Experiences not to be missed on your Northern Lights holiday
What's hot for the 2025-26 Northern Lights season: Surfing under the Northern Lights, snorkelling or perhaps proposing under the Northern Lights.
- NEW ITINERARY FOR 2026
6 days | Independent journey | Sep-Nov | Rovaniemi
Autumn in Lapland is a season of colour, calm and quiet magic. Golden forests, crisp air and darkening nights create ideal conditions for cultural encounters, nature walks and early Northern Lights sightings. This independent journey takes you from Rovaniemi, the capital of Finnish Lapland, to the tranquil village of Luosto, blending soft adventure with meaningful local experiences and time to slow down and connect with the landscape.
You will explore hidden trails, learn about Eastern Lapland traditions, meet reindeer with a local photographer, and spend a night in a panoramic glass igloo, watching the stars from the warmth of your bed. Far removed from the Christmas rush, it is possible to also visit the Santa Claus Village outside the busy December season, offering a quieter, more personal experience of Santa’s home village.
For travellers who prefer snow-covered scenery, winter activities and classic Arctic adventures, you may wish to compare this journey with Rovaniemi and Glass Igloo Escape, the winter version of this itinerary.
Highlights include
- Explore Santa’s hometown combined with a retreat in a peaceful forest village location.
- Reindeer & Photography: Meet reindeer and capture the moment with a local photographer.
- Discover hidden trails and Lappish nature on a guided walk to the Sacred Waterfall.
- Learn Eastern Lapland traditions through crafts and storytelling.
- Chase the Aurora with expert guides under crisp autumn skies.
- Sleep beneath the stars in a panoramic Arctic igloo.
- Day 1
- Arrival in Rovaniemi
- Day 2
- Reindeer Farm Visit with Photographer
- Day 3
- Travel to Luosto and Sacred Waterfall Hike
- Day 4
- Local Culture, History and Northern Lights
- Day 5
- Autumn Nature Experience and Glass Igloo Stay
- Day 6
- Departure Day
- Start/End Place
- Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland
- Country Visited
- Finland
- Duration
- 6 Days
- Start Date
- Flexible
- Travel Style
- Independent
- Suitability
- Independent holiday with moderately active activities and no luggage handling included
- Code
- 50DN1315
As a Certified B Corporation, 50 Degrees North has designed this itinerary using handpicked local hoteliers and suppliers who share our ethos of delivering services and activities of high social and environmental standards.
Through our Climate Action Plan, we measure our carbon emissions each year and set goals to reduce them. But our responsibility does not end when the journey does. A share of our annual profits goes to our Impact Fund, supporting conservation, restoration and the communities we work in.
Details
Transportation
Private airport transfer on arrival, local bus between destinations and back to airport
Included
- Standard double/twin room for 2 nights at the Santa Claus Hotel including breakfast
- Standard double/twin room with fireplace for 2 nights in Luosto, including breakfast
- One night in double/twin Glass Igloo accommodation in Luosto
- Daily breakfast and three dinners (drinks not included and are paid locally)
- Local Reindeer Farm visit with a Photographer
- Guided Hike to the Sacred Waterfall
- Culture of Eastern Lapland
- Northern Lights Hunting by Car
- Husky-Experience - Wagon Ride and Farm Visit
- Private transfer from Rovaniemi Airport to hotel
- Local bus from Rovaniemi to Luosto and from Luosto to Rovaniemi Airport
Not Included
- Flights
- Meals other than specified
- Drinks including alcoholic beverages, juice, soft drinks and hot beverages
- Items of personal nature
- Any additional activities
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrival in Rovaniemi
Arrive at Rovaniemi Airport and enjoy a private transfer to your centrally located hotel. Spend the afternoon exploring the city independently: visit local shops, walk along the river, or relax in a cosy café.
Day 2 - Reindeer Farm Visit with Photographer
After breakfast, head out for a unique visit to a local reindeer farm, accompanied by a professional photographer who helps you capture the experience. The rest of the day is free, consider visiting the Arktikum museum or Santa Claus Village. For a more private Santa experience, let us know! In Rovaniemi, it is possible to meet Santa every day of the year.
Meals
1 BreakfastDay 3 - Travel to Luosto and Sacred Waterfall Hike
Take a morning bus from Rovaniemi to Luosto (approx. 2 hours). Upon arrival, join a guided hike to a sacred waterfall, learning about the flora, fauna, and folklore of the region. Dinner is served at your hotel.
Meals
1 Breakfast1 Dinner
Day 4 - Local Culture, History and Northern Lights
Enjoy breakfast before diving into the traditions of Eastern Lapland through a cultural workshop. In the evening, embark on a Northern Lights excursion by car, guided by experts who know the best viewing locations. Dinner is included at your hotel tonight.
