What are the typical temperatures and daylight hours in Nordic/Scandinavia during December?

December in Nordic/Scandinavia brings distinctly short days and winter temperatures. Iceland sees about 4-5 hours of daylight with temperatures from -5°C to +5°C (23-41°F). Parts of Finland and northern Sweden experience the polar night when the sun doesn't rise at all. Temperatures in Stockholm stay around 0°C (32°F) while Copenhagen runs slightly milder at 2-6°C (35-43°F). A TourRadar traveler noted "In November sunlight hours were very short with sunset around 4pm." Places like Hotel Cabin in Reykjavík provide warm shelter from the winter elements with proper heating and insulation.

What are the best places to see the Northern Lights in Nordic/Scandinavia during December?

Several locations offer good chances to spot the Northern Lights in December. Finnish Lapland near Rovaniemi and the Arctic Snow Hotel's glass igloos provide clear viewing spots. In Iceland going beyond Reykjavik to Lake Myvatn or Kirkjubæjarklaustur increases your chances. TourRadar travelers note "The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and sightings will be dependent on weather conditions." The areas around Lulea in northern Sweden and Iceland's Snaefellsnes Peninsula also serve as reliable viewing locations on clear nights.

What unique winter activities can I experience in Nordic/Scandinavia during December?

December fills the region with distinctive winter experiences. Visitors can hike Solheimajökull glacier explore ice caves at Breiðamerkurjökull or chase the Northern Lights. One TourRadar traveler shared "We were fortunate enough to see the Northern Lights 2x" during their Iceland tour. The Arctic Snow Hotel offers glass igloo stays while Santa's Village welcomes visitors in Rovaniemi Finland. Other activities include traditional Finnish saunas walks through snow-covered Thingvellir National Park and visits to winter waterfalls like Gullfoss and Skógafoss.

What are the Christmas markets and winter festivals like in Nordic/Scandinavia during December?

Christmas markets bring local traditions to life across Nordic cities in December. Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen sets up market stalls under festive lights. Stockholm's Gamla Stan fills with vendors selling crafts and warming glögg. Helsinki's Senate Square showcases Finnish Christmas treats and handicrafts. The Skansen Christmas Market keeps Swedish winter traditions alive while Oslo's markets feature Nordic crafts and seasonal foods. Most markets operate daily through the Christmas season.

What makes December a special time to visit Nordic/Scandinavia compared to other months?

December combines natural wonders and cultural traditions unique to winter. Snow blankets the landscape while Northern Lights dance above creating perfect photo opportunities. TourRadar travelers note "Iceland's otherworldly aura seems to heighten at the winter months." Visitors can meet Santa in Rovaniemi browse Christmas markets or sleep under stars in glass igloos at the Arctic SnowHotel. The extended darkness provides more chances to see the Northern Lights while Swedish Lucia celebrations and Finnish Independence Day add cultural depth to any visit.

What accommodation options are available in Nordic/Scandinavia during December?

Winter accommodations range from unique to practical across the region. Finland's Arctic SnowHotel offers glass igloos for Northern Lights viewing. Iceland features hotels like Hotel Höfn and Hotel Katla perfect for winter storm watching. TourRadar travelers confirm "The accommodation is very good always clean warm and comfortable." City options include The Square Hotel in Copenhagen and Profil Hotels Central in Stockholm while remote locations offer guesthouses with winter comforts like saunas and fireplaces.

