Family holiday in Rovaniemi
Unforgettable holiday with kids at the Arctic Circle.
Rovaniemi is a versatile and magical family destination with abundant nature, amazing activities, and quality services to blow your mind.
The small Arctic Capital is easy family destination where everything is nearby, ensuring that the holiday is smooth with the little ones. Rovaniemi is compact, fun, and childproof – and there’s loads to do every day of the year!
Santa Claus and Christmas magic all year round
Santa Claus and Christmas magic all year round
Experience Christmas magic all year round
Enter the magical world of Christmas and meet Santa Claus and his helpers in Santa Claus Village every day of the year. During Christmas season there is more Christmassy programs and tours available.
Join Elf School at Christmas
Earn your very own Elf School Diploma or decorate Christmas cookies with Mrs. Gingerbread in SantaPark under the Arctic Circle. SantaPark is built underground, and it is open only around Christmas.
Santa Claus and Christmas time sights & attractions
Santa Claus Village – Rovaniemi, Arctic Circle, Lapland, Finland
You can meet Santa Claus and cross the magical Arctic Circle every day at the Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi.
Santa Claus Office
Santa Claus Office is the official place to meet Santa in Santa Claus Village at the Arctic Circle.
Santa Claus’ Main Post Office
Santa Claus’ Main Post Office is the only official post office of Santa Claus. Here you can feel the Christmas spirit every day of the year and be served by the merry post office elves in several languages!
SantaPark – the Home Cavern of Santa Claus
Underneath the Arctic Circle, deep beneath the ground, lies Santa’s secret cavern where it’s Christmas all year round!
Entrance to Mrs. Santa Claus’ Christmas Cottage
Meet Mrs. Santa Claus in her Christmas Cottage
Santa Claus Secret Forest – Joulukka
Santa Claus Secret Forest is an exclusive destination where you can experience the magic of Christmas either privately or in small groups.
Christmassy winter activities for families
Traditional Finnish Christmas Eve with Santa Claus and Sauna, 4 hours (Private Tour)
Experience a traditional Finnish Christmas Eve with Sauna, Christmas Dinner and meet Santa Claus in private.
Santa Claus Safari 1.12.-6.1., Rovaniemi
An arctic family day of snow fun activities and reindeer sleigh riding completed with meeting Santa
Christmas is Coming! 3 hours (Private Tour)
Experience the excitement of the arriving Christmas and its activities in a traditional way only with your own family.
The Hidden Place of Santa
Experience the Christmas atmosphere with whole family!
Indoors – all year round
Arktikum Science Centre and Museum
Arktikum entrance ticket gives an access to Arktikum museum and science centre during opening hours.
Science Centre Pilke
Science Centre Pilke tells stories about the northern forests and the many connections we have with them.
Rollohalli
Under one large roof you will find trampolines, obstacle courses and slides. The park is divided into age groups so that “speed monsters” of all ages and levels are guaranteed to find the right amount of challenge and fun.
Santasport Bowling
Santasport has a 12-lane bowling alley with an automated scoring system that guarantees a relaxed bowling experience for the entire team. On Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays it is possible to have fun with cosmic bowling
Santasport pool area
Santasport pool area is ideal for competitive swimmers, aquatics, swim schools, and recreational swimming.
Korundi House of Culture in Rovaniemi
Korundi entrance ticket gives an access to the art exhibitions during opening hours.
Culture experiences for the whole family – all year round
Arktikum Science Centre and Museum
Arktikum entrance ticket gives an access to Arktikum museum and science centre during opening hours.
Science Centre Pilke
Science Centre Pilke tells stories about the northern forests and the many connections we have with them.
Korundi House of Culture in Rovaniemi
Korundi entrance ticket gives an access to the art exhibitions during opening hours.
Culture Pass – Ticket to Three of Rovaniemi’s Premier Cultural Attractions
Culture Pass: 3 top attractions in Rovaniemi with one ticket!
Climbing to the top
Ice climbing adventure
The cold winter weather builds icy walls outdoors for the adventure minded. Why move horizontal when the Arctic conditions open vertical possibilities!
See the world from the treetops
Arctic Adventure Park Huima is in Ounasvaara and it has ten different courses of varying difficulty, up to seven meters above ground. In these courses adventurers move between living trees using ropes, beams, bridges and nets.
