Snow-dusted woods, reindeer sleighs and the dazzling Northern Lights—Rovaniemi in Lapland, Finland is a magical arctic escape. Santa Claus calls this place home, busily working on his naughty-or-nice list throughout the year, and us Brits just can’t get enough. In fact, British visitors accounted for nearly one-third of all international tourists in Lapland in December 2024. Christmas in London is great and all, but Rovaniemi is the ultimate winter wonderland—check out why below.
Santa Claus Village: Christmas mail, concerts and Santa meet-and-greets
At Santa Claus Village, the festive cheer never takes a break because it’s Santa’s official home—so Christmas vibes fill the air 365 days a year. Everyone young and old can wander through this charming snow-covered winter town, watch the elves busy with their magical tasks, send their Christmas wishes via elf mail, and best of all, have a chance to meet Santa himself.
Candlelight at SantaPark
This January, Candlelight concerts are sprinkling extra magic over Santa Claus Village with their cosy, candlelit shows that outglow any crackling fire at Christmastime. A string quartet will bring classics and hits by Vivaldi, Queen, Coldplay and more to life amid thousands of flickering candles inside SantaPark, Santa’s tucked-away arctic cavern. Perfect for shaking off those January blues, right?
The Northern Lights
The Northern Lights do pop up in the UK now and then, but they vanish quicker than you can say “aurora”. Over in Rovaniemi, though, you get to stare at the Aurora Borealis on about 200 nights a year. And unlike London—Lapland’s got pristine skies, zero light pollution and its spot right above the Arctic Circle allows for unbeatable views of nature’s grandest light show. There are no guarantees, of course, but when it happens, spotting the Northern Lights is pure bucket-list magic.
Wildlife and nature: from reindeer sleighs to an enchanting nature reserve
Rovaniemi and its nearby surroundings are home to some of the rarest arctic animals, including arctic foxes, moose and snowy owls. However, the region is best known for its iconic reindeer and huskies, which you can meet through various sledding safaris that offer a chance to explore the Finnish wilderness firsthand.
Visitors can also experience Ranua Wildlife Park, a nature reserve housing over 40 species, including Finland’s only living polar bear, providing a unique glimpse into arctic wildlife in spacious, natural habitats. Sorry, London zoos, but Rovaniemi wins this one.
Activities: skiing, snowboarding, ice karting and more
Adrenaline junkies can dive into heaps of snowy thrills beyond the safaris and sledding—picture carving up Lappish forests on skis or snowmobiles, racing ice karts along frosty tracks, and trekking mountains in snowshoes.
For a chill-out alternative, Finland’s legendary spas deliver that perfect mix of steaming sauna sessions and bracing ice-cold plunges for total refreshment.
Lordi’s Square: bars, restaurants and shopping in Rovaniemi
Lordi’s Square in Rovaniemi proves the city more than compensates for chilly temps with buzzing spots to hang out. Honouring the local rock band Lordi after their 2006 Eurovision win, this central hub buzzes with cosy bars, cafés and restaurants dishing up classic Finnish food and drinks. Rounding it out are handy shopping centres plus boutique stores stocked with local artisan crafts, jewelry and regional treasures.
History, science and culture: visit Rovaniemi’s most popular museums
Pulling straight from the Norse god Odin who’s a big deal in old Lappish folklore, those ancient stories passed down through Rovaniemi families for centuries explain why it’s Santa’s official hometown.
Explore these Nordic legends, the indigenous Sámi people, regional astrology and art at key spots like the Arktikum Museum, Pilke Science Centre and Korundi House of Culture.
Getting from London to Rovaniemi in Lapland
You can fly directly from London Gatwick with easyJet or Stansted with Ryanair to Rovaniemi Airport in about 3.5 hours. Mid-week flights in December typically cost between £30 and £60, but prices rise sharply as the month progresses. In January, flights cost significantly less, between £20-£50 depending on the day you choose to fly.