Experience New Year’s Eve in Lapland
Why is New Year’s Eve in Lapland so special?
1.1 Magical silence instead of big city noise
1.2 New Year’s Eve holiday in the far north: nature experience instead of fireworks
1.3 Traditions and customs in Lapland
Northern lights on New Year’s Eve – chances, locations and tips
2.1 Best places to see the Aurora Borealis
2.2 What are the chances of seeing the Northern Lights on New Year’s Eve?
2.3 Tips for perfect Northern Lights photos
Activities for your New Year’s Eve holiday in Lapland
3.1 Dog sledding
3.2 Snowmobile tours
3.3 Winter hikes and snowshoe adventures
3.4 Ice fishing and sauna tradition
Accommodation & atmosphere – Where to spend a relaxing New Year’s Eve
4.1 Cosy lodges and glass igloos
4.2 Special accommodation with a view of the Northern Lights
4.3 Culinary specialities on New Year’s Eve
Travelling to Lapland – A stress-free New Year’s Eve holiday
5.1 Why LEAV Aviation offers the best connection to Arvidsjaur
5.2 Tips for a Relaxed Winter Trip
5.3 What You Should Definitely Pack
6.1 How Cold Is It Really in Lapland on New Year’s Eve?
6.2 Is Lapland a Good Place to Spend New Year’s Eve with Children?
6.3 How Early Should You Book a New Year’s Eve Holiday in Lapland to Get Good Prices?
Why Is New Year’s Eve in Lapland So Special?
Magical Silence Instead of City Noise
When you think of New Year’s Eve, fireworks, loud street parties and hustle and bustle probably come to mind. Lapland, on the other hand, offers you a completely different way to start the new year. The silence of untouched nature creates an atmosphere that you will hardly find anywhere else. The experience is made particularly impressive by:
- Wide, snow-covered landscapes – The white, endless expanse immediately calms you down and makes the turn of the year a truly relaxing experience.
- Deep snow-covered forests – The trees stand as if wrapped in cotton wool, and the crunch of snow under your shoes replaces loud fireworks.
- A sky full of stars – There is hardly any light pollution in Lapland. This makes the night sky exceptionally clear and intense.
This combination makes New Year’s Eve in Lapland a holiday that not only offers relaxation, but also a genuine experience of nature.
New Year’s Getaway in the Far North: Nature Experiences Instead of Fireworks
While colourful fireworks fill the sky in many countries at the turn of the year, in Lapland you can experience a completely different kind of celebration. Many regions deliberately refrain from setting off fireworks – not only to protect nature and animals, but also to preserve the special atmosphere of the Arctic landscape.
Instead of bright lights and noise, you can enjoy the moment: the crackling of the fireplace, the bitter cold outside and perhaps even the Northern Lights dancing silently across the sky. A New Year’s Eve holiday in Lapland invites you to focus on the essentials – peace, nature and time spent with your loved ones.
Traditions and Customs in Lapland
Although New Year’s Eve is celebrated more quietly in Lapland, there are still special traditions you can experience. Particularly typical of the far north are:
Shared outdoor rituals
Many Laplanders meet in the early evening for short hikes or walks through the winter landscape. They often pause briefly at certain places to look back on the past year together.
Sauna and ice bathing
A visit to the hot sauna is simply part of the end of the year. Some brave souls even jump into an ice hole afterwards – a feeling of freshness and new beginnings that you won’t soon forget.
Arctic feasts
The turn of the year is often celebrated with regional specialities. These include traditional fish, reindeer dishes or sweet pastries, which are shared with family or in small groups.
These customs give your New Year’s Eve holiday a warm, authentic touch – without any hustle and bustle, but full of meaning and Lappish charm.
Are you also planning to spend Christmas in Lapland? Then find out more about the traditions here!
Why is New Year’s Eve in Lapland so special?
