December is one of the most magical months to see the Northern Lights. The nights in Finnish Lapland and northern Norway are long and dark, the forests are deep in snow, and Christmas lights glow in every village. Here’s what to expect if you’re chasing the aurora this December, and how to give yourself the best chance of seeing it.

Urbanature Travel group under bright northern lights in Northern Norway

Why December is a great month for the Northern Lights

  • Darkness, and lots of it. The aurora is there day and night, but you can only see it when the sky is dark. In December, Rovaniemi gets only a few hours of daylight, and further north, around Inari and the North Cape, the sun doesn’t rise at all for weeks. That’s the polar night, and it means many hours every evening to look up.
  • Snow everywhere. Snow-covered forests and frozen lakes reflect the light, so even the darkest nights feel bright and the photos look incredible.
  • Christmas in Lapland. Santa Claus Village, festive lights and reindeer make December special even on a cloudy night.

When and where to look

The Northern Lights are most often seen in the evening and around midnight, but they can appear any time it’s dark. Two things matter most:

  • Clear skies. Clouds are the biggest enemy. Guides check the cloud forecast through the evening and drive to wherever the sky is clearing, sometimes an hour or more away.
  • Getting away from lights. Street lights and towns wash the aurora out. A lake shore, an open fell or a forest clearing far from town makes a huge difference.

Solar activity (the “Kp index” you’ll see in aurora apps) helps, but in Lapland you are already under the auroral oval, so even a quiet night can surprise you. Patience pays: the sky can go from nothing to dancing green curtains in a few minutes.

Bright green Northern Lights curtain over snowy Arctic Norway on an Urbanature Travel tripNorthern Lights over a snow-covered Arctic valley with cabin lights below

How cold does it get?

Properly cold. December temperatures in Finnish Lapland often sit well below zero, and on a clear night they can drop to around -20°C or lower. Clear nights are the best aurora nights, and also the coldest, so you’ll be standing outside in the snow for a while. With the right layers it’s completely manageable, and part of the adventure.

What to pack for the Northern Lights in December

  • Layers: thermal base layers (merino wool is ideal), a warm fleece or down mid-layer, and a heavy, windproof winter jacket.
  • Feet: waterproof, insulated winter boots with room for two pairs of warm socks.
  • Hands and head: insulated gloves (thin liner gloves underneath make phone photos easier), a warm hat and a scarf or neck gaiter.
  • Camera: most recent phones have a night mode that captures the aurora well. A small tripod helps, and a power bank is essential, because batteries drain fast in the cold.
  • Little extras: lip balm, moisturiser, sunglasses for the snowy days, and a small backpack.

More than the lights: Lapland in December

Urbanature Travel group under the Christmas street lights in Rovaniemi

  • Rovaniemi and Santa Claus Village: cross the Arctic Circle, meet Santa and send a postcard from the Arctic post office.
  • Reindeer and Sámi culture: feed reindeer and learn about the Sámi, the Indigenous people of the far north, in Inari, their cultural heartland.
  • The North Cape: drive across the Arctic into Norway to the famous globe on the cliffs above the Barents Sea, where mainland Europe ends.

Chase the aurora with a small group

Hunting the Northern Lights is more fun, and a lot more successful, with a guide who knows where the clear skies are and a group to share the moment with. On our Northern Lights Arctic road trip from Finland to Norway your guide takes the group out on aurora hunts on several evenings, away from city lights, between Santa Claus Village, Inari and the North Cape. There are two December departures: 4–9 December and 19–24 December.

If you don’t see the Northern Lights during the included hunts, you can join another of our Northern Lights trips free of charge (excluding flights).

Urbanature Travel group at Santa Claus Village in RovaniemiNorthern Lights in the night sky over Arctic Norway on an Urbanature Travel trip

Spending Christmas with us? After the 19–24 December trip you can fly south and join our Christmas hiking group in Mallorca. Read our guide to Christmas trips for solo travellers in Europe: snow, sun or both.

Frequently asked questions

Is December a good time to see the Northern Lights in Lapland?

Yes. December has the longest, darkest nights of the year, which gives you many hours each evening to see the aurora. Clear skies are the key, so a guide who can drive to where the clouds are breaking makes a big difference.

What time of night are the Northern Lights best?

They’re most often seen in the evening and around midnight, but they can appear any time the sky is dark and clear. Be ready to wait outside for a while.

Can I see the Northern Lights in Rovaniemi?

Yes, on clear nights, especially if you get out of the city to a lake or forest away from street lights. Further north, around Inari and the North Cape, the skies are even darker.

Can I join on my own?

Absolutely. Most of our travellers come solo, and couples and friends are very welcome too. You’ll meet the group in a WhatsApp group before the trip.

Are flights included?

Flights to Rovaniemi and home aren’t included, as travellers join from all over Europe, but airport pick-up and drop-off in Lapland are. Need help with flights? Request a flight-inclusive quote.

Ready for the Arctic?

December dates fill up fast. See the dates, room options and full itinerary on the Northern Lights trip page, or ask us anything. You can also browse all our multi-day trips.