Santa’s Lapland Holidays - Ask the Experts!

[CeriMumsnet]

Are you thinking about booking a magical trip to Lapland this Christmas?
Wondering what to expect, what to pack, or what age is best for the trip?

We’ve invited two experts from Santa’s Lapland to help you with everything you need to know to plan the perfect winter adventure for your family.

Share your questions below by 25 November for the chance to win a £100 voucher (T&Cs).

Meet the Experts:
Gillian Rae, Santa’s Lapland Area Manager
Gillian is the Santa’s Lapland Area Manager, helping to make Christmas truly magical for all the families who visit. Gillian started working for Santa’s Lapland with seasonal roles out in Lapland, and has worked her way up to be the Area Manager. Gillian works with Santa’s Lapland all year round, and is based in the UK for 10months of the year, and out in Lapland for November & December. She is passionate about creating magical Christmas memories to last a lifetime!

Chloe Lovell, Product Manager, Santa’s Lapland
Chloe has been the Product Manager for Santa’s Lapland for over 3 years, having previously worked as a Product Executive covering Lapland. Chloe has visited Santa’s Lapland numerous times, and her role focuses on making sure the experience is exciting and always evolving. Chloe works closely with both the UK based team and local suppliers in Lapland to give all families who visit a Christmas Like No Other.

Hi @ThatBeachLyfe Our 2026 holidays are already available to book, and 2027 holidays we will go on sale in late December. For the best choice of dates, airports, hotels and room types it's best to book as early as possible. We offer a direct debit payment option so booking early can help spread the cost, and on our Santa's Magic packages there will be Free Child Places available on selected departure dates!

Hi @DinkyDaffodil , great question. We have just published an updated version of our accessibility and sensory guide, so please check these out here. It will take you through each included element of the holiday and what the sensory levels are. This will be the best tool to understand if the holiday will be right for your children.

@whitepuffyclouds We recommend 5-9 as the prime years! Generally between these ages children are young enough for the magic and old enough to remember it. If an older child still believes or has younger siblings, they will still have a magical time. Due to the low temps we don't recommend Santa's Lapland for the under 2s. Anyone that enjoys Christmas will enjoy Santa's Lapland!

Hi @maureenponderosa ! Our most popular choice is the Santa's Magic package which offers a great choice of accommodation located around the centre of Saariselkä and there is a full Search for Santa Day with husky sledding, a reindeer sleigh ride, fun with Santa's elves in their magical igloo, snow and ice activities including kick sledding and mini skidoos and a private family meeting with Santa. You'll finish the day with a fun Festive Dinner.

@Dizzywizz , thank you! If you'd like to spend more time with the reindeer, in addition to the included reindeer sleigh ride, you can book an optional adventure, and learn more about them from your local Sami guide, while enjoy a peaceful sleigh ride. There are more reindeer than people in Lapland, so you may also spot them around Santa's Lapland.

Hi @pushchairprincess Yes! You will be met at the airport by the Santa's Lapland Rangers, and they will join you on your coach transfer to Saariselkä. Likewise during the short journey to the activity centre for the Search for Santa Day, and your return to the airport. Every Santa's Lapland also includes a reindeer sleigh ride, husky sledding, fun with Santa's Elves, snow and ice activities and the private family meeting with Santa.

Hi @ketchuporbrownsauce Each Santa's Lapland package includes lots of activities to have a truly magical holiday, but we also offer optional adventures you can choose to add on if you wish. We generally recommend booking these in advance to be sure of availability, but you can also choose to book them when you get to Santa's Lapland if you would prefer.

Hi @prawncocktailcrispss The Santa's Lapland season runs from late November with the last departure arriving in Lapland on Christmas Eve. We have same number of guests on each departure date, but for a quieter experience we would recommend the Santa's Aurora package. Neither of our trips have a 'busy' feel to them and our Search for Santa Days take place at our exclusive activity centres, so you will only be with other Santa's Lapland guests.

