Christmas & New Year Tours & Trips in Lapland
Explore a wide diversity of christmas & new year tours through Lapland. We have 91 adventures that vary from 4 days to 15 days. With the greatest number of departures in December, this is also the most popular time of the year.
10 best christmas & new year Lapland tours
Compiled by
MelissaLapland travel expert at TourRadar
- Tales of Lapland and Glass Igloo
- NORTHERN LIGHTS ESCAPE Finland and Lapland Adventure
- Lapland & Husky Highlights - 5 Days
- Tales of Lapland
- Arctic Experience - Adults Only
- Arctic Winter Adventure - Adults Only
- Aurora Break LIGHT
- Arctic Highlights
- Lapland Highlights
- Winter Wonderland Experience in Premium Log Cabins
Tales of Lapland and Glass Igloo
“Communication via email was fast with replies to questions I had.”
Sue, traveled in December
Duration 5 days Destinations Rovaniemi Age Range Ages 12+ Operator V.O.S – Vision of Scandinavia From
- US$2,564
Duration 7 days Destinations Ivalo, Saariselka, Rovaniemi, Helsinki Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator EUROLATINO Tour Operators From
- US$3,606
Lapland & Husky Highlights - 5 Days
“Going to Lapland in winter was always a dream. This did not disappoint. Loved the day trips we did and the accommodation was amazing.”
Claire, traveled in January
Duration 5 days Destinations Rovaniemi Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator On The Go Tours From $2,535
15% Off- US$2,155You save $380
Stay at Santa Sporthotel in Rovaniemi, Santa's official hometown, and do a 10km husky safari through Lapland's snowy wilderness. Cross the Arctic Circle at Santa Claus Village, meet Santa in his office, and see the Midnight Sun in summer or Polar Night in winter depending on when you visit.
Duration 4 days Destinations Rovaniemi Age Range Ages 12+ Operator V.O.S – Vision of Scandinavia From
15% Off- US$1,133
Arctic Experience - Adults Only
“Facilities, food, care, activities...everything was excellent! The location is marvellous and we saw the aurora borealis.”
Julie, traveled in February
Duration 6 days Destinations Ivalo, Inari Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Inventia From
15% Off- US$2,875
Duration 8 days Destinations Ivalo, Inari Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Inventia From
15% Off- US$4,026
Duration 5 days Destinations Ivalo, Inari Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Inventia From
15% Off- US$1,756
Arctic Highlights
“Everything was well planned, but at the same time we had free time to explore on our own, which made the experience even better.”
Joana, traveled in February
Duration 5 days Destinations Ivalo, Inari Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Inventia From
15% Off- US$2,563
Celebrate the holidays at Muotka Wilderness Resort with full-board packages featuring festive Lappish food at Tuisku restaurant. Traditional winter activities include reindeer safaris with snowmobiles, 3-hour husky sledding, and Northern Lights hunting near Kakslauttanen.
Duration 5 days Destinations Ivalo, Kakslauttanen Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Inventia From
15% Off- US$1,894
Duration 6 days Destinations Saariselka, Ivalo Age Range Ages 4-14 Operator Inventia From
15% Off- US$3,381
What people love about Christmas & New Year Tours in Lapland
Absolutely loved this tour! Met so many incredible people and saw gorgeous sites. We were able to see the northern lights 3 nights in a row and our tour guide did a remarkable job making sure we knew what to look for and helped point out the lights when they were less visible. All the activities were so much fun with a lot of optional free time. Definitely recommend this to anyone who loves being on the go and active!
Grand Lapland Tour - Finland, Sweden and Norway with activities
- Helsinki to Kirkenes - Beyond the Arctic Circle
We had the best time. This tour offered everything we were looking for when planning our trip. Our tour guide was good, but she did seem to google a lot of our questions but she got to where we needed to go on time. The day we flew back to Helsinki from Ivalo was kind of a wasted day. It would have been nice to have flown back the night before and had a day in Helsinki to do more exploring or go to a museum or fly back later in the day and have an excursion planned for the morning in Ivalo. The tour overall didn’t disappoint and we enjoyed every minute of it.
Absolutely wonderful experience. Created unbelievable memories for kids. From the airport pick up to drop off, everyone was very friendly, punctual, and inviting. The food was also amazing, every meal was different and delicious.
For families: Visit to Santa
What our customers ask about Christmas & New Year Tours & Trips in Lapland
How do Christmas celebrations differ in Finnish, Swedish and Norwegian Lapland?
The three regions of Lapland each present distinct holiday experiences. Finnish Lapland centers around Rovaniemi where visitors can explore Santa Claus Village and send mail from Santa's post office. In Swedish Lapland the focus shifts to Sami cultural celebrations particularly in places like Rensjon. Norwegian Lapland brings the festivities to the water's edge with celebrations along Tromsø's fjords. A TourRadar traveler noted "Getting to experience different Christmas traditions across three countries made the holiday extra special from Finnish Santa's Village to Swedish Sami celebrations."
What are the best dates to visit Lapland for a Christmas & New Year tour?
The peak season runs from mid-December through early January when Arctic winter conditions create an ideal setting. Cities like Rovaniemi and Saariselkä come alive with holiday activities with Santa Claus Village reaching peak festivity around Christmas Eve. Popular lodging options include the Vaatunki Wilderness Resort and Santa's Hotel Tunturi in Saariselkä. As one TourRadar traveler noted "Christmas in Lapland was truly an experience I will cherish for a lifetime."
What special Christmas & New Year activities are included in Lapland tours?
Tours typically feature visits to Santa Claus at his village in Rovaniemi reindeer sleigh rides through snowy forests and husky safaris. New Year's Eve often includes traditional Finnish feasts and fireworks displays. Locations like the Apukka Resort and Vaatunki Wilderness Resort offer activities such as ice fishing snowmobile expeditions and aurora viewing. A TourRadar traveler shared: "From meeting the reindeer dog sledding to seeing the Northern lights skiing and snowshoeing and meeting wonderful Sami people I cannot recommend this trip enough."
When is the ideal time to see the Northern Lights during Christmas & New Year in Lapland?
The best viewing hours for the Northern Lights fall between 9:00 PM and midnight during the holiday season. Areas like Inari and Kilpisjärvi offer excellent viewing conditions due to their dark skies. Most tours include guided Aurora excursions to prime locations such as the wilderness near Rovaniemi or the fjords near Skibotn. One TourRadar traveler shared "Our guide took us out at the prime time for Auroras and we got to enjoy the magical display while warming up with hot drinks at an outside camp."
What accommodation options are available for Christmas & New Year tours?
The region offers varied places to stay from glass igloos at Saariselkä's Northern Lights Village to remote lodges like the Apukka Resort. Unique options include the ice-carved rooms at the Arctic SnowHotel near Rovaniemi and the blend of Finnish tradition and modern comfort at Santa's Hotel Tunturi in Saariselkä. According to TourRadar travelers: "The quality of the hotels was top class with excellent service and the heated glass igloos provided an unforgettable experience."
What traditional Finnish Christmas & New Year customs can I experience?
Visitors can join in Finnish holiday traditions that include Christmas Eve sauna sessions at places like the Apukka Resort festive meals featuring regional specialties at wilderness lodges and New Year's celebrations with Sami communities. The Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi offers hands-on experiences with Finnish Christmas customs including meeting Santa. As one TourRadar traveler noted: "The local traditions and Sami culture made this Christmas experience truly authentic and magical."