Lapland family holidays: here’s everything you need to know about booking a fabulous festive escape

Snowy landscapes, cosy cabins, husky sledding, reindeer sleigh rides and an encounter with the Big Man himself? Lapland offers festive cheer in spades and there’s no better destination for an enchanting escape at Christmas. And a trip with a specialist operator like Santa’s Lapland can really bring the magic to life. 

A Santa’s Lapland break is the kind of holiday that will get kids excited from the moment you announce plans and will be talked about at family Christmasses for years to come. And while there’s so much for the kids to enjoy (not least being greeted by elves on arrival!), adults will find plenty to wonder at too. 

All packages booked with Santa’s Lapland include everything you need to make priceless memories in a winter wonderland, and according to many a Mumsnetter, it’s totally worth the investment. 

-Mumsnet user, NotPennysBoat

You’ll find lots of Lapland chat on our Holidays forum. To save you from scrolling, we’ve put together a handy guide to answer all the commonly asked questions that arise when considering a trip to Santa’s homeland.

Where exactly is Lapland and how do you get there?

Lapland spans northern areas of Sweden, Finland, Norway and Russia’s Kola Peninsula, but most travellers head to Finnish Lapland. Santa’s Lapland holidays are based in Saariselka in Finnish Lapland, over 120 miles above the Arctic Circle. Flights to Ivalo (around a 25-minute transfer) take around four hours from the UK. Santa’s Lapland offers flights from 16 regional airports including London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Bristol and Leeds. 

-Mumsnet user, KeepingKeepingOn

What does a Santa’s Lapland package include?

Family holidays booked through Santa’s Lapland include the following:

• Return flights from the UK

• Airport transfers 

• Half-board accommodation

• Activities including husky sledding and a reindeer sleigh ride

• Lots of fun snow activities such as mini skidoos, snow hockey and fun with the elves 

• A private meeting with Santa by snowmobile sleigh

• Snowsuit hire including thermal boots, mittens and woollen socks 

For a bit of extra magic, consider an Aurora Package which includes luxury accommodation, an immersive visit to the Santa’s Elves workshop, a longer husky ride, a snowmobile safari and a wilderness dinner. 

What’s the ideal age to visit Lapland?

A holiday to Lapland will hold appeal for children of all ages but ideally you’ll want to strike a balance between your kids being old enough to appreciate and remember an epic, once-in-a-lifetime trip but young enough to fully embrace the magic of meeting Santa. Between five and nine years old seems to be the sweet spot according to Mumsnetters.

I took DS when he was 5 and it was perfect.” Beezknees

DS was 9 when we went, he loved it. He was starting to question [Father Christmas] at that age but was completely swept up in it all. We've booked again and he'll be 11 this time and is just as excited.” WineWithAView

There’s generally a minimum age recommendation of two years old. Remember that temperatures can reach -30°C and very young children may find it uncomfortable having to wear bulky snowsuits for the duration of your trip. And for all the excitement of the twinkly lights, adorable huskies and cheeky elves, it can be quite an overwhelming experience for toddlers. 

What does a typical family holiday to Lapland look like?

Families can book a trip for two or three nights, giving you plenty of time for a full-on festive fix. Travel dates are in November and December and a short break allows you to choose to visit over a weekend so you won’t have to take much time out of school in the run up to Christmas. If you’re booking a package through Santa’s Lapland, your itinerary is mapped out and packed with fun activities. 

Extra activities like snowmobile safaris and snow-shoeing can be added to each trip.

-Mumsnet user, WineWithAView

Is there really only three hours of daylight in Finnish Lapland?

In December you can expect to see a maximum of around three hours of daylight per day and the sun never rises above the horizon. Unforgiving for an entire season but a complete novelty for a short break and the lack of daylight only adds to the otherworldly experience. And may even make an early bedtime easier (Santa grants Christmas wishes to adults too, right?!). Plus the short days create ideal conditions for viewing the northern lights throughout winter.

Is a trip to Lapland worth it?

Yes, it can seem VERY expensive. Yes, it’s VERY cold. But the winter wonderment of a trip to Lapland is beyond comparison. According to Mumsnetters that have travelled far and wide and returned to share their knowledge on our Holidays forum, a Lapland holiday is one of those elusive escapes that truly exceeds expectations. Seeing the utter joy on your kids’ faces as they dash through the snow in search of Santa is very much worth every penny. And you can probably swerve any subsequent trips to sit on Santa’s knee at your local shopping centre or garden centre because meeting Father Christmas in his natural habitat just can’t be beaten. 

What to pack for a family holiday to Lapland

Santa’s Lapland ensures you’re set up with thermal snowsuits, boots and mittens which saves you from having to pack bulky outerwear in your suitcase. The focus when packing should be on keeping the family warm so you’ll need to stock up on good quality under layers ahead of a trip to Lapland. Here are some useful items to consider:

• Thermal base layers made from fleece or wool (long-sleeved tops and trousers)

• Warm hats/balaclavas 

• Lined gloves

• Socks

• Swimwear (for the sauna) 

• Sensible shoes/boots

• Camera/camera phone + chargers 

• Sunglasses (there’s not much daylight but it can be bright when the sun reflects off the snow) 

About Santa’s Lapland

Discover a Christmas like no other! 

Reindeer-driven sleighs. Husky-driven sleds. Elves around every corner. Spectacular shows. Tobogganing, snowmobiles & so much more... And of course, following the magical glow trail in the great search for Santa. For 19 years, Santa’s Lapland has been helping families create unforgettable memories. No one knows how to make Christmas more magical.

About the author 

Rachel Erdos is an Editor at Mumsnet where she commissions, edits and writes content with a focus on family travel.

She has written hotel reviews, features and destination guides for top publications including the Guardian, Four Seasons Magazine, Travelzoo, Visit Britain and Visit London. She loves nothing more than researching and writing about fun things for families to do in destinations near and far, as well as trawling the Mumsnet holiday forum for inspiration for her next trip away with her husband and two kids.