There’s a place where Christmas never ends. A snowy realm where dreams come true, letters are read by candlelight, and kindness is the most powerful magic of all. That place is Rovaniemi, the official hometown of Santa Claus.
Santa welcomes visitors every day of the year at the Santa Claus Village, right on the Arctic Circle. You don’t have to wait until December—this is where Christmas lives forever. The scent of cinnamon, the warm glow of wooden cabins, and the cheerful elves make it feel like you’ve stepped into a storybook.
And yes—you really can meet Santa himself, have a chat, and even capture the moment with a professional photo. It's free to visit, and the experience is unforgettable for children and adults alike.
Just a short walk from Santa’s main office is the Santa Claus Main Post Office, operated by Finland’s national postal service. Every year, Santa receives around half a million letters from children all over the world. When you send a postcard from here, it’s stamped with a unique Arctic Circle postmark—a magical memory to take home.
As night falls over Santa’s snowy village, something even more magical can appear above: the Northern Lights. From late August to April, the skies of Lapland light up with green and violet waves of aurora. Imagine meeting Santa... and then stepping outside to witness nature’s most stunning show.
Rovaniemi is easy to reach by train, plane or car. The city has its own airport (RVN), and direct connections from Helsinki. Santa Claus Village is located about 8 km north of the city center, and open year-round.
Santa isn’t just for Christmas. In Lapland, he’s a symbol of warmth, wonder and generosity—values that shine even in the coldest of winters.
Plan your visit with Lapland Guidebook and discover more magical experiences in the Arctic north.