When to go · Kiruna
Kiruna in December
Avoid month. Listed as a month to avoid: Nov–Jan (polar night, very cold, limited daylight).
Key facts
- Verdict
- Avoid
- Temperature
- −8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C) / −17°C (1°F)1°F (−17°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 8
- Crowds
- Medium
- Sweden overall
- Prices
- Medium
- Sweden overall
Verdict
Listed as a month to avoid: Nov–Jan (polar night, very cold, limited daylight).
Is another month better than December?
December is rated avoid. These months rate higher:
- FebruaryGreatInside Kiruna's best window: Feb–Mar (auroras, snow), Jun–Aug (midnight sun, hiking).
- MarchGreatInside Kiruna's best window: Feb–Mar (auroras, snow), Jun–Aug (midnight sun, hiking).
- JuneGreatInside Kiruna's best window: Feb–Mar (auroras, snow), Jun–Aug (midnight sun, hiking).
- JulyGreatInside Kiruna's best window: Feb–Mar (auroras, snow), Jun–Aug (midnight sun, hiking).
Weather in December
- KirunaHighs around -8 °C (18 °F), lows around -17 °C (1 °F), rain on about 8 daysHighs around 18 °F (-8 °C), lows around 1 °F (-17 °C), rain on about 8 days
- Swedish Lapland, Sweden · Kiruna, Abisko, Jokkmokk, Luleåcool
Midnight sun around Kiruna from late May to mid-July; polar night from mid-December to early January. Abisko sits in a rain shadow and has clearer skies than most aurora spots.
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Christmas big impact
24–26 Dec · Sweden
Christmas Eve is the main day: shops close early, many restaurants shut 24–25 Dec.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Sweden overall
- Medium
- Prices · Sweden overall
- Medium
Sweden overall: Christmas markets, Lucia and julbord buffets; polar night in the far north.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Kiruna, side by side.
Verdict
Dec: Avoid
Feb: Great (better)
Daytime high
Dec: -8 °C (18 °F)18 °F (-8 °C)
Feb: -9 °C (16 °F)16 °F (-9 °C)
Night low
Dec: -17 °C (1 °F)1 °F (-17 °C)
Feb: -19 °C (−2 °F)−2 °F (-19 °C)
Rain days
Dec: 8
Feb: 7 (better)
Crowds
Dec: Medium
Feb: Medium
Prices
Dec: Medium
Feb: Medium
Festivals listed
Dec: 1
Feb: 0
December: Listed as a month to avoid: Nov–Jan (polar night, very cold, limited daylight).
February: Inside Kiruna's best window: Feb–Mar (auroras, snow), Jun–Aug (midnight sun, hiking).
Kiruna: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings
- Layers: a fleece or light jacket