It all began when I wondered how many kids dream of joining the circus – or dashing off to Santa. My little elf almost did. For 15 tense minutes, I feared he’d been whisked away by the big red man himself in the frosty Finland winter. Thankfully, this Christmas crisis jingled to a merry ending.

Where is Santa Park Rovaniemi?

If visiting Finland in winter isn’t on your bucket list, then it should be. My kids and I headed to Rovaniemi, Finland in December, and Santa Park was on our Finland itinerary.

Santa Park is situated on the Arctic Circle in the north of Finland, about 8 km outside the Rovaniemi city centre. You can get there by bus line 8 (which runs at super strange times) or a taxi (which we took). According to the official site, tickets for the 2025–26 winter season start at €42 for adults and €37 for each child aged 3–12; kids under 3 go free. Check prices here.

Unlike the nearby Santa Claus Holiday Village, which charges per activity, Santa Park uses a single entry ticket covering almost all activities. The season we visited means you don’t have to cram everything in one day.

What is the difference between Santa Claus Village and SantaPark?

Santa Claus Village is mostly outdoors with activities priced individually, while SantaPark is an underground, all-in-one ticket experience with rides, shows, and workshops included, perfect for winter Finland.

Is SantaPark worth visiting?

Absolutely. It’s a magical, family-friendly experience where kids can enjoy sleigh rides, elf school, ice galleries, and more, all under one roof, perfect for a two-day visit.

Where to see Santa in Rovaniemi?

You can meet Santa both at SantaPark’s dedicated Santa Claus Office and at Santa Claus Village, with plenty of opportunities for photos and festive memories at either location. We also spotted Mrs. Claus in the Christmas cottage at Santa Claus Village.

Where to stay near Santa Park in Rovaniemi?

While in Rovaniemi, we stayed at a hotel just outside the city centre -making our commute to Santa Park quick and efficient. For a family stay, I’d recommend something cozy and warm with good breakfast options, ideally up near the Arctic Circle so you maximise your Lapland vibe.

Booking early is wise, especially during peak winter travel seasons.

Is it cold in Rovaniemi in Winter?

We visited Rovaniemi, Finland, in December. And yes, Rovaniemi is very cold in December. Average temperatures typically range from −10 °C to −3 °C, but it can feel colder with wind chill. Snow covers the ground, creating that classic winter wonderland look, perfect for visiting Santa Park, dog sledding, and other Lapland activities. Winter gear is necessary – warm, layered clothing, hats, gloves, and insulated boots are essential.

Other things to do in Rovaniemi with kids

Rovaniemi offers plenty more winter activities beyond Santa Park to keep families entertained. You can see our 8 things to do in Lapland with kids here. You can visit the open‑air Santa Claus Village to cross the Arctic Circle again, meet reindeer, and send postcards from Santa’s Post Office. Snowman World is another great winter activity featuring winter sports like ice skating, sledging, and snowplay. Perhaps you’d like to try your hand at ice fishing?

If you have more time, go husky sledding on the husky farm, take snowmobile tours on the hunt for the Northern Lights, enjoy a reindeer farm, or explore northern nature trails for Arctic animals.

Check out our Northern Lights tour here. For families looking for indoor winter excursions, Santa Park’s covered setting is ideal – but mixing it with outdoor activities rounds out your Finland family holiday.

Can you walk from Santa Park to Santa Claus Village?

Yes, you can walk between Santa Park and Santa Claus Village, but the distance is about 8 km, roughly a 1.5‑ to 2‑hour walk, and with Rovaniemi’s cold, snowy December weather, it can be quite challenging. Most families prefer to take a taxi, car, or bus (bus line 8) instead. It’s also best to plan your visits on different days -there’s so much Winter Finland fun between the two attractions that trying to do both in one day can be exhausting, especially for kids.

The Arctic Circle moment

We walked down a long tunnel to the main entrance, past the ticket booth and a coat‑drop room. After shedding our layers, we descended another gently sloping tunnel and discovered that this is the only place in the world where you cross the Arctic Circle line underground. It felt extra special, and such a scenic travel moment for our Finland family holiday.

The Magical Indoor World of Santa Park

Once inside, we found a winter wonderland of family activities brought to life. Entry includes many immersive experiences: Santa’s Office, the Elves’ Post Office, the Toy Factory Shopping Area, the show three times a day, the Magic Sleigh Ride, Elf Workshop & Calligraphy School, the Angry Birds Activity Area, Elf School (with diploma and trainee hat included!), the Ice Gallery, Ice Bar and meeting the Ice Princess, a Gingerbread Bakery (cookies not included).

My kids were especially smitten with the Magic Sleigh Ride and could happily have spent all day in the Angry Birds playground.

If you recall our post on our Evening with the Elves, then this park offers some similar Christmas-themed activities, but on a larger scale and not quite as magical. The kids, however, loved the Magic Sleigh Ride , and they could have spent all day in the Angry Birds Activity Area.

Losing our 4‑Year‑Old at Santa Park!

What wasn’t fun? The moment I realised Caius was missing. We’d just exited Elf School and discovered the photo‑booth that took free “elfies” (our faces morphed into elves). I leaned over to say, “Caius, your turn…” and got no answer. I glanced around and then spun completely. He wasn’t in sight. My mind flicked from “Oh, this shouldn’t be too hard” to “How could he get lost?” to “OMG SOMEONE HAS KIDNAPPED HIM!”

I ran laps around the ring‑shaped complex, checked every room, and finally admitted defeat: I didn’t know where he was. I went from meek “Caius?” to full‑panic “CAIUS!” The elves placed an announcement over the loudspeaker: “Caius darling, it’s Mummy. Can you come to the Angry Birds playground … NOW!” I tried not to imagine the worst, though I failed in that respect.

Then, 15 minutes after the disappearance, he appeared coming down from the entrance tunnel, escorted by an elf and a man in a suit. I threw my arms around him, whispered how much I loved him and how mad I was. “Where were you?” I asked. He shrugged: “I was looking for you.”

The elf grinned and added, “Those little feet are fast.” Praise God, Santa hadn’t kidnapped our son, and the crack squad of super elves had found him. It was pure Christmas magic. Their staff were fabulous – helpful, attentive, and caring.

Cookies Make Everything Better at Santa Park Rovaniemi

After the heart-pounding ordeal, we dove back into our family-friendly fun at Santa Park Rovaniemi, decorating gingerbread cookies in the cheerful bakery.

The sweet smells of icing and spice filled the underground wonderland as I tried to calm my racing heartbeat, while Mia and Caius giggled and got completely lost in the magic of Finland winter activities.

It was the perfect reminder that family travel in Lapland isn’t just about seeing Santa or crossing the Arctic Circle, but making memories together, one cookie at a time.

Explore With Erin Wrap up: Santa Park Rovaniemi Winter Fun

Aside from the heart‑wrenching drama, the park delivered fun, value, and unforgettable memories. For our Finland family travel experience, the two‑day access ticket meant we didn’t feel rushed. Considering all the activities included, it offered good value. Plus, it’s reassuring to know that if your child decides to wander, there’s a dedicated team to make sure all ends well.

This was our wild and wonderful Arctic adventure at Santa Park in Rovaniemi. Mia and Caius had a blast. I had a heart‑racing moment. And we left with magical memories. If you’re planning a family vacation to Finnish Lapland, I highly recommend adding this one to your Finland travel bucket list alongside the Northern Lights and Santa Claus Village.