The winter trip most dreamed of by little girls and boys is the one that takes them to Rovaniemi, where the real Santa Claus is. But if Lapland is too far away, there are other possibilities for a truly exciting encounter.
The winter of Lapland fills the eye and the soul with its landscapes that seem to come straight out of a vintage Christmas card print. Magical landscapes bathed in snow, amid fir forests and frozen lakes, in which the charming sleighs pulled by reindeer raised by the native Sámi people are occasionally spotted.
The polar night then offers, in its bluish twilight, the chance to admire the unique spectacle of the Northern Lights. And this perhaps as a grand finale to a day spent snowshoeing or snowmobiling, staying in a small bungalow made from logs.
The gateway to the region is Rovaniemi, the capital located on the Arctic Circle, where the airport is located.
Rovaniemi for families is, above all, the official country of Santa Claus and home to his Village that offers all sorts of desirable winter activities.
In Rovaniemi it is Christmas all year round!
Open year-round, Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi (santaclausvillage.info) is a must-see destination that offers many fun activities, events and shows in every season for a unique and unforgettable visit.
The most magical meeting of all is with Santa Claus himself, which can take place in his Santa Claus Office or in his little red house. There is also a Post Office in the Village from where cards can be sent from the Arctic Circle thanks to the work of the friendly and tireless Elves.
Winter must-sees include a snowmobile safari, husky dog sledding and walks with Santa's Pets to see reindeer, alpacas, ponies, goats, sheep, rabbits, donkeys and many varieties of birds.
There are also many quaint restaurants and cafes available to savour the culinary delights of Northern flavours. Try the cozy Christmas House Restaurant, Mother Christmas Cafeteria, Snowman World ice bar and snow restaurant, and Santa's Pizza & Burger, a fast-food restaurant at the Arctic Circle.
And, speaking of the Arctic Circle, at Santa Claus Village you can cross it by crossing the line on the ground representing it, and getting a certificate confirming the feat.
Who is Santa Claus?
To the Finns, Santa Claus is a funny, jolly fellow who brings good cheer to Lapland, giving rise to a tradition so enchanting that it has spread to every corner of the world.
Santa Claus, to be exact, is originally from the mysterious Korvatunturi (“mountain-ear”) near the Russian-Finnish border, but one can meet him throughout the year in Rovaniemi, precisely, where he has put down roots for centuries and decided to establish his official village.
Santas and ... where to find them!
December is the time when Santa’s activity gets most hectic because of the preparation of the myriads of gifts, so it’s all a multiplication of commitments…
For this reason, if you really can’t make it to his Lappish residence to meet Joulupukki (that’s Santa’s Finnish name) we will certainly find many alternative venues around us where we can make his acquaintance…
Santa Claus is a very kind person and will always be happy to meet all children, young and old.
Let's dress for Xmas
Chic red, a touch of glam, sparkling and festive: the perfect look for girls and boys during the Christmas season combines style, quality, and comfort.
In the busy weeks leading up to Christmas, how convenient it is to have a one-stop shop where we can find everything we need—from elegant outfits and warm sweaters to super comfy shoes for the day and cozy pajamas with reindeers and penguins for the night.
There is mail for Santa
To send a letter made of pen and paper to Santa Claus you can use this address: Santa Claus, Santa Claus’s Main Post Office, 96930 Napapiiri, Finland. He receives hundreds of thousands of letters from children in 199 countries around the world, but thanks to his powers, training and the invaluable help of elves, he always manages to read them all!
