Attractions

The Polar Night

In the northernmost Finland the Polar night lasts for almost two months - and it might just be the most beautiful time of the year.

In Utsjoki, the long polar night falls in late November and lasts until mid-January. During this period the Sun does not rise above the horizon at all. But even then, the sky is never pitch-black. Around noon the Sun lights up the sky and paints it with beautiful pastel colours for many hours. Even though the sun doesn’t rise the sunlight lights up the sky, giving this beautiful light for outdoor activities and photography. As it gets darker,  the Moon, the stars and the Northern Lights light up the sky. Nature also provides light at ground level. The sparkling white snow and the mysterious cold glow of the ice bring light into the darkness.

There is light and colour in the sky. On cold, cloudless nights, the sky catches fire when the Northern Lights start to dance high above. If the weather at Utsjoki is clear enough, the Northern Lights are sometimes also visible also in the morning or early afternoon. The glow of the Arctic Ocean is reflected in the northern sky. Moonlight and starlight will even allow you to go skiing at night, as long as you do not venture too far. 

At Utsjoki, the nature of light seems to change along with the changing seasons. The darkness and the cold of the long polar night are just a distant memory in May, June and July, when the Midnight Sun rises and does not set at all. 

Welcome to Utsjoki to experience the colours of light in eight different seasons!