1.1 Magical silence instead of big city noise
1.2 New Year’s Eve holiday in the far north: nature experience instead of fireworks
1.3 Traditions and customs in Lapland
Northern lights on New Year’s Eve – chances, locations and tips
2.1 Best places to see the Aurora Borealis
2.2 What are the chances of seeing the Northern Lights on New Year’s Eve?
2.3 Tips for perfect Northern Lights photos
Activities for your New Year’s Eve holiday in Lapland
3.1 Dog sledding
3.2 Snowmobile tours
3.3 Winter hikes and snowshoe adventures
3.4 Ice fishing and sauna tradition
Accommodation & atmosphere – Where to spend a relaxing New Year’s Eve
4.1 Cosy lodges and glass igloos
4.2 Special accommodation with a view of the Northern Lights
4.3 Culinary specialities on New Year’s Eve
Travelling to Lapland – A stress-free New Year’s Eve holiday
5.1 Why LEAV Aviation offers the best connection to Arvidsjaur
5.2 Tips for a Relaxed Winter Trip
5.3 What You Should Definitely Pack
6.1 How Cold Is It Really in Lapland on New Year’s Eve?
6.2 Is Lapland a Good Place to Spend New Year’s Eve with Children?
6.3 How Early Should You Book a New Year’s Eve Holiday in Lapland to Get Good Prices?
Northern Lights on New Year’s Eve – Chances, Best Spots and Helpful Tips
Best Places to See the Aurora Borealis
For many, New Year’s Eve in Lapland means hoping to see the Northern Lights live. And indeed, there is hardly any place in Europe that offers better chances than the far north. The following regions in particular are considered hotspots:
- Arvidsjaur and surroundings – Perfectly accessible with LEAV and located in the middle of a region with very little light pollution.
- Inari and Utsjoki in northern Finland – High Northern Lights activity and wide, open landscapes.
- Abisko in Sweden – Known for particularly clear nights, as the region often remains cloud-free.
The further you travel from cities, the more intense the experience becomes. Often, a short walk out of town is enough to find yourself under a spectacular sky.
How High Are the Chances of Seeing the Northern Lights on New Year’s Eve?
The turn of the year falls right in the middle of the best northern lights season, which lasts from September to March. For you, this means:
Very good chances of seeing them: On clear nights, the chances are particularly high in December and January. It has also been scientifically proven that this region is one of the most reliable places to see the Northern Lights: according to the Finnish Meteorological Institute, the Northern Lights are visible in Northern Lapland on around 200 nights per year – almost every other night. Visit Finland also confirms this figure and emphasises that Lapland is one of the best places in the world to observe the Northern Lights.
Long darkness: The polar night means that you could potentially see the Northern Lights almost all day long – perfect timing for a New Year’s Eve holiday in the far north.
Dependent on the weather: Clouds remain the decisive factor. The clearer the sky, the higher the probability that you will actually experience the Aurora Borealis.
Many travellers report that they saw the Northern Lights not just once, but several times during their stay. This is exactly what makes New Year’s Eve in Lapland so special: a turn of the year where nature itself provides the most impressive ‘fireworks’.
Tips for Perfect Northern Lights Photos
When the Aurora Borealis appears in the sky, you naturally want to capture the moment. The following tips will help you take great photos:
Use a tripod
Northern lights require long exposure times. Without a tripod, your photos will quickly become blurry. A compact travel tripod is perfectly adequate.
Manual camera mode
Set the ISO, exposure time and focus manually. Typical settings are ISO 800–1600, an exposure time of 2–10 seconds and a focus of infinity.
Pack warm clothing
You will be standing outside a lot – often motionless. Thick gloves, thermal socks and hand warmers are worth their weight in gold.
Use a wide-angle lens
This will allow you to capture as much of the sky as possible in your picture and impressively capture the movement of the Northern Lights.
Use apps for northern lights forecasts
Tools such as ‘Aurora’ or ‘My Aurora Forecast’ show you the activity and send alerts when there is a high probability
With the right preparation, you will not only capture beautiful photos – you will also preserve a memory of one of the most magical moments of your New Year’s Eve holiday in Lapland.
Activities for Your New Year’s Trip to Lapland
Dog Sledding
A dog sled ride is one of the most impressive ways to experience the Arctic landscape. You glide silently across vast snowfields, the only sounds being the huskies’ breathing and the crunching of the sled. Many providers explain how to steer the sled in advance. This activity combines adventure with closeness to nature – perfect for your New Year’s Eve trip.
Snowmobile Tours
If you like things a little faster, a snowmobile tour is just the thing. With guides, you’ll ride across frozen lakes, through snow-covered forests and sometimes even up to mountain plateaus with breathtaking views. The tours vary in length and difficulty, so both beginners and experienced riders will get their money’s worth. Wrapped up warm and equipped with a helmet, you’ll feel the thrill of the north up close.
Winter Hikes and Snowshoe Adventures
For those who prefer a quieter pace and want to enjoy the tranquillity of the north, winter hikes or snowshoe tours are ideal. Particularly beautiful are:
Guided tours through snow-covered forests
You will learn a lot about Lapland’s nature, animal tracks in the snow and the special features of the Arctic winter.
Northern Lights hikes
On clear nights, you will hike in small groups, accompanied by guides who will take you to particularly dark places – perfect for viewing the Northern Lights.
Snowshoeing off the beaten track
With snowshoes, you can reach places that would otherwise be inaccessible. This gives you a sense of how untouched Lapland really is.
These activities allow you to immerse yourself in the winter silence and make your New Year’s Eve holiday even more intense.
