Christmas lasts all year around in Rovaniemi’s Santa Claus Village
Christmas, in Rovaniemi, doesn’t pack up when December ends. It lingers—softly, stubbornly, and a little magically—at Santa Claus Village, where fairy lights glow against Arctic snow and the idea of winter wonder never quite fades. Set right on the Finland Arctic Circle, this is Santa’s official home address, a place where childhood fantasy feels surprisingly real.
Open every day of the year, the village welcomes travellers of all ages to meet Santa himself, wander through workshops buzzing with elves, and experience Lapland’s quiet, snow-dusted charm. It’s not just a seasonal attraction—it’s a year-round reminder that a little magic, like Christmas, is best when it refuses to end.
We can’t imagine a more storybook way to spend Christmas than time with Santa Claus himself—complete with his ever-efficient elves and a sleigh drawn by softly snorting reindeer. Make a prior appointment of course. December is Santa’s busiest month, and even legends run on tight schedules when they’re delivering joy across the globe.
From the Elf’s Yard, young explorers can glide across the Arctic Circle on traditional Lappish wooden skis, turning geography into a memory they’ll never forget. This corner of Lapland lies within the natural roaming grounds of reindeer—an everyday sight here, and a reminder that unlike the imagined North Pole, this winter world is very real, quietly magical, and deeply rooted in the Arctic landscape.
Visitors can slip a handwritten note into the world’s most famous mailbox at the Santa Claus Post Office, where every postcard is stamped with Santa’s own festive postmark before beginning its journey across the globe. Between letters and wishes, there’s time to roll up your sleeves for gingerbread baking, browse beautifully crafted Lapland souvenirs, or step into the Christmas exhibition for a deeper look at Finnish holiday traditions—quietly charming rituals that feel less theatrical and more lived-in, passed down through long winters and generations of celebration.
Santa’s Post Office unfolds as a cheerful riot of colour—walls lined with beautifully illustrated cards, shelves stacked with collectable stamps, and small gifts that feel destined for a mantelpiece back home. Visitors can sit and write their greetings right there at the Arctic Circle, sending handwritten notes to friends and family across the world. Whether it’s deep December or the height of summer, the ever-smiling Postal Elves ensure each letter is sent on its way, stamped with the coveted Arctic Circle postmark.
There’s no entry fee to step inside this festive hub, but experiences are à la carte. From a photograph with Santa to that special postmark on your postcard, little extras come at a price—small indulgences that turn a simple letter into a keepsake from the far north.
Getting There:
Open every day of the week, Santa Claus Village is remarkably easy to reach for a destination that feels so wonderfully remote. Travellers arrive via Rovaniemi Airport, from where the journey continues seamlessly—either on city bus number eight or aboard the Santa Express, both running hourly from the city centre straight to Santa’s doorstep.
Rovaniemi is well connected to the rest of the world, with major international carriers such as Finnair, British Airways, KLM, Japan Airlines, Lufthansa, Air France, Aeroflot, Qatar Airways, and Turkish Airlines offering routes into Finland. It’s a reminder that even at the edge of the Arctic Circle, a little magic is never too far from civilisation.
Other Activities:
Rovaniemi isn’t just Santa’s address—it’s one of the Arctic’s most quietly spellbinding winter landscapes, where culture, wildlife, and raw nature come together with cinematic ease. Beyond the twinkling lights and folklore, the city offers front-row access to some of Lapland’s most unforgettable experiences.
Chase the Northern Lights – From mid-August to early April, the skies above Rovaniemi glow with the shifting greens and purples of the Aurora Borealis. Clear nights are key, but the beauty here is accessibility—you don’t have to venture deep into the wilderness to witness the spectacle. Even a short drive from the city centre can deliver a show that feels utterly otherworldly.
Ride Through the Arctic Wild – Few experiences feel as quintessentially Lapland as gliding through snow-covered forests on a reindeer or husky-drawn sleigh. Wrapped in blankets, with only the crunch of snow and the possibility of dancing lights overhead, these rides turn winter into something poetic—less about cold, more about stillness and wonder.
Snowmobiling – In Finland, snowmobiles are more than adventure toys—they’re a practical way of moving through a winter landscape shaped by ice and distance. In Rovaniemi, that everyday utility turns effortlessly into thrill. Beginners can ease in with short, guided rides, while longer-distance safaris cut deep into frozen forests and across vast white plains. Book here.
Ice Fishing – In Lapland, fishing isn’t just a summer pursuit—it’s a quiet winter ritual. Reaching the fishing spots is part of the experience, whether by car, snowmobile, or a slow trek on snowshoes across frozen lakes. Once there, you drill a neat hole through the ice, lower your bait into the dark water below, and wait—patiently, deliberately—as the Arctic landscape settles into silence around you. When luck is on your side, the reward is as immediate as it is satisfying. The catch can often be prepared on the spot or later for dinner, turning a simple meal into something deeply rooted in place—fresh, unfussy, and shaped by the rhythms of the far north.
Skiing: In Finland, cross-country skiing isn’t just a winter activity—it’s a national pastime, woven into everyday life as naturally as snowfall itself. Around Rovaniemi, groomed trails unfurl through forests and along frozen rivers, welcoming first-timers and seasoned skiers alike. Those seeking more adrenaline will find alpine slopes and snowboarding runs close by, with lessons and guided sessions tailored to every level. Classes fill up quickly in peak season, so it’s wise to make a reservation—winter, after all, is serious business in the far north. Book here.
