Santa Family Holidays in Lapland
Our range of Lapland Family Christmas Holidays are built on the memories of our childhoods. Sneaking the neighbour's fir tree, looking for blanched almonds in our rice puddings...
Looking for ideas for Christmas Holidays?
A Scandinavian Christmas is special for so many reasons. For us at 50 Degrees North, it is deeply personal. Many of our team grew up with Nordic Christmas traditions, and our festive journeys are designed to share that sense of warmth, simplicity and seasonal magic with travellers from around the world.
Some of our fondest childhood memories include heading out into snow-covered forests to collect a Christmas tree, often with much excitement and laughter involved. While chopping down random trees is no longer part of the tradition, several of our Christmas tours still include guided forest excursions where guests can experience this timeless Nordic ritual in a responsible way. It is a small moment, but one that captures the quiet magic of a Scandinavian Christmas.
Food traditions at Christmas
Traditional Christmas food plays an important role across Scandinavia, and many of our boutique hotels bring these customs to life with festive meals and seasonal specialities.
In Norway and Sweden, you may encounter rice porridge with almonds served during the Christmas season. Traditionally, one whole almond is hidden in the porridge, and whoever finds it wins a marzipan pig, a symbol of good luck. In some families, extra almonds are added for fun, but the classic tradition involves just one. These small rituals are often woven into hotel dining experiences, offering travellers a genuine insight into Scandinavian Christmas food traditions.
Ideas for family Christmas holidays:
Our speciality lies in Christmas experiences away from the Nordic beaten path, with quiet countryside settings and carefully chosen boutique accommodation. That said, we also recommend including a short stay in one of the Scandinavian capitals for a taste of pre-Christmas cheer.
With short daylight hours and long evenings, city streets are beautifully illuminated, fir trees decorate public squares, and outdoor ice-skating rinks fill with locals. It is a wonderful contrast to the stillness of the Arctic regions.
Image: Jeppe Wikström
The Nordic Capitals of Helsinki, Stockholm, Oslo and Copenhagen all host charming Christmas markets throughout December. We often recommend combining a festive tour with a city stay. It is an ideal way to recover from long-haul flights, and these cities are easy to explore on foot or by public transport.
Visiting a local Christmas market is one of the best ways to get into the festive spirit. You can sample traditional flavours, enjoy warm drinks, and shop for handcrafted gifts and decorations before heading north for your Christmas celebrations.
What you can expect from our Christmas tours & packages
Let it snow!
Fresh snowfall is a key part of the Nordic Christmas atmosphere. When snow falls, the world feels quieter and more peaceful, the air crisp and clean. We encourage guests to embrace their inner Scandinavian child. Build snowmen, make snow angels, try skiing for the first time, or explore the forests on snowshoes. These simple pleasures are often the most memorable.
Meeting Father Christmas
According to popular tradition, Santa Claus lives in Finland, but he appears throughout northern Norway and Sweden during the festive season as well. Christmas is naturally his busiest time, yet he still makes time to meet visitors, young and old alike.
A Scandinavian Christmas would not be complete without reindeer. Many of our tours include visits to local reindeer farms or gentle sleigh rides beneath the stars. With a little luck, you may even spot the Northern Lights shimmering across the sky as you glide through the snow.
The stunning 'blue hour'
December days are short in the Nordic region, but this is part of their charm. Around midday, the sun hovers low on the horizon, creating a soft, glowing twilight known as the blue hour. Snow-covered landscapes take on deep blue and pastel tones, offering photographers and travellers alike a truly magical experience.
Family winter adventures
Our Christmas tours feature a wide range of winter activities designed for families. These may include visits to husky farms, reindeer encounters, snowshoe walks, guided Northern Lights excursions, cosy bonfires, snowmobile rides and private Santa experiences. Each itinerary is carefully paced to balance adventure with comfort and festive relaxation.
Explore our full range of Christmas tours and itineraries, and discover the Scandinavian Christmas experience that suits your family best.
Image credits: Visit Finland, Visit Rovaniemi, Visit Norway, Visit Sweden and Arctic Coast AS Foto Ørjan Bertelsen, Ruka Chalets