Where To Go In Finland For Christmas Celebrations
Finland as a mystical winter wonderland is common. It is a wonderful place to celebrate the most magical time of the year with its snowy forests graciously decorated with colorful lights and scenery combined with traditions and festivities both modern and traditional blended together to create unique scenes that will make up memories, you won’t experience anywhere else than in this place on earth!
Every corner of Finland embraces the holiday spirit, from the far reaches of Lapland, where reindeer roam freely and the Northern Lights dance in the sky. Visitors can enjoy Finnish Christmas markets, husky and reindeer sleigh rides, and, of course, a trip to Santa Claus’s official hometown.
In Finland you can enjoy a Christmas experience that combines Scandinavian charm with deep-rooted holiday customs; it’s perfect, for both adventure enthusiasts seeking winter activities and those looking to relax in a serene village setting that suits every kind of travelers preferences. Finland’s focus on sustainability and appreciation, for the environment adds an eco-conscious touch to any winter retreat.
5 Places To Visit In Finland For Christmas Magic
1. Rovaniemi – The Official Hometown of Santa Claus
Who Does not want to meet Santa? If you want to experience a true Christmas and want to meet Santa, it’s Rovaniemi in Finnish Lapland where you can have this experience. It is recognized as the official hometown of Santa Claus. This charming town offers some of the most iconic Christmas experiences, from visiting Santa’s workshop to engaging in festive activities.
Santa Claus Village
At the heart of Rovaniemi lies the Santa Claus Village, a must-visit for families. Here, you can meet Santa Claus himself and cross the magical Arctic Circle. You can also send postcards from Santa’s Main Post Office, which are stamped with a unique Arctic Circle postmark.
SantaPark Arctic World
Santa elves stay busy all year at this park that celebrates Christmas throughout the seasons! Visitors can join Mrs.Claus to bake gingerbread treats and attend elf school before embarking on a magical sleigh ride, through the forests.
Snowman World
For a winter experience like no other, Snowman World features an ice bar, an igloo restaurant, and a playground filled with ice slides and snow sculptures. It’s a delightful spot for both children and adults to embrace the winter chill and marvel at intricate ice artistry.
2. Helsinki – A Christmas Wonderland in the Capital
In December, the capital city of Helsinki transforms into a vibrant Christmas wonderland, showcasing beautiful lights, festive events, and seasonal markets. This urban setting adds a cosmopolitan touch to the traditional Christmas charm found elsewhere in Finland.
Helsinki Christmas Markets
The Helsinki Christmas Market at Senate Square is one of the oldest and most popular in Finland. It features local crafts, delicious treats, and unique holiday gifts. Visitors can sip on glögi (Finnish mulled wine) as they stroll through the market’s many stalls.
Luxurious Christmas Dining Experiences
In Helsinki, there are restaurants that serve Finnish Christmas dishes like smoked salmon and rice porridge during the holiday season. For a night during Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, you can enjoy exquisite Finnish cuisine paired with top-notch service at upscale dining venues in the city.
Christmas Lights and Decorations
During the holiday season, in Helsinki streets light up with decorations. Twinkling lights appear all along Esplanadi. A bustling shopping street in the city center known for its vibrant atmosphere during this time of year! Strolling through these decorated streets allows visitors to immerse themselves in the Christmas spirit while also exploring some of Helsinki’s top shopping and dining destinations.
3. Levi – A Christmas Wonderland for Ski Lovers
Levi is a destination for travelers seeking a blend of Christmas charm and thrilling outdoor adventures. Its ski slopes and winter sports facilities attract visitors looking to experience the holiday season in an exciting way.
Winter Sports in Levi
Levi provides a variety of slopes catering to skill levels and interests such, as skiing and snowboarding for all levels and snowshoeing options well. For beginners looking to improve their skills can take lessons whereas seasoned skiers can test their abilities on the slopes. Moreover Levis ski village boasts a welcoming atmosphere, with shops and eateries where visitors can unwind after a day spent on the slopes.
Reindeer and Husky Safaris
Levi boasts a range of reindeer and husky tours that guide you through the Lapland woodlands. A way to immerse yourself in Finnish traditions that have cherished reindeer for generations.
Ice Hotels and Unique Winter Stays
Levi boasts a variety of ice hotels that are entirely constructed from ice and snow—from the beds to the walls! Staying a night in one of these hotels offers an experience that is perfect for anyone seeking a special and memorable Christmas getaway!
4. Porvoo – A Charming Medieval Christmas Town
One of the towns, in Finland is Porvoo. It exudes a delightful charm during the festive season with its medieval streets lined with wooden houses and charming cafes that create a perfect backdrop, for a cozy and traditional Christmas celebration.
