If you’re one of those people who finds themselves searching for that Christmassy feeling year after year, there’s one place you can go where you’ll almost certainly find it: Lapland.
A Lapland holiday is guaranteed to get you in the festive spirit, and leave you with a feeling that will last long after the end of your holiday.
From reindeer rides and husky sledding through Finland’s natural winter wonderland to a visit to the Elves workshop, every activity is tailor made to boost your seasonal cheer.
And, of course, no trip would be complete without the chance to meet good Old Saint Nicholas himself, who has a sack full of presents waiting for every child.
Whether you go for a day, 2-3 days, or choose a 5 day experience, each itinerary has been carefully planned to maximise fun, festivity and excitement.
Alternatively, if you’re looking for a week’s skiing holiday to Lapland (Finland), head over to our Finland Ski Holidays page for more info on Finnish ski resorts and ski deals.
On this page, we’ll focus on the different Lapland packages you can choose to help get the most wonderful time of year off to a holly jolly start.
Our Lapland packages
Every package includes flights, airport transfers, and support from resort reps, as well as complimentary thermal suit and boots, woollen socks and thermal mittens to keep you toasty.
Lapland Experience | Number of nights | Accommodation type | Board type | Activities included | Can you ski? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Santa's Magic | 2 or 3 | 3 or 4 star hotels | Half board | Yes | Yes |
Aurora | 2 or 3 | Premium 4 star or glass cabins | Half board | Yes | Yes |
Santa Breaks | 3 or 4 | Cabins, hotels, or apartments | Half board or self catered | Some | Yes |
Santa Day Trip | 0 (1 day) | Use of Snow Village facilities | Lunch included | Yes | No |
Lapland Short Breaks | 3 or 4 | Cabins, hotels or apartments | Various | Some | Yes |
Arctic Santa | 3 | Luxury lodge or hotel | Full board | Yes | Yes |
Find out more about each of these packages in the next section.
Santa’s Magic
Santa’s Magic is a 2-3 day adventure into the Arctic Circle that includes a husky and reindeer ride, as well as a private meeting with Santa.
The festive fun starts as soon as you set off from the UK. Your destination is Saariselkä, 200km inside the Arctic Circle, where you’ll be looked after by Lapland’s trusty Elves.
The moment you arrive, you’ll don your thermals and head out into the snow for tobogganing and snowman building.
Day 2 starts with a magical ride to an activity centre, taking in igloos and other snowy activities on the way. Later on, you'll set off into the forest to search for Santa’s secret cabin, but before that, there's plenty of festive activities to be had, including snow hockey, crazy reindeer golf, tobogganing and mini skidoos - as well as a serene reindeer-drawn sleigh ride.
Once you find Santa, you'll get your own special one-on-one chat with him, before returning back to Saariselka for a Festive Dinner.
If you book a 3 day trip, you’ll have the time to visit traditional shops and explore Lapland’s wintery wonderland at your leisure.
For accommodation, you have a choice of four different hotels, from a cosy and traditional 3-star Finnish inn to a stylish 4-star hotel that has a pool, water slides and a sauna (although these are sadly closed for the 24-25 season). You also have the option to enhance your trip with adventures, skiing, snowmobiling, or hunting for the Northern Lights.
Santa's Aurora
The Aurora package also takes you on a 2-3 day trip into Saariselkä to find Santa, but places more of an emphasis on discovering the Northern Lights, which you can do on the back of a snowmobile, towed by huskies or in a car - the choice is yours.
You can also have your own personal chat with Santa once you find him, as well as a husky sleigh ride, reindeer sleigh ride, Santa's Elves workshop, wilderness dinner and snowmobiling.
The main difference between Aurora and Santa’s Magic is the choice of hotels. The two 4-star hotels in this package are designed to allow you to see the Northern Lights from the warmth and comfort of your own personal glass cube cabin.
We can’t guarantee you’ll see them, but if they do appear, you couldn’t be in a better place to witness the greatest show on earth.
Santa Breaks
A Santa Break holiday is another way to meet the jolly man himself and soak up some festive atmosphere during a 3-4 night stay in one of three enchanting Finnish resorts: Munoio, Levi and Ylläs.
A trip to Santa’s Elves hideaway is included in every package, with the option to add on a snowmobile safari, a husky and reindeer sleigh ride, and on the 4 night stay, a ski taster package.
Levi is a pretty and lively village surrounded by snowy forests and frozen lakes. You’ll find plenty of bars, shops, cafes and restaurants all within a short walk of your accommodation.
Yllas is an unspoiled Lappish village where you’ll stay in a cosy log cabin in the woods. The location of the village, surrounded by abundant wilderness, makes it a great place to see the Northern Lights.
Muonio is the most remote of the three resorts, offering an authentic and peaceful experience in the seclusion of the Finnish fells.
Levi resort centre, taken on recent trip to Lapland
Santa Day Trip
If you’re short on time, a Santa Day trip will deliver all the festive fun you could ask for in just 24 hours.
It’s the perfect option for families with young children that might not be able to commit to a longer trip, and includes a short husky sleigh ride and a meeting with Santa in his log cabin in the woods.
