Visit Rovaniemi - the Official Hometown of Santa Claus

Visit Rovaniemi - the Official Hometown of Santa Claus Rovaniemi is the Official Hometown of Santa Claus® and the capital of Lapland, Finland Welcome to Rovaniemi, the Official Hometown of Santa Claus!
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Rovaniemi is the capital of Lapland in Finland, located at the northern Arctic Circle. Lying at the junction of North and South on the border to the Arctic,
Rovaniemi has become a modern town, full of life with its own unique characteristics. Although Christmastime comes but once a year, in Rovaniemi you can experience Christmas throughout the year. Rovaniemi, in Finnish Lapland, is the hometown of Santa Claus who can be met on any day of the year at the Santa Claus Office on the Arctic Circle. Tervetuloa Rovaniemelle, Joulupukin kotikaupunkiin!

Christmas is getting closer… 🎄✨Only 3 months to go until the most magical time of the year – but here in the Official Ho...
24/09/2026

Christmas is getting closer… 🎄✨

Only 3 months to go until the most magical time of the year – but here in the Official Hometown of Santa Claus, the magic has already begun. 🎅🏼❤️

The countdown is officially on!

What’s the first thing that makes it feel like Christmas for you? ✨

🏆❤️ Rovaniemi’s Tourist Information is Tourist Information of the Year!We are incredibly happy and honoured to share tha...
23/09/2026

🏆❤️ Rovaniemi’s Tourist Information is Tourist Information of the Year!

We are incredibly happy and honoured to share that Visit Rovaniemi Tourist Information has been named Tourist Information of the Year!

This recognition is especially meaningful to us because it highlights the things that are at the heart of our work: ❤️ genuine encounters, 📍 strong local knowledge, 🤝 collaboration with local tourism businesses, 🌱 responsibility and a continuous commitment to developing our services.

Tourist Information is the showcase of tourism in Rovaniemi. Together with around 200 local tourism businesses, we help visitors discover services, experiences and activities that are just right for them – both before their trip and during their stay in Rovaniemi.

💙 This recognition belongs to the entire Rovaniemi tourism network.
A warm thank you to Suoma ry for this wonderful recognition, to all our partners and local tourism businesses, and above all, to every visitor we have the privilege of serving.

A special thank you also goes to our current and former Tourist Information team. The expertise, local knowledge and dedication built over the years form an important foundation for the work we do today.

“At the heart of Tourist Information are genuine encounters, local knowledge and a desire to help – both before the trip and while visitors are in Rovaniemi, the Official Hometown of Santa Claus.” says Lyyti Mäkiniemi, Destination Marketing Specialist, Visit Rovaniemi.

Thank you for this recognition. There is no better way to move forward than together! ❤️

Welcome to Rovaniemi – the Official Hometown of Santa Claus! 🎅✨

Want to explore the Arctic skies on a deeper level? 🌌🔭A brand-new experience by Lapland X Tours takes you beyond the Nor...
22/09/2026

Want to explore the Arctic skies on a deeper level? 🌌🔭

A brand-new experience by Lapland X Tours takes you beyond the Northern Lights – combining Northern Lights chasing, professional photography and live deep-sky astronomy in one Arctic night.

While waiting for the skies to light up, a smart telescope lets you explore galaxies, nebulae, the Moon and other wonders of deep space. Watch the images build live on screen or follow along on your own phone – and receive your deep-sky images digitally afterwards. ✨

When the Northern Lights appear, you’ll also be professionally photographed beneath them and receive a 360° video from your Arctic night. 📸

The Northern Lights Photography Tour + Deep Sky Telescope Experience is now available to book for the upcoming winter season. Check the Visit Rovaniemi website for more information.

Would you add a little stargazing to your Northern Lights adventure in Rovaniemi? 🌌

🍂 THIS WEEK IN ROVANIEMI | 21–27 SEPTEMBERAutumn is settling in, but there’s still plenty happening around Rovaniemi! Th...
21/09/2026

🍂 THIS WEEK IN ROVANIEMI | 21–27 SEPTEMBER

Autumn is settling in, but there’s still plenty happening around Rovaniemi! This week brings live music, classical concerts, football, art and culture – plus plenty of places to explore indoors and outdoors. 🍁

🎨 Wed 23.9. at 16.30
Guided Tour of Korundi’s exhibitions in German
📍 Korundi

Participation with an exhibition ticket.

🎻 Thu 24.9. at 10.00
Lapland Chamber Orchestra – Public Dress Rehearsal
📍 Korundi
Tickets from €6.

