What activities and sights await in Lapland during winter, aside from Santa?

Each year, Santa reigns as the star attraction in Finnish Lapland, but there’s a wealth of other wonders to explore in this winter paradise.

In this series, the Dinogo Planet team of writers and editors addresses your travel inquiries and offers tips and tricks to ensure a smooth journey. Have a question about Lapland? Who better to consult than Kerry Walker, filled with delightful memories of auroras, ice fishing, and encounters with Sámi reindeer.

Question: We’re organizing a trip for our children to meet Santa Claus in December. Is there anything else to see or do in the area?

Kerry Walker: Sitting on Santa’s lap in a grotto and sharing your Christmas wishes is why many people make the trek to Rovaniemi in Lapland, Finland, in December. However, let’s be honest: it’s quite a journey for just a small gift. If you’re a child, though, it’s magical: decorating gingerbread with elves, enchanting train rides, Rudolf and his flying companions… the whole dazzling experience. It’s Christmas reimagined through a Disney-like lens and cranked up to the max.

Yet, the true magic lies in the expansive, unspoiled white landscape that stretches north of the Arctic Circle—where the serene hush of frozen hills, snow-laden taiga forests, and distant Sámi lavvu tents await. Here, campfires flicker to life, stories are shared in the glow of dancing flames, joik (rhythmic songs) evoke memories of ancestors, hot berry juice warms hands, and reindeer gracefully traverse the soft, powdery snow.

Exploring Lapland beyond Santa

First piece of advice: unless you’re visiting Santa, avoid booking in December. Prices soar leading up to Christmas, and both flights and accommodations become scarce. Typically, snow begins to blanket Lapland from late October through April. The best time to witness the northern lights is from September to April, with optimal viewing during the dark days of Polar Night (late November to mid-January) when the sun remains below the horizon.

Many know about Santa’s headquarters in Rovaniemi, easily accessible via a direct -hour flight from the UK, but the surrounding region holds countless mysteries waiting to be explored. So, where should you venture?

For a blend of stunning high fells and frost-kissed forests combined with a touch of liveliness, consider the laid-back, less crowded ski resorts of Levi and Ylläs (fly to Kittilä). Here, you’ll discover Finland’s best powder for cross-country, downhill, and off-piste skiing—and in Ylläs, the unique sauna gondola awaits you.

Looking for tranquility? Head to Saariselkä (fly to Ivalo), located 250km (155 miles) north of the Arctic Circle, where you can glide down Lapland’s longest toboggan run and immerse yourself in the breathtaking Urho Kekkonen National Park, stretching towards the Russian border. Enjoy serene cross-country skiing through ancient pine, spruce, and birch forests while catching glimpses of mythical peaks, including the 486m (1595ft) Korvatunturi, believed to be Santa’s true home. The landscapes here are straight out of a snow globe.

Into the Sámi Wilderness

Another breathtaking destination is Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park (fly to Kittilä), located in the western expanses of Lapland, just a stone's throw from the Swedish border. This park, spanning seven fells and dotted with traditional Lappish villages, is an ideal spot to cozy up in a log cabin and enjoy winter activities like dogsledding, reindeer sleigh rides, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and ice fishing. Plus, you'll enjoy a health boost while inhaling some of the cleanest air on the planet. Far north, near the Norwegian border, Utsjoki and Nuorgam (fly to Ivalo or Kirkenes) offer remote settings for a genuine Arctic experience and an immersion into Sámi culture.

Speaking of Sámi culture, it thrives around the lakeside of Inari, where vast wilderness is right at your doorstep. The Sámi people have an impressive 200 words for snow and over 1,000 for reindeer, reflecting their deep connection to nature and seasonal life. You can learn more by snowmobiling to Petri Mattus’ reindeer farm or attending the exciting reindeer racing finale at the King’s Cup in early April.

Let There Be Light

Experiencing the aurora borealis dance across the night sky is the ultimate highlight of any winter journey to Finnish Lapland. The longer your stay, the higher your chances of witnessing this spectacular phenomenon. The good news is that much of the region falls within the aurora oval, so as long as the skies are clear and solar activity is favorable, your odds of seeing the lights are excellent. In Finnish folklore, these lights are known as revontulet (“fox fires”), inspired by the tale of an Arctic fox whose swift movements sent sparks flying into the sky.

The magic of the northern lights lies in their unpredictability. However, if you prefer to catch a glimpse of them while nestled in bed, consider booking a stay in one of Lapland’s aurora domes or igloos, such as the glass-roofed cabins at Wilderness Hotel Inari or the unique aurora bubbles at Wilderness Hotel Nellim.