Everything takes place at Kittila’s Snow Village, which features a snow slide and mini skidoo. There’s also an ice hotel with igloo-style rooms, an ice bar, and even an ice chapel.
Lapland short breaks
Lapland short breaks give you the chance to spend 3-4 days exploring all that Lapland has to offer. That includes the husky-led sleigh rides, reindeers and Santa meet-and-greets you’d expect, but with a wider choice of destinations, from the Lappish Capital of Rovaniemi, where you’ll find international shops and lively nightlife, to the more traditional village of Luosto.
You can also stay in Yllas, Pallas, Levi, Kuusamo, Ruka, and Saariselka. Whether you’re looking to relax or run wild in the snowy wilderness, you’ll find a place to make your Christmas wishes come true.
If you’re coming with your kids, look for places with the SnowClub tag, as these hotels have a plethora of child-friendly activities
Arctic Santa
A Lapland visit doesn't get more luxurious or romantic than a 3 night stay in a beautiful glass roofed cabin in a stunning woodland setting just a stone's throw from one of Finland's national parks. You can opt for this (a must for Northern Light seekers), or a cosy room with private sauna in the hotel itself.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included in your stay, in addition to a plethora of activities to choose from, including a husky safari, cross country skiing, ice fishing, E-fatbiking, snowmobiling, and more. And let's not forget, Santa lives very close by, too.
Spend Christmas Day in Lapland
Can you imagine a more perfect way to spend Christmas day than venturing through a snowy forest to meet Santa?
The search for Santa typically takes place on the second day of your trip, so you’ll need to book your flight to begin your Lapland holiday on Christmas Eve. However, the itinerary varies by experience, so make sure to read the details of each one and plan your trip accordingly.
When the big day comes, you’ll take either a husky sled ride, reindeer sleigh, or snowmobile sleigh through the forest, following the magical glow trail, until you find Santa’s secret log cabin. Inside, Santa awaits, with a sack full of gifts to give each child. It’s sure to be a memory that lasts a lifetime.
And that’s not all. Some trips take in a visit to Santa’s Elves Workshop, which is always full of mischief and festive fun. Or you might enjoy snacks and hot drinks in a Kota, a traditional Sami hunting shelter that looks like a teepee, or compete in a range of snowy games - crazy reindeer golf anyone?
And to finish off your Christmas Day in Lapland, you’ll head back to your hotel for a festive dinner. If you’re really lucky, You may even get to see the Northern Lights.
How much does a Lapland holiday cost?
The cost of your trip to Lapland will depend upon the experience you choose, the length of your holiday, the hotel and resort you stay in, and whether or not you decide to add on any optional excursions.
All these trips include flights, accommodation, some meals, husky or reindeer rides, and a meeting with Santa. Prices are indicative of the 24/25 season and are designed to be a guide only.
One day trip
Your cheapest option is a one day trip, which, all in - flights, transfer, meals, and activities - is around £300 to £400 per person.
2 day trip
A 2 day Lapland short break will cost from £994 per adult for half board.
For the 2 day Santa’s Magic experience in a 3-star hotel, prices start from £1,465 for half board per adult.
Trips around Christmas Day are, understandably, more expensive.
3-4 day trip
Santa Breaks of between 3 to 4 nights start from just £1,089 per person for half board. Be aware that prices vary significantly depending on which hotel you choose.
A 3 day Santa’s Aurora trip is one of the most premium options, with prices starting from £2,479 per adult.
It’s also worth noting that, on certain experiences, there are departure dates and airports where children go half price or even for free, and there are special discounts for grandparents.
Definitely check in with our specialists to see if there are any dates to take advantage of.
Still not sure whether a Santa's Lapland holiday is worth it? Check out the video below.
Can you ski on a Lapland holiday?
Yes, it is possible to ski on a Lapland holiday.
On some experiences, you can book skiing as an optional extra, or you could choose a trip with a provider that allows you to stay in a ski resort like Levi. That way you can hop into your skis and hit the slopes whenever you have free time.
If you want your trip to be more about skiing than Santa, check out our ski holidays to Finland. We offer great deals on week long holidays to the likes of Ruka, Levi, or Yllas.
As these resorts are either near to or well inside the Arctic Circle, snow and a long season are virtually guaranteed. And although the days are short, be assured that all the runs are well lit.
Most hotels in Finnish ski resorts are half board and have an activity desk where you can book all sorts of exciting alternative snowy activities.
Lapland Travel Details
On average, it takes around 3 and a half hours to fly from a UK airport to Lapland.
Depending on your arrival or departure airport, your flight may have a stop and take a little longer. Some experiences have little to no transfer times, with the plane transporting you straight to your destination.
Book Your Lapland Holiday with Iglu Ski
Ensure your next Christmas gets off to a festive start by booking a trip to Lapland through Iglu Ski.
The whole family will marvel at Finland’s natural winter wonderland, with snow and seasonal cheer guaranteed, and meeting Santa is a memory that kids (and probably parents) will never forget.
We’ll deliver your wish list of magical experiences; from reindeer rides and husky sledding to the Elves workshop and a visit to the man himself.
Enquire with our winter holiday specialists today!