🎻 Thu 24.9. at 18.00
Lapland Chamber Orchestra: Early Classicism – A Master at Work
📍 Korundi
Tickets from €6.

🎷 Fri 25.9. at 20.00–22.00
Jazz Night
📍 Café Snow Rovaniemi
Tickets €15 / €10 in advance.

⚽ Sat 26.9. at 15.00
Women’s Football: RoPS – HauPa
📍 Rovaniemi Central Stadium
Adults €10, students & seniors €5, under 15s free.

⚽ Sat 26.9. at 18.15
Men’s Football: RoPS – SalPa
📍 Rovaniemi Central Stadium
Adults €15, students & seniors €10, under 15s free.

🎶 Sat 26.9. at 20.00
Vesterinen Yhtyeineen live
📍 Lappi Arena
Tickets from €34.90.

🖼️ Looking for something to do during the day?

Explore Arctic history and culture at Arktikum - Museum and Science Centre, discover Finnish contemporary art at Korundi, visit PILKE Science Centre or explore Alvar Aalto’s architecture and the current exhibitions at Lappia Hall.

This week also sees a new exhibition opening at Gallery Napa: A Ring Was Found in the Field by Sallamari Rantala, from 26 September.

🎅 And of course, Santa Claus Village is open every day – Santa Claus Office and Santa Claus Main Post Office are both open daily from 10.00 to 17.00.

🍂 Tip of the week: September is a beautiful time to combine Rovaniemi’s culture and city life with a walk outdoors – autumn colours are still adding their glow to the landscape.

👉 Save this post for the week ahead and send it to someone spending September in Rovaniemi!

Please note that schedules, opening hours and ticket information may change. Check the organiser’s website for the latest information.

Food is a huge part of experiencing a new culture when travelling – and Rovaniemi is no exception. ❤️In the Arctic, food...
18/09/2026

Food is a huge part of experiencing a new culture when travelling – and Rovaniemi is no exception. ❤️

In the Arctic, food is closely connected to the surrounding nature, changing seasons and northern traditions.

🦌 Reindeer is one of the most iconic flavours of Lapland – especially the classic sautéed reindeer served with mashed potatoes and lingonberries.

🐟 Fish from northern waters is enjoyed smoked, cured, grilled or cooked over an open fire.

🧀 Leipäjuusto, or Finnish squeaky cheese, is a northern favourite, often served warm with cloudberries.

🫐 Cloudberries, lingonberries and bilberries bring the Arctic summer to the plate, while mushrooms, wild herbs and other seasonal ingredients connect local cuisine directly to the surrounding nature.

Ready to taste Rovaniemi? Here are a few tips:

🍽️ Explore local restaurants in the city centre. For a taste of Finnish and Lappish flavours, explore restaurants such as Ravintola ROKA , Nest, Rosso Rovaniemi, Frans & Chérie Rovaniemi, Ravintola Valdemari , Restaurant Nili, Amarillo Rovaniemi, Restaurant Bord, Restaurant Pohjanhovi, Restaurant Gaissa , Bull bar & grill, Ravintola Monte rosa and Arctic Restaurant

All restaurants listed here:
www.visitrovaniemi.fi/see-do/eat-and-drink

🍽️ Look for seasonal menus – many restaurants highlight local ingredients according to the time of year.

🍽️ Explore local drinks – from Finnish craft beers to drinks flavoured with Arctic berries.

🍽️ And remember to book ahead! Popular restaurants can fill up quickly, especially during the winter season.

Which Lappish dish would you try first? 🦌🫐

The countdown has reached a magical milestone – only 100 days to go until Christmas Eve. ❤️Which means there’s one very ...
15/09/2026

The countdown has reached a magical milestone – only 100 days to go until Christmas Eve. ❤️

Which means there’s one very important question to ask…

Have you sent your letter to Santa yet? 💌🎅🏼

Here in Rovaniemi, Santa Claus receives letters from all around the world to Santa Claus Main Post Office – filled with Christmas wishes, hopes and a little bit of magic. ✨

So, what would be at the top of your Christmas wish list this year? 🎁

Santa Claus Office

🍂 This week in Rovaniemi | 14–20 SeptemberAutumn is painting Rovaniemi in shades of gold, orange and red – and we’re rig...
14/09/2026

🍂 This week in Rovaniemi | 14–20 September

Autumn is painting Rovaniemi in shades of gold, orange and red – and we’re right in the heart of ruska season. 🍁

September days are getting crisp, with temperatures typically around +5 to +15°C, but there’s still plenty of daylight to enjoy the colours – around 13 hours on average. And as the evenings grow darker, Northern Lights season is here too. ✨

Save these events for the week ahead:

🏒 Fri 18.9. at 18.30 | Ice Hockey: RoKi – TuTo
📍 Lappi Areena
Experience a Finnish ice hockey night and cheer on the local team!