Old Porvoo Christmas Market
The Old Porvo Christmas market showcases craftsmen selling goods like handmade toys and woven fabrics that make for special holiday presents to shop for while listening to live music and savor traditional Finnish dishes and mulled wine with a vibrant atmosphere that truly embodies the spirit of a cozy small town Christmas celebration.
Concerts at the Cathedral
Experience the magical holiday ambiance, at Porvoons Cathedral during concerts that promise to create memories each time they grace the stage during Christmas festivities.
Historic Architecture and Atmosphere
The historical buildings, in Porvoos are incredibly charming with their cobblestone pathways and vibrant wooden houses that give off a vibe akin to being, inside a Christmas postcard scene. Strolling around Old Porvoos during twilight as snow softly descends and twinkling lights brighten up the town evokes a Christmas atmosphere that lingers in the memory forever.
Boutique Shops and Local Handicrafts
Porvo is filled with a range of speciality stores that sell handicraft items such as textiles and souvenirs. The skilled craftsmen in the town are renowned, for their high-quality products. Numerous tourists end up purchasing treasures that capture the essence of Finland and serve as unforgettable gifts during the holiday season.
5. Turku – Finland’s Official Christmas City
Turku is recognized as Finland’s designated Christmas hub. It marks the season with a mix of age-old customs and vibrant festivities that draw in crowds from all corners of Finland and distant places.
Turku Cathedral Christmas Service
The Turku Cathedral hosts a beautiful Christmas Eve service, attended by locals and visitors alike. The service is filled with traditional hymns and candlelight, creating a solemn and reflective atmosphere that marks the beginning of Christmas in Turku.
Declaration of Christmas Peace
Every Christmas Eve, Turku, sees the standing custom of the Declaration of Christmas Peace being honoured—a tradition that has its roots in times. This proclamation is recited from the balcony of the Brinkala House. Serves as a call for everyone to embrace peace and goodwill as they celebrate the holiday season.
Turku Christmas Market and Traditions
During the holiday season, Turku’s Old Great Square comes alive with a Christmas market bustling with vendors offering crafts and seasonal treats for sale, to visitors looking for gifts while enjoying holiday tunes and trying out Finnish delicacies.
Practical Tips for Spending Christmas in Finland
The winters in Finland may test the limits of your endurance (think polar extremes), but a little advance planning and you will have your Finnish Christmas experience booked to bask in the festive glow! Either way, here are some practical tips that will help you get the most of your holiday.
How to Dress for a Finnish Winter
In winter, it can be well below freezing — even in Lapland. Dressing in layers is very important in thermal layers, a good quality winter coat and warm insulated gloves, hat and scarf. You NEED waterproof boots as you’ll have a lot of snow/ice.
Finnish Christmas Food and Traditions
Eating traditional Finnish Christmas food is one of the highlights of any visit. Joulutorttu (Christmas tarts), Roselli (vegetable salad) and glögi or spiced wine hot serve are traditional dishes eaten. Christmas sauna: Families in Finland often celebrate with a sauna before the big day, saying it cleanses the body and spirit.
Best Time to Visit for Christmas Events
If you want to capture the peak of Christmas festivities, plan your visit for mid-December through early January. But if the Northern Lights are on your to-do list for the trip, an earlier trip (like January) could be clearer.
Conclusion
Christmas in Finland is something magical, with endless experience-based things to do! From visiting Santa in his hometown of Rovaniemi Finland’s official Christmas city of Turku, to a peaceful lakeside getaway, the Finnish holiday season has a little something for everyone.
These storied traditions along with seemingly never-ending landscapes and holiday warmth are the reasons why Finland is the perfect destination for an unforgettable Christmas. So, if a snowy holiday season is what you’ve been dreaming of this year, Finland should definitely be on your wishlist.
FAQs
What’s the best way to travel between cities in Finland during winter?
Finland has great train connections also sleeper trains going up to Lapland. In less urban places, car rentals or tours will be your best bet, as roads are mostly in good condition even within the snow.
Can I see the Northern Lights in Finland during Christmas?
Yes! You can see the Northern Lights in Lapland through the winter, but clear nights are key. You can see this natural phenomenon best at places like Rovaniemi, Inari, and Levi — all in the Finnish Lapland.
Are Finnish Christmas traditions different from other European traditions?
Christmas sauna and Santa’s official home in Rovaniemi are among Finnish traditions that are a little different. Especially the emphasis on nature and tranquillity gives Christmas parties in Finland an unforgettable touch.
What types of food are popular at Finnish Christmas markets?
Examples of some common foods sold are glögi, roasted nuts, smoked salmon and joulutorttu. Most of the markets also offer local delicacies such as reindeer meat as well as traditional rice porridge.
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Is Finland suitable for a family Christmas vacation?
Absolutely! Finland has Santa Claus villages, reindeer safaris and other child-banging stuff that means you could have a magic-filled Christmas with the whole family.
