New Year's Eve in Lapland: Midnight Celebration at Kätkävaara

Tobogganing, kick sledging and tandem skiing under the midnight Arctic sky

A New Year's Eve tour from Rovaniemi to Kätkävaara Wilderness Lodge combines a traditional Finnish dinner, outdoor winter activities, and a midnight celebration with fireworks and a toast under the stars. The shared coach departs Rovaniemi in the evening and returns around 01:30–02:00. Winter thermal gear, guide services, Santa's visit, lead-free fortune casting and one sparkling wine or non-alcoholic drink are included. The lodge sits far from city lights, offering conditions to spot the Northern Lights if weather permits. Available 31 December only, with limited capacity.

Step-by-step itinerary

New Year celebration in Lapland

• Check-in and get winter gear
• Travel by shared coach to lodge
• Enjoy festive dinner at lodge
• Participate in winter activities outdoors
• Watch for Northern Lights
• Experience Finnish New Year traditions
• Meet Santa Claus
• Join midnight countdown and fireworks
• Toast with sparkling wine or alternative
• Return to Rovaniemi by coach

The experience

Fireworks and a sparkling toast at midnight are the centerpiece, but the evening builds toward them through a sequence of things you actually do. After the shared coach picks you up in Rovaniemi and delivers you to Kätkävaara, you change into winter thermal gear (the full outfit of overall, boots, hat and gloves), then head straight outdoors for tobogganing, kick sledging and tandem skiing across the peaceful Arctic landscape. The lodge sits far from city lights, which means the northern sky opens wide above you. If the Northern Lights appear, you'll see them from there. Between the outdoor runs, you gather inside for a festive dinner built on northern Finnish flavours and traditions, with firelight, music and storytelling filling the warm lodge.

As midnight approaches, Santa Claus makes a festive appearance, and then everyone moves outside for the countdown. The fireworks light up the Arctic sky, and you raise a glass (sparkling wine or a non-alcoholic alternative) to the year ahead. Before that, you'll also take part in lead-free fortune casting, a playful Finnish New Year custom that gives a glimpse of what's coming. The shared coach returns you to Rovaniemi at approximately 01:30–02:00, so you're back in the city as the new year settles in.

An English-speaking guide is with the group throughout, and the coach transport from Rovaniemi is included in the booking. The experience runs about eight hours from pickup to return. This tour operates on 31 December only, and spots fill quickly. Dietary requirements and food allergies can be accommodated if you let the operator know in advance.

What’s included

• Shared coach transport from Rovaniemi to Kätkävaara and return.
• winter thermal gear including overall, boots, hat and gloves.
• traditional Finnish New Year dinner with northern flavours.
• tobogganing, kick sledging and tandem skiing.
• lead-free fortune casting and Finnish New Year storytelling.
• firelight and music in the lodge.
• festive Santa Claus visit.
• midnight countdown, fireworks and Arctic sky toast.
• one serving of sparkling wine or non-alcoholic alternative.
• English-speaking guide throughout the evening.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 31 Dec

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (15 and older) · Child (4 to 14 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 30

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 9 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 29 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Lapland Welcome Oy

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a full evening in one place: dinner, winter activities, and midnight celebration all at the lodge itself, rather than moving between venues or spending time traveling within Lapland.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 14 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What winter activities will I actually do at Kätkävaara on New Year's Eve?

You'll toboggan, kick sled and tandem ski outdoors in the Arctic landscape surrounding the lodge, with breaks inside for the festive dinner and the midnight countdown.

Is there a real chance to see the Northern Lights during this New Year's Eve celebration?

Kätkävaara sits far from city lights with wide-open views of the northern sky, so conditions for spotting the Northern Lights are excellent if weather and aurora activity allow it on the night.

What time does the shared coach return to Rovaniemi after the midnight celebration?

The coach departs Kätkävaara at approximately 01:30–02:00, so you'll be back in Rovaniemi in the early morning hours of New Year's Day.

What's included in the New Year's Eve price, and what do I need to bring?

Winter thermal gear, the festive dinner, all outdoor activities, Santa's visit, the midnight countdown with fireworks, one sparkling wine or non-alcoholic drink, guide services and coach transport from Rovaniemi are all included. You don't need to bring winter clothing.

Can I request a vegetarian meal or accommodate food allergies?

Yes, vegetarian meals and dietary accommodations for allergies can be arranged if you notify the operator in advance of your booking.