Christmas & New Year Tours & Trips in Lapland
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10 best christmas & new year Lapland tours
Compiled by
MelissaLapland travel expert at TourRadar
- Grand Lapland Tour, Finland, Sweden and Norway (departure from Rovaniemi) with activites
- Finland – Arctic Adventure with Northern Lights & Glass Igloo
- Lapland Winter Getaway & Igloo - 5 days
- Lapland Winter Getaway - 5 days
- Saariselkä à la carte
- Lapland Winter Adventure - 5 days
- Lapland Winter Adventure (Superior) - 5 days
- Finland Wilderness Discovery - 5 Days
- Finland Wilderness Express - 4 Days
- [Self-Guided] Finland in 8 days - Covering Helsinki and Rovaniemi
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
- NZ$2,418
Christmas magic fills Santa's Village in Rovaniemi, featuring private Santa meetings and Arctic Circle ceremonies. Glass igloos provide Northern Lights viewing, while reindeer sleigh rides and Snow Castle exploration showcase ice sculptures and the unique snow hotel.
Duration 7 days Destinations Rovaniemi Age Range 8 to 90 year olds Operator Bucket List Group Travel LLC From
- NZ$8,292
Duration 5 days Destinations Rovaniemi Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator On The Go Tours From $7,295
25% Off- NZ$5,471You save $1,824
Duration 5 days Destinations Rovaniemi Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator On The Go Tours From $4,025
25% Off- NZ$3,019You save $1,006
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
25% Off- NZ$2,491
Duration 5 days Destinations Rovaniemi Age Range 4 to 99 year olds Operator On The Go Tours From $4,335
15% Off- NZ$3,685You save $650
Duration 5 days Destinations Rovaniemi Age Range 4 to 99 year olds Operator On The Go Tours From $7,965
15% Off- NZ$6,770You save $1,195
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 $4,275
15% Off- NZ$3,634You save $641
Christmas magic comes alive in Rovaniemi, with stays at Vaattunki Wilderness Resort's panoramic huts. Traditional reindeer sleighs glide through snow-covered forests, while husky sledding adventures span 5km wilderness trails. Festive dinners and Northern Lights viewing from the riverside sauna complete each day.
Duration 4 days Destinations Rovaniemi Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator On The Go Tours From $3,595
15% Off- NZ$3,056You save $539
![[Self-Guided] Finland in 8 days - Covering Helsinki and Rovaniemi](//cdn.tourradar.com/s3/tour/360x210/300742_676aab1ce49db.jpg)
![Map of [Self-Guided] Finland in 8 days - Covering Helsinki and Rovaniemi](//cdn.tourradar.com/s3/map/720x480/300742_87a2.png)
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 $5,229
15% Off- NZ$4,444You save $784
![[Self-Guided] Finland in 8 days - Covering Helsinki and Rovaniemi](http://cdn.tourradar.com/s3/tour/360x210/300742_676aab1ce49db.jpg)
![Map of [Self-Guided] Finland in 8 days - Covering Helsinki and Rovaniemi](http://cdn.tourradar.com/s3/map/720x480/300742_87a2.png)
What people love about Christmas & New Year Tours in Lapland
- Grand Lapland Tour, Finland, Sweden and with activites
This tour had an amazing itinerary, with lots of fun and memorable activities. It was very well organized and the communication with the travelers was excellent. The tour guide traveling with us, Centti, did everything to make our trip a wonderful experience. He was very informative, passionate about his country, and always willing to help throughout the trip. Centti made sure every bus ride was fun and enjoyable, and always did all the thinking for us. The longer bus rides to the villages were definitely worth the time. I definitely recommend adding all the extra activities, as all of them are very unique and incredible. A 10/10 trip and recommend it to everyone wanting to feel the northern magic.
- Rovaniemi Winter Experience
Overall the tour was good. we paid to update our room as we wanted a view of the river. The hotel was very good, meals were excellent. We booked an ENGLISH speaking tour. Aurora our guide did speak english but because there were 34 of the 36 people in our group did not. there were 18 spanish and 17 french speaking only! So had no opportunity to converse with others on our tour. At times we felt left out and lonely. we were very disappointed with this aspect of the tour. Especially when it came to instructions with snow mobile, didn't get to hear any english, so my confidence was low and ended up stopping after a short while , and not driving snow mobile, but got in sleigh pulled by Instructor. The husky and reindeer rides were fantastic , the highlight of our trip. The farms were interesting and well kept. The 5 hrs dropped off at Santa Village was too long . we ended up finding our bus and sitting there for an hour or so. Would have nice to be given option of a shorted time. The thermal clothing at Safartica was poor. The items were very used and not at all comfortable. I only ended up using the overalls, and my own boots, balaclava, socks, scarf and mittens. I would not recommend them. Over all we had a great time , but unsure if we would recommend the tour with others.
- Aurora & Glass Igloo Explorer - 5 Days
The tours and hotel stay were excelent. The staff and tour guides were very friendly, caring and bent over backwards to help. All the tours and transfers were timed to perfection, no one was late.
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."