Ice Fishing and Sauna Traditions
Ice fishing is one of the oldest traditions in the north: fishing through a hole in the thick frozen lake. You sit together in small groups, often with hot drinks and stories about life in Lapland.
For many Laplanders, the sauna is an essential part of an active day. The contrast between the hot sauna and the frosty air outside is both relaxing and invigorating. Some even dare to jump into an ice hole – an unforgettable feeling that will leave you feeling awake and refreshed as you start the new year.
Shared Outdoor Rituals
Sauna and Ice Bathing
Arctic Festive Meals
Accommodation & Atmosphere – Where to Spend a Relaxing New Year’s Eve
Cozy Lodges and Glass Igloos
In Lapland, you will find accommodation that is perfect for relaxing and enjoying the special atmosphere of the north. Many lodges are located in the middle of nature and offer a warm, cosy environment – often with a fireplace, wooden details and large windows overlooking the snow-covered landscape.
The famous glass igloos are a real highlight. Here you can sleep under a glass roof and, with a little luck, see the Northern Lights right from your bed. The combination of comfort, design and nature makes these accommodations ideal for your New Year’s Eve holiday.
Unique Accommodations with Northern Lights Views
If you’re spending New Year’s Eve in Lapland, you’ll naturally want to see as much of the night sky as possible. Many resorts and holiday homes are therefore deliberately built to offer you an unobstructed view of the sky. Some even have:
- Panoramic windows that extend across entire sides of the room
- Skylights through which you can observe stars and northern lights
- Private outdoor areas where you can stand in the cold and enjoy the sky
This makes the night an experience – without having to leave your accommodation.
Culinary specialities on New Year's Eve
New Year’s Eve in Lapland is also a special culinary experience. Depending on your accommodation, you can expect:
- Traditional Nordic cuisine such as reindeer, salmon or Arctic whitefish, mostly caught locally or farmed regionally.
- Hearty stews and soups, perfect for warming up after a long day in the snow.
- Sweet specialities such as cinnamon buns, saffron pastries or Lapland berry desserts, often passed down in family recipes.
Many lodges offer a festive New Year’s Eve menu that makes the turn of the year authentic and cosy – without the hustle and bustle, but with intense regional flavours.
Travelling to Lapland – Stress-free New Year's Eve holidays
Why LEAV Aviation Offers the Best Connection to Arvidsjaur
If you are planning to spend New Year’s Eve in Lapland, choosing the right mode of transport is crucial – especially in winter. LEAV Aviation offers one of the most comfortable and fastest ways to get to the heart of Swedish Lapland: Arvidsjaur.
The flight connection is specially designed for winter travellers, ensuring that you arrive reliably despite snow, ice and darkness. You also save yourself long transfers or complicated journeys via different cities. Get on board, sit back and relax as you land in your winter wonderland – it couldn’t be easier.
Tips for a Relaxing Winter Trip
Travelling in winter is particularly enjoyable, but a few preparations will ensure that everything runs smoothly:
Arrive at the airport in good time
Winter weather can be unpredictable. Allow a little extra time to check in without rushing.
Keep warm clothing handy
Pack gloves, a hat and a scarf in your hand luggage. Stopovers or short walks outside can be cold.
Store your technology well
Cold weather and batteries don’t mix very well. Keep your camera, smartphone and power bank in the warm part of your bag.
This way, you can start your winter break without any stress.
What You Should Definitely Pack
To ensure that your New Year’s Eve in Lapland is not only enjoyable but also comfortable, there are a few things you should definitely bring with you:
With this equipment, you will be well prepared to experience Lapland to the fullest – whether it’s -5 or -25 degrees.
Need more inspiration for your winter holiday? Then read on in our blog article ‘The most popular destinations for winter’ and discover more tips for travellers.
FAQ
How cold is it really in Lapland on New Year’s Eve?
On New Year’s Eve, temperatures range between -10 and -25 degrees, sometimes even lower, depending on the region. However, thanks to the dry air and good winter clothing, it often feels less extreme. The key is to dress in layers: wear several layers, good boots and warm accessories.
Can you spend New Year’s Eve in Lapland as a family?
Yes, absolutely. Many activities such as dog sledding, winter hiking or cosy lodge evenings are ideal for families. The peaceful atmosphere is often more pleasant for children than loud fireworks, and many accommodations are specially designed for families.
How early should you book a New Year’s Eve holiday in Lapland to get good prices?
As New Year’s Eve is one of the most popular times to visit Lapland, you should book as early as possible – ideally 6–9 months in advance. Flights to Arvidsjaur and accommodation with views of the Northern Lights are particularly quick to sell out. The earlier you plan, the better your chances of getting good prices and the perfect accommodation.