Santa Claus Village | Arctic Circle

Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi – Claimed to be the Official Home of Santa Claus:

Santa decorations

If you love Christmas and can’t get enough of it, the Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi is the place for you. At the Rovaniemi Santa Claus Village, it is Christmas all year round! Rovaniemi also claims to be the official home of Santa Claus. He has an office in the Village and it is from here that Santa meets and greets visitors everyday.

Where is Santa Claus Village?

Santa Claus Village is located about 8 km northeast of Rovaniemi. More interestingly, the Arctic Circle line cuts right through Santa Claus Village and a white line in the Village marks its position. When we step across that 66°32′ line, we know that we are entering into the Arctic region.

The Arctic Circle line is very popular with visitors wanting to take photos of themselves standing astride or crossing the line. Actually, this was the position established in 1865.

Arctic Circle Line at Rovaniemi

If we really want to stand across the Arctic Circle line today, we should be standing at 66°33’46.4 north of the Equator. It seems that the Arctic Circle is drifting northwards.

Some Attractions at Santa Claus Village

In spite of my initial reservations, the Santa Claus Village turned out to be quite a fun place to visit.

On the way to see Santa

Santa Claus Office – We didn’t plan on visiting Santa Claus himself, but his little elf persuaded us to go in and meet the man in red. It turned out to be an quite an enjoyable meeting. You will have your photo taken with Santa, but you don’t have to buy if you don’t like it. However, this legendary man in red is very photogenic and you are sure to like your Santa photo.

With Santa Claus in Rovaniemi

The Santa Claus Main Post Office is very popular and it was extremely busy when we were there. Postcards and other mail sent from this post office is stamped with a special Santa Claus Post Office postmark. You can even specify a send date for your card, if you want it sent closer to Christmas.

Buying gifts at Santa Claus Post Office

Santa Claus Gift House – The gift house is full of Christmas decorations and gifts and they are on sale at the post office as well – what a great place to do Christmas shopping. The recipients of your gifts will be most impressed to get a present from Santa’s hometown.

Cute little huskies and reindeers

Roosevelt Cabin or Arctic Circle Cabin – The Roosevelt Cabin is especially interesting for American visitors. This little hut was built in just two weeks for the surprise visit of Eleanor Roosevelt in 1950. Mrs. Roosevelt, who was a human rights champion, was interested to see the post-war reconstruction of Rovaniemi and the Lapland region.

Eleanor Roosevelt Cabin

An Amusement Park

Santa Claus Village is actually an amusement park and there are lots of activities for families with children. There’s an Artic Circle Snowmobile Park, a Snowman World, Arctic Circle Husky Park, Santa Claus Reindeer and Wild Nordic Finland Safaris. You could also stay at the Santa Claus Holiday Village Cottages to get the most out of your visit .

Our visit was a rather rushed one and we could easily have spent a few more hours to enjoy the village at leisure. We did, however, all receive a certificate to prove that we were there!

Address:
Santa Claus Village
Arctic Circle
96930 Rovaniemi
Finland
Website: santaclausvillage.info