Santa Claus Village
Rovaniemi, Finland, 96930
The city of Rovaniemi, in Lapland, is home to Santa Claus Village, a unique theme park located right on the Arctic Circle. The ultimate destination for kids looking for a private word with Father Christmas, the park includes Santa’s workshops, a reindeer petting area, gift shops, and Santa’s official post office.
The Basics
Children are sure to be swept up in the magic of Christmas when they explore workshops ( where Santa’s elves are hard at work), pet Nordic reindeer, and have their photo taken with Father Christmas himself. The entire family can get in the festive spirit by exploring a series of Christmas-themed exhibits, shopping for gifts at Santa’s official souvenir shop, and taking a snapshot on the white line running through the village that denotes the border of the Arctic Circle.
For extra wintery fun, you can pair your visit to Santa Claus Village with an excursion into the surrounding countryside by husky sled, snowmobile, or reindeer sleigh. Alternatively, opt for a guided tour of Rovaniemi, or a visit to the Arctic Snow Hotel.
Things to Know Before You Go
Souvenir photos and videos of each child’s meeting with Santa are available for purchase.
Don’t forget to send a letter home from Santa’s official post office; it will be hand-stamped with the special Santa Claus postmark.
Temperatures can be grueling in the Arctic Circle in the winter months, so bring plenty of warm clothing.
The complex is fully accessible to wheelchair users and other visitors with special needs.
How to Get There
Santa Claus Village is located 5 miles (8 kilometers) outside Rovaniemi, on the border of the Arctic Circle, in southern Lapland. The park can be reached by shuttle or car from the city center; for a hassle-free visit, choose a tour that includes round-trip transportation.
When to Get There
Santa Claus Village comes alive over the Christmas holidays, when seasonal events and activities are in full swing and the park is crowded with families meeting Santa Claus. Santa is in residence year round, however, so summer visitors also have a chance to meet with St. Nick.
Rovaniemi’s Arktikum Museum
After visiting Santa Claus Village, head to Arktikum, a family-friendly museum in Rovaniemi focused on Lapland’s and the Arctic’s history and culture. Peruse exhibits dedicated to the history of Rovaniemi and the Sámi people, and try to spot the northern lights from the museum’s glass tunnel, which runs between the main building and Ounasjoki River.
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