THE LAPLAND SERIES, DAY 8, 9 & 10
ROVANIEMI
I’ll be honest most Finns celebrate Christmas on the 24th, but in our family, Christmas Day has always been the main event. So yes, we made the kids wait until December 25th to open their presents (cue the exaggerated sighs and dramatic flops onto the cabin floor!).
MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM LAPLAND
We’d gone all out on Christmas Eve reindeer sleighs, Arctic Circle ceremonies, the works so for Christmas Day in Lapland, we decided to slow right down. And honestly? It was perfect.
Even though December 25th isn’t the big celebration here in Finland, Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi was still open and full of festive charm. All the usual activities were available meeting Santa, sending postcards from his official post office, wandering through snow-dusted Christmas markets—but with far fewer crowds and a wonderfully peaceful vibe.
After days of non-stop Arctic adventures, permitting ourselves just to be—sipping hot chocolate by the window, watching the snow fall, and finally letting the kids tear into their presents felt like the real gift.
WHERE IS SANTA CLAUS VILLAGE?
Nestled right on the Arctic Circle, Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi stays open year-round and yes, Santa is there on December 25th too! Though the crowds thin out after the 24th, you can still cross the Arctic Circle line, send postcards from Santa’s Main Post Office, and enjoy festive photo ops without the long queues. It’s the perfect balance of holiday spirit and calm.
Santa Claus Village
Santa’s Hideaway: Charming, But a Bit Familiar
That morning, we also visited Santa’s Hideaway, a tucked-away forest cabin where elves told stories about the Four Winds hat and led us on a short reindeer ride. It was sweet and the kids loved it but I couldn’t help thinking it felt almost identical to our Santa Safari from the day before. If I were doing it again, I’d probably skip this on Christmas Day and just enjoy a slow morning in the cabin with hot cocoa and board games. But hey, seeing my nieces’ faces light up? Worth it.
Christmas Day in Lapland
DAILY INFO….
- HOTEL – GLASS RESORT 8.5/10
- ATTRACTIONS –
Santa’s Hideaway,
Snowmobile,
Snowman World,
Husky Safari,
Igloo Dinner - STEPS – 15,300, 7,000, 9,300
Chasing the Northern Lights—On Christmas Night!
As the sun set, I knew we couldn’t leave Lapland without one more shot at the Northern Lights. So after dinner, we geared up for a snowmobile tour into the Arctic wilderness. And wouldn’t you know it—December 25, 2022, turned out to be the most transparent, most vibrant aurora display of our entire trip. Standing there in the silent snow, watching ribbons of green dance across the sky with my family beside me… that’s a moment I’ll carry forever.
If you’re planning this for 2025: book a small-group tour with a reputable operator that offers aurora guarantees. The right guide makes all the difference.
Christmas Day in Lapland
25/12/2022, CHRISTMAS DAY, DAY 9
Finally, the day we have been waiting for in Lapland, Christmas Day. It was nice to wake up and see the kids open their presents in what seemed a competition in who could open theirs the fastest. However the Tamagotchi they all got proved to be the big winner.
Christmas Day in Lapland
SNOWMAN WORLD
I kept things intentionally light for Christmas Day—just one outing: Snowman World, Rovaniemi’s whimsical ice park built entirely from snow and ice. We zoomed down ice slides on rubber rings, posed in front of glittering ice sculptures, and even grabbed lunch at the ice restaurant (more on that later).It’s not a full-day attraction—more of a playful pitstop—but that’s exactly what we needed. After a week of nonstop adventures, this was our “reset” day. No alarms. No itineraries. Just snow, laughter, and the occasional snowball to the face.As always in our family, we ended the evening with ridiculous party games—including one that involved lifting cardboard cutouts using only a long inflatable banana strapped to your back. (Don’t ask. Just know: it’s chaos, and we love it.)
