I was today years old when I found out Santa Claus has an official hometown. In Lapland, the largest northernmost region of Finland, sits the snow-covered town of Rovaniemi, also known as the Official Hometown of Santa Claus. This pocket of the world was declared the hometown of Santa Claus in 1985 and has remained so ever since. 

Come the most wonderful time of the year Santa Claus Village begins to look like something that a child would conjure up in their imagination if asked to picture Santa’s hometown. Wooden cabins are covered in glittering Christmas lights, there’s no shortage of ornament covered pine and spruce trees, oh, and there are even reindeer sleigh rides. Ho, ho, ho! 

So what does one do at Santa Claus Village? You can meet Santa Claus and his elves at Santa’s Office or at Santa’s Home every day of the year. You’ll also find Mrs Santa Claus in her Christmas Cottage. Reindeer sleigh rides are available throughout winter and spring and if you’re visiting late autumn or winter you can try spotting the Northern Lights. The Arctic Circle runs directly through Santa Claus Village and the appearance of the Northern Lights at the Arctic Circle requires clear skies and suitable weather, as well as a sprinkle of luck.

There are also unique accommodations, bars and restaurants to experience. The Glass Resort, where 24 apartments that have window walls and glass ceilings, offers unrestricted views of the northern sky from the comfort of bed. A bar made of ice is constructed each year at Ice Bar & Snow Restaurant of Snowman World and you can indulge in cinnamon scrolls, braised reindeer, salmon roasted over an open fire and Finnish berries picked straight from the forest at the 26 dining and drinking venues. Fun for the whole family can be had building snowmen and sledding down hills. 

Tis always the season to be jolly at Rovaniemi.

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