Why Spend Christmas in Lapland?

Many travellers choose Lapland for Christmas because it offers something you can’t easily find elsewhere: real winter experiences and a relaxed holiday atmosphere. It’s a place where you can combine outdoor activities with Finnish holiday traditions and local food.

Visitors especially enjoy:

• Meeting Santa Claus in Rovaniemi
• Joining reindeer sleigh rides or farm visits
• Enjoying quiet surroundings and cozy stays
• Watching the northern lights on clear nights

Christmas in Lapland is not about rushing from one attraction to another. It’s about spending time with the people you travel with and enjoying simple things: a warm drink after a day outside, a walk under the winter sky, or a friendly chat with local guides who live here all year round.

Where to Go for Christmas in Lapland?

Most visitors head to Rovaniemi, the official hometown of Santa Claus. The city sits right on the Arctic Circle and is easy to reach by plane, train, or car from southern Finland.

Rovaniemi has everything you need for a comfortable winter holiday:

• Accommodation for every budget
• Local restaurants and cafés
• Outdoor activities within a short distance

The main attraction is Santa Claus Village, where you can meet Santa in person, cross the Arctic Circle, and visit the official Post Office to send cards stamped with the Arctic Circle postmark.

Rovaniemi combines a festive atmosphere with everyday local life. Nature begins right at the edge of town, and reindeer farms are part of the community, making it a genuine and welcoming Christmas destination.

What Makes Lapland Christmas So Special?

It’s the combination of natural beauty, northern light, and timeless tradition that makes Lapland’s Christmas unlike anywhere else. Imagine sipping hot chocolate by a fire after a day exploring snowy trails. 

Picture the excitement of children meeting Santa in his own village. And then there are the reindeer, the gentle, graceful animals that have carried the spirit of Christmas for centuries.

In Lapland, reindeer represent harmony with nature, respect for tradition, and the deep connection between people and the land. Seeing them up close in their snowy home is often the highlight of any Lapland Christmas trip.

Things to Do in Lapland at Christmas

Meeting Santa Claus in his hometown is often the highlight of a visit to Lapland – for children and adults alike. But Christmas in Rovaniemi offers much more than that. From reindeer experiences to northern lights and local food, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the season.

Here are some experiences that visitors especially enjoy during their stay in Rovaniemi.

1. Reindeer Experiences

At Santa Claus Reindeer in Santa Claus Village, you can:

• Join short reindeer sleigh rides or unique safaris through snowy surroundings
• Feed reindeer and learn how they are cared for
• Hear stories about local reindeer herding traditions

The new Taava Reindeer Farm, opening in December 2025, will offer even more opportunities to meet reindeer up close and learn about their everyday life in Lapland.

2. Meet Mrs. Santa Claus

At Mrs. Santa Claus’s Christmas Cottage & Café, guests can enjoy a short, personal meeting with the lady of Christmas herself. She takes a moment to chat, share a smile, and pose for a photo together.

Afterwards, you can stop by her small café — a relaxed place to enjoy coffee, gingerbread, and a bit of Christmas spirit at any time of the year.

3. Experience the Northern Lights

The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, are visible from late August until April when the nights are dark and clear.

In December, you may spot them:

• From open areas near Rovaniemi
• On guided tours that go into quieter countryside locations

A beautiful way to see the Northern Lights is on a reindeer sleigh ride with Santa Claus Reindeer. During this peaceful evening safari, you’ll travel through snowy forests far from city lights, wrapped in warm blankets as the reindeer guide you under the Arctic night sky.

4. Explore Santa Claus Village

Santa Claus Village is the centre of Christmas in Rovaniemi. Visitors can:

• Meet Santa and cross the Arctic Circle
• Send cards with the official Arctic Circle postmark
• Visit cafés, restaurants, and shops with Finnish crafts and design

It’s an easy and family-friendly place to spend a few hours while experiencing the true Christmas atmosphere of Lapland.

5. Taste Lappish Flavours

At Lapland Restaurant Kotahovi, guests can enjoy traditional Finnish and Lappish food in a cozy wooden hut. 

The open fire in the centre of the restaurant adds warmth to the atmosphere, and from the window you can see the reindeer of Santa Claus Reindeer Park outside.

Kotahovi is a relaxed place to experience local flavours and the calm rhythm of life in Lapland.

Create Your Own Lapland Christmas Story

Christmas in Lapland is about taking time to enjoy the season in a simple, genuine way. It might mean meeting reindeer, visiting Santa Claus Village, or sharing quiet moments with family in the winter landscape.

Whether you come for a short visit or a longer holiday, Santa Claus Reindeer in Rovaniemi offers experiences that bring you closer to the traditions and atmosphere of Finnish Lapland. 

Each visit becomes its own small story – one you’ll remember long after Christmas is over.

Plan Your Visit to santa claus reindeer

📍 Location: Santa Claus Village, Rovaniemi, Finnish Lapland
🗓 Open year-round – experiences vary with the seasons
🛷 Activities: Reindeer sleigh rides, feeding experiences, educational tours
🎟 Book your experience today and learn more about our reindeer’s lives—from their antlers to their hooves!