Kiruna Snow Festival (Snöfestivalen)
Kiruna Snow Festival (Snöfestivalen) takes place Late Jan 2027 (traditionally the last weekend of January, approx Jan 28 - 31) in Kiruna, Sweden. The dress code is Heavy winter layers, insulated boots and mittens for standing still outdoors in extreme cold. A thermos and hand warmers make a real difference. Typical cost ranges from 350 to 900 EUR per person.
Running since 1986, Sweden's northernmost city fills its centre with an international snow-sculpting competition in which teams carve monumental works from 3x3x3 metre blocks. Around it sit reindeer racing, a snow playland, a snow-design showcase and a handicraft market. It is the social high point of deep-winter Lapland, held while the sun is only just clearing the horizon again.
- When
- Late Jan 2027 (traditionally the last weekend of January, approx Jan 28 - 31)
- Where
- Kiruna, Sweden
- Dress code
- Heavy winter layers, insulated boots and mittens for standing still outdoors in extreme cold. A thermos and hand warmers make a real difference.
- Cost
- Typical cost ranges from 350 to 900 EUR per person.
- Weather
- -12 to -20C, snow-covered, short daylight with the sun just returning and frequent aurora
- When to book
- Book Kiruna beds 6 - 9 months out; late January is peak Lapland season and the town is small.
- Getting there
- KRN (Kiruna), about 10 min to the town centre
- Where to stay
- Scandic Ferrum (largest hotel in town, walkable to the festival area), Camp Ripan (spa, aurora terrace, cabin-style rooms), Icehotel Jukkasjarvi (the splurge, about 20 min away)
- Official site
- https://www.snofestivalen.com
How to attend
Wandering the sculpture park and the city-centre programme is free and open to everyone; a handful of activities carry small fees of EUR 10 - 30. Details and the sculpture-competition schedule appear on snofestivalen.com in the autumn. Fly into Kiruna or take the overnight train from Stockholm, which arrives in the morning and doubles as a night's accommodation. Book lodging early, as this coincides with peak aurora season.
The sculpture park and the city-centre programme are free with no ticket - you simply turn up, and the few paid extras such as the helicopter flights are paid on the spot.
Insider tip
Go on the final day - the sculptures are finished and lit, and the judging plus prize-giving draws the whole town out, which is when the festival actually feels like a party.
Get inside Kiruna Snow Festival (Snöfestivalen)
Booking matters here: book Kiruna beds 6 - 9 months out; late January is peak Lapland season and the town is small. Members track that window, what it really costs, and 573 more events across the season.
Free while in beta. One email when your invitation is ready, nothing else.