Nordic / Scandinavia Tours in December 2026

250+ Nordic / Scandinavia tours

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Northern Lights
Northern Scandinavia in Winter
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Finland Sweden Norway
Age Range
Ages 15+
Operated in
English
Operator
Intrepid Travel
From
US$5,260per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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5 Dec, 2026
3 spaces left
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Adventure & Adrenaline
Scandinavia (Winter)
4.9 (117 reviews)
"The whole experience felt effortless, turning every stop into a rich and immersive adventure."
Jasmin, traveled in March
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Denmark Norway Sweden
Age Range
Ages 18-35
Operated in
English
Operator
Contiki
From
US$1,850per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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3 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
10 Dec, 2026
10 spaces left
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Northern Lights
Winter Scandinavia and Northern Lights Small Group Tour
Duration
12 days
Destinations
Denmark Norway Sweden
Age Range
Ages 12+
Operated in
English
Operator
Firebird Tours
From
US$6,208per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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6 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
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Northern Lights
10 Days Complete Iceland Winter | Ring-Road, Snæfellsnes, Northern Lights & Roundtrip airport transfer (Group Tour)
3.0 (1 review)
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Keflavik, Blue Lagoon, Reykjavik,Thingvellir National Park,Geysir,Gullfoss,Seljaland,Skogafoss,Solheimajokull,Reynisfjara,Vik,Skaftafell,Jokulsarlon,Vatnajokull National Park,Egilsstadir,Dettifoss,Myvatn,Mount Namaskard,Dimmuborgir,Godafoss,Akureyri,Borgarfjörður,Snæfellsnes,Djupalonssandur,Snaefellsjokull National Park,Kirkjufell Mountain,Reykholt,Hraunfossar+25 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Operated in
English
Operator
Marina Travel
10% Off
From $4,581
US$4,123per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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1 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
2 Dec, 2026
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City & Culture
Scandinavia – 13 Days Copenhagen to Helsinki
Duration
13 days
Destinations
Denmark Norway Sweden Finland
Age Range
Ages 8+
Operated in
English
Operator
Bucket List Group Travel LLC
10% Off
From
US$4,590per person
Price based on Private Single Room
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5 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
12 Dec, 2026
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City & Culture
Capitals of the North
Duration
9 days
Destinations
Denmark Norway Sweden Finland
Age Range
Ages 12+
Operated in
English
Operator
V.O.S – Vision of Scandinavia
20% Off
From $2,867
US$2,294per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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1 Dec, 2026
10 spaces left
2 Dec, 2026
10 spaces left
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Nature & Wildlife
6 Day Around Iceland Winter Minibus Tour
4.0 (5 reviews)
"Excellent tour operator that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to anyone interested in an adventure in Iceland!"
Hong, traveled in December
Duration
6 days
Destinations
Reykjavik, Thingvellir National Park, Geysir, Gullfoss,Seljaland,Skogafoss,Reynisfjara,Vik,Skaftafell,Jokulsarlon,Vatnajokull National Park,Djupivogur,Myvatn,Dimmuborgir,Mount Namaskard,Godafoss,Akureyri+13 more
Age Range
Ages 8+
Operated in
English
Operator
Troll Expeditions
20% Off
From
US$2,284per person
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1 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
2 Dec, 2026
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Northern Lights
7 Days Self-drive | Golden Circle, South Coast, Snæfellsnes and Reykjavik (Winter)
4.8 (6 reviews)
"The nightly accommodations were clean and comfortable, and breakfast was plentiful at each hotel."
Ellen, traveled in August
Duration
7 days
Destinations
Keflavik, Blue Lagoon, Borgarnes, Snæfellsnes, Arnarstapi,Hellnar,Kirkjufell Mountain,Reykholt,Thingvellir National Park,Gullfoss,Geysir,Kerid Volcano,Hella,Hvolsvollur,Seljaland,Skogafoss,Reynisfjara,Solheimajokull,Myrdalsjokull,Hof,Kirkjubaejarklaustur,Jokulsarlon,Reykjavik+18 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Marina Travel
10% Off
From $2,389
US$2,150per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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1 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
2 Dec, 2026
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Northern Lights
