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Best time to visit Finland: month by month
Short answer
June to August is best for cities, lakes and the midnight sun, with highs of 20–21°C in the south. December to March is the time for snow, huskies and the northern lights in Lapland, with highs of about -2°C in the south and much colder in the north. Late September adds ruska, the autumn colours of Lapland.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | -1°C | -5°C | 17 | medium |
| Feb | -1°C | -7°C | 11 | high |
| Mar | 2°C | -5°C | 10 | high |
| Apr | 7°C | 0°C | 7 | low |
| May | 13°C | 5°C | 10 | low |
| Jun | 20°C | 12°C | 7 | high |
| Jul | 21°C | 14°C | 12 | very high |
| Aug | 20°C | 14°C | 15 | high |
| Sep | 15°C | 9°C | 8 | medium |
| Oct | 9°C | 5°C | 14 | low |
| Nov | 4°C | 0°C | 15 | low |
| Dec | -2°C | -6°C | 15 | very high |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Mar–May)
Highs rise from 2°C in March to 13°C in May; snow lingers in Lapland into May, long days return and crowds are low.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Highs of 20–21°C and lows of 12–14°C in the south, near-endless daylight, with 7–15 rainy days a month.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Highs fall from 15°C in September to 4°C in November; ruska colours in Lapland in late September, then grey, dark months.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Highs around -1 to -2°C and lows of -5 to -7°C in the south, far colder in Lapland; snow, Christmas markets and northern lights.
Events worth planning around
- Midsummer (Juhannus), with bonfires at lakeside cottages (late June).
- Helsinki Festival, arts and music (late August).
- Christmas in Rovaniemi and Santa Claus Village (December).
- Flow Festival in Helsinki (August).
- Savonlinna Opera Festival at Olavinlinna Castle (July).
When to avoid
November is grey, dark and often snowless in the south. Midsummer weekend empties Helsinki and closes many shops, though it is memorable in the countryside.
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Common questions
When is the best time to visit Finland?
June to August for cities, lakes and the midnight sun; December to March for snow and the northern lights in Lapland.
When can you see the northern lights in Finland?
From late August to April on clear, dark nights, best in Lapland. Cloud is the main obstacle, so allow several nights.
How many hours of daylight does Helsinki get in winter?
About 6 hours in December, rising quickly from February. Lapland has polar night with little or no sun for weeks.