✈️ Winter Finland: Lapland, Santa Claus and New Year holidays

Winter Finland is open to tourists almost every day of the year. Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi operates year-round, and you can meet Santa Claus here any day (as of 09/2026, official website).

But November and December are the busiest months here. Cottages get booked in advance, and prices at Lapland hotels rise closer to the holiday.

Below is a step-by-step breakdown: Finnish traditions, choosing accommodation, visa, winter activities, and the journey to the Arctic. With this plan, you can organize your trip without unnecessary extra costs.

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How new year is celebrated in Finland

💡 In short:

Christmas and New Year in Finland flow almost seamlessly together, with the main family evening falling on Christmas Eve.
The best time to visit Lapland is from December to April, when there is snow on the ground.

Christmas and New Year in Finland merge into one long pause. The official "Christmas Peace" is declared in Turku, at the cathedral (Turun tuomiokirkko). Bells ring there and the national anthem is sung, and from that moment the winter holidays begin.

After that, the country seems to stand still for several days. Shops operate on reduced hours, and families gather at home around a large table.

On the Finnish table you will find salted salmon, potato casserole, and gingerbread cookies. In the evening, many attend a festive church service and then sit down to a family meal.

New Year itself is celebrated more loudly. Groups of friends go to restaurants, and in Lapland this is joined by reindeer sleigh rides, snowmobiles, and ice skating.

Even if you are not into winter sports, there is something to do. Snow and ice festivals, snow sculptures, and the Finnish sauna. Sauna is taken seriously here: after being outside, it warms you up better than any tea.

Preparing for new year celebrations in Finland

Preparations for the winter holidays in Finland begin as early as autumn. Christmas markets open in cities, selling souvenirs, decorations, and gifts. Streets are decorated with garlands well in advance: lights shine in shop windows, cafes, and on rooftops.

Before Christmas, it is customary to decorate a Christmas tree and light it up.

For New Year, groups book tables at restaurants that serve cuisine from different countries and put on festive programs.

If you are traveling with a group, it is more cost-effective to book a New Year tour or a cottage. The hosts take care of the celebration, excursions, and the feast, while you simply choose the right program and dates.

Plan your budget in advance. In December, accommodation prices rise, and demand peaks on the holiday night itself. A vacation in early December or January will cost noticeably less.

Christmas market in Finland in the evening

Which hotel to choose

In winter, visitors to Finland most often rent a cottage, which Finns call a mökki. This is convenient for families with children and large groups: you get a kitchen, a sauna, and space to relax.

Cottages are more cost-effective when shared with friends or several families. Bed linen and final cleaning are usually not included in the rental price; these services are paid separately.

The best place to look for a mökki is on Finnish classifieds websites, where owners rent out their properties directly. Arrange things in advance: by November, there are almost no cottages left for the holidays.

An alternative for those who want hotel comfort: rooms in Helsinki and Rovaniemi, or glass igloos for watching the northern lights. Book holiday nights several months ahead. Compare options in advance: hotels and cottages in Lapland on Trip.com.

Visa to Finland for a winter trip

Finland is part of the Schengen Area. Citizens of EU countries and Switzerland do not need a visa to travel; everyone else will need a Schengen visa.

Submit your documents early: in December, the flow of applications increases, and the consulate may not be able to process them in time. Medical insurance for the entire duration of the trip is usually on the mandatory list of documents.

Before submitting your documents, it is convenient to compare insurance options.

Activities in Finland for children and adults

In winter, there is something to do for both children and adults. Here are the most popular destinations: Kuopio, Kemi, Ylläs, Kainuu, Lapland, and Helsinki.

What to do in Kuopio, Kemi, Ylläs, and Kainuu

In Kuopio, you can go sledding down a hill. In Kemi, the Snow and Ice Festival takes place: every year a castle and a hotel are built out of snow. Opening dates change from season to season, so check the schedule locally before your trip.

At the Ylläs ski resort you will meet Joulupukki, the local Santa Claus. If you are nearby, be sure to pay him a visit.

Snow tower with lights by the castle wall in winter

In the Kainuu region in the east of the country, there is a separate holiday program. Children and parents follow a fairy-tale trail to the Finnish Santa Claus.

Along the way, guests are greeted by gnomes and the master of the forest. The walk takes a few hours, but it is designed for families with children.

