There are few places on earth as special as Lapland at Christmas. The official home of Santa Claus makes the perfect Christmas holiday destination thanks to stunning outdoor activities, magical experiences for the kids with the real-life Santa, and of course the majesty of the Northern Lights.

With Not In The Guidebooks, you can take the family to resorts ready-made to escape the rush of everyday life, and spend an unforgettable Christmas break in the beautiful wilderness of Northern Finland. Drink in the Northern Lights from a cosy glass-roofed cabin, set off on reindeer expeditions through the forest in search of Santa, and experience the thrill of a husky ride on a family holiday that explores frozen lakes, deep forests and rolling fells, all at the most magical time of year.

Festive Adventures in Finland

When it comes to searching for the ultimate Christmas holiday destination, it doesn’t get much better than the vast, wild region of Lapland. After all, this is the official home of Father Christmas, and there are few more magical experiences for a child than visiting the ‘real’ Santa Claus in the winter wonderland that is Lapland at Christmas.

There’s a real magical feel as the region sinks into near 24 hour darkness. The snow sits heavily on the trees and the forest settles into silence, which creates a truly unique atmosphere as you hiss through the firs on a reindeer-drawn sleigh. After an unforgettable day of exploring and visiting Santa, not much beats escaping back to your warm, cosy glass-roofed pod to gaze at the Northern Lights on a family holiday in Lapland.

Where to go on a Christmas Holiday in Lapland

Levi, Saariselka and Rovaniemi are all places ready-made for those on the hunt for Santa, with accommodation and villages set up specifically for those searching for some festive magic.

In particular, Rovaniemi is the “official” hometown of Santa Claus and fully geared toward bringing some of that Christmas magic to life. With its very own Santa’s village and with experiences such as visiting the elf’s workshop or taking a reindeer ride through the woods to Santa’s cottage, it’s a destination where you can create lifelong memories for the kids, as excitement levels soar and a sense of Christmas wonder settles over those who still believe.

One thing is for sure, wherever you go for your Christmas holiday in Lapland, you’re sure to find stunning landscapes, and exciting activities to create the experience of a lifetime for the kids.

Why choose Not In The Guidebooks?

We’re passionate about helping people find the most amazing experiences on their travels, through meeting local people, exploring new places, and discovering alternative activities that make holidays special. We do this by carefully selecting partners in countries around the world who are experts in their local area, sourcing interesting people who can guide you through immersive experiences.

We’ve got local partners all across Finland, from the wilderness of Lapland to the country’s capital – Helsinki. Choosing a Not In The Guidebooks holiday in Finland means you don’t have to choose between a wildlife holiday or an activity-filled break, you can get the best of both worlds with a unique trip.