Christmas & New Year Tours & Trips in Lapland
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10 best christmas & new year Lapland tours
Compiled by
![Lapland travel expert at TourRadar](https://cdn.tourradar.com/s3/team/125x125/129_v6ehPU2s.jpg)
MelissaLapland travel expert at TourRadar
- Rovaniemi Winter Experience
- Tailor-Made Finland Northern Lights Private Tour
- Northern Scandinavia in Winter
- Saariselkä à la carte
- Finland Wilderness Discovery - 5 Days
- Grand Lapland Tour, Finland, Sweden and Norway (departure from Rovaniemi)
- Tailor-Made Private Finland Tour to Fairy Tale Lapland
- Finland - Northern Light Adventure - 7 days
- Finland in 8 days - Covering Helsinki and Rovaniemi
- Lapland Winter Adventure
Rovaniemi Winter Experience
6 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The program and activities were well planned. A great experience.”
Alex, traveled in December
Lapland's magic unfolds through husky sledding and visits to Santa Claus Village on Rovaniemi's Arctic Circle. The comfortable Sokos Vaakuna Hotel hosts guests for guided Northern Lights hunting and 2-hour snowmobile safaris. Ideal for families and solo travelers aged 12+, including 4 breakfasts and expert English-speaking guides.
Duration 5 days Destinations Rovaniemi Age Range up to 99 year olds Operated in English, Italian, French, Spanish Operator V.O.S – Vision of Scandinavia From
- US$1,269
Winter festivities illuminate Saariselkä Village during polar night (Dec 4-Jan 8). Muotka Wilderness Lodge's Aurora glass cabins offer private saunas, while festive reindeer sleigh rides and evening Northern Lights hunts with fireside snacks create magical moments.
Duration 4 days Destinations Ivalo, Saariselka Age Range 1 to 99 year olds Operator Agate Travel From
- US$3,509
Winter magic awaits at Santa's Hotel Tunturi, where superior rooms come with private saunas. Guided Northern Lights excursions venture through Saariselkä's wilderness while sharing local traditions. Private transfers from Ivalo Airport included.
Duration 5 days Destinations Saariselka Age Range up to 80 year olds Operator V.O.S – Vision of Scandinavia From
- US$1,269
Festive enchantment unfolds at Santa's Village in Rovaniemi during free time. Traditional Finnish winter activities include reindeer sleigh rides through snow-laden forests, with evenings dedicated to Northern Lights viewing. Modern panoramic huts at Vaatunki Wilderness Resort provide comfortable accommodation.
Duration 5 days Destinations Rovaniemi, Ylläsjärvi Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator On The Go Tours From $3,035
20% Off- US$2,428You save $607
Winter magic stretches from Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi to Kilpisjärvi's pristine wilderness. Optional husky safaris and snowmobile adventures through Finnish Lapland's highest snow levels lead to Swedish Lapland's mountain landscapes in Björkliden.
Duration 6 days Destinations Finland, Norway, Sweden Age Range 18 to 45 year olds Operator Timetravels From
20% Off- US$834
Festive charm fills Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, with private ice sculpture viewing and authentic reindeer farm visits. Snowmobile adventures cross the Arctic Circle, featuring Lappish sausages by campfire. The centrally-located Scandic Rovaniemi serves as base for December's Northern Lights viewing.
Duration 6 days Destinations Helsinki, Rovaniemi Age Range 1 to 99 year olds Operator Agate Travel From
20% Off- US$3,409
The season comes alive at Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, featuring Santa's chamber and the magical Main Post Office. Traditional Christmas activities include reindeer sleigh rides at Sami farms, while the annually rebuilt Snow Hotel and Northern Lights searches create memorable evenings.
Duration 7 days Destinations Rovaniemi Age Range 3 to 95 year olds Operator Receptivo Aborigen Tours From
20% Off- US$4,974
Experience Northern Lights hunting in Rovaniemi with expert aurora photographers during winter months. Visit Santa Claus Village at the Arctic Circle, ride reindeer sleighs at local farms, and enjoy husky sledding adventures. Stay at the cozy Hotelli Aakenus in central Rovaniemi.
Duration 8 days Destinations Helsinki, Rovaniemi Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator WiseYatra From $2,896
10% Off- US$2,606You save $289
Lapland Winter Adventure
3 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“I had a wonderful time on my Lapland Winter Adventure, as arranged by Arif, out of Carisa Travel.”
Judith, traveled in January
Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi welcomes visitors to meet Santa and cross the magical Arctic Circle. Reindeer sleigh rides through pristine Lappish wilderness complement authentic farm visits, while mesmerizing Northern Lights viewing around midnight includes hot drinks at an outdoor camp.