Meals
1 Breakfast1 Dinner
Day 5 - Autumn Nature Experience and Glass Igloo Stay
After breakfast, pack up and enjoy a guided nature experience that showcases the beauty of Lapland’s autumn landscapes. Later, transfer to your glass igloo accommodation for dinner and a peaceful night under the stars.
Meals
1 Breakfast1 Dinner
Day 6 - Departure Day
After breakfast, take a bus back to Rovaniemi Airport or the city centre. Depart with memories of Lapland’s golden forests and Arctic charm.
Meals
1 BreakfastDates & Prices
All prices listed are per person, based on two adults sharing a double room.
Dates
Valid From
Valid To
From Price
Status
Accommodation
1 Sep 2026
31 Oct 2026
31 Oct 2026
1 Sep 2026
31 Oct 2026
EUR 1,452
On request
Standard
1 Sep 2026
31 Oct 2026
31 Oct 2026
1 Sep 2026
31 Oct 2026
EUR 392
On request
Extra for Single
1 Nov 2026
30 Nov 2026
30 Nov 2026
1 Nov 2026
30 Nov 2026
EUR 1,882
On request
Standard
1 Nov 2026
30 Nov 2026
30 Nov 2026
1 Nov 2026
30 Nov 2026
EUR 765
On request
Extra for Single
Important Information
Tours can change depending on the weather conditions.
We have excluded dinners in Rovaniemi as you may like to visit local restaurants. Please let us know if you would like to include the first dinner on arrival or anything else. Lunches often clash with activities so we leave it up to you to fit in with your day.
ANIMAL WELFARE POLICY:
At 50 Degrees North, animal welfare is a top priority during all our tours and packages. We carefully select suppliers who adhere to strict animal welfare standards, ensuring that wildlife interactions are respectful and comply with local, national, and international regulations. We avoid offering excursions that involve captive wildlife, except where they are properly regulated, and all activities are designed to minimise disturbance to natural ecosystems. Our travellers are educated on responsible, including responsible animal interactions, through our 'Responsible Travel Tips' for travellers, and our guides are trained to lead by example, promoting ethical conduct towards both wild and domesticated animals. By prioritising animal welfare in every aspect of our tours, we ensure that your travel experience is both enjoyable and ethically sound. Read our article on Animal Welfare to learn more.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Weather conditions may occasionally affect certain activities, and as a result, the schedule may be adjusted to ensure the best possible experience for all guests. For multi-activity stays, often the order of the activities will be confirmed locally on arrival. Activities might vary slightly in their duration or location due to the weather and local conditions. Any activities that are unable to be re-scheduled due to weather conditions, will be refunded as a general practice, as determined by the activity provider.
Gallery
Interactive Tour Map
Inspiration
Lapland Holidays in the Autumn Months
Experience the quiet magic of ruska season in Lapland - glowing autumn forests, crisp Arctic air, and the chance to see the Northern Lights — through a curated selection of immersive wilderness, culture and aurora-focused journeys across Finland and Norway.
Can I see the Northern Lights in Autumn?
If you don’t fancy the sub-zero temperatures associated with Northern Scandinavia in winter, consider an autumn tour.
Enquire
Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, Finland
Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, Finnish Lapland, is one of the best-known places in the world to meet Santa Claus. Located on the Arctic Circle, the village welcomes visitors throughout the year, with festive attractions, Santa's Main Post Office and opportunities to enjoy the snowy landscapes of northern Finland in winter.
Whether you are planning a family Christmas holiday or visiting Lapland at another time of year, Santa Claus Village offers a chance to meet Santa, cross the Arctic Circle and experience the Christmas traditions associated with Finland's northernmost region.
Rovaniemi is the capital of Finnish Lapland and the main gateway to the region. Although the village is especially popular in December, Santa is there every day of the year.
Photo: ©Visit Rovaniemi
What can you do at Santa Claus Village?
There is more to Santa Claus Village than meeting Santa. You can explore its festive attractions, visit the post office, cross the Arctic Circle and find activities and excursions that introduce you to Lapland's winter landscapes.
Meet Santa Claus
Meeting Santa is the highlight for many visitors. You can visit him at Santa Claus Village throughout the year, making it possible to include a Santa experience in a winter holiday, a summer trip or a visit outside the traditional Christmas season.
December is the busiest time to visit, when families from around the world travel to Rovaniemi for a Christmas experience. If you are travelling with young children, allow time for queues and plan your visit around the other activities you want to enjoy.
For opening information and current visitor arrangements, check the official Santa Claus Village website before you travel.
