Northern lights in the Arctic Circle, Lapland, Finland and Sweden

Sweden & Finland Family Christmas Adventure

Snowman at Santa Office in Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi in Lapland in Finland.

Sweden & Finland Family Christmas Adventure

Dog sledding at Christmas time in Rovaniemi, Finland

Sweden & Finland Family Christmas Adventure

Santa Claus Village in the Arctic Circle, Lapland, Finland and Sweden

Sweden & Finland Family Christmas Adventure

A Festive Journey through Lapland’s Winter Wonderland

Days: 7 | From: $10,810/per person (based on a group of 4 people)

  • Enjoy accommodations at best-in-class boutique hotels.
  • Curated tours with outstanding private guides: you’ll have an instant local friend with insider access.
  • Experience a true Scandinavian winter wonderland

Experience the winter magic of the Arctic on a festive family trip to Lapland. Begin in Rovaniemi, the official hometown of Santa Claus, where reindeer, husky sledding, and elf workshops bring the spirit of Christmas to life. Continue across the border to Sweden for snowmobiling, baking, and the Sami people and their reindeer. Along the way, enjoy cozy lodges, Christmassy adventures, hands-on activities, and chances each night to witness the northern lights shimmering across the winter sky.

Talk to a Vaya Travel Specialist

We tailor itineraries to your dates and interests, adjusting hotels, excursions and length as desired.

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We consistently receive 5 star reviews from our discerning clients.

At a Glance

  • Rovaniemi
    3 nights: go dog sledding, search for northern lights, and surround yourself in a Christmas wonderland in Santa Claus's hometown
  • Gunnarsbyn
    3 nights: go snowmobiling, try your hand at Swedish Christmas baking, meet reindeer, and learn about Sami culture

All itineraries are fully customizable. We will send you a personalized variation that reflects your interests and travel dates at no extra cost. Call to discuss your travel plans with one of our Specialists who know this region firsthand.

5-Star Reviews

Find out why our discerning travelers consistently rate us with 5-stars.

Sample Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Rovaniemi, Finland

Welcome to Rovaniemi, Finland! Upon arrival at this airport located above the Arctic Circle, in a village known as Santa Claus’s hometown, you’ll meet your private driver for a transfer to the Nova Skyland Hotel. Winter clothing and boots will be provided for use throughout your stay.

Take time to settle in and enjoy the crisp Arctic air as snow blankets the surrounding forest. With twinkling lights, cozy cabins, and the scent of pine in the air, the magic of Lapland shows itself the moment you arrive. After dinner at the hotel, you may even catch your first glimpse of the northern lights dancing overhead.

Accommodations: Nova Skyland Hotel, 3 nights

Nova Skyland Hotel is a contemporary lodge located within Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, Finland. The property offers modern suites and glass-walled villas featuring floor-to-ceiling windows, private saunas, and forest or sky views ideal for watching the Northern Lights. Facilities include a restaurant serving Lappish and international cuisine, a bar, and direct access to snow trails and reindeer farms. Built with natural materials like stone and timber, the hotel reflects Arctic design and the surrounding wilderness.

*Includes: Dinner

Day 2: Dog Sledding and Northern Lights

This morning, set out on a husky sledding adventure. Meet your friendly team of huskies, learn how to guide the sled, and feel the excitement as you glide through the snow-covered forest. After the ride, spend time with the dogs and warm up by the fire with juice and cookies.

Continue to Santa Claus Village for lunch and time to explore. This cheerful winter wonderland is home to Santa’s official office and post office, where letters from children around the world arrive year-round. Wander through snowy lanes lined with Christmas lights and quaint shops.

Enjoy dinner back at the lodge before heading out on a private northern lights excursion designed just for your family. With your personal aurora guide, venture into the quiet night in search of the shimmering lights, learning how to capture them on camera. Warm drinks and light snacks are served as you wait for the Arctic sky to come alive.