Wellness: In Finland, the sauna isn’t a luxury—it’s a near-daily ritual, as essential as eating or sleeping. In Rovaniemi, this deeply rooted tradition takes on an Arctic flourish, offering some of the most memorable ways to unwind in the north.Step aboard a floating sauna and drift along quiet river deltas as steam rises into the cold air, or pair intense heat with an invigorating plunge into icy waters—a contrast Finns swear by. Prefer something gentler? There are serene, design-led saunas made purely for lingering and letting the stillness work its magic. However you choose to experience it, sauna time here isn’t just about relaxation—it’s about understanding how Finns survive, and thrive, through winter. Book here.
Top 7 Finnish Christmas Foods
A food trip to Lapland is one of a kind experience. In Rovaniemi, you’ll find plenty restaurants with traditional Lappish and international menus. Familiarize yourself with local food culture, sip your drink from a wooden “Kuksa” and get inspired of inviting tastes of Finnish Christmas with our recommendations below.
Glögi: Glögi is a traditional Finnish Christmas drink that is similar to mulled wine. It is made from red wine or red juice blended with spices like cinnamon and cardamom. The Scandinavian and Nordic versions include almonds and raisins. You can drink it almost everywhere in Finland during Christmas and is best paired with a homemade Finnish gingerbread cookie.
Oven Baked Ham: The baking of ham in the oven for a long time is one of the Finnish Christmas traditions. The ham is served with homemade mustard or with bread with the other Christmas dishes.
Ruisleipä – Rye bread made from sour dough, is a staple of the Finnish diet and is often served with ham and cheese or a side of butter.
Casserole: Casseroles are the most iconic dishes at a Christmas dinner. There are usually four casseroles made with swede, potato, carrot and liver and those are served with Christmas ham and other meat dishes at Christmas dinner.
Christmas Pastries: One of the most common Finnish Christmas foods is the star-shaped Christmas pastry. These are made with puff pastry and filled with sweet plum or apricot jam.
Christmas Porridge: It’s a traditional feature of any Finnish Christmas dinner, and it’s normally served as the last course, but it can also be served for breakfast. On Christmas, rice porridge is usually topped with sugar and cinnamon. Whoever finds an almond buried in the porridge pot is said to have “good fortune.”
Gingerbread Cookies: Cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg are inextricably linked to Finnish Christmas. It comes from baking gingerbread cookies. The dough is so delicious by itself, we wonder how much of it actually makes it to the oven without being eaten.
Best Restaurants and Cafes:
Christmas House Restaurant & Coffee Bar: Popular for their sumptuous lunch buffet available every day of the year 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Santa’s Pizza & Burger: is a traditional fast-food restaurant famous for their pizzas and hamburgers. Don’t miss their vodka ice-cream for adults.
Cafe & Bar 21: One of the coolest Cafeteria and Cocktail Bars in Rovaniemi with vegan options! Cafe & Bar 21 is situated right in the city center of Rovaniemi, and provides Wi-Fi and iPads for customers to use freely. Apart from a fabulous cocktail menu, they specialize in waffles and salads. The waffles are not vegan, but salads have vegan options with tofu, tempeh, or falafel for a topping. They also serve oat milk coffee.
Café Koti: The modern café is full of light and warmth, even during the darkest months of the year. They are popular for their brunches and also have vegan options for breakfast and lunch including yogurt, tofu, porridge, hummus, soups, salads, and pastries.
Three Elves Restaurant: offers culinary experiences full of pure, genuine flavors and featuring Lappish ingredients. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as drinks and coffee.
Restaurant Nabo: This is a Nordic Restaurant with a menu that changes with the seasons, as they only serve local produce. They have a separate vegan menu.
Saigon Noodle Bar: As the name suggests, they specialize in different kinds of noodles, as well as handmade bubble tea or milk tea. This Vietnamese restaurant has several choices for vegans: pho soup, dry pho bowl, spring rolls. You can also opt for tea with plant based milk.
Santa’s Salmon Place: Located right next to the post office, here you can try some of the best traditional salmon cooked on an open fire right in front of you. Fresh salmon steaks combined with some magic of the fire promise you an extremely juicy experience!
Rang Mahal: Indian restaurant in the heart of Rovaniemi’s city centre where you can enjoy a lavish lunch buffet, or order from an á la carte -menu which also feature some vegetarian dishes. In addition to serving traditional Indian food, they also serve exotic Lapland reindeer meals.
Make your restaurant reservations here.
Where to Stay?
1. Nova Skyland Hotel and Restaurant: Located in the Santa Claus Village on the Arctic Circle, near the Santa Claus Office and Main Post Office this high-class hotel is decorated in Scandinavian style. Panorama windows opening into beautiful nature, open fires, private saunas, fully-equipped kitchens and cozy semi-detached cottages await you. Nova Skyland restaurant, famous for their Lappish and Asian meals, is open all year long.
2. Santa Claus Holiday Village: A minute or two walk from Santa Claus’s main office, this place offers hotel-quality accommodation at the Arctic Circle, in the heart of Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi.
3. Glass Resort: These magnificent Glass Apartments are decorated with Lappish handicrafts and high quality Scandinavian Design and offer unique igloo style Glass Accommodation. The large windows and glass ceiling provide an unrestricted view of the Lappish Nature and the Northern Sky, offering the possibility to view natural phenomena such as the Northern Lights.
This piece and the gallery have been updated with new information since its original publish date.
Photos : Shutterstock
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