Heading to Lapland

Lapland exists not only in fairy tales. In Rovaniemi, right on the Arctic Circle, there is a Santa Claus Village. You can come here any day of the year and ask for a gift in person.

Lapland is considered one of the quietest places in Finland. People come here to be alone with themselves and listen to the silence. Those who love solitude will like it here most of all: snow muffles sounds, and there are few people outside the cities.

The northern lights in Lapland can be seen from late August to April, but this is a natural phenomenon, and no one gives guarantees (according to Visit Finland, 09/2026).

Lapland tours on GetYourGuide will help you choose a program that fits your dates.

What Helsinki has to offer

Without Helsinki, getting to know Finland would be incomplete. Start with a sightseeing tour of the city: it gives you an overall picture and helps you decide where to return.

The capital has cathedrals, churches, libraries, and museums, including an open-air museum. Modern districts, such as Ruoholahti, sit right next to historic neighborhoods.

For a full day, head to Suomenlinna, a sea fortress in the bay spread across several islands. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and a ferry runs there from the center. The tourist center is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00, and the museums operate on their own schedules (as of 09/2026, official website).

If you stay in the city longer, you will see the covered market and design museums. In the evening, choose a sauna with a view of the bay.

What to bring back from Finland

While strolling through the festive streets, it is easy to give in to temptation and buy a load of souvenirs. After Christmas, winter sales begin: if a shop window has an "Ale" sign, it means the item is being sold at a discount.

Snow-covered spruce trees and Pallastunturi fells at sunset

From Finland, people bring magnets, keychains, and thermometers with national symbols and local landscapes. The country is known for high-quality sportswear, so people often buy jackets and snowsuits for outdoor activities here.

Popular products include fish, caviar, and chocolate. A Finnish knife is also a great purchase: the Marttiini brand has been made in Rovaniemi since 1928 (as of 09/2026, official village website). Designer glass is also worth a look, and you can easily find this kind of souvenir at the market.

These items are not cheap, but they last for years and never go out of style.

How to get to Finland on your own

Getting to Finland is easy. Direct flights to Helsinki operate from most European countries, and from Helsinki-Vantaa Airport you can conveniently reach the city center by train or bus. From Helsinki, you can get to Lapland by train or fly to Rovaniemi.

In winter, the main thing is to dress for the weather. Bring a warm sweater, a jacket, a hat, mittens, and waterproof boots, and the cold will not stop you from walking, skiing, or snowboarding.

Check train and ferry schedules for holidays in advance: some services run on a modified timetable.

Finland on the map

Below is a map of Finland. Mark Helsinki in the south, Lapland in the north, and Rovaniemi right on the Arctic Circle. This makes it easier to plan your route and understand the distances between the cities you choose.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to go to Finland for New Year's?

Snow lasts from December through April, and demand peaks in late December. If you want to save money, choose early December or the second half of January: accommodation is more affordable, and all winter activities are already running.

Do I need a visa for Finland?

Finland is part of the Schengen area. EU and Swiss citizens do not need a visa; everyone else needs a Schengen visa, which must be arranged in advance. Processing times increase in winter, so submit your documents several weeks before the trip and arrange insurance ahead of time.

Where should I stay in Lapland?

Cottages and glass igloos for watching the northern lights are popular in Lapland, and Rovaniemi has many hotels near Santa Claus Village. A cottage is more cost-effective to share with friends, but you need to book as early as autumn: by December there are almost no available options left.

What can I do with kids in Finland in winter?

Kids usually enjoy Santa Claus Village, reindeer and husky sled rides, the ice festival in Kemi, and snow slides. In Kainuu, families can join a separate fairy-tale program with gnomes and the Finnish Santa Claus. Check the schedule of winter programs in advance.

What should I bring back from Finland?

Most people bring back sportswear, Finnish knives, designer glass, fish, and chocolate. Sales start right after Christmas, and an "Ale" sign in a shop window means a discount on the item. Souvenirs with national symbols are sold at Christmas markets.

In short: what to book

Finland works well both for families with kids and for couples looking for quiet. If you have children, pick December dates and accommodation near Santa Claus Village. If you want seclusion, choose a lakeside cottage in Lapland. If it's your first visit, set aside one day for Helsinki and Suomenlinna.

Book accommodation early: in December, available options disappear every day. Book a hotel in Lapland on Trip.com.

New Year in Finland 2026: Lapland, cottages and holiday traditions