Finland combines wild nature, design heritage, and strong Epicurean traditions in one Scandinavian package. The country has long summers and harsh winters, but every season in this mystical country has something to offer visitors.
Still, the best times to visit Finland are the months of May to September, as they offer the mildest weather and the most tourist attractions. Late spring, especially May and June, are the most pleasant months in Finland. Finns take their summer vacations in July, which means higher prices, some business closings, and the need for advance reservations. August and September have more annual rainfall than the first spring and summer months, but visitors still enjoy mild temperatures.
Climate in Finland
Contrary to what many travelers believe, Finland’s climate is quite diverse and varied. Not surprisingly, July is the warmest month in the country and February the coldest. Those two months are also the wettest and driest months, respectively.
The general weather is not as cold as many visitors think. Although it is at the same latitude as southern Greenland, the country receives warm air flows from both the Atlantic Ocean and the Baltic Sea.
Still, the weather is variable and can change quickly, especially in winter. Winters are long and cold and northern stretches of the country could have snow on the ground for almost half the year. Average temperatures from November to March rarely exceed 30 degrees Fahrenheit.
Warmer temperatures can be found in southwestern Finland, especially on the country’s islands in the Baltic Sea. In summer, the climate is temperate and warm, like other parts of Scandinavia. From June to August, temperatures generally range between the mid-60s and 70s. Keep in mind that beyond the Arctic Circle in northern Finland, you can experience the Midnight Sun every summer.
Key events and festivals
During May or June, the weather in Finland will be warm and outdoor activities and events abound. Just a few of the many spring and summer events in Finland include Organ Night and Aria Festival from June to August, Naantali Music Festival in June, Black and White Theater Festival in June, Midnight Sun Film Festival in June, Sirkus Finland, and the Pori Jazz Festival in July.
The Juhannusvalkeat (Midsummer) Festival is a huge celebration throughout Finland, with bonfires, dancing and another party. The celebration of Juhannus , as the festival of St. John is called in Finnish, originates from John the Baptist, whose commemoration and birthday are celebrated in St. John. Before 1316, the summer solstice was called Ukon juhla , in honor of the Finnish god Ukko.
Spring
Spring in Finland is short and often overlooked, as many travelers flock to the country during the summer months. In some parts of the country, there may still be snow on the ground, it is even possible to ski until late spring. However, spring is quite versatile. While March can be chilly with temperatures hovering around 35 degrees, May temperatures are regularly in the mid-50s.
Events to watch:
- Vappu, the Finnish version of International Workers’ Day, is celebrated on May 1. It is one of the largest parties in the country and takes residents to the streets during holidays. The celebration is also sometimes called Walpurgis Night.
- The Helsinki City Marathon is an annual road race event held every year in May. Formerly held in August, the marathon attracts more than 6,000 runners each year.
Summer
In northern Finland, the midnight sun is best seen in June and July. While Finns are used to darkening Arctic winters, Midnight Sun is the complete opposite, as this natural phenomenon makes the sun visible for almost 24 hours a day during peak summer months. Finns embrace the contrast between the two seasons, and in summer, public places come to life and everyone stays up late. It is a festive and happy atmosphere.
It is also an ideal time for hiking and camping. Finland has 40 national parks, spread over the archipelago, lakes, forests and logging areas of the country. Finland’s “rights of all men” mean that you can venture anywhere in the parks as long as you respect nature and clean up after yourself.
Events to watch:
- In Helsinki, a must-see in August is the city’s annual Flow Festival, an urban music festival held in an abandoned power station on the outskirts of Helsinki and hosting some of the world’s most popular acts. The festival offers an impressive food menu with extensive vegan, organic and farm-to-table selections.
- Organ Night and Aria Festival is a unique series of late-night classical music concerts that take place throughout the summer. Held in Espoo, these atmospheric performances include recitals as well as grand performances of great works.
- The ancient Naantali Music Festival is held in the sunny seaside town for which it is named. Concerts are held in a medieval abbey and other locations throughout the archipelago.
Fall
September and October are good times to visit Finland if you are on a budget and want to avoid the peak tourist season. However, with the decrease in crowds, many attractions will be closed. Still, photographers can enjoy the New England-style color display in September and October.
If you don’t mind missing out on festivals and concerts, but enjoy the idea of pleasant, quiet walks, beautiful scenery, and relatively mild weather, then early fall may be the best time to visit Finland.
Events to watch:
- The annual Sibelius Festival takes place every year in September and serves to commemorate the anniversary of the birth of Jean Sibelius. The festival includes performances by Sinfonia Lahti, the city’s famous symphony orchestra.
- Helsinki Design Week spans two weeks in early September. The event features fashion designers, furniture designers, architects, and other creatives.
Winter
If you consider yourself a winter-loving traveler, then the coldest season may be the best time for your
It’s an expensive time of year, but Christmas in Finland, filled with snow and local events, is a great experience. You can visit Santa in Lapland and cross the magical Arctic Circle in Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi. This is also the area where you will find Santa’s reindeer and even take a reindeer sleigh ride.
If you are a winter sports enthusiast, January to March are the coldest months in this Scandinavian country. It is a good time to go because you will have more hours of daylight than in December because the polar nights will be over by this time.
Winter is also a time to visit the city of Kemi. Unique ice creations and snow castles attract visitors. The city, located next to Bothnian Bay, is known for the huge snow castle that is erected every year. The Lumilinna Snow Castle has been built there every year since 1996. Each year as it is rebuilt, a chapel, restaurant and hotel are created inside, with ice tables, rooms, a bar, beds and reindeer skin covers. You can stay in the castle and dine on traditional Finnish food in the restaurant, eat at ice tables with seats covered in warm reindeer hair.
Kemi also has a gemstone gallery displaying a model of the Finnish crown and other pieces such as Britain’s imperial state crown and Russia’s Tsar’s Scepter.
Events to watch:
- If you want to see the Northern Lights ( Northern Lights ), aim for December. The aurora effect is the result of charged particles from the sun striking atoms in Earth’s atmosphere, causing the electrons in the atoms to move to a higher energy state. When electrons fall back to a lower energy state, light is released. This process creates a beautiful light effect.