🎶 Fri 18.9. at 18.30 | Tapani Kansa Memorial Concert
📍 Korundi
An evening celebrating the music of one of Finland’s most beloved artists.

🪩 Fri 18.9. at 20.00 | 80’s Disco (18+)
📍 Snow Rovaniemi
Step back into the 80s for a night of nostalgic hits.

🎤 Fri 18.9. at 22.00 | End of Summer Season Concert: Komiat
📍 Ravintola Valdemari
Say goodbye to the summer season with live Finnish music.

🎼 Sat 19.9. at 14–16 | Music at Korundi
📍 Korundi Kitchen & Café
A free cultural afternoon with music at Korundi.

❄️ Sat 19.9. at 18–21 | Open Doors at Arctic SnowHotel & Glass Igloos
📍 Arctic SnowHotel & Glass Igloos
Take a peek behind the scenes and discover what the coming Arctic season has in store. Free entry!

🎷 Sat 19.9. at 19–22 | Korundi Jazz 2026
📍 Korundi
An evening of jazz in the heart of Rovaniemi.

🎨 Sun 20.9. at 15.00 | Guided Tour of Korundi’s Exhibitions
📍 Korundi
Discover the current exhibitions on an English-language guided tour.

🍂 Our tip for the week: Leave some room in your plans for a walk in nature – ruska doesn’t last forever!

Which one would you add to your Rovaniemi plans? ❤️

12/09/2026

Send this to someone you would like to see the Northern Lights with! 💚

This Northern Lights season has started with a bang! The skies above Rovaniemi have already been putting on quite a show – and this is only the beginning. ✨

This amazing footage was captured last week by Beyond Arctic

10/09/2026

Wonder what the weather is like in Rovaniemi in early September? 🍂

💚 Northern Lights: Possible (and we've seen a lot of them already 💚)
❄️ Snow conditions: Usually no snow
🍁 Seasonal phenomenon: Strong autumn foliage
🌡️ Typical temperatures: +5 to +15°C
☀️ Daylight: Around 13 hours

Early September is a beautiful transition between summer and autumn – expect crisp air, changing colours and increasingly dark nights as the Northern Lights season gets underway.

💭 What time of year would be your dream time to visit Rovaniemi?

🍂 4 great spots to enjoy the autumn foliage in RovaniemiAutumn colours are taking over Rovaniemi – and you don’t have to...
09/09/2026

🍂 4 great spots to enjoy the autumn foliage in Rovaniemi

Autumn colours are taking over Rovaniemi – and you don’t have to travel far from the city to find some beautiful views. Here are four spots worth adding to your autumn list:

🍁 Kirkkolampi Lake
📍 Located next to the Church in the city centre
🥾 Easy walking path around the lake, around 1 km

One of the easiest places to enjoy autumn close to the city. Take a walk around the lake and enjoy the reflections of the colourful trees on the water – you can even walk here from the city centre.

🌲 Arctic Circle Hiking Area
📍 About 25 km from the city centre
🥾 Trails from short nature walks to longer day hikes

Looking for a little more wilderness? The Arctic Circle Hiking Area offers several trails through forests, along rivers and across hanging bridges. Vaattunkiköngäs is a great starting point, with options ranging from short walks to longer hikes. Check the Apukka Shuttle bus schedule for smooth logistics.

🔥 King’s Lean-to / Kuninkaanlaavu
📍 About 8 km from the city centre
🥾 Around 500m-2 km walk depending where you park

A short hike with a rewarding view. Kuninkaanlaavu sits high above the Ounasjoki River, overlooking forests that turn into a sea of autumn colours in September. There’s also a lean-to and campfire spot at the top – perfect for an autumn picnic.

🥾 Ounasvaara hill
📍 Around 3 km from the city centre
🥾 Several trails, including an easy ~6 km nature trail

You can practically start your hike from the city. Ounasvaara’s forest trails take you through colourful autumn scenery to viewpoints overlooking Rovaniemi and the surrounding landscape.

🍂 Which one would you choose for an autumn day in Rovaniemi?

Save this for your September trip! 📌

Osoite

KoskiKatu 12
Rovaniemi
96200

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