There’s a place in the far north where pine forests sleep under a blanket of snow, where reindeer wait patiently outside cosy cabins, and where childhood magic suddenly feels completely real.
This is Lapland – the ultimate Christmas destination for families.
If you’ve ever dreamed of watching your children whisper wishes to Father Christmas in his snowy woodland home, or of seeing their faces light up on a husky ride through the forest, then a Lapland holiday could be the most unforgettable Christmas gift you’ll ever give.
Here’s everything you need to know to plan the perfect family Santa trip.
Where is Lapland, and how do you get there?
Lapland isn’t a country but a region that stretches across the far north of Finland, Sweden and Norway.
For UK families, Finnish Lapland is the easiest and most popular option – and it’s closer than you think. Direct flights take around three to three and a half hours, and transfers from the airport to your resort are usually short.
That means you can leave a grey UK morning and, by lunchtime, be standing in the snow with excited children, looking out for reindeer.
Why families love Lapland
The simple answer? Because nowhere else combines true Christmas magic with such a snowy adventure.
You’ll get a private family meeting with Santa that feels a world away from a shopping-centre grotto.
You’ll ride through hushed forests in a reindeer sleigh, hear the happy yelps of huskies as they pull your sled, and watch your kids tumble about in the snow.
Add in cosy firesides, fairy lights twinkling on log cabins and mugs of hot chocolate after a day outdoors, and it’s as if you’ve stepped into a Christmas storybook.
How many days do you need?
Most families choose three or four days.
A three-day trip is perfect if your priority is Santa plus a few must-do activities. It’s busy, but thrilling.
Four days gives you time to do it all at a more relaxed pace – meeting Santa, trying huskies and reindeer, and still leaving space for sledging and snowball fights.
You can stay longer of course, but for young children, four days often strikes the right balance between excitement and exhaustion.
When’s the best time to go?
If your trip is about Santa, you’ll be travelling from late November through to Christmas Eve.
Snow is almost guaranteed by early December, and every child you meet seems to be bubbling with excitement.
The days are very short in December, with just a few hours of soft daylight, but that adds to the atmosphere.
What’s the best age for children?
Lapland can be enchanting at any age, but most parents find the sweet spot is between four and ten years old.
By then, children are old enough to join in the activities – riding huskies, steering a mini-snowmobile, tobogganing until their cheeks turn rosy – and still young enough to believe with all their heart that Santa is real.
Very little ones (under three) can find the extreme cold hard going, and may not get as much from the trip. If you can wait until they’re a bit older, they’ll remember it forever.
What’s included, and how much does it cost?
Lapland is a premium holiday, and it’s worth knowing what’s included so you can see the value.
Packages typically bundle flights, transfers, accommodation, thermal suits and boots, meals, and the headline activities:
- a private family meeting with Santa,
- a short husky ride,
- a reindeer sleigh ride,
- plenty of snow play.
Prices in peak December weeks usually start around £1,500 per person for a three night trip, with children sometimes discounted.
You can spend more if you add luxury touches – like a night in a glass-igloo (see below).
Where will you stay?
The place you stay can add a huge amount to the magic:
Hotels are convenient for families – everything under one roof, restaurants on-site, and usually just a short walk to the meeting points for activities. Rooms can feel snug, but you won’t spend much time in them.
Log cabins are a favourite for many families. Think wooden walls, your own living space, maybe even a fireplace or private sauna. Kids love being able to dash straight into the snow outside. Meals might involve a short walk or shuttle to the main lodge, but that only adds to the adventure.
Glass igloos are the ultimate treat. Compact and very pricey, but imagine drifting off to sleep while snowflakes fall above your head. Many families add a single igloo night to their trip as a special finale.
What will you be doing?
A Santa trip isn’t just about a quick handshake with Father Christmas – it’s a full-on winter adventure. Here’s what most families experience:
- Meeting Santa: The highlight of the trip. You’ll be taken, often by sleigh, to a cosy cabin in the forest where Santa welcomes you by name. There’s time for a chat, a photo and usually a small gift – it feels genuinely magical.
- Reindeer sleigh ride: Snuggled under blankets, gliding through the snow in a wooden sleigh. It’s calm, slow, and perfect for little ones.
- Husky sledding: The huskies are wildly enthusiastic, and once you’re off, it’s pure exhilaration. Usually adults drive while kids ride as passengers – short rides are often included, with longer safaris as an optional extra.
- Snowmobiles: Older kids love the thrill. Adults can drive with children as passengers, and many resorts set up “mini-skidoo” tracks where kids can try their own pint-sized snowmobiles under supervision.
- Snow play: Sometimes it’s the simplest moments that stick – tobogganing down little hills, building snowmen, drinking hot berry juice by a fire, or helping Mrs Claus bake gingerbread.
Every operator has their own touches, from elf workshops to festive gala dinners, but the common thread is simple: everything is designed to keep the children enchanted from start to finish.
What to wear
Don’t worry about buying expensive expedition gear – almost all Santa packages provide thermal snowsuits and sturdy boots for everyone. You just need to bring:
- Thermal base layers (long johns and tops),
- Warm fleeces or jumpers,
- Hats, scarves or neck warmers,
- Several pairs of gloves and thick socks (spares are essential with kids).
With the right layers, your children will stay warm, happy, and ready for anything – even in -15°C.
Which operators run Santa trips?
There are lots - Santa’s Lapland (Inghams), Canterbury Travel, TUI, Inghams and Not In The Guidebooks and more besides. Each offers a slightly different experience – some base you in a busy resort like Rovaniemi, others in smaller villages with fewer crowds. Some include longer husky rides or festive shows; others focus on intimacy and simplicity.
We'll help you choose the one that’s right for your family – whether that’s maximum convenience, maximum magic, or best value.
A Lapland-like alternative: Santa’s Arctic Lakeland
If Lapland itself feels out of reach, TUI’s new Santa’s Arctic Lakeland in Finland offers the same snowy magic with fewer crowds and a gentler price tag.
You’ll still meet Santa, ride huskies and reindeer, and play in the snow, but in a quieter setting with shorter queues and more personal touches. It may not (quite) be Lapland, but the kids won’t know that!
You can find out more about it here.
Why book your Lapland holiday with us?
Because this trip is too special to risk getting wrong. We'll make sure:
- You fly from the airport most convenient for you,
- You’re matched with the right resort and accommodation,
- You know exactly what’s included and where to add extras,
- And you have support every step of the way, from planning to your return home.
With us, you’re not just booking flights and hotels. You’re giving your children a memory they’ll treasure for life – and we'll do everything to make it perfect.
Ready to start planning?
If your children are still in that magical window of belief, now is the time. From the moment you step into the snow to the moment Santa greets them by name, this is the Christmas they’ll never forget.
Speak to us today to start planning your family’s Lapland Santa adventure.
