The Ultimate Guide to Santa Claus Village in Finland: Things to Do & What to Expect

Visiting Santa Claus Village in Finland is a magical experience straight out of a winter fairytale. Nestled in the heart of Lapland, this charming village offers a chance to meet Santa Claus, cross the Arctic Circle, and immerse yourself in festive joy all year round.

From cozy cabins and reindeer rides to twinkling lights and snowy landscapes, Santa Claus Village has something special for travelers of all ages. Whether you're chasing the northern lights or sending postcards from Santa's official post office, this enchanting destination will leave you with memories to last a lifetime.

In this guide, we'll take you through everything you need to know about visiting Santa Claus Village in Finland—what to expect, the top things to do, and tips to make the most of your visit.

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Santa Claus Village: A Quick Intro

Before going into the details of what to expect at Santa Claus Village in Finland, we're going to share some quick info to start off our Santa Claus Village travel guide.

 Why Visit Santa Claus Village in Finland?

Santa Claus Village is one of the most magical places on Earth, and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. 

It is full of holiday magic from festive decorations to Christmas related activities, and snow-filled adventures.

Visiting Santa Claus Village in Finland is a bucket list experience, and is also one of the best winter escapes around the world.

 Where is Santa Claus Village in Finland?

Santa Claus Village is located in the heart of Finnish Lapland, just outside the city of Rovaniemi. It is just 3 km away from the airport, and 10 km away from the city center.

Visiting Santa Claus Village in Finland: Price & Timetable

Now you know how to get to Santa Claus Village in Finland! But when is it open and how much does it cost? Before going into the fun details of what to expect, we're here to break down some of the basics, so you can plan your trip properly.

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 How Much Does it Cost to Go to Santa Claus Village in Lapland?

Santa Claus Village in Lapland is completely free of charge to enter! It is full of shops, restaurants, and activities to enjoy on a variety of budgets.

Most activities do have a charge to enter though, which we'll cover in the part of our guide with what to do in Santa's Village.

 Do You Have to Book Santa Claus Village in Finland?

You do not have to book a visit to Santa Claus Village! Even the majority of the activities can be enjoyed by booking right on the spot.

Two of the activities we do recommend booking in advance though are Snowman World and the Snow Mobiles.

Is Santa Claus Village Open All Year?

We honestly thought that Santa Claus Village was just a seasonal event, but it is actually open year round! That being said, many of the activities will not be available, or will be slightly different in other seasons.

For the full experience, you'll really want to visit in December or January.

 Opening Hours for Santa Claus Village

Santa Claus Village does not having opening or closing hours, and can be entered at any time. That being said, our first night we showed up at 9 pm and pretty much all of the shops, activities, and restaurants were already closed.

Most places open in the late morning, and close by 6 or 7:00 in the evening. 

There are a few exceptions, like the Santa shop right at the entrance, which stays open until 11, and their restaurant is open to 10. But generally speaking, you'll want to visit in the afternoon to see everything in full swing.

Visiting Santa Claus Village in Finland: Things to Do

So are you ready for all of the fun things to do at Santa Claus Village in Finland? 

 Visit Santa

You can't visit Santa Claus Village in Finland without meeting Santa himself! This is one of the must-do activities here, especially if you have children.

He is available to visit until 7 pm, and typically the lines are pretty long, so we'd recommend going early.

You'll notice we don't have a picture here with Santa! We have to disclose that this is because you cannot take your own pictures with Santa, and we couldn't justify the absurdly high prices for the photos.

Go to Santa's Post Office

Did you know that you can send a postcard from the official post office of the North Pole? The adorable post office has a ton of beautiful post cards to choose from, and stamps to send out your post card internationally. 

They even let you drop the postage yourself in the perfectly picturesque mailboxes below!

Also, if you have little ones, you can write a letter to Santa in the post office, and you'll notice a lot of letters posted around the walls as well.

Experience Snowman World

Snowman World is definitely one of the highlights of Santa Claus Village, and we were so lucky, because our last day in Lapland was opening day!

You'll get to experience incredible ice sculptures, tubing, iceskating, an ice thrown with a slice, an ice bar, and even a full restaurant made from snow! It was honestly mind-blowingly cool, and the detail put into each piece of art was truly incredible.

Browse the Shops

Santa’s Village is a shopper’s paradise, offering a variety of charming stores filled with holiday cheer. Browse through handcrafted ornaments, locally made souvenirs, and authentic Lappish gifts such as reindeer-hide products, wool clothing, and artisanal jewelry.

The first main gift store in the building where you meet Santa is open until 11 pm and has a bog variety of souvenirs, but we particularly loved the smaller shops that had very specific types of gifts.

Take a Reindeer Sleigh Ride

Experience a quintessential Arctic adventure with a reindeer sleigh ride through the snow-covered forest.

