“Tis the season to be jolly…”

As the first frost dusts the streets, the scent of roasted chestnuts, woodsmoke, and pine needles fills the air. With the arrival of Christmas, every town transforms its ordinary architecture into a snow-draped storybook scene. Glowing, flickering lanterns, fairy lights, and towering Christmas trees complete the picture.

Adding to the festive spirit, bustling holiday markets display seasonal treats, handcrafted ornaments, and cozy knitwear. While some prefer marking the holiday season at home, others plan Christmas getaways with their families. Today, many destinations around the globe are popular with tourists seeking the unique fairytale charm of Christmas.

One such place is Rovaniemi, in Finnish Lapland on the Arctic Circle, also known as the home of the official Santa Claus. Draped in a blanket of snow, it promises visitors a truly unforgettable experience. So, this Christmas, if you have travel plans, then head to Rovaniemi for your next winter escapade.

Why is Rovaniemi called a winter wonderland?

Rovaniemi in Finland is called a “winter wonderland” because it sits directly on the Arctic Circle. It is located at 66°30′N, where it experiences heavy layers of frosted snow throughout its landscape, from early winter through spring, per Nordic Unique Travels.

Visit Rovaniemi if you want to see the home of Santa Claus, with Santa Claus Village, Santa’s Office, and other Christmas-themed attractions open year-round.

Rovaniemi runs festive traditions and holiday events throughout December that draw hundreds of thousands of tourists each year. December 1 is observed as Santa Hat Day, when locals wear elf hats, starting with a children’s party at Lordi’s Square, per Time Out.

Visit the Christmas markets to taste hot glögi (spiced mulled wine) and enjoy live music. Santa Claus’s Departure takes place on December 23 in the central square of Santa Claus Village. This event is free of charge and open to the public. Activities include live music, festive speeches, elves, reindeer-pulled sleighs, and a global Facebook livestream for remote viewers.

Lastly, the main day in Rovaniemi is December 24, also known as Christmas Eve or Jouluaatto. Most shops and museums (such as Arktikum and Korundi) remain closed on this day. However, major Santa Claus attractions remain open, including the Santa Claus Village, Santa Claus Office, and Christmas House Santa. Tourists and locals looking for adventure can experience husky safaris, snowmobile tours, and sleigh rides, which are a special part of Christmas Eve excursions.

Once you arrive in Rovaniemi, you will see reindeer everywhere, both real and in costume. According to Nordic Unique Travels, Finland is home to over 200,000 semi-domesticated reindeer, a number that exceeds the human population of Finnish Lapland. Each animal has a unique ear mark that identifies its owner, allowing herders to manage them across large areas.

You can spot them grazing near roadsides, forests, ski slopes, or even walking near the E75 highway. To see a reindeer up close, visit the Santa Claus Reindeer Farm in Santa Claus Village.

Additionally, the local amusement parks and official spots have staff and performers dressed as Christmas elves, reindeer, and winter characters. Did you know? In 1945, architect Alvar Aalto designed the famous “Reindeer Antler Plan” to rebuild the Finnish city’s street plan after World War II destroyed it. The map is shaped like the head and antlers of a reindeer, per Stay Lapland.

How to reach Rovaniemi?

If you are traveling from the U.S. to Rovaniemi, Finland, your journey will involve two stages: flying from the U.S. to Europe, then traveling north to Rovaniemi.

The first step is to fly from a U.S. hub (such as New York-JFK, Chicago-ORD, Los Angeles-LAX, or Seattle-SEA) to Helsinki. Once you arrive at Helsinki Airport (HEL), take either a direct flight to Rovaniemi Airport (RVN) or Santa Claus Airport, or take the VR Santa Claus Express Train. It is a double-decker overnight sleeper train that takes you north through snowy forests.

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