Accommodations: Nova Skyland Hotel, 3 nights

*Includes: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 3: Visit Santa's Workshop

Today you’ll head deep into the forest for a visit to Joulukka to visit Santa’s Toy Factory. Join your elf hosts for a joyful day of discovery and hands-on fun. Learn the art of toy-making in a traditional Lappish tepee, take part in playful outdoor activities, and enjoy hot drinks by the fire. Each family receives a special Toy Factory coin as a keepsake, and every child will have a private meeting with Santa Claus and receive a gift from him.

Return to Santa Claus Village for lunch and free time to explore the shops and festive atmosphere. Dinner is served this evening at Nova Skyland, followed by a relaxed night at your lodge – all the while with potential glimpses of the northern lights.

Accommodations: Nova Skyland Hotel, 3 nights

*Includes: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4: More Santa Adventures and Travel to Sweden

This morning you’ll visit SantaPark, a Christmas wonderland located right beneath the Arctic Circle. Step into Santa’s secret cavern, where it’s Christmas all year round, and join the elves for a day filled with creativity, laughter, and imagination. Ride the Magic Train through enchanting holiday scenes, earn your Elf School diploma, and send greetings from the Elves’ Post Office. You can also visit Mrs. Gingerbread’s Bakery to decorate cookies, enjoy the cheerful Elf Show, and even cross the Arctic Circle underground! A meeting with Santa Claus himself is guaranteed, followed by lunch.

Return to Nova Skyland to check out, then travel across the border into Sweden. Settle into your cozy family cabin at Arctic Retreat, surrounded by quiet forest and snow-laden trees. Enjoy a three-course dinner followed by time to unwind in the sauna or jacuzzi. With luck, keep your eyes peeled for the spectacular northern lights.

Accommodations: Arctic Retreat, 3 nights

Arctic Retreat is an intimate hideaway set deep in the forest of Swedish Lapland beside the Råne River. The property features a handful of timber cabins with floor-to-ceiling windows, private hot tubs, fireplaces, and handcrafted furnishings. Facilities include a central lodge for dining, a wood-fired sauna, and river access for year-round wilderness immersion. Constructed from local materials, the retreat emphasizes sustainable living and quiet seclusion in the heart of the Arctic wilderness.

*Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Snowmobiling and Swedish Baking Class

Start the day with a snowmobiling adventure through the forests and frozen lakes surrounding Arctic Retreat. Follow your guide along scenic winter trails and keep an eye out for reindeer and other Arctic wildlife as your guide shares stories of life in Sweden’s far north. The outing lasts about three and a half hours and includes lunch by the trail. Small children can ride safely in a sled pulled behind the snowmobile.

Return to Arctic Retreat this afternoon for a private Swedish baking class. Learn the art of baking classic cinnamon buns or rich chocolate mud cake – treats best enjoyed with coffee or tea, in true fika tradition. After dinner, spend a cozy evening in your cabin and watch the sky for a possible northern lights display.

Accommodations: Arctic Retreat, 3 nights

*Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Sami People and Reindeer

Today you’ll visit a local Sami family and learn about the traditions and daily life of Sweden’s Indigenous people. Meet their reindeer, hear stories passed down through generations, and gain insight into how the Sami way of life has evolved while remaining closely tied to the northern landscape.

Return to Arctic Retreat in the afternoon for time at leisure; perhaps enjoy the sauna, relax by the fire, or take a quiet walk through the snowy forest. A three-course dinner is served this evening, with another chance to hopefully see the northern lights dancing above the trees.

Accommodations: Arctic Retreat, 3 nights

*Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Departure

Say goodbye to this winter wonderland and head to the airport to catch your departing flight.

*Includes: Breakfast

Popular Ways to Customize This Itinerary

  • Spend a few days in Stockholm, Helsinki, or Oslo to explore their festive Christmas markets

  • Extend your journey to Norway to continue to search for the northern lights.

Contact us to learn about more options for designing and customizing your trip.
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