Where to Go: the 13 Best Aurora Campfire Cookouts Worldwide

1.Lapland Northern Lights Tour with BBQ

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 1,569 reviews · 3 hours · from $81Our pick

Meet your English-speaking guide in central Rovaniemi and ride into the dark forests for a three-hour aurora outing. Guides such as Esther, Oscar, Matthias, and Daniel have helped guests understand the science and folklore behind the lights. At the camp, enjoy salmon soup, sausages, Lappish bread, blueberry tea, and a warm fire.

“WOW! What en evening and what an experience. Malcolm and the team were fantastic. we would recommend this trip.”

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2.Lapland Aurora Hunt with Barbeque

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 1,083 reviews · 3 hours · from $88

Travel from Rovaniemi into dark Arctic countryside with guides such as Alex, Elias, Michael, or Anton, depending on the evening. You will check the sky at a lake, move to a private lakeside barbecue spot, and pause again for photos. The three-hour outing includes pickup, sausages, hot drinks, and practical aurora photography help.

“Michael is such a good guy. He is the best tour guide of all time. He deserves the best really. He was so energetic. He helped all of us to be transported safely and comfortably. He made such a nice picnic for us. We even got lucky to see aurora. 2 times. Even though the forecast was showing low probability but he and his team mate Dima were incredibly helpful. The tour itself was so good. We didn’t even know how the time passed. Highly recommend !!!!”

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3.Aurora Hunting Photography Tour with Barbeque

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 433 reviews · 3 hours · from $81

You’ll leave Rovaniemi with an English or Russian-speaking guide, usually heading 30 to 40 minutes north to a dark lake or river setting. Expect a campfire, Finnish sausages, hot berry drinks, gingerbread, marshmallows, and guide-taken aurora photos. Guides such as Olga and Julia have been praised for punctual service and helpful photography.

“Got some great photos of the Aurora. The guide also took professional photos which were a nice touch to have as they came out a lot better than the ones taken on the phone. A great way to spend the evening at the North Pole.”

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4.Night Tour in Search of the Aurora with BBQ

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 390 reviews · 4 hours · from $68Best value

Join guides such as Daria and Anna for a four-hour Aurora hunt from Rovaniemi. You’ll visit three dark Arctic locations, pause for photos, and warm up beside a fire with sausages, Karelian pastries, berry juice, cookies, and marshmallows. Pickup begins at 19:30, and photos may be taken for you.

“Tour was amazing, great locations and nice guides. We saw the polar Lights in the middle of the snowy beautiful forest. I can highly recommend it!”

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5.Northern Lights Photography Tour & BBQ

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 326 reviews · 3.5 hours · from $104

Meet your English-speaking guide in central Rovaniemi, then travel into the forest, sometimes 10 to 60 miles from city lights, to search for the aurora. A professional photographer helps with camera settings and takes portraits beneath the sky. Warm up with reindeer sausage, marshmallows, and hot blueberry juice before receiving your photos by email.

“The experience seeing Northern lights was unique! I liked it. Thanks a lot!”

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6.Northern Lights Tour with BBQ and Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 168 reviews · 4 hours · from $75

From Rovaniemi, you’ll chase the aurora by minibus with a guide such as Deniz or Alex, changing locations as the forecast and clouds shift. The four-hour outing includes a campfire barbecue, hot berry drinks, English guiding, and help with night photography. Vegetarian sausages are available if requested ahead.

“Alex and Denis were amazing and went above and beyond during this whole tour. They ensured we were satisfied with the pictures and supported us in capturing them if needed. Overall I’m extremely satisfied with this trip and would 1000% recommend, especially for the price paid”

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7.Santa’s Reindeer and Husky Safari with Aurora BBQ

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 168 reviews · 7 hours · from $281

Spend the morning with Siberian huskies and Lapland reindeer, including short 500-meter and 400-meter rides, then return at night for two aurora stops and a Kota BBQ. English-speaking guides such as Allen, Lea, and Aleksander are praised for warm service, local stories, and help with photos.

“My little man age 8 absolutely loved the day/night out, as did I myself.”

