20 Interesting Things To Do In Lapland In The Fall

It’s no secret that Lapland, also known as the official hometown of Santa Claus, has its peak season during the winter months. However, just because the trees aren’t dusted with snow during autumn, doesn’t mean there isn’t anything cool to do in town. With that being said, here are 20 interesting things to do in Lapland in the fall:

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Things To Do In Lapland In The Fall:

1. Catch The Northern Lights

September in Lapland marks the change in between the long summer days and the long, dark winters. In other words, your chances of spotting the Northern Lights begin to go up. September often has clear skies and better temperatures for viewing the aurora lights and hey, maybe you’ll even catch their reflections over the unfrozen lakes.

Pro Tip: I recommend downloading the Aurora app to track when the northern lights will be visible, as well as get notifications of when to go outside. If you are staying at Apukka Resort, you should also download the Aurora Alert- Realtime app and turn on notifications.

2. Help The Huskies Train

The Arctic sled dogs train for the winter months during late summer and autumn. Instead of sleds, you can take a ride on the dogs’ training carriage and ride through the fall foliage in the forests. You’ll likely be in smaller groups during this time for a more intimate experience and with some pups eager to get back out on the trails after their summer vacations.

3. Go Canoeing

One thing that you can’t do on a frozen lake, is canoe over it. Because of this, the autumn months offer a unique advantage and a different perspective when exploring Lapland. The resort I stayed at in Rovaniemi was surrounded by two lakes and was a wonderful place to explore via water.

4. Go Fishing

The beauty of an unfrozen lake is that no holes need to be drilled into the ice in order to go fishing! There are tons of opportunities to catch perch, pike and rainbow trout in the lakes surrounding the Apukka Resort. Whether you prefer a boat, canoe or simply fishing from shore, there are plenty of opportunities to reconnect with nature when in Rovaniemi.

5. Go Hiking and Foraging

No snowshoes or skis are needed during the summer or fall to enjoy the Lappish forests. However, besides the serene views, you can also enjoy foraging for berries. If you’re not sure where to hike, this tour will bring you on a 5-7km guided trek, include snacks and drinks and teach you all about berry picking and other natural foods found in these woods.

6. Visit A Reindeer Farm

There are actually more reindeer than people in Lapland and autumn is the best season to experience them. This is not only because fall is the time of year when the males have their most impressive antlers on display, but also because you’ll have a chance to see the herders separating their reindeer after spending their summers roaming free. Many of the reindeer farms let you visit these guys one-on-one and even feed them!

7. Say Hello To Santa Claus

Your visit to the official home of Santa Claus wouldn’t be complete without saying hello to the big man. The Santa Claus Village is open year-round and not only can you meet your childhood hero, but you can also cross the Arctic Circle and enjoy the village shops and restaurants while you’re there.

8. Take a Horse Drawn Carriage

This isn’t your average sleigh ride, it’s a magical carriage ride beneath the Northern Lights in Finland. This cozy experience will not only give you incredible views, but also includes stories about Finn Horses and the Northern Lights. You will also get a break at a crackling bonfire on the forests’ edge, where you can enjoy a hot drink and some light bites. It’s what fairytales are made of.

9. Hop On An E-Fatbike

These electric fat wheel bikes can make it over the frozen, snowy trails and through the crunchy leaves in the autumn. As long as you know how to ride a regular bike, this tour is going to be a breeze. You can soak in some of the harder-to-get-to views around Rovaniemi and through the quiet forest of Ounasvaara.

10. Go Bear Watching

Wild brown bears are native to Lapland and the best time to see them is in late spring during the mating season or early autumn during the salmon run. However, you can run into these guys anytime between May and September. Obviously, you wouldn’t want to encounter a bear under the wrong circumstances, so it’s best to book a tour with a professional guide for safety and to get the best odds at spotting the bears.

11. Explore Ranua Wildlife Park

Ranua Wildlife Park is a sustainable wildlife park that specializes in arctic animals. It’s home to over 50 northern species, including Finland’s only polar bear. The park is open year-round and offers a different experience to visitors depending on the season. For the most updated information on events and admission prices, it’s best to check their website.

12. Relax in a Finnish Sauna

I’ll be honest, there is no end to the amount of places in Rovaniemi that you can find a Finnish Sauna in to explore. A few of the more unique experiences I came across were this Sauna Boat Scenic Lake Cruise, this Ice Sculpting, Sauna and Dinner Experience and this Private Lakeside Sauna.

13. Visit The Arktikum Science Centre

This museum doubles as the research base of the Arctic region and Antarctica and gives you a unique glimpse into this lesser-explored region of the world. There are different events, permanent displays and immersive exhibits to explore here, like the Arctic Opposites. This exhibition brings visitors from the darkness and blizzards during winter months to the sparkling summer days full of color.

14. Play In The Angry Birds Activity Park

Even though we all used to love playing this game on our iPhones, I think it’s pretty safe to say this stop is for the kids. The park is full of Angry Birds-related activities, like bird slinging, donut hamster wheels and climbing frames.

15. Ogle At The Korundi House of Culture

Korundi invites visitors to explore art in the north from multiple perspectives. Not only will you find gorgeous exhibits of contemporary art, but, if you time your visit right, you can also enjoy a concert that showcases talented musicians in Finland.

16. Catch An Ice Hockey Game

Ice hockey is the most popular sport in Finland and a great way to experience some of the local culture when visiting! The arena is located near the Rovaniemi city center and has food, drinks and even a playground, so the whole family can enjoy going to the game.

17. Make Your Own Souvenir

This handicraft workshop will teach you all about the long history of working reindeer antlers. You will also get the opportunity to make your very own souvenir from reindeer antler if you would like. After creating your souvenir, the owners will also invite you into their Lappish home to enjoy a hot drink in their cozy interior.

18. Go Aurora Floating

This is probably one of the most unique ways to soak in the Northern Lights…literally. You’ll put on a warm and dry survival suit that will allow you to float on the lake, staying completely cozy without getting wet, no matter the temperature. After you experience the peaceful lake, warm up with hot drinks and gingerbread. However, if you already have plans for your Northern Lights watching, you can hop on a floating day tour, as well.

19. Pan For Gold

Take a trip back to the 19th century, the days of the gold rush in Finland. On this tour, you can visit a gold prospector’s cabin and learn how to pan for gold yourself. To add to the fun, any gold that you find is YOURS to keep. You’ll get to sit back and enjoy a hot drink in Lappish nature beside the fire after your hard work.

20. Mine For Amethyst

This guided tour will take you to the Finnish countryside to experience something truly unique: An Amethyst Mine. Your guide will teach you how to excavate the gems from the mine and then send you on a snow train to enjoy the sights.

I hope this list of interesting things to do in Lapland in the the fall gave you a great starting point on planning your adventures. If you are still looking for a great place to stay in Rovaniemi, check out my post reviewing the Apukka Resort Glass Igloos.

For my visual learners, you can also check out my Finland Playlist on TikTok for more in-depth video reviews of the things that we did in Lapland during the fall.