6 Days Private tour Reykjavik, Golden Circle and South Iceland Tour (Winter)
5.0 (1 review)
"My itinerary was very well organized. I will definitely use tourradar again."
Samantha, traveled in October
Duration
6 days
Destinations
Keflavik, Blue Lagoon, Borgarnes,Thingvellir National Park,Geysir,Gullfoss,Hella,Skogafoss,Seljaland,Reynisfjara,Solheimajokull,Hof,Kirkjubaejarklaustur,Jokulsarlon,Reykjavik+12 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Iceland South CoastSouth Iceland+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Marina Travel
10% Off
From $7,735
US$6,961per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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1 Dec, 2026
7 spaces left
2 Dec, 2026
7 spaces left
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Northern Lights
5 Days Private tour Reykjavik, Golden Circle and South Coast Tour (Winter)
5.0 (3 reviews)
"Iceland is a magnificent country and everything we saw was magical. The city is adorable, and the food was delicious."
Michele, traveled in September
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Keflavik, Blue Lagoon, Borgarnes,Thingvellir National Park,Geysir,Gullfoss,Hella,Skogafoss,Seljaland,Reynisfjara,Solheimajokull,Vik,Reykjavik+10 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Iceland South CoastSouth Iceland+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Marina Travel
10% Off
From $6,313
US$5,682per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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1 Dec, 2026
7 spaces left
2 Dec, 2026
7 spaces left
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City & Culture
From Copenhagen to Helsinki
3.6 (74 reviews)
"Everything was taken care of and our guide was amazing."
Roger, traveled in July
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Denmark Norway Sweden Finland
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Europamundo
10% Off
From
US$2,222per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Road Trip & Self-Drive
10 Days Self-drive | In-Depth Iceland Ring Road Tour (Winter)
5.0 (4 reviews)
"Every question I had beforehand and during the trip was quickly responded to. Highlights were zodiac tour of lagoon, glacier hike and puffins."
Ann, traveled in May
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Keflavik, Reykholt, Borgarnes, Snæfellsnes, Arnarstapi,Kirkjufell Mountain,Hvitserkur,Akureyri,Godafoss,Myvatn,Dettifoss,Egilsstadir,Bakkagerdi,Hofn,Jokulsarlon,Hof,Kirkjubaejarklaustur,Reynisfjara,Skogafoss,Seljaland,Solheimajokull,Hella,Hvolsvollur,Thingvellir National Park,Gullfoss,Geysir,Kerid Volcano,Reykjavik,Blue Lagoon+24 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Iceland Ring Road
Operated in
English
Operator
Marina Travel
10% Off
From $3,038
US$2,734per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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1 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
2 Dec, 2026
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City & Culture
Absolute North
3.8 (40 reviews)
"Lovely places to see. We had wonderful times."
Maheshkumar, traveled in September
Duration
12 days
Destinations
Denmark Norway Sweden Finland Estonia
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Europamundo
10% Off
From
US$2,458per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Northern Lights
Lapland Winter Adventure
4.6 (5 reviews)
"The transfers were on time, very polite and in very nice vehicles. The hotel was central to shopping and all meeting points for adventures."
Jeffrey, traveled in February
Duration
6 days
Destinations
Helsinki, Rovaniemi, Kalix
Age Range
Ages 6+
Country Region
Lapland
Operated in
English
Operator
Carisa Travel Group
10% Off
From
US$3,970per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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1 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
2 Dec, 2026
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Nature & Wildlife
8 Day Around Iceland Winter Minibus Tour
4.4 (22 reviews)
"What a great trip, weather could have been better but we still enjoyed it. Good selection of passengers, we made some friends for life."
Petrina, traveled in July
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Reykjavik, Thingvellir National Park, Geysir, Gullfoss,Seljaland,Skogar,Vik,Skaftafell,Jokulsarlon,Hof,Djupivogur,Egilsstadir,Myvatn,Dimmuborgir,Mount Namaskard,Godafoss,Akureyri,Borgarnes,Snæfellsnes,Djupalonssandur,Snaefellsjokull National Park,Kirkjufell Mountain,Stykkisholmur,Borgarfjörður,Reykholt,Hraunfossar+22 more
Age Range
Ages 8+
Operated in
English
Operator
Troll Expeditions
10% Off
From
US$2,688per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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1 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
2 Dec, 2026
10+ spaces left
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