In the far north of Finland, right at the gateway to the Arctic, lies Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland and a global epicenter of Christmas tourism. Internationally recognized as the birthplace of Santa Claus, this city has become a setting where fantasy, tradition, and Arctic nature coexist in perfect harmony. Every year, hundreds of thousands of travelers arrive from different corners of the world with one clear goal: To experience the magic of Christmas at any time of the year.
Rovaniemi’s fame is no coincidence. After World War II, the region was left devastated, and in response, Finland sought to boost tourism as a means of recovery. It was then that the idea began to spread that Santa Claus — or Joulupukki, as he is traditionally known in Finnish — lived in the forests of Lapland. Over time, this narrative grew stronger, eventually establishing Rovaniemi as the official home of the world’s most famous Christmas figure.
@bysherezade LAPONIA #ROVANIEMI ♬ Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) – Darlene Love
Why Rovaniemi is recognized as the birthplace of Santa Claus
The modern story linking Santa Claus to Rovaniemi took shape in 1985, when Santa Claus Village was inaugurated — the theme complex that marked a before-and-after in the city’s identity. Located right on the Arctic Circle line, this park quickly became a global symbol of Christmas. Since then, media outlets, international agencies, and tourism organizations have promoted Rovaniemi as the official home of Santa Claus.
In Santa Claus Village, visitors can meet Santa himself 365 days a year, explore his official office, step into the workshop where elves work, and send letters from the Arctic Circle Post Office, which receives millions of messages each season. The chance to cross the Arctic Circle — marked by a white line in front of the complex — has become another major attraction, symbolizing the entrance to a world of magic and eternal snow.
@daniela.lorenzo Santa Claus Village está ubicada en Rovaniemi, Finlandia 🇫🇮 Justo al comienzo del Círculo Polar Ártico se encuentra el pueblo de Santa, donde se puede conocer su oficina, renos, correo, entre otras atracciones ideales para visitar en época navideña 🎅🏻🎄 La entrada es GRATUITA 🤩 Conocían este destino? #finlandia #rovaniemi #santaclausvillage #santaclaus #invierno #navidad #viajes #viajar #europa #círculopolarártico #viajeros #chilenosviajeros #chilenosporelmundo #viajeros ♬ All I Want For Christmas Is You – Mariah Carey
The park also offers winter activities such as reindeer and husky sleigh rides, visits to traditional farms, encounters with Arctic animals, and panoramic tours that showcase the region’s frozen landscapes.
A permanent Christmas: tourism, culture, and Arctic magic
Rovaniemi is one of the few places in the world where Christmas is celebrated every day of the year. This perpetual celebration is not only due to the presence of Santa Claus Village but also to the natural environment surrounding the city: Long winter nights illuminated by festive lights, snow-covered forests, and temperatures that can drop below –20 degrees Celsius.
Tourism has become the economic heart of the city. Travelers from more than 100 countries visit Rovaniemi not only to meet the iconic Christmas figure but also to experience natural phenomena such as the Northern Lights, which can be seen around 150 nights a year. The city offers ice hotels, glass-roofed cabins designed for viewing the Arctic sky, and cultural experiences that showcase the heritage of the Sami people, the Indigenous inhabitants of Lapland.
The city has also embraced sustainable tourism, promoting responsible practices that protect the Arctic’s fragile biodiversity. Rovaniemi blends modernity with conservation, offering unique activities without compromising the natural balance of the environment.
Beyond tourism, the city has become a cultural symbol of Christmas on a global scale. From here, special messages from Santa Claus are broadcast each year, winter celebrations are held, and events are organized that reaffirm Rovaniemi as the world capital of the Christmas spirit.