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    Where and when can you see the midnight sun in Finland?

    How long the midnight sun lasts and what summer nights are like in the south.

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    Short answer

    You can see the real midnight sun, when the sun stays above the horizon all night, north of the Arctic Circle in Lapland. In the northernmost part of Finland it lasts 73 days, from about mid-May. In the south the sun sets briefly, but the longest day is nearly 19 hours and the night stays light.

    Weather & Seasons

    Why

    1. The Finnish Meteorological Institute says the midnight sun lasts 73 days a year in northernmost Finland.
    2. According to FMI, the longest day in southern Finland is nearly 19 hours around Midsummer.
    3. Visit Finland says the midnight sun period in northern Lapland begins around mid-May.

    Details

    Midsummer, juhannus, is the biggest celebration of the light. It falls on the weekend between 19 and 26 June, and many Finns spend it at summer cottages.

    Tip

    Bring a sleep mask. Hotel curtains in Lapland are usually good, but cabins and tents can be bright all night.

    What may differ

    Clouds and fells can hide the sun at midnight, so a hill with a clear view to the north is the best spot.

    Common misconception

    The midnight sun can be seen everywhere in Finland.

    What actually happens

    The sun only stays up all night north of the Arctic Circle. In the south the nights are light but the sun does set.

    People also ask

    • When is the midnight sun in Lapland?
    • Does the sun set in Helsinki in June?
    • When is Midsummer in Finland?

    Sources

    This answer is for reference only. Weather varies a lot from year to year, so check the forecast of the Finnish Meteorological Institute before you travel.

    Weather & Seasons
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