipment, but we suggest bringing your own if you like to use your own skis, goggles, or anything else.