Meet Santa in Lapland: A Collection of Traveller Experiences

Dreaming of meeting Santa in Lapland, Finland? Here’s what Australian families who’ve actually done it have to say – real experiences from Saariselkä, Levi and Rovaniemi.

Finnish Lapland is renowned as the home of Santa Claus, a magical destination where the spirit of Christmas comes alive. For families, couples and solo travellers alike, travelling to the Arctic Circle from Australia to meet Santa is often the highlight of their Lapland adventure. From cosy cabin visits, to workshops in snowy forests, Santa Claus Village, there are so many ways to connect with the magic of the Christmas season.

This page is a heartfelt collection of reviews and stories shared by fellow travellers who have experienced the joy of meeting Santa in Finnish Lapland. These personal accounts provide a glimpse into the wonder and excitement of these unforgettable encounters that you could experience, too. I am so grateful for their contributions, which I hope will inspire and assist future visitors as they plan their own Lapland adventures.

If you’ve met Santa in Finnish Lapland and would like to share your story, I’d love to hear from you! Together, we can continue to grow this resource and help others make their Santa experience truly magical. Reach out to me to contribute your own Lapland memories!

Meet Santa in Saariselkä

Search for Santa – Northern Lights Village (NLV) Saariselkä 

Upon check-in at NLV we were presented with a scroll inviting our family to Search for Santa. The receptionist (privately) asked that I email a few details about the children (I told them about their favourite sports, players our pets at home, their elf on the shelf names and favourite YouTube channels). I had a feeling my oldest son would ask Santa if there were more gifts waiting at home, so I also noted that and asked that Santa let him know that the trip to Finland was a big enough gift. 

On the day, we met with two of Santa’s elves and one other family of four. We were led skipping, because elves don’t just walk, into the forest on our search for the big red man. First stop was by the candy cane tree, where each person had to find a candy cane. We then spent some time perfecting a song and dance, to encourage Santa out of hiding. Each member of the group was asked to create a move, and unfortunately for us, my youngest is a hip hop dancer and chose the caterpillar as his move. Seeing the elves and the parents trying this in the snow was hilarious. 

Next we were ushered into a warm cottage to bake gingerbread cookies. This was a highlight, the elves were extremely interactive with the children, cheeky and playful. We rolled the dough and used Christmas themed cutters to cut our cookies. Into the oven they went and the elves led us in a few games, we all filled in a card for Santa, which was then ‘posted’ into his letter box. Another elf appeared and took the postbox away. 

We decorated our gingerbread once out of the oven and cool enough and the elves popped them into paper bags for us to have later. 

Next, outside waiting was a reindeer ride. This was the most magical experience, being led through the white forest, with snow covered trees and untouched snow from the night before. 

We came upon another hut, with a nice big firepit outside, but still no Santa! 

It was time to learn the art of roasting marshmallows. 

The other family were led away in a heated sleigh for their meet with Santa while the elves entertained our family with hot chocolate and fairytales. 

Finally our turn, we hopped into he heated sleigh and led through the forest where we came upon a small but obvious cottage. Santa had to be here! Calling out for Santa he suddenly appeared through the door and called out my children’s names and welcomed them with a hug each, and nicknamed my eldest his baby husky, due to the husky beanie he was wearing (which Santa had left him under the tree, this helped my oldest truly believe as he was on the cusp). 

Santa invited us inside and on the table was the letters we filled out earlier in the gingerbread hut. How magical! He spoke to the children, remembering every detail from that email, right down to the question I knew was coming… are there more gifts at home? Santa diplomatically responded, oh my baby husky, is my home of Finland not enough? And with that, my son agreed.

We had time for some questions and a couple of photos. The children were given a husky toy as a gift from Santa and mum and dad were even given Santa candles as a gift too (this was unexpected). 

With that, our time with Santa was over, we hopped back into the sleigh and were taken back to our original meeting point. 

Highly recommend doing this activity. I think even my (grinchy) husband left a believer.

Contributed by Soraya

Meet Santa in Levi

Search For Santa, Northern Lights Village, Levi

My family (me, Hunter (11) and Poppy (4) from Perth, are here in Levi to have a white Christmas and hopefully spot an Aurora. We are staying at Northern Lights Village and our package included the Search for Santa, which we were lucky enough to have scheduled for 10:30am on Christmas morning.

It was the perfect time of day as the sky was light enough to see where we were going and what we were doing. In addition to meeting the big man, who had read the information sheet I had sent through at midnight the night before and who used the information to personalise our experience, we also met some elves at the bakery to make our own gingerbread cookies (delicious and I’m not usually a fan of gingerbread), had hot chocolate by the fire, a short reindeer ride and a super bumpy enclosed snowmobile/sleigh ride).