Photo: ©Visit Rovaniemi
Cross the Arctic Circle
Santa Claus Village sits on the Arctic Circle, one of the geographical highlights of a visit to Rovaniemi. You can cross the marked line and take photographs to remember the occasion.
The Arctic Circle is an imaginary line of latitude around the Earth, marking the southern boundary of the region where the sun can remain above the horizon for 24 hours at midsummer or below it for 24 hours at midwinter. The exact daylight experience depends on the season.
Photo: ©Visit Rovaniemi
Send a postcard from Santa's Main Post Office
Santa's Main Post Office is a popular stop for families. You can send postcards and letters from the village, including mail that carries a special Arctic Circle postmark. It is a simple way to share your visit with family and friends at home.
Photo: ©Visit Rovaniemi
Discover Lapland activities
Santa Claus Village and the surrounding Rovaniemi area offer a range of seasonal experiences. Depending on the time of year and the operator, these may include reindeer encounters, husky excursions, snowmobile safaris and other guided activities in the surrounding forests.
Winter brings snow-covered scenery and a distinctly festive atmosphere, while summer offers long daylight hours and a different perspective on the Arctic landscape. Check seasonal availability when planning your visit, particularly if you have specific activities in mind.
When is the best time to visit Santa Claus Village?
The best time to visit depends on the experience you want.
- November and December: The village takes on its most festive atmosphere as Christmas approaches. This is also the busiest period, so book accommodation and popular activities well in advance.
- January to March: Winter conditions can provide opportunities to combine a Santa visit with snowy landscapes and Arctic activities. Santa Claus Village remains open beyond Christmas, although individual activities operate according to their own schedules.
- Spring, summer and autumn: You can still meet Santa and cross the Arctic Circle without travelling during the peak Christmas period. The landscape and daylight hours are very different from winter, and snow-based activities may not be available.
If seeing Santa is the main reason for your trip, you do not have to travel in December. A visit at another time of year can make it easier to combine Santa Claus Village with a broader exploration of Finland.
How do you get to Santa Claus Village?
Santa Claus Village is just outside Rovaniemi, approximately 8 kilometres (5 miles) from the city centre and close to Rovaniemi Airport. The short transfer makes it straightforward to include the village in a stay in Rovaniemi or as part of a longer Lapland itinerary.
Rovaniemi can be reached by air from selected destinations, as well as by train and road from elsewhere in Finland. Services and flight schedules vary by season, so check your travel dates before making arrangements.
You can visit Santa Claus Village independently or include it in a planned Lapland holiday. If you are travelling in December, arrange accommodation, transfers and any special excursions ahead of time, as demand is high around Christmas.
What is SantaPark in Rovaniemi?
For another kind of Christmas experience, visit SantaPark, an underground Christmas-themed attraction built inside a cavern beneath the forests near Rovaniemi. It offers a different experience from Santa Claus Village, with indoor activities and festive encounters designed for families.
SantaPark is a good option for families looking to spend several hours immersed in a Christmas setting, particularly when the weather is cold. Depending on the season and current programme, experiences may include meeting Santa, visiting the elves and taking part in Christmas-themed activities.
SantaPark and Santa Claus Village are separate attractions, so check their opening dates, admission arrangements and activity schedules before planning your visit. If you have time in Rovaniemi, you may wish to include both in your itinerary: Santa Claus Village for the Arctic Circle, Santa's Main Post Office and its wider outdoor setting, and SantaPark for its indoor Christmas experience.
Photo: SantaPark
Should you visit Santa Claus Village or meet Santa elsewhere in Lapland?
Santa Claus Village is the most recognisable place to meet Santa in Rovaniemi, but it is not the only option in Finnish Lapland.
The village is a busy visitor attraction, particularly in December. If you want to combine Santa with shops, restaurants, the Arctic Circle and a range of activities in one location, it is a convenient choice.
For families who prefer a quieter experience, other parts of Lapland offer private Santa visits in forest cabins and smaller settings. These experiences can include a sleigh ride through the forest, time with Santa away from the crowds and activities arranged especially for your family.
Read our guide to meeting Santa in Finnish Lapland, away from the crowds to explore the alternatives.
Santa waiting for families during our Lapland Winter Magic small group tour in Äkäslompolo.
Plan your Santa Claus holiday in Finland
Santa Claus Village can be a day trip from Rovaniemi or one part of a longer winter holiday. Staying in the region also gives you time to discover Lapland's forests, meet reindeer, try seasonal outdoor activities and experience the distinctive atmosphere of the Arctic.
For families interested in a more personal encounter with Santa, explore our independent Christmas holidays and small group Christmas tours.
For help choosing the right itinerary, contact our Nordic destination specialists.