Hi @ohdannyboy There is so much included in the packages already, we recommend choosing a maximum of 2 optional adventures to have the best balance of time on your holiday in Lapland. If there is something you really want to do it is better to book in advance to guarantee availability, but if you are more flexible you could wait and book once you have arrived in Lapland.

Hi @YaWeeFurryBastard We sometimes do show family prices to give a guideline, but we know that all families look different, so it's easier for most people to work out the prices per adult and child based on how many people will be travelling.

Hi @Runningshorts Santa's Lapland can be magical for any age. While it is geared towards children who still believe in Santa, anyone who loves Christmas will have a great holiday. For teenagers, they may enjoy some of the optional adventures such as a snowmobile safari, or searching for the Northern Lights.

Thanks @chickenpotnoodle Our free child places are available with one place per two adults, you can see all of the details here.
Bookings can be linked, and it's best to speak to our call centre for a request like this as they will be able to advise you of the best options for allocating rooms close to each other.

Hi @lovemyflipflops We recommend that guests use our shared coach transfers, as these include lots of fun with our Santa's Lapland Rangers, and are also where you will receive important information about your holiday. However it may be possible to organise a private taxi on request.

@BeautifulTulips thanks for your question. Santa's Lapland is magical at any age, but some of the experiences during the Search for Santa day are more geared towards children. If you'd like to visit Lapland again, we would recommend our sister brand Inghams Lapland, where you can choose from trips to Saariselka, Levi, Yllas, Muonio and Phya and can choose which activities you would like to do.

Hello @Beabeautiful Every Santa's Lapland package includes a Search for Santa Day at one of our activity centres, and apart from the husky sled ride which has a set time, all of the other activities are free flow, so you can choose how you spend your time and then meet up to catch the same coach back to the hotel. We also offer optional activities you can add on if you wish for some members of your family.

Hi @Montydoo We don't have a souvenir shop at the activity centres, but in Saariselka village you will find some locally run shops selling Lappish items.

Good question @Britanniaa As long as there are 3 generations on one booking, the saving will apply, it will be £50 off for one grandparent. Our Santa's Lapland Specialists in our call centre will be able to advise on the best rooms to book depending on your family's requirements.

Hi @EsmeSusanOgg In 2026, we have a 2-night trip departing from Bristol on 16th December, and we have free child places available on this departure!

Are the shops open on Christmas Day?

Oh that does sound good. I'll have a look.

thank you

We have been on a package and also booked everything myself and its so much cheaper booking it yourself and using local providers for any activities you want to do. Some of the prices quoted seem extortionate and make people think it’s unaffordable but actually with putting in a bit of time and research its very doable.

Hi @littlecottonbud Every Santa's Lapland holiday price includes flights, transfers, half-board accomodation plus one evening meal, and a full day of activities, with thermal suits and boots, so there is not much extra spending money needed on top of the holiday cost. You may need to buy snacks and lunch on your travel days, some drinks in the hotel, and some souvenirs if you wish, and any optional activities that you choose to take part in, but other than that everything is included for a truly magical experience.

Hi @Ilostmyhalo Snowsuits are included for everyone with Santa's Lapland, from age 2 upwards, along with boots, thermal socks and gloves, so you have everything you need to stay cosy provided for you.

Hi @pushchairprincess We have lots of grandparents who come to Santa's Lapland, and it is magical for every age. If Grandparents want to join in with the Search for Santa Day but not take part in all of the activities that's no problem. For example at our Santa's Magic Activity Centre, we have warming kotas where they can relax by the open fire with pancakes and warm berry juice, and we also have igloo ice bar to enjoy a drink. The more gentle activities such as a reindeer sleigh ride are enjoyable for all ages, and of course the magical snowmobile sleigh ride to find Santa in his snowy cabin, so grandparents can witness the magical moment the children finally meet him!