What will this year’s Advent markets be like in Rovaniemi? Program and important information in one place 

Rovaniemi is the dream of everyone who wishes to experience a magical winter fairy tale.

This is precisely where the home of Santa Claus is located.

Christmas markets in Rovaniemi are an unforgettable experience.

What will be waiting for you here?

Rovaniemi Advent Markets

Visiting the Finnish city of Rovaniemi, which is known as the “official home of Santa Claus”, is the dream of most Christmas lovers. It offers unique and charming activities, from rides beyond the Arctic Circle to Santa’s village. In the Advent season, of course, there are also very impressive Christmas markets.

Santa Claus Christmas Village

When and where will it all take place?

Santa’s Christmas Village Program

The most important “Christmas market” in Rovaniemi is the world-famous Santa Claus Village, which is open all year round, but has an even fairy-tale atmosphere during Advent.

The main attraction is, of course, Santa’s post office, where you can send a greeting bearing the local special stamp, and Santa’s Christmas House, where he meets visitors of all ages every day.

In addition, there is a Christmas cottage of Mrs. Santa Claus and a number of cute souvenir shops, cafes and restaurants. A meeting with reindeer and Santa’s elf helpers is also a matter of course. In the run-up to Christmas, the village also hosts Christmas markets with stalls where you can buy unique souvenirs and gifts.

This year’s festive opening of the Christmas season will take place on Sunday 3 November 2024 at 18:00 Finnish time in the central square of Santa Claus Village. The event includes various musical performances and, of course, a speech by Santa Claus.

Another popular event is the Christmas departure of Santa Claus on a sleigh with reindeer from the village on December 23, 2024 at 19:30 Finnish time. The following video captures the atmosphere of the village at Christmas time.

Christmas: Santa Claus Village 🦌🎅🎄 Rovaniemi Lapland Finland Arctic Circle home of Father Christmas

Interesting places in Rovaniemi

Rovaniemi is the capital of Lapland, where, according to legend, Santa Claus or Joulupukki himself lives. This city is only 10 kilometers from the Arctic Circle.

Rovaniemi is one of the best places in the world to admire the northern lights. The winter months are the best for observing these natural phenomena. The colorful spectacle of green, purple and blue lights completely transforms the surrounding landscape.

Santa Claus Village

The official home of Santa Claus opened in 1985 and quickly became one of the most visited attractions in Finland. The village is always festively decorated and the Christmas atmosphere breathes here all year round, however, during Advent, when it is completely covered in snow and visiting it is a real fairy tale.

Arctic

As the name itself suggests, it is a science center and museum that brings visitors closer to the nature, culture and history of the Arctic. It brings life in Lapland and other polar regions of the world closer together in a unique way.