December is a great month for a winter vacation in one of the Scandinavian countries. With winter activities now in full swing, this month you will also experience many seasonal celebrations and Christmas Scandinavian-style.
Cozy evenings in a festive mood certainly make up for fewer hours of daylight. Now opportunities abound to observe the mysterious northern lights (Aurora Borealis) and you should take a look at the Christmas in Scandinavia Photo Gallery as well. Make sure to book early, as December is a popular month for winter travel!
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Depending on how far north in Scandinavia you go, a typical December day averages around 28-36 degrees Fahrenheit (possibly constant freezing). The same goes for the hours of daylight: whereas the southern part gets 6-7 hours, in northern parts of Sweden, it may be only 2-4 hours. In certain areas of the Arctic Circle, there is no sun at all for a period of time but you will be amazed to see how well the locals have adapted to this.
Make sure to learn more about the Top 3 Natural Phenomena of Scandinavia!
For exact temperatures at your Scandinavian destination and monthly averages, visit Weather in Scandinavia!
With the holiday season comes a variety of events, celebrations and countless festivals in December. And then there are Scandinavian winter activities: skiing, snowboarding, dog sledding, ice skating, snowmobiling, etc. Partying plays a major role in Scandinavian winter sports. In part, that is born of necessity due to shorter days. Make sure to check when the Scandinavian national holidays are in the country of your choice as there will be additional festivities and holiday celebrations.
Jewish travelers may want to learn about Hanukkah in Scandinavia which often takes place in December.
Are you headed to the Arctic Circle? Bring sturdy boots for walking on the snow and ice, a down filled waterproof outfit, hat, gloves, and scarf. Long underwear is perfect to wear under clothing every day. For trips to the cities, bring a down jacket, and maybe a wool overcoat. Better a heavy suitcase once than freezing in the cold for a week! But no matter what your destination is, an insulated coat, gloves, hats, and scarves are the bare minimum for travelers in December. Bundle up!
Early Dec: Shop Window Sunday in Malmo, Sweden
Dec 6: Independence Day in Finland
Dec 10: Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony in Oslo, Norway
Dec 10: Nobel Prize Awards in Stockholm, Sweden
Early & Mid-Dec: Christmas Markets in Scandinavia
Dec 13: Saint Lucia Day in Scandinavia
Dec 24: Christmas Eve Holiday - Denmark
Dec 25: Christmas Day – Scandinavia
Dec 26: Boxing Day (day of charitable giving) – Scandinavia
To find out about each Scandinavian country's Christmas traditions and customs, try these interesting articles:
Swedish Christmas Traditions
Norwegian Christmas Traditions
Danish Christmas Traditions
Finnish Christmas Traditions
Icelandic Christmas Traditions
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