Winter’s far from over, and what better place to embrace its icy delights than in Europe’s arctic and subarctic regions? Numerous cities and towns found within the northern reaches of Finland, Norway and Sweden offer events and attractions making a trip to the land of the midnight sun and polar nights one to remember:

Discover Sámi Culture: Europe’s only indigenous people are the Sámi, a once-nomadic folk from the region of Sápmi, a historical area encompassing land in the northern parts of Norway, Sweden and Finland, along with Russia’s Kola Peninsula. While no official census exists, their population is estimated at around 80,000 people.

Sámi culture and traditions stand in the forefront each year during Sámi Week, an annual festival held in the city of Tromsø, Norway, close to the date of Feb. 6, which is Sámi National Day. Exhibitions, concerts, performances, lectures and other activities serve as the framework to the highlight event, the Norwegian Championships in Reindeer Racing. Thousands of spectators throng the city’s main drag to watch competitors on skis get pulled along a snowy track by reindeer running at breakneck speed. In 2026, Sámi Week takes place Feb. 2-8; its three biggest days include the winter market held Feb. 6-8. Online: msm.no/en/sami-week

Another event centering around the Sámi culture is the Jokkmokk Market, a gathering that’s taken place on a regular basis since 1605. From Feb. 5-7, visitors to this town in Sweden’s far north can enjoy unique experiences such as observing the reindeer being fed and cared for, taking a sauna followed by a dip in the icy waters of the Lilla Lule River, or guided tours in search of Europe’s largest elk, the Sarek. The program also includes film screenings, storytelling evenings, art exhibitions, reindeer racing and live music. The market offers high-quality, locally made handicrafts and restaurant “huts” serving local delicacies. Online: jokkmokksmarknad.se

Visit Santa in the off-season: The city of Rovaniemi, Finland, lies about four miles south of the Arctic Circle, and throughout much of the winter season, it serves as Christmas central for families in search of magical holiday moments. Nowadays a major gateway to winter adventure, the town is most famous for its Santa Claus Village, which can be visited throughout the year. After saying hi to the merry old elf, visitors can indulge in activities such as dogsled or reindeer sleigh rides, snowmobiling or chasing after those elusive Northern Lights. Visitors can choose from all-inclusive package holidays or book a range of experiences separately. Online: visitrovaniemi.fi

Stay in an ice hotel: The village of Jukkasjärvi, in the municipality of Kiruna, Sweden, is one of a handful of places that can boast of having a hotel made of ice and snow. Each autumn, as soon as the Torne River freezes over, massive blocks of ice are carved out and brought ashore to give form to the ICEHOTEL, never the same place for more than a single season as each year’s construction incorporates artwork and a design aesthetic from a different collective.

Tucked snugly into the warm sleeping bags provided, guests can hope for a good night’s sleep in the subzero temperatures, but if the cold gets the better of them, the attached Riverside facility offers spaces in which to warm up. Most guests opt to spend a single night in the ICEHOTEL, complementing the experience with one or more overnight stays in warm accommodation. Adventurers who would prefer to explore the arctic during the warmer months can stay in the Icehotel 365, in which suites of ice and snow are kept cool by means of solar energy throughout the year. Online: icehotel.com

Run a marathon: There’s still plenty of time left to train for the next edition of the Polar Night Marathon, scheduled to take place on Jan. 9, 2027, in Tromsø, Norway. Since 2004, this lively university town known for its culture, nightlife and outdoor sports from skiing to hiking on its doorstep has offered runners from around the world the chance to run at a time of year when the sun never rises. After hours of running in twilight, the finish line shines bright in the light of hundreds of lit torches. Runners can choose from 5 km or 10 km routes or half- or full marathons. Runners signing up for the full marathon must prove they’ve completed such a race in under four hours’ time within the past two years. Registration for the marathon costs 1310 Norwegian Krone, about $132. Not a fan of running on ice and snow? The same organizers offer the much better-known Midnight Sun Marathon, set for June 20 in 2026. Online: msm.no/en/polar-night-marathon

Drive on ice: For half a century, the town of Arjeplog in northern Sweden has served as testing grounds for major auto manufacturers eager to see how their vehicles stand up to the harshest of winter conditions. In their quest to optimize their cars’ performances on ice and snow, a number of famous racing tracks are replicated on the frozen surface of a nearby lake. Aspiring race car drivers and other thrill-seekers can sign up for a variety of experiences involving driving on these and other tracks. The Lapland Ice Driving center offers clients the chance to drive one or more of the 30 supercars making up its fleet, which includes Corvettes, Ferraris, Porsches, Lamborghinis and other esteemed makes. Such experiences don’t come cheap, but who can put a price tag on a dream? Online: lapland-ice-driving.com/en