In this article, you will learn where Santa Claus Village is located—an entertainment complex in northern Finland that attracts millions of tourists from around the world every year.
We have prepared information about where Santa Claus lives in Finland, what attractions are worth visiting in his village, where to eat and stay overnight. We will also tell you about the cost of such a vacation.
Where does Santa Claus live in Finland
Santa’s official residence (in Finnish, his name sounds like “Joulupukki”) is located in Lapland, near the town of Rovaniemi, close to the Arctic Circle. Life in Santa Claus Village is bustling all year round, and each season in this region is beautiful in its own way.
Santa’s village began its history in 1950, when Eleanor Roosevelt wanted to meet the legendary Santa during her visit to Finland. To please their distinguished guest, the Finns built a wooden cottage, decorated it, and invited actors.
The new entertainment venue appealed not only to Mrs. Roosevelt, but also to the Finns themselves. They decided to keep it and eventually built an entire village around the cottage. Hundreds of thousands of tourists come to Finland every year to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of celebration and magic.
Santa does not live in the village alone, but with his wife and helpers — little elves. All the decorations here seem to have come straight out of the pages of a Christmas fairy tale. Here’s what you definitely need to see in Rovaniemi if you’re planning to visit Santa.
- Santa’s House
Santa’s main residence is located in the center of the village. Visitors are welcomed at specific times and free of charge. If desired, the meeting with Santa can be recorded on photo and video (the service costs about 40 euros). The child will receive an unforgettable experience and a gift from Santa himself. It is best to plan your day in advance: arrive in the morning while there are no queues, get tickets to meet Santa and all the attractions you want to visit.
- Post office
Santa Claus Village is where letters from children all over the world are sent. Santa reads all the correspondence and tries to fulfill the wishes of his little fans. You can also send a postcard from here — either immediately or ask the little elves to send it to the addressee closer to the holiday. The set (stamp + postcard) costs 3-5 euros. The postcard is stamped with a special Lapland stamp with the address of the post office: Santa Claus, Santa Claus’s Main Post Office, 96930 Napapiiri, Finland.
- Reindeer farm
Santa travels by reindeer sleigh. Right behind his house is a farm where real reindeer live — the same fast-footed beauties that help Santa deliver gifts around the world. You can see the reindeer up close, pet them, ride in a sleigh or on horseback. This is especially enjoyable during the aurora borealis, which occurs in these latitudes from August to April.
- Mrs. Claus’ House
In the village where Santa Claus lives in Finland, there is another interesting location—a wooden cottage near a reindeer farm that belongs to Mrs. Claus. Together with her elf helpers, she bakes amazing gingerbread cookies and gingerbread cookies. Young guests can participate in this activity — helping to prepare, decorate, and eat the treats.
The program lasts an average of 30 minutes. Mrs. Claus’ House can be rented for private parties.
- Husky Safari
A dog kennel with real sled dogs — Siberian huskies. Here you can play with cute fluffy puppies and observe the life of adult dogs in their natural habitat. For speed lovers, there is a safari — rides in real sleds. During the trip, there are stops for tea and a hot lunch, and you can roast sausages.
A 2-3 hour trip costs 150-200 euros.
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- Santa Park
Santa Claus Village in Lapland boasts one of the newest amusement parks in the country. Santa Park is located in an underground cave near the village. Visitors arrive at the park on a special train. The main theme of the attraction is Christmas. Elves demonstrate their skills and hold master classes on making New Year’s toys. The Gingerbread Men kitchen operates on the park grounds, and the aroma of cinnamon fills the air.
- Moomin Castle
A large snow castle is built every year at the onset of winter in the area of a large parking lot. In Santa Claus Village, Finland has also brought its symbols to life — the little Moomins. There are many snow and ice figures of fairy-tale characters on display here. In the castle, you can take pictures in numerous photo zones, ride the slide, and have a snack at the local café.
- Snowman World
A large area with all kinds of winter attractions — skiing, skating, tubing. This complex has an ice hotel and a restaurant with an ice bar and sculptures, where national cuisine and delicious drinks are served. Extreme sports enthusiasts can rent a real ice room, similar to a hut.
- Snowmobile Park
The location of Santa Claus Village is the vast plains of Lapland, which are ideal for riding high-speed snowmobiles. Young fans of fast riding will receive instruction from a trainer on children’s snowmobiles. The routes run through snow-covered fields, forests, and rivers. Snacks and hot drinks await tourists at rest stops. During the winter season, there is an exhibition of rare snowmobiles that can be photographed.
- Kotahovi Restaurant
A Lapland-style establishment owned by the Kirkko family. It got its name from kota (the name of a hut of the Sami, the indigenous people of Finland). The rich interior of the restaurant is an attraction in itself. The restaurant can accommodate up to 50 people at a time. The Sami cuisine menu includes traditional dishes made from salmon, pork, venison, and local mushrooms.