Your guide to a magical Lapland holiday

16 October 2026

There are few Christmas experiences quite like arriving in Lapland. Snow-covered forests, reindeer waiting beside their sleighs, huskies eager to race through the Arctic landscape, and the excitement of knowing that somewhere among the trees, Santa is waiting. Canterbury Travel has been creating family holidays to Lapland since 1970, using more than 50 years of experience to make each journey feel personal and magical. Small groups, experienced local guides, and time away from the biggest crowds help turn a visit to Lapland into much more than a meeting with Santa. Whether you have one unforgettable day, a few nights to embrace the festive magic, or longer to discover Lapland’s adventurous side, there are several ways to experience it.

Make a few magical days of it

For families who want time to properly settle into Lapland, Canterbury Travel’s short breaks combine the excitement of meeting Santa with plenty of snowy adventures along the way. Choose the two-night Magical Moments break, spend three nights in Lapland on Magical Interlude, or make Christmas itself extra special with a four-night festive stay. Every fully inclusive short break brings together some of the experiences that make Lapland so memorable. Feel the rush of a husky safari through the snow, climb aboard a reindeer sleigh, and head out on a snowmobile and sleigh ride through the wintry landscape. There is also time to visit the Magical Post Office, enjoy snow games and tobogganing with Santa’s elves, and, of course, experience that all-important private meeting with Santa.

Experience Lapland in one unforgettable day

Sometimes you only need a day to create a memory that lasts for years. Canterbury Travel’s Enchanting Lapland day trip is designed for families who want to experience the magic but are short on time. Fly into the Arctic for the day and, from the moment you arrive, the adventure begins.

A snowmobile ride takes you straight from the airport towards a hidden Arctic hamlet on a frozen lake, setting the scene for a day of wintry fun. Husky and reindeer sleigh rides follow, alongside a visit to a snow igloo, tobogganing, and a mini snowmobile ride. The highlight comes with a private meeting with Santa, before you fly home with a collection of memories that feel much bigger than a single day away.

Stay beyond Christmas for an Arctic adventure

Lapland’s magic doesn’t disappear once Christmas Day has passed. The six-night New Year Lapland Arctic Adventure takes a different approach, focusing on outdoor experiences rather than a visit to Santa. Designed for adults and children over five, it gives you more time to get out into the Arctic landscape and try activities that go beyond the classic festive break.

The programme varies depending on the resort you choose, but experiences can include husky safaris, reindeer sleigh rides, and snowmobile adventures. You might also head out on a guided snowshoe hike before warming up beside the fire, try ice fishing or ice karting, or visit the Luosto Amethyst Mine.

Find your perfect corner of Lapland

Choosing where to stay can shape the whole feel of your holiday, and Canterbury Travel offers several different resort experiences. Luosto sits within Pyhä-Luosto National Park and combines peaceful surroundings with the feel of a proper resort. Nearby Pyhä, within the same national park, has a similarly quiet, nature-focused atmosphere.

Further east, Suomu sits on the Arctic Circle and offers a smaller, more laid-back base, while Ruka Valley is one of the livelier and more developed choices, with a wider range of facilities for families who like plenty going on. For somewhere quieter still, Olos offers a smaller, less well-trodden Lapland experience, where snowy scenery and a peaceful atmosphere take centre stage. Your Travel Counsellor can help you decide which one best matches the type of Lapland holiday you have in mind.

Cosy up somewhere special

After hours spent out in the snow, coming back to somewhere warm and welcoming is all part of the experience. There are hotels for families who like everything close at hand, traditional log cabins for a cosier Lapland feel, and chalets offering extra privacy and a home-from-home atmosphere. Apartments can work particularly well for larger families who want more space. And if watching the night sky from bed sounds like your idea of a perfect ending to an Arctic day, there are also glass igloos, luxury cottages, and stargazing lodges, giving you the chance to look out for the Northern Lights without stepping back into the cold.

To book your escape to Lapland, speak to your Travel Counsellor today.

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Your guide to a magical Lapland holiday

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Keep dreaming with us

Every unforgettable journey starts with the right person by your side.