Good Time to Visit

Weather

The weather in Finland is relatively mild in spring and autumn, with brief warm summers. Snow cover in the north lasts from October to mid-May. Annual precipitation in the south is 60-70 cm and 50-60 cm in the north, with half of it falling as snow. During summer, the sun stays above the horizon for over 70 days. The Twilight season lasts for two months in the north during winter.

Visitors are advised to bring light- to mediumweight clothing in warmer months, with medium- to heavyweight clothing in winter. Extra warm clothing is needed for the Arctic north. Waterproofing is essential throughout the year.

For a more detailed look at the Finnish weather, see Climate in Finland.

Festivals

Midsummer's Day (the Saturday that falls between June 20 and June 26) is the largest celebration, when people leave the cities and towns to toast the longest day of the year. Savonlinna Opera Festival, held in the medieval Olavinnlinna Castle, is famous, but it is the Pori Jazz Festival in July that is the most popular. On Sleepyhead Day on 27 July, the laziest persons from Naantali and Hanko are thrown into the sea, Sonkajarvi hosts the wife-carrying championship every July, and the Air Guitar World Championships are held in Oulu in August.

Public Holidays

The following table shows the public holidays celebrated in Finland: