Santa Claus Village is located just 8 kilometres from Rovaniemi city centre, the capital of Finnish Lapland, right on the Arctic Circle.
It’s where the real Santa Claus is said to live and meet visitors, offering a year-round festive atmosphere.
Santa Claus Village is an area in Rovaniemi, host to a vast array of activities, all within a short walkable distance of each other.
Whether you're interested in meeting Santa, sending postcards from Santa's Post Office, or enjoying snowy bucket list adventures, this magical destination has something for everyone.
Yes! Santa Claus Village is open every day, all year long. It's perfect for those who want a little Christmas magic even in the middle of summer!
In Santa Claus Village you can literally meet Santa 365 days a year! You'll find snow in Lapland from the end of November to April. Some activities may not run till the snow is deep enough, typically the start of December.
Generally, the Village is open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm but hours may vary depending on the season and individual activity providers.
The real Santa Claus Village is in Rovaniemi, Finland, just inside the Arctic Circle- the one we will be covering in this guide.
Yes, entering Santa Claus Village is free. You can also meet Santa for free, which most people are surprised about. However, if you'd like a photo or video of your visit, there is an additional charge.
In this guide we'll cover the cost of activities in Santa Claus Village. We also have an in-depth guide on 12 Things to do in Rovaniemi, Lapland for under £25 which found here
Yes, Santa Claus Village is located far enough north that you can often see the Northern Lights during the winter months, especially between September and March.
However, to get the best view we recommend travelling outside of Santa Claus Village, away from any light pollution.
We have a guide on 'How to spot the Northern Lights for Free in Lapland' which can be found here
To fully enjoy all the activities, we recommend spending at least a full day at Santa Claus Village, but if you're short on time, a half-day visit can still cover the highlights.
There's so many things to do at Santa Claus Village that you could easily spend an entire day or even longer enjoying the various experiences. Here's a breakdown of the activities based on the providers.
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Meet Santa Claus: The main attraction! Meeting Santa Claus is free, but you can purchase photos or videos as souvenirs of the experience. You cannot take your own photographs of the meet.
There is also the option to purchase a gift before the meet, which Santa will hand to your child. At present, they don't allow you to bring your own gifts to be handed over.
Santa Claus at Santa Claus Village is not pre-bookable and is just a turn- up-on-the-day activity, which is open 365 days a year.
As you can expect, queues at peak times can be lengthy
Send a postcard from the Arctic Circle: Visit the official post office where all letters are stamped with a special Arctic Circle postmark. You can even schedule letters to be delivered for Christmas Day, no matter the time of year.
You can also see some of the many letters that are sent to Santa from all over the world.
Santa Claus Village prices: Sending a postcard costs between €1 to €5 depending on the destination and type of card.
Experience an exciting husky sleigh ride through the snow. You can choose from short introductory rides to longer safaris through the wilderness.
For winter 2025/26 Husky Park prices start at around €50 per adult for a short 500m ride, which is not pre-bookable (just walk up on the day). Children are priced at €35 (child age at Husky Park is 4-12yrs).
There is also the option of a 2km ride- €65 per adult/€45 Children, and a 5km ride which is €110 per adult/€85 for children- it's advisable to book these two beforehand as they do sell out.
There is the option to do a Husky Meet and Greet Experience which is priced at €30 for an adult and €25 for children. Alternatively, you can just visit the park to see the dogs and take photos. This is €15 for adults and €10 for children. You can get more details here
Meet Santa's reindeer and glide through the snow on a traditional sleigh.
At Santa Claus Reindeer you can chose from three ride lengths (prices updated for 2025/26)
1) Reindeer Path- 400m (5-7mins)- €30 adult/€25 child.
2) Forest Path- 1000m (10-15mins)- €40 Adults/€30 child.
3) Winter Adventure- 3KM (1hr)- €139 adult/ ~€100 child.
The first two are walk up on the day with no pre-booking required. Option 3, it is advised to book online.
Please note SCR increase prices between 1st-31st December.
Find further details of these rides here
Get your adrenaline pumping with snowmobile rides across the Arctic landscape.
Within Santa Claus Village itself, Arctic Circle Snowmobile Park offer children's snowmobile rides around a large track, costing just €25 per child. Suitable for ages 4-12yrs, you get 10 minutes on the snowmobiles and a 'snowmobile driving licence' at the end- there is no need to pre-book this activity.
The company also offer longer length rides and family snowmobiling safaris, leaving from Santa Claus Village in to the surrounding forests.
Find details here
The Elf Hat Academy is a show where you learn how to be an elf, at the end receiving a certificate for graduating from 'Elf School'.
At Elf Hat Academy, you will discover the wisdom of the elves and become a trusted helper for Santa himself.
Adults & Children £34.34, under 4's £8.81
You can find tickets here
Santa’s Pets (Finnish: Tallitontun piha) is home to reindeer, alpacas, pony, donkeys, sheep, goats, rabbits and different birds. You can watch domestic animals in their daily activities under arctic conditions and, best of all you can feed reindeer!
€15 adult/€10 child
Find more info here
Recently opened, Snowman World features ice sculptures, an ice bar and ice restaurant.