Try out ropewalking and slides
Angry Birds Activity Park is an open-air, free entry playground in Rovaniemi center next to the river. The park means fun for the whole family, everyone from toddlers to grannies will find fun activities here.
Cute animals
Meet the reindeer
Reindeer are in Rovaniemi always – in summertime, you might spot them cooling off by Kemijoki river, on the beach near the Lumberjack’s Candle Bridge. There are many reindeer farms that operate throughout the year, and they’ll be happy to welcome you for a visit. The activities vary depending of the time you are visiting.
Reindeer Sleigh Rides & Farm Visits
Husky dogs
Play with husky dogs and go dog sledding. The furry friends of ours, Siberian and Alaskan huskies in Rovaniemi, can be met year-round in the many kennels of Rovaniemi. The activities vary depending of the time you are visiting.
Ranua Resort – Wildlife Park
Ranua Wildlife Park offers tourists and nearby inhabitants the opportunity to observe arctic animals throughout the year, in an as authentic environment for the animals as possible.
Santa’s Pets Visit
Meet domestic animals next to the Santa Claus Office. Tickets are valid all day!
Summer fun
Ounasvaara Sled Track is an exciting way to descend the huge hill landscape. The scenery lift also takes you down, if you just want to enjoy the fantastic views. The sled track is safe: everyone can choose his or her own speed.
Splish splash! Roiske is known from a huge floating waterpark! This Ninja warrior -like track is great fun for the whole family. You are able to rent SUP-boards, kayaks, electric surfboards and rowing boats from Roiske. Roiske also offers the first and only cable wakeboard track in Lapland. By this you can access the basics of waterskiing or wakeboarding both easily and eco-friendly. Sauna and restaurant available.
See the world from the treetops
Arctic Adventure Park Huima is in Ounasvaara and it has ten different courses of varying difficulty, up to seven meters above ground. In these courses adventurers move between living trees using ropes, beams, bridges and nets.
Try out ropewalking and slides
Angry Birds Activity Park is an open-air, free entry playground in Rovaniemi center next to the river. The park means fun for the whole family, everyone from toddlers to grannies will find fun activities here.
The sustainable Lampivaara Amethyst Mine, located in Pyhä-Luosto national park, is a fascinating travel destination all year round. The amethyst of Lampivaara fell was born 2 000 million years ago in the bowels of the ancient mountains. There is now a gem mine on the top of the hill that will sustain for the hundreds of years.
On a summer day, what better fun than to take a river cruise from the city center! Gather the family on a rubber boat or a traditional wooden riverboat – spot birds and wildlife, learn about the lifestyle in the north, and enjoy the ride.
Winter fun
Ounasvaara Ski Resort
Ounasvaara Ski Resort is a family outdoor resort close by the city of Rovaniemi at the Arctic Circle. Besides the downhill skiing slopes there are also several maintained cross-country skiing tracks in the area.
Kotatieva Winter Leisure Park
Kotatieva Winter Leisure Park is a destination where you can experience winter fun in a peaceful, genuine environment. We have a unique forest ice-skating track and much more! Kotatieva is an ideal day trip destination: we’re located only 10 kilometres from Rovaniemi centre, and we provide a transportation.
Entrance ticket to Snowman World
Entrance ticket to Snowman World – day ticket
Snowmobiling for kids
Mini-snowmobile track, in the Arctic Circle Snowmobile Park, provides children with an exciting snowmobile experience as they can drive the track all by themselves.
Ounasvaara year-round Winter Trail
The nearest point of the year-round Ounasvaara Winter Trail is 1.6 km east of the Rovaniemi city centre. Ounasvaara, year-round recreation area near the city center, with marked and maintained trails and several great vantage points.
Guided tour to the amethyst mine at Luosto in winter
Lampivaara Amethyst Mine, located in Pyhä-Luosto national park, is a fascinating travel destination all year round. Visitors are welcome!
Explore more Tips for your Rovaniemi holiday
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Find your Northern Lights -activity
7 Safety instructions for travellers
Safety instructions for travellers
6 ways to experience frozen waters in Rovaniemi
5 Snow and ice buildings in Rovaniemi
10 Northern Lights activities
Aurora Borealis are visible from late August until end of March or beginning of April