Santa Claus Village vs SantaPark

What is the difference between Santa Claus Village and SantaPark?

The village is a free outdoor area of over 50 companies on the Arctic Circle, open all year. SantaPark is a paid underground Christmas park near the airport, open in the winter season only.

The table sets them side by side for 2026-27.

Is SantaPark part of Santa Claus Village?

No. SantaPark is a separate attraction run by a different company, at Tarvantie 1 near Rovaniemi Airport, a short drive from Santa Claus Village. It has its own ticket and its own season.

SantaPark - the Home Cavern of Santa Claus belongs to SantaPark Arctic World, a family-owned company that also runs Santa Claus Secret Forest Joulukka and the Arctic TreeHouse Hotel, 100 m from the park. Santa Claus Village is a cooperative of over 50 local companies. A SantaPark ticket covers nothing in the village, and free entry to the village does not get you into SantaPark.

Getting there is simple: SantaPark is about 7 km from the city centre and about 2 km from the airport, with free parking outside. SantaPark says the Santa Claus Bus between the city centre and the village stops at the park, with tickets from the driver by cash or card. Taxis go too. Bus 8 to the village is covered in the getting-there guide.

How much does SantaPark cost in 2026-27?

From EUR 42 per adult and EUR 37 per child aged 3 to 12, with children under 3 free. Prices vary by date and a booking fee is added; the official ticket costs from $52 on GetYourGuide.

SantaPark's own ticket page gives those "starting from" prices for the 2026-27 season. Visit Rovaniemi shows from EUR 49 per adult and EUR 40 per child, which fits prices that change with the date. Tickets are valid for one full day, and the date is fixed when you book.

• Entrance Ticket: the standard day ticket.
• VEP Pass: the "Very Elfish Person" package with express access to Santa and festive treats; the VEP Experience adds a private Elf Guide.
• SantaPark & Reindeer Adventure Duo Ticket: 16 November 2026 to 16 January 2027.
• Festive dinners: 24, 25 and 31 December.

SantaPark does not print the package prices on its ticket page; check them on santapark.fi. The ticket on GetYourGuide has 4.4 from 101 reviews and cancels free up to 24 hours before; it is sold up to one day ahead, and food and the official photo with Santa are extra.

What is inside SantaPark?

Santa's Office, the Elf School with a diploma, the Elf Show, the Magic Train, Mrs. Gingerbread's Bakery, the Elves' Post Office, the Elf Workshop and an underground crossing of the Arctic Circle.

All of it is in the day ticket, per the official listing: the Elf School gives children a diploma and an elf trainee hat, the show runs on the main stage, the Magic Train rolls through lit scenes, and a virtual sleigh ride flies you round the world. There are two gaming arenas, a toy factory shopping area and restaurants. The listing counts gingerbread decorating among the extras, so ask at the bakery.

Plan three to four hours. Plan around three hours: one guest who arrived at opening had done everything by 1 p.m., and the village and SantaPark day trip gives the park 2 to 3 hours. It is warm enough underground that guests leave their coats at the front.

★★★★★

There are lots of elves around and you can take pictures with them. The elf show is super cute and a blast to watch. [...] The park is underground, so don't dress your kids too warmly. You can drop off or hang up your clothes at the front, no need to wait.

When is SantaPark open?

From 31 October 2026 to 23 January 2027, daily from 10:00 to 18:00, with 09:00 openings on December weekends and from 24 to 31 December. Santa Claus Village is open every day of the year.

That short season is the biggest practical difference. Come in February or March and only the village has a Santa. Come in December and both are open, SantaPark including 24 and 25 December.

Because it is underground, SantaPark does not care about the weather or the two to three hours of daylight around the solstice. One guest summed it up:

★★★★★

It is very complementary to Santa Claus village. Arriving at the opening we had done everything at 1:00 p.m. We were able to see Santa Claus without queuing [...] It is nice to do, to be preferred when the weather is bad because everything is indoors.

Can you take photos with Santa at SantaPark?

Yes, with your own phone or camera, per the SantaPark ticket listings; an official photo is extra. At Santa Claus Office in the village, own cameras are not allowed in Santa's room.

For many families this decides it. At Santa Claus Office the Photographer Elves take the pictures and you buy them from EUR 57. At SantaPark the listing promises unlimited photos and videos with Santa, the elves, the Ice Princess and Mrs. Gingerbread on your own devices.

★★★★★

When visiting Santa, you can ask the elf to take pictures on your phone, which is free. You can also take pictures with the elves, Mrs Gingerbread and others. There are two shows.

The village side, with queues and prices, is in the guide to meeting Santa.

Santa Claus Village or SantaPark: which should your family pick?

With small children in December, SantaPark is the easier day. For the Arctic Circle, the post office, reindeer and huskies, or a visit outside the winter season, pick the village.

• Pick Santa Claus Village if you want the real Arctic Circle line and its certificate, the Main Post Office and its postmark, animal rides and Snowman World, a free Santa meeting, or you visit from late January to October.
• Pick SantaPark if your children are roughly 3 to 9, the forecast says -20 °C, you want your own photos with Santa, or you like a set programme with a show and crafts.
• Do both if you have a full day and children who still believe: the two feel different enough that nobody gets bored.

Teenagers and adults on their own usually get more from the village and a ride. Families with toddlers rarely regret the cavern's warmth.

★★★★★

This is best to do for kids and Santa is one of the best and believable i have ever seen Kids enjoyed a lot

Can you visit Santa Claus Village and SantaPark in one day?

Yes. Spend the morning at SantaPark from opening and the afternoon in the village, where Santa Claus Office stays open until 20:00 in December. Or book a day trip that does both with pickup.

A plan that works in December:

1. Before 10:00: stop at the village first and, on busy days, collect a free Entrance Time at Santa Claus Office, so the queue fits your afternoon.
2. 10:00 to 13:30: SantaPark, show, train and Santa.
3. Afternoon: back at the village, the Arctic Circle line, the post office and a ride before the farms close (Santa Claus Reindeer 17:00, Husky Park 16:00 in December).
4. Evening: Santa Claus Office at your entry time, or late, when it is often quieter.

Without a car, the village and SantaPark day does it for you: pickup in Rovaniemi, a group of up to 8, a short guided intro and the meeting with Santa in the village, 2 hours of free time, then 2 to 3 hours at SantaPark with tickets. From 6 December 2026 it adds Snowman World tickets; before that, a gift from Santa. Food is not included.

Both Santa attractions in one day with pickup in Rovaniemi: the village, Santa and free time, then SantaPark with tickets, in a group of up to eight.

★ 4.2 · 6 hours · from $272

Explore the village and SantaPark day → Tour details

Frequently asked questions