My daughter’s highlight was getting a picture with Santa while my son (a non-believer) loved the cookie making and how they made the experience so genuine for his little sister. As a lovely ending, the kids got an extra gift from Santa and a final few photos with some elves.

Cons: Yes, the beard was fake but my 4 year old thought it (the beard) was amazing. The enclosed sled ride was a bit bumpy. You do see other families on the journey but you do the meet and greet with Santa alone as a family – this was a con for us as we kept seeing a family that was “challenging”.
Pros: Everything else!

I’d highly recommend this experience for families, believers or not.

Contributed by Mieke

Meet Santa in Rovaniemi

Santa Claus Village

Even though we were booked to meet Santa in the Secret Forest at Joulukka, we couldn’t resist also visiting Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi on December 23rd – just in time to farewell Santa as he set off on his journey around the world to deliver gifts.

We arrived early in the day and were given an entry time to begin lining up for a visit to Santa’s official office. Knowing how popular this spot is, we anticipated a long, slow wait… but to our delight, the time passed quickly. The queue was thoughtfully designed, with interactive elements to keep the kids entertained – peek-holes in the walls, festive displays and cheerful elves chatting with visitors as they waited. The excitement built with every step forward.

And then, finally, it was our turn.

Despite the fact we were seeing Santa again the very next day, we were still a little star-struck when we walked into his cosy office. It was one of those “pinch-me” moments – yes, even for the adults! Santa greeted us with warmth, posed for a beautiful family photo and while our time with him was brief, it was still incredibly special. We left with a souvenir photo that the boys proudly shared with family and friends back home.

Later that day, we returned to Santa Claus Village for the Santa Send-Off Ceremony, where we watched the real Santa himself depart on his sleigh to deliver presents around the world. The joy on our boys’ faces as they waved goodbye is something we’ll never forget. For them, it was pure magic.

One question we’re often asked is: “How did you explain there being two Santas?” – for that answer, you’ll need to read the full article.

If you’re considering meeting Santa more than once, we highly recommend timing your visit to Santa Claus Village for December 23rd. Watching him leave for his Christmas Eve journey was truly one of the highlights of our trip.

Joulukka Santa’s Secret Cabin

The boys woke up buzzing with anticipation, begging to know what the surprise was. We managed to keep it a secret until late morning – though it was no easy task! At last, the time came to reveal the big news: we were going to meet Santa Claus himself… deep in the enchanted Santa Claus Secret Forest at Joulukka.

We gathered at the Santa Hotel, excitement building as we waited in the lobby. Before long, cheerful elves arrived in a magical bus to collect us. As we journeyed through the snow-covered forest with the soft morning light rising around us, the elves shared stories, led songs in English and Elvish and handed out special jingle bells for the ride. The festive spirit had well and truly begun.

Upon arriving at Joulukka, more elves greeted us warmly and whisked us away into the forest to help prepare for Christmas. Together with the elves, we searched for the perfect trees to decorate. The chosen trees were carried back by sleigh, and everyone – children and adults alike – joined in to adorn them with decorations. Laughter, music and a sense of magic filled the air as the cosy cabin was transformed into a festive wonderland.

Outside, there was time to enjoy the snowy surroundings. All of the children played in little sleighs, we chatted with the elves, warmed ourselves by the fire and sipped hot berry juice to keep the chill away.

When it was time to head inside the cabin, families were welcomed in one by one and seated at long, communal tables. Soon after we settled in, the doors opened – and in walked Santa Claus. The atmosphere shifted instantly. Some children ran straight to him, others watched in awe. Our boys were spellbound – eyes wide, completely taken by the moment.

Each family had personal time with Santa and he gave every child his full attention. When our turn came, he spoke gently to the boys, asked them if they had been kind to each other and made them pinky-promise to be even kinder in the new year. They shared their Christmas wishes – sleds for the snow and a Christmas ornament – though Santa kindly noted the challenge of travelling with a sled!

Before we left, the boys had one final question: just how old is Santa? With a twinkle in his eye, he gathered us close, raised a finger to his lips and whispered his secret age – something we were sworn to keep forever. It was a truly special honour.

Lunch was a delicious buffet feast, with highlights including creamy mashed potatoes, baked salmon and an array of Nordic salads and roasted meats. And of course, the dessert table did not disappoint!

It was an unforgettable day – one of those rare moments where everything feels like a dream come true. Experiencing this with our children will be something we treasure forever.

The ride back to Rovaniemi was quiet – tired but happy faces all around. After a short rest, we bundled back up and spent the early evening sledding at the park, still glowing from the magic of meeting Santa in his secret forest.

Contributed by Erin, Travel From Australia