Christmas Day in Lapland
RELATED READ: THE BIGGEST DERBY IN THE WORLD
Day 10: A 10km Husky Safari for Our Dog-Obsessed Niece
Boxing Day meant one thing: huskies. My niece Alba talks about dogs like they’re her soulmates she’d hug a snarling Rottweiler if given the chance. So of course, we booked a 10km husky safari through the silent Arctic forest.
Watching her drive her own sledge, wind in her hair and a grin from ear to ear, was pure joy. And yes we got to cuddle the husky puppies afterwards. (I may have cried. Just a little.)
The Igloo Dinner: Eat Fast or Go Hungry!
We could’ve dined at our hotel’s lovely restaurant, but how could we skip the Igloo Dinner a true Lapland bucket-list experience?
Let’s be real: it’s cold. So cold that your reindeer stew starts freezing the second it hits the plate. But that’s part of the fun! In our family, we’ve always lived by one rule: if you don’t eat fast, you don’t eat. So we were oddly well-prepared.
Sitting at an ice table under glowing lanterns, sipping warm lingonberry juice, with the kids giggling on ice thrones it was quirky, chilly, and completely unforgettable.
Christmas in Lapland: My Top Highlights
If I had to sum up Christmas Day in Lapland, these moments stand out most:
- Seeing the kids’ faces light up on Christmas morning
- Chasing the Northern Lights on a quiet snowmobile ride the night before
- That perfect balance of adventure and stillness something only Lapland deliver
FINAL THOUGHTS
Christmas in Lapland was over in a flash but it left a mark. There’s something deeply special about celebrating the holidays in a place where snow blankets the world in silence, the Northern Lights dance overhead, and time slows down just enough for you to remember what matters.
If you’ve ever dreamed of a white Christmas that feels like stepping into a storybook, Rovaniemi should be at the top of your list.
SAFE TRAVELS, DS x
158/229
FAQs
1. Is Santa Claus Village open on Christmas Day?
Yes! I was surprised too but Santa greets visitors every day of the year, including December 25th. When we went, the crowds were much lighter than on Christmas Eve, making it a peaceful (and still magical) experience. Just check the official hours—usually 9 AM to 5 PM.
2. How cold is it in Lapland on Christmas Day?
Bracingly cold! During our trip, temperatures hovered between -10°C and -20°C (14°F to -4°F). But don’t let that scare you—most tour operators provide thermal suits, boots, and gloves. And honestly? Once you’re bundled up, sipping hot lingonberry juice under the Northern Lights, you barely notice the chill.
3. Is Snowman World worth visiting with kids?
In my opinion yes, especially on a relaxed day like Christmas. It’s not huge, but it’s pure fun: ice slides, an ice bar, photo ops with sculptures, and even an ice restaurant. My nieces loved it, and it gave us a playful, low-pressure outing without rushing from one activity to the next.
What’s Next?
Ever wondered what it’s like to crush Arctic ice aboard a real icebreaker ship?
In my next post, I take you aboard the legendary Polar Explorer where we sailed through frozen sea lanes, jumped into the icy Arctic Ocean (yes, really!), and watched the ship carve a path through walls of ice like a snowplough on steroids. ❄️💥
Click here to read: A Day on the Polar Explorer Icebreaker!
Love This Lapland Adventure?
You’re reading Day 9 of The Lapland Series my family’s whole journey through snow, Santa, and the Northern Lights!
Want to start from the beginning or catch up on what you missed?
Read the entire Lapland Series here
Want More? Come Behind the Scenes!
The blog captures the story but my YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok show the real magic:
GoPro footage of husky sleds flying through forests
Time-lapses of the Northern Lights dancing over our cabin
Bloopers from the Igloo Dinner (spoiler: soup froze mid-bite!)
Question Time
- Do you like to spend Christmas at home or away?
- Where have you spent Christmas that you enjoyed the most?
- Do you like the sound of any of these activities?
Let me know in the comments below . . .