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8.Sami-Inspired BBQ Dinner with Northern Lights Chase

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 160 reviews · 4.5 hours · from $187

Spend an evening in Poikkijärvi eating fire-cooked souvas, a Sami-inspired dish of smoked reindeer and moose, while your English-speaking guide explains Sami culture. Then ride through the Kiruna area in a minibus, stopping when the aurora appears. Guides such as Daniel, Alex, Robin, and Henrik also help with night photography.

“Sony is an amazing guide- he came on his appropriate scheduled time-expose help in taking photos and finds northern lights even he drove a lot till we find a point to see the phenomenon - the Sami BBQ dinner was delicious . Truly we recommend this trip and do not miss the opportunity to knowing more about this fascinating experience”

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9.Northern Lights Chase with BBQ and Photos

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 157 reviews · 3 hours · from $81

Leave Rovaniemi’s city lights behind for a three-hour Aurora chase with an English-speaking guide. You’ll ride to a dark countryside location, hear Lapland stories, warm up beside a campfire, grill sausages and marshmallows, and receive Aurora photos. The lights are never guaranteed, but the evening still offers good value for a winter night out.

“Good night and friendly caring guide - spotted the Aurora, enjoyed campfire, sausages and marshmallows.”

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10.Northern Lights Hunters. Aurora + BBQ

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 143 reviews · 3 hours · from $78

Join Lena, Denis, or Lumi for a three-hour evening from Rovaniemi. You will visit two dark outdoor locations, including frozen lakes, then warm up beside a fire with sausages, Finnish rice cakes, homemade berry drink, sweets, and marshmallows. Santa Claus Village photos are possible at night, when the site is quiet.

“Amazing activity and a truly unforgettable experience- we went to two locations and saw the lights in full force. The barbecue was a lovely touch, and the hosts were friendly, knowledgable and helpful.”

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11.Santa’s Reindeer & Husky Safari + Aurora BBQ in Rovaniemi

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 122 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $289

Spend a full day in Lapland with a 500-meter husky sled ride, a 400-meter reindeer sleigh ride, time at Santa Claus Village, and an evening aurora hunt at two locations. English-speaking guides such as Rafi, Paul, William, Alexander, and Jade handle transport, timing, photos, and warm drinks. The tour includes hotel pickup, berry tea, sausages, and marshmallows.

“Everything ! Alex is a very good tour guide! He is very responsible and very helpful. He is very thoughtful & plan well on time management. Me and my husband have a very unforgettable time in Rovaniemi !”

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12.Northern lights hunting photo tour with bbq; small groups

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 76 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $102

Leave Rovaniemi’s city lights for a three-hour aurora hunt with hotel pickup, countryside viewing spots, campfire sausages, warm drinks, and guide-led photography. Guides such as Aleks, Alex, Talvi, and Ramzas have helped visitors find the lights, though cloud cover can spoil the show and photo delivery needs confirming.

“It was a fantastic evening. Unfortunately we didn't get to see the Northern lights because it was too cloudy. Instead we had a great BBQ, tasty warm juice and marshmallows. Aleks had a lot of informations and facts. He's a great guide. Hope we will have more luck next time when we are in Rovaniemi.”

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13.Northern Lights photography tour with BBQ

★★★★★★★★★★3.7 · 21 reviews · 3 hours · from $82

You’ll leave Rovaniemi by van with an English or French-speaking guide, heading away from city lights to a selected aurora-viewing spot. While you wait, enjoy grilled Finnish sausage and a warm Christmas drink by the fire. If the Northern Lights appear, your guide takes photos of you beneath them. Pickup is included within 5 kilometers of central Rovaniemi.

“purtroppo non siamo riusciti a vedere l'aurora boreale. nel complesso ci vorrebbe un pó più di organizzazione e attenzione al cliente. Ci sono venuti a prendere a casa quindi ottima cosa. Il ragazzo che era con noi sapeva poco inglese e non ci siamo riusciti a capire troppo. Però molto gentile. Siamo stati portati in un fiume ghiacciato e poi in un lago. Nel primo bisognava salire un piccola collina per andare dov'era il fuoco con una salsiccia e un pó di succo di mela. Ci è stato detto che c'erano anche i marshmallow ma non li abbiamo visti.. Per fortuna abbiamo trovato altre soluzioni un pó più professionali”

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