Christmas in Lapland is exactly what many people imagine a real winter wonderland to be: snow, silence, lights and the home of Santa Claus. In Finland’s northernmost region, you can experience snow-covered forests, short blue days and, with a little luck, even the Northern Lights.

For your Christmas holiday in Lapland, this means snow-covered holidays instead of grey rain, husky and reindeer sleighs right outside your door and cosy log cabins where you can recharge your batteries after a cold day – whether with your family, partner or friends.

Christmas in Finland – How People Celebrate in the Far North

Christmas in Finland revolves mainly around Christmas Eve. Many Finns start the day with a Christmas sauna, followed by a family dinner featuring oven-baked ham, casseroles and typical Finnish side dishes.

As a visitor, you can experience these traditions for yourself: Hotels and restaurants in Lapland often offer special Christmas menus, and for children, ‘Joulupukki’, the Finnish Santa Claus, is a real highlight. This makes your Christmas in Lapland not only a wonderful holiday, but also an insight into authentic Nordic customs.

Would you like to experience Christmas in Lapland for yourself? Then discover your winter flight to Lapland with LEAV now.

Christmas in Lapland: Why this place is perfect for your winter magic

1.1 What makes Christmas in Lapland so special?

1.2 Christmas in Finland – how people celebrate in the far north

Christmas in Finland: Experience Nordic traditions and customs in Lapland

2.1 Typical Christmas customs in Lapland

2.2 Joulupukki instead of Father Christmas – who is behind it?

2.3 What Christmas Eve feels like in Lapland

Santa Claus Village Rovaniemi: Visiting Santa Claus

Planning your Christmas holiday in Lapland: Travel, accommodation & travel time

4.1 Travelling to Lapland

4.2 The right accommodation for Christmas in Lapland

4.3 Best time to travel for your Christmas holiday in Lapland

Magical winter experiences: What you can experience at Christmas in Lapland

FAQ – Frequently asked questions about Christmas in Lapland

6.1 What clothes do I really need for Christmas in Lapland?

6.2 Is Christmas in Lapland still worth it if I don’t see the Northern Lights?

6.3 Is Christmas in Lapland only for families with children?

Christmas in Finland – Experience Nordic Traditions & Customs in Lapland

Typical Christmas Traditions in Lapland

When you experience Christmas in Finland, you quickly realise that it’s less about the stress of buying presents and more about peace, family and nature. In Lapland, there are a few rituals that are an integral part of Christmas for many Finns:

Christmas sauna: first warm up properly, then step out into the clear winter air.
Light in the dark: candles, lanterns and fairy lights bring warmth to the polar night.
Baking & decorating: cookies, gingerbread, homemade decorations.

As a visitor, you automatically immerse yourself in this atmosphere – many accommodations and hotels embrace these customs and make Christmas in Lapland a tangible experience for you.

ChatGPT: This Is What Christmas Eve Feels Like in Lapland

The most important day at Christmas in Finland is 24 December. A typical Christmas Eve in Lapland often goes like this:

Afternoon: Visit to the cemetery or a church service, candles at the graves.
Evening: Festive meal with oven-baked ham, casseroles, fish and sweet desserts.
Later: Joulupukki visits the children or everyone unwraps their presents together.

As a visitor, you can book special Christmas menus or programmes that follow this schedule. Outside, there is snow on the ground, inside, the fire crackles in the fireplace – and with a little luck, the Northern Lights will light up the sky. This is exactly what Christmas Eve feels like when you want to really savour Christmas in Lapland.

Joulupukki instead of Father Christmas – who is behind this?

In Finland, Father Christmas is called ‘Joulupukki’. According to tradition, he lives in the north of the country – exactly where you will be spending your Christmas holiday in Lapland. For children, Joulupukki is a real figure who brings presents and sometimes even visits them in person.

You can experience Joulupukki here, for example:

in the Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi,
during organised visit programmes in hotels,
at special Christmas events for families.

This makes Christmas in Finland an experience for children and adults alike – much more personal than a quick visit to the Christmas market at home.

Santa Claus Village Rovaniemi – Visiting Father Christmas

When you think of Christmas in Lapland, there’s no getting around Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi. Rovaniemi is considered the ‘official home’ of Santa Claus and is one of the most famous places for a Christmas holiday in Lapland.

You can experience the Christmas spirit all year round in Santa Claus Village, but it is especially magical around December: snowflakes in the air, fairy lights, wooden chalets, reindeer sleighs and Christmas music in the background. You can meet Joulupukki in person, take a photo and even send cards and letters directly from the Santa Claus Post Office – with a special Christmas stamp from Lapland.

Santa Claus Village Rovaniemi is a real highlight for families, but you can also spend a few very special hours here as a couple or a group of friends. Between souvenir shops, cafés and small workshops, you will always find quiet corners where you can take in the atmosphere at your leisure.

