As the day time adventures wind down, you’ll find a diverse array of options to enjoy your evenings. The city is home to a dynamic community of students and young professionals, creating an atmosphere buzzing with energy. Cozy cafes and lively bars offer the perfect settings to unwind after a day of exploring Lapland. Given the cold weather, the nightlife in Nordic countries is mostly indoors.

Ice hockey was born in Finland in the early 1920s, quickly becoming the national sport. With long and dark winters, Finland is perfectly suited for the game. The country also has a rich tradition of outdoor sports, and its frozen lakes and ponds provide ideal natural rinks where people of all ages can enjoy the game. For Finns, hockey is more than just a sport it’s a precious part of the culture.
Rovaniemi’s official club, ROKI, is also the biggest club and most follow in Finnish Lapland. The locals love to gather around their team in the Lappi Areena. Games are often played in the late afternoon around 17:00 or 18:30.

Learn more about the team on their website. You can buy your ticket online on lippu.fi or from RoKi Hockey Office. 

After an enriching day filled with Arctic activities, take a moment to relax in a bar. Local pubs often feature live music, where you can enjoy everything from traditional Finnish folk tunes (mostly metal music 🙂 to contemporary hits. The city offers a variety of places that mix locals and visitors, creating a unique atmosphere. Many bars, such as Oliver’s Pub, feature energic environment and sports games. It’s important to note that the minimum age to enter bars in Finland is 18, but each bar sets its own age policy. In many places, children are not allowed after 19:00, except for Bull Bar & Grill and the HOOK, which operates as a restaurant as well. This makes it a great option for families and friends, as they also offer live music.
Music plays an important role in the lives of the people, so Karaoke is a popular activity for locals, and many bars offer it, such as the Roy Club or Kansan Pub. A must-go in the city!

Picture – ©Oliver’s Bar

The Northern Lights are an undeniable part of the Lapland experience. Many companies offer aurora-hunting tours by bus, minibus or as private excursions, often taking you beyond Rovaniemi to escape light pollution and maximise your chances of spotting this magical phenomenon; but be careful with which company you book your experience as many are part of mass-tourism and will not drive you to the most promising spots! With real-time weather updates and expert advice, these excursions are designed to help you chase the aurora in the most promising directions.

But why not make the experience even more unique?

Dive deeper into nature with a snowshoeing adventure by night, where you can walk through serene forests under the northern lights. You can also take part in a guided night ski trek tour, exploring winter wonderland far from the lights and noise of the city. Your guide will not only lead you to the best viewing spots, but will also share with you fascinating information about the surrounding area and local culture.

Feeling adventurous? Rent an E-fatbike and embark on a night-time ride through the city, challenging yourself to spot the aurora in total freedom! Check our E-Fatbike circuits!

This indoor mini golf course is the perfect place to spend a entertaining evening with your partner, family or friends. The courses are glowing in the dark and the venue is modern. The facility features 14 mini golf courses and you can have a drink and snack on site. Conveniently located in the city center, the facility is easily accessible on foot. The place happens to offers student discount.
You can find more informations on their website!

Picture – ©Sampokeskus

Where to Eat in Rovaniemi?
Rovaniemi’s city center offers a variety of cafés, bars, and restaurants to suit every taste. While Finnish culture isn’t particularly known for its gastronomy, you’ll find plenty of establishments serving international cuisine and cozy cafés. However, discovering authentic Lappish dishes at reasonable prices can be challenging.
A Taste of Lapland Cuisine
Traditional Lapland cuisine is shaped by the region’s harsh conditions, relying on local ingredients such as reindeer and moose meat, salmon, potatoes, and berries like lingonberries and blueberries. Here are some recommendations for experiencing both local and international flavors:

• NILI RESTAURANT:The rare restaurant with traditional cuisine in the city centre, with service in a very charming setting. The only negative point is that it is overpriced (very touristy) and very busy in the high season (make sure you have a reservation!).
• TAIGA RESTAURANT:The rare restaurant with traditional cuisine in the city centre, with service in a very charming setting. The only negative point is that it is overpriced (very touristy) and very busy in the high season (make sure you have a reservation!).
• ROKA STREET BISTRO: A small but popular establishment serving simple but good food. We recommend the salmon soup (for one or two people). Its cousin, the Roka restaurant, offers a more elaborate menu and menu card, perfect for a dinner.
• CAFÉ 21:A very cozy café where you can enjoy, among other things, very good pastries, generous waffles (sweet or salty) and salads. It is associated with the YUCA restaurant, which offers delicious burritos.

Other Recommendations
– Pure Burger: The best burgers in town, served in a retro decor. This is a great way to try reindeer meat without spending too much money!
– Gustav Kitchen & Bar: A great choice for elaborate menu and drinks.
– Santa Salmon Place: Their speciality and only offer: salmon cooked on a wood fire, in the middle of a wooden hut.

Whether you’re craving a traditional Lappish meal or an international bite, Rovaniemi has something to offer!

Picture – ©Nili Restaurant

There is nothing more Finnish than a Finnish sauna! Sauna is part of the local culture in many aspects, and therefore a must-do experience when coming to Lapland. Saunas are deeply ingrained in Finnish culture, and no trip to Lapland is complete without experiencing one. The traditional Finnish sauna involves going into a hot, dry room and sweating intensely for a short period of time, before cooling down in cold water. This practice became a hobby for many locals and is to be known as very good for the skin and the immune system.

Enjoy an evening in a traditional wilderness sauna located outside Rovaniemi (transportation included) giving you full privacy. There is also a pontoon that leads directly to the lake : if you are brave enough to go in the water and if the ice conditions allow to open a hole in the ice (avanto)! It is very healthy to alternate hot sauna with cold water (or at least cold air).

Entirely made of snow and ice, the Ice Bar offers a stunning, frosty atmosphere that promises a bucket-list adventure with below zero temperatures. Even the glasses are made of ice. This unique experience promises to leave you with beautiful memories.
The Ice Bar is located inside the SnowHotel and is open daily from December 15th to March 31st. Please note, all non-overnight guests at the Arctic SnowHotel & Glass Igloos are required to purchase an entrance ticket to access the Ice Bar. The hotel also has a ice restaurant for a delicious culinary experience.

Picture – ©Visit Rovaniemi

Have a fun evening bowling! A pleasant activity for everyone after an exciting day out. On Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, enjoy glow bowling! The entire bowling hall comes alive with vibrant lights and great music, creating an amazing atmosphere. The bowling alley is located in SantaSport, on the slopes of the Ounasvaara mountain. Check prices and book a bowling evening.

Picture – ©Visit Rovaniemi