December in Lapland is more than a month.
It is a turning point of the year: the sun barely rises, the air glitters with frost, and silence carries deeper than words. For many visitors it is their first encounter with the Arctic circle – and the beginning of a memory that will stay.
Here are gentle, practical thoughts for those who come to Lapland for the first time in December.
1. Clothing – the Art of Layers
Temperatures can fall to −30 °C. The secret is not in one heavy coat, but in layers:
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Base layer: wool or technical fabric to keep moisture away.
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Mid layer: fleece or wool for warmth.
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Outer layer: wind- and waterproof shell.
Do not forget gloves, mittens, wool socks, and a good hat. Rental overalls exist – but your own layered system keeps you flexible. Find more information at our LAPPLAND WINTER PACKING LIST.
2. Light and Darkness
In December the daylight is short – sometimes only a few hours of twilight.
Instead of fearing the dark, embrace it: the night sky opens for auroras, candles shine warmer, and snow reflects even the faintest light. Bring a headlamp with a red-light mode for evening walks.
3. Movement in the Cold
Breathing slow, moving steady: that is the rhythm of Lapland.
Do not plan to rush from one activity to another. Distances are long, snow makes travel slower, and nature invites you to pause.
4. Experiences Worth Trying
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Sauna and Ice: Nothing feels more Finnish than warming in a wooden sauna and stepping outside into the snow.
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Husky or Reindeer Rides: Authentic ways of travel – and connection with animals.
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Aurora Watching: The northern sky is alive. Choose a quiet spot, dress warmly, and let patience guide you.
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Simple Walks: Even a 15-minute stroll through a snowy forest can be more powerful than any tourist attraction.
5. Food and Comfort
Local stores will surprise you with berries, fish, and game. A thermos of hot berry juice or tea is a true companion outdoors. And after a day in the cold, nothing beats cooking together in a warm wooden house.
6. Mindset – Less is More
Lapland is not about “ticking boxes.” It is about feeling the silence, hearing snow fall, watching smoke rise from a chimney. If you let go of expectations, Lapland will give you more than you imagined.
Where to Stay
At Villa Lapland in Raattama, the mountains of Pallas stand close, the forest breathes around you, and every house carries warmth inside: a private jacuzzi, a barrel sauna, and wide windows to the winter night.
December in Lapland is not only a holiday. It is a return – to stillness, to nature, to yourself.