A few things to keep in mind:

Plan your visit as early in the day as possible if you want to avoid crowds. It can get busy around the holidays, especially in the afternoons. If you are flexible, it is worth visiting a day or two before Christmas Eve or after the holidays – the Christmas spirit will still be there, but you will have more time and space.

If you want to experience Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi with your own eyes, you can find the right flight connections with LEAV here.

Weihnachten in Lappland – Winterzauber & nordische Bräuche erleben(10)

Planning Your Christmas Holiday in Lapland – Arrival, Accommodation & Best Travel Time

Traveling to Lapland

The classic way to start your Christmas holiday in Lapland is to fly to Finland, usually to Rovaniemi or another airport in the north. From there, you can travel to your accommodation by hire car, bus or transfer.

Depending on how flexible you want to be, a hire car is worthwhile – especially if you want to discover several places, winter activities or smaller villages off the main routes. If you prefer a more relaxed guided tour, you can also book organised transfers and excursions that pick you up directly from your accommodation.

The perfect accommodation for Christmas in Lapland

Lapland offers many different types of accommodation – from simple log cabins to designer glass igloos with views of the starry sky. For your Christmas holiday, you can consider what is most important to you: peace and quiet, nature, comfort or short distances to activities.

Log cabins and holiday homes are perfect if you like to be among yourselves, want to cook for yourselves and are looking for a real ‘cabin magic’ atmosphere.
Hotels are a good choice if you appreciate short distances, on-site restaurants and organised programmes.
Glass igloos are something special, often with panoramic fronts for viewing the Northern Lights – ideal if you want to treat yourself to something really special for Christmas.

Especially during the Christmas season, you should book early, as many accommodations are reserved well in advance.

Best time to travel for your Christmas holiday in Lapland

If you want to spend Christmas in Lapland, you should aim for the period between mid-December and early January. This is when there is a particularly high chance of thick snow cover, the days are short but very atmospheric, and the Christmas programmes are in full swing.

Many travellers plan for around 4–7 days. This gives you enough time for a relaxing Christmas, one or two longer excursions such as husky or reindeer safaris, and perhaps a night of Northern Lights viewing – without your holiday becoming stressful.

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Magical Winter Experiences – What You Can Discover at Christmas in Lapland

Christmas in Finland is not just about Christmas trees and festive meals – in Lapland, nature plays the leading role. Your Christmas holiday will be unforgettable, especially thanks to the outdoor experiences.

Husky tours are a classic: you sit in a sledge, wrapped in warm blankets, while a team of huskies pulls you through snow-covered forests. The clear air, the crunch of snow and the quiet breathing of the dogs create an atmosphere you won’t soon forget. Reindeer sleigh rides are a little quieter, but just as special – they are often more leisurely, but with plenty of room to look around and marvel at the scenery.

With a little luck, you can also see the Northern Lights in Lapland at Christmas. The further away you are from large towns and artificial light, the better your chances. Many accommodations and providers offer special ‘Aurora evenings’ where you drive out into the darkness with other travellers to watch the sky.

If you prefer a more relaxed pace, the combination of winter activities and Finnish sauna is perfect: out in the cold during the day, back in the warmth in the evening. Perhaps followed by a hot drink by the fireplace – that’s exactly what a slow-paced Christmas holiday in Lapland feels like.

If you want to experience your own winter magic in the north, now is the perfect time to plan your Lapland Christmas trip with LEAV.

Weihnachten in Lappland – Winterzauber & nordische Bräuche erleben(11)

FAQ

What clothing do I really need for Christmas in Lapland?

You should think in layers: functional underwear, a warm mid-layer (e.g. fleece or wool jumper) and a windproof and water-repellent outer layer. You will also need warm winter boots, thick socks, a hat, scarf or snood and gloves. Many activity providers offer additional overalls or shoes – it is best to ask when booking.

Is Christmas in Lapland still worthwhile if I don’t see the Northern Lights?

Yes. The Northern Lights are a bonus, but not a must. The combination of snow, darkness, candlelight, Finnish customs, Christmas dinner and activities such as husky or reindeer sledding alone will make your Christmas holiday in Lapland special. Plan to see the Northern Lights as a highlight – but not as the only reason for your trip.

Is Christmas in Lapland only for families with children?

Not at all. Families, couples and groups of friends often experience the region in different ways: for children, Santa Claus is the focus, while adults tend to enjoy nature, tranquillity and special accommodation. If you want a break from the usual December stress, Christmas in Finland – and especially in Lapland – is a powerful experience even without children.

Would you like more inspiration for your winter holiday?

Then read on in our blog article ‘The most popular destinations for winter’ and discover more tips for travellers.

Christmas in Lapland