Duration 6 days Destinations Helsinki, Rovaniemi, Kalix Age Range 6 to 80 year olds Operator Carisa Travel Group From
10% Off- US$3,251
What people love about Christmas & New Year Tours in Lapland
- Grand Lapland Tour, Finland, Sweden and Norway
A very nice and adventurous tour! I loved seeing the northern lights, the huskies, everything! The guides were most helpful and friendly and everyone on the tour was great. I can only recommend warm clothes and several layers of socks, but even without that the guides will keep you warm and comfortable. 10/10!
- Northern Lights & wildlife in Swedish Lapland, 7 nights
This tour was wonderful! Our guides were very knowledgeable and friendly - and they kept us warm (we rented the recommended clothing, which was smart). Everything about the tour went very smoothly. There were six people in our group and we enjoyed getting to know each other. We visited with a Sami reindeer herding woman and got to hand feed some of her reindeer, we went on a dogsled ride, and we stayed a couple nights with a Sami man at his comfortable encampment. We skied across a frozen lake by his home, took a sauna, and rolled in the snow afterward. The Arctic is beautiful and different from what I'd envisioned. And we saw the Northern Lights on two nights - they are beautiful and awe-inspiring. It was the trip of a lifetime and my wife and I both loved it.
What our customers ask about Christmas & New Year Tours & Trips in Lapland
How do Christmas celebrations differ in Finnish, Swedish and Norwegian Lapland?
The three regions of Lapland each present distinct holiday experiences. Finnish Lapland centers around Rovaniemi where visitors can explore Santa Claus Village and send mail from Santa's post office. In Swedish Lapland the focus shifts to Sami cultural celebrations particularly in places like Rensjon. Norwegian Lapland brings the festivities to the water's edge with celebrations along Tromsø's fjords. A TourRadar traveler noted "Getting to experience different Christmas traditions across three countries made the holiday extra special from Finnish Santa's Village to Swedish Sami celebrations."
What are the best dates to visit Lapland for a Christmas & New Year tour?
The peak season runs from mid-December through early January when Arctic winter conditions create an ideal setting. Cities like Rovaniemi and Saariselkä come alive with holiday activities with Santa Claus Village reaching peak festivity around Christmas Eve. Popular lodging options include the Vaatunki Wilderness Resort and Santa's Hotel Tunturi in Saariselkä. As one TourRadar traveler noted "Christmas in Lapland was truly an experience I will cherish for a lifetime."
What special Christmas & New Year activities are included in Lapland tours?
Tours typically feature visits to Santa Claus at his village in Rovaniemi reindeer sleigh rides through snowy forests and husky safaris. New Year's Eve often includes traditional Finnish feasts and fireworks displays. Locations like the Apukka Resort and Vaatunki Wilderness Resort offer activities such as ice fishing snowmobile expeditions and aurora viewing. A TourRadar traveler shared: "From meeting the reindeer dog sledding to seeing the Northern lights skiing and snowshoeing and meeting wonderful Sami people I cannot recommend this trip enough."
When is the ideal time to see the Northern Lights during Christmas & New Year in Lapland?
The best viewing hours for the Northern Lights fall between 9:00 PM and midnight during the holiday season. Areas like Inari and Kilpisjärvi offer excellent viewing conditions due to their dark skies. Most tours include guided Aurora excursions to prime locations such as the wilderness near Rovaniemi or the fjords near Skibotn. One TourRadar traveler shared "Our guide took us out at the prime time for Auroras and we got to enjoy the magical display while warming up with hot drinks at an outside camp."
What accommodation options are available for Christmas & New Year tours?
The region offers varied places to stay from glass igloos at Saariselkä's Northern Lights Village to remote lodges like the Apukka Resort. Unique options include the ice-carved rooms at the Arctic SnowHotel near Rovaniemi and the blend of Finnish tradition and modern comfort at Santa's Hotel Tunturi in Saariselkä. According to TourRadar travelers: "The quality of the hotels was top class with excellent service and the heated glass igloos provided an unforgettable experience."
What traditional Finnish Christmas & New Year customs can I experience?
Visitors can join in Finnish holiday traditions that include Christmas Eve sauna sessions at places like the Apukka Resort festive meals featuring regional specialties at wilderness lodges and New Year's celebrations with Sami communities. The Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi offers hands-on experiences with Finnish Christmas customs including meeting Santa. As one TourRadar traveler noted: "The local traditions and Sami culture made this Christmas experience truly authentic and magical."