Guided by skilled herders, this magical ride offers a glimpse into traditional Sámi culture and the importance of reindeer in their way of life. Rides vary in length, from short loops within the village to longer treks into the wilderness.

We opted to go to a reindeer farm outside Santa Claus Village for this one, as we believe they are better taken care of and it is less crowded, but this is also an option for those wanting something convenient and quick.

 Visit the Huskies

Meet the energetic and friendly huskies at Santa’s Village, where you can learn about their role in Arctic exploration and sledding culture.

For a more adventurous experience, hop on a husky sleigh ride and let these skilled dogs whisk you through snowy trails at exhilarating speeds.

(The husky farm to meet the dogs is in Santa Claus Village, but they will take you outside of the village for the husky rides.)

 Check Out the Elves Workshop

Step into the Elves Workshop, where Santa’s helpers work their magic year-round. This interactive experience lets you peek behind the scenes at toy-making, gift-wrapping, and other holiday preparations. 

Kids will love the hands-on activities like decorating cookies, crafting ornaments, or writing letters to Santa, and there is also story time with the elves!

We unfortunately missed out on this event because we got there a bit late, but it's definitely on the bucket list for our next visit!

Meet Mrs. Claus at Mrs Santa Claus’ Christmas Cottage

Mrs. Claus is also in town, and you can meet her and explore her charming cottage for just a small fee! You can also take pictures with her, get a certificate of visitation, or visit the cute cafe.

 Snap a Photo at the Arctic Circle Crossing

Mark your visit with a memorable photo at the Arctic Circle Crossing, a line running right through Santa’s Village, where you officially cross into Arctic Circle territory!  

Visitors can officially cross the Arctic Circle and even receive a certificate to commemorate the experience. The illuminated line and the cute red towers makes for a picture-perfect moment, especially at night when the lights add a magical glow.

 Go Snow Mobiling

For a truly thrilling adventure, rent a snowmobile and ride around the snowy landscapes of Santa Claus Village in Finland with Arctic Circle Snowmobile Park.

Guided snowmobile tours can be booked in Santa Claus village, but also are off the premises, offer breathtaking views of frozen lakes, dense forests, and snowy landscapes just 20 minutes from the village itself.

There are a variety of tours to choose from, from short and fast rides to long 6 hour rides exploring all over Rovaniemi's different landscapes. Here are three of the tours in particular that the company runs:

Other Things to Keep in Mind for Visiting Santa Claus Village in Finland

Now you know almost everything you need to know for visiting Santa Claus Village in Finland! But don't go just yet- here are a few other things to keep in mind before you go.

The Best Time to Visit Santa Claus Village in Finland

The best time of year to visit Santa Claus Village in Finland is in the middle to the end of December. This is definitely the busiest time, but it certainly is one of the most special place to be for the holidays. Also, Snowman World typically opens the second week of December.

January and February are also incredible times to visit, as the activities are in full swing, and there is plenty of snow to enjoy snowmobiling, tubing, and other winter activities.

The winter is the most magical time to visit Santa Claus Village in Finland.

 How to Prepare for Visiting Santa Claus Village in Finland

• Snow Boots
• Heavy Jacket
• Fleece Socks
• Gloves
• Hand Warmers
• Snow Pants
• Hat or Ear Muffs
• Bathing suit for the saunas and jacuzzis
• Bag/ Backpack that zips (check out our list of favorite backpacks for travelers!)
• Chapstick
• Insulated Water Bottle (we use this water bottle from Cafago because it holds the temperature)
• Camera (we use the Sony A7Riii)
• Wide Lens for inside the hotels and cozy shops (we use Sony GM 14mm 1.8)
• Drone for beautiful shots of the village (We use the DJI Mavic Mini 4 Pro)
• Action Camera (we use the Insta 360 X3 because you can use it with an extra long selfie stick to mimic a drone)
• Power Bank (we use Anker power banks as they are super long lasting and durable)

Is Santa's Village in Finland Worth it?

Santa's Village in Finland is definitely worth it! It's a magical place that all ages can enjoy, and it truly is a destination for your winter bucket list.

While it's definitely a bit touristy, we loved Santa Claus Village, and are so happy we got to experience it for the holiday season.

How Many Days Do You Need at Santa Claus Village in Finland?

While you can get a good feel for Santa Claus Village in just a few hours, there really is so much to do! We'd recommend a full 2 days in the village, or 3-4 days in Rovaniemi with daily visits for a few hours to the village.

Tips for Visiting Santa Claus Village in Finland

So are you ready to experience the magical Santa Claus Village in Finland? We hope we've helped you with all of your questions you may have had, and has inspired you to make the trip to the North Pole!

Want to learn more about Rovaniemi and Finnish Lapland? We have quite a few other Lapland travel guides coming up, so don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter for our weekly updates!

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