Your Christmas adventure begins with a warm welcome at an authentic reindeer farm near Rovaniemi, surrounded by peaceful forest and Santa’s beloved reindeer. Soon, Santa Claus himself arrives to greet your family and lead you to the waiting sleighs. Your children have the rare opportunity to ride beside him in his own reindeer sleigh, while the rest of the family follows in a second sleigh. Together, you set off on a gentle 500 m journey along the snow-covered trail.
Back at the farm, there is time for family photographs with Santa and his reindeer, feeding the animals together and enjoying their gentle company. Santa then welcomes your family into his traditional cozy log cabin for an intimate meeting. Here, children can share their Christmas wishes, ask questions, hand over their letters and receive the gifts you have arranged in advance. The meeting unfolds at an unhurried pace, with time for conversation, laughter and photographs together.
With over 20 years of experience creating private Christmas moments for families from around the world, our Santa brings warmth and character to every encounter. Names, favorite hobbies, pets and thoughtful details shared beforehand become part of the conversation, helping children feel that Santa knows and remembers them. From the excitement of sitting beside him in the sleigh to the quiet moments in his cabin, the experience is prepared around your family’s own Christmas story.
After your farewells with Santa, gather for a warm drink while a local reindeer herder shares stories about life with these remarkable Arctic animals. Your time with Santa lasts approximately 45 minutes, including the sleigh ride and private cabin meeting. With comfortable return transfers included, the full experience lasts approximately 2.5 hours, bringing together a personal Santa encounter and an authentic reindeer farm visit in Lapland.
Experience Highlights
- Give your children the rare chance to ride beside Santa in his own reindeer sleigh
- Gentle 500 m reindeer sleigh ride
- Enjoy a private meeting in Santa’s cozy cabin, personalized around your family
- Feed the reindeer and take family photographs with Santa and his animals
- Share a warm drink and hear stories from a local reindeer herder
Included in the Experience
- Comfortable return transfers
- Private visit to an authentic reindeer farm
- Reindeer sleigh ride, with children riding in Santa’s sleigh
- Approximately 45 minutes with Santa, including the sleigh ride and private cabin meeting
- Reindeer feeding and time for family photographs
- Warm drink and stories from a local reindeer herder
- Advance coordination of family details, letters, gifts and special wishes
Good to Know
To help Santa prepare, please share your children’s names, hobbies, favorite activities, pets, special interests and Christmas wishes in advance. Copies or details of any letters already sent to Santa help make the meeting even more personal.
Bring any letters that have not yet been mailed so your children can hand them to Santa themselves. Please also coordinate any gifts with us beforehand so Santa can present them during your private meeting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do the children really ride with Santa?
Yes. Children ride beside Santa in his own reindeer sleigh while the rest of the family follows in a second sleigh, on a gentle 500 m journey through the snow.
How long do we spend with Santa?
Approximately 45 minutes, including the sleigh ride and the private meeting in his cabin. The full experience lasts about 2.5 hours with return transfers.
How is the meeting personalised?
Share your children’s names, hobbies, favourite activities, pets, special interests and Christmas wishes in advance. Details of letters already sent to Santa help too — children notice when Santa already knows them.
Can Santa hand over our gifts?
Yes, if you coordinate them with us beforehand. Bring any unmailed letters so the children can give them to Santa themselves.
Is this better than meeting Santa at Santa Claus Village?
It is a different thing. The Village is a public attraction with queues; this is a private meeting at a working reindeer farm, prepared around your family, with a sleigh ride and no one else waiting.
What happens after the sleigh ride?
There is time for family photographs with Santa and the reindeer, feeding the animals, and a warm drink while a local reindeer herder talks about life with them.
Plan the rest of your trip
Families often add a private meeting at Santa’s forest hideout or a Santa visit to their own accommodation earlier in the week. For the public attractions, see the private Santa Claus Village tour, or let us plan the whole Christmas trip as a tailor-made holiday.