Perfect for families, Snowman World also offers snow slides, ice skating, and ice maze and snow sculpting.
Tickets are priced at: Adults £63.40, Children (3-17yrs) £56.36, under 2's Free. Its advisable to pre-book as it does sell out.
Find more info here
Similar to the Santa Claus Office, you can meet Mrs Claus in Christmas Cottage.
This activity use to be 5 euros per person, and just pay for a photo on the day if you wanted one.
This may have changed for 2025/26 as the website indicates there is only the option to book group packages with a photo. These are priced as follows:
Family of 1–5 persons: €50
Family of 6–10 persons: €70
High Winter Season (1.11.2025 – 11.1.2026): €120 / meeting (max 10 persons)
I will update the guide after my next visit if the cheaper option is still available.
Rovaniemi is the Arctic Capital, situated on the Arctic Circle.
Within Santa Claus Village, you'll find the Arctic Circle line marked by signposts- it's also marked on the floor but this obviously can't be seen in the snow.
Hop, skip or jump over the line and wave at the webcam broadcasting Santa Claus Village to those at home.
Commemorative certificates are available to buy in numerous places in the Village for €5.
Santa Claus Village flights: Several airlines offer direct flights to Rovaniemi during the winter months from cities across Europe.
Over the last few years, budget airlines have significantly increased the amount of airports they fly to Rovaniemi from.
At the time of writing you can fly from Birmingham, Bristol, Dublin, Liverpool, London Stansted, Shannon and Manchester, with Ryanair. Then easyJet offer flights from Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, London Gatwick, London Luton, London Southend and Manchester.
Finnish airline 'Finnair' operates regular flights year-round with a change in Helsinki.
Santa Claus Village is about 8 km from Rovaniemi city centre, and there are several ways to get there:
By Car: If you’ve rented a car, the drive is about 10 minutes north along Route E75. The roads are well-maintained, and parking is free at Santa Claus Village.
By Bus: The local bus route Santa’s Express Bus (number 8) runs regularly between Rovaniemi city centre and Santa Claus Village. The journey takes about 20 minutes and costs approximately €4 one-way.
By Taxi: Taxis are easily available in Rovaniemi, and a ride to Santa Claus Village will cost about €20-25. Download the Meneva Taksi App (Finland's version of Uber).
Rovaniemi Airport is just 3 km from Santa Claus Village, making it incredibly convenient for travellers. Here's how to get from the airport to the Village:
By Taxi: A taxi ride from the airport to Santa Claus Village takes about 5 minutes and costs around €15-20.
By Shuttle: During peak holiday seasons, some shuttle buses run between Rovaniemi Airport and the Village. Check with your hotel or activity provider for more details.
After a day of exploring Santa Claus Village, you’ll likely be hungry for some hearty, local Finnish fare. Luckily, the Village offers several great dining options for you to refuel.
Whether you’re after a quick snack or a full-course meal, there’s something for everyone. Here’s some of the best Santa Claus Village restaurants.
What to expect: A rustic, cosy dining spot offering freshly cooked salmon, prepared in a traditional Lappish style over an open fire. The atmosphere is warm, and the smell of the wood-burning fire makes it even more inviting.
Specialties: The house specialty is their flame-grilled salmon served with potatoes, bread, and Lappish berry sauce.
Santa Claus Village prices: A meal costs around €20-25 per person.
What to expect: A relaxed and festive spot, great for grabbing a quick bite or a warm drink. You can enjoy breakfast, lunch, or an afternoon coffee and cake in a cheerful, Christmassy setting.
Specialties: The coffee bar is known for its Finnish pastries, including cinnamon rolls and pies. The lunch menu includes traditional Lappish soups and local delicacies like reindeer stew.
Santa Claus Village prices: Prices start at €10-15 per person.
What to expect: If you’re looking for a family-friendly option with more familiar flavours, Santa’s Pizza & Burger offers quick and tasty meals with a touch of local flair. The restaurant has a casual, warm vibe—perfect for kids and adults alike.
Specialties: In addition to classic burgers, they serve reindeer burgers and salmon pizza for a Lappish twist.
Santa Claus Village prices: Meals range from €10-15.
For those wanting to stay close to the action, there are plenty of accommodation options nearby, ranging from luxury glass igloos to cosy cabins. Here's a look at some of the best hotels near to Santa Claus Village:
Located within the Village itself, this resort offers private cottages, many with their own saunas. It's perfect for those who want to be right at the heart of the activities.
Just a 5-minute drive from Santa Claus Village, this design-forward hotel offers a luxury stay with stunning views of the surrounding forest and a great chance to catch the Northern Lights.
Stay in a heated glass igloo, giving you the perfect vantage point for the Aurora Borealis. Each igloo comes with a private outdoor hot tub!
A visit to Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi is a must-do for anyone looking to embrace the Christmas spirit and explore the beauty of Lapland. Whether you're meeting Santa, enjoying a husky ride, or searching for the Northern Lights, this destination offers a magical experience you won't forget.
With so much to see and do, it’s no wonder that Santa Claus Village continues to enchant visitors from all around the world. So pack your warm clothes, grab your camera, and get ready for a holiday adventure in one of the most festive places on earth!
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