Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi — Online Webcam

Live from Lapland: Santa Claus Village Webcam

The Santa Claus Village webcam online opens a window into a real winter fairy tale without leaving your home. This location in the Finnish city of Rovaniemi attracts travelers from all over the world, and now you can see it in real time. The live camera shows the central square of the park, where a festive atmosphere reigns year-round. The live broadcast allows you to check the weather, snowfall, and how busy Finland's main attraction is before heading off on your trip. The online camera operates around the clock, so you can watch what's happening on the Arctic Circle at any time of day.

History: From a Mysterious Fell to a Tourist Center

Few people know that Santa Claus Village was created in 1984–1985 as an amusement park and Santa Claus's residence. However, the true home of the Finnish Father Christmas is hidden from prying eyes. According to Finnish legend, Santa Claus's real residence is located on the Korvatunturi fell, which is shaped like an ear — so that Santa can hear the wishes of all the children in the world. This fell is located on the Russian-Finnish border, 190 km southwest of Murmansk; its height is 486 meters. Since Korvatunturi is situated in a hard-to-reach place, a public residence was built in Rovaniemi for tourists.

The Arctic Circle and Polar Night: Why People Come Here in Winter

The main feature of this location is its geographical position. Santa Claus Village is located 8 kilometers northeast of Rovaniemi city center, on the Arctic Circle. In winter, the region experiences polar night (kaamos) — a period when the sun does not rise above the horizon, which creates ideal conditions for viewing the northern lights. At this time of year, the village is transformed: snow covers the roofs of the cottages, and the illumination creates a magical atmosphere. In winter, snowmobile safaris, reindeer rides, and husky sledding are held, making Lapland a hub for active tourism.

Summer in Rovaniemi: White Nights and Year-Round Magic

You shouldn't think that this corner of Finland is only worth visiting in winter. The village is open 365 days a year. In summer, you can observe the white nights, when the sun doesn't dip below the horizon, and enjoy the beauty of northern nature. The Rovaniemi summer webcam shows a completely different Lapland: green forests, sparkling rivers, and tourists walking under the midnight sun in July. The online camera allows you to see how the landscape changes depending on the season and to appreciate the scale of the amusement park without snow cover.

What to Do in the Village: Entertainment and Main Symbols

Santa Claus Village is visited annually by about 600 thousand people. The main goal of every tourist is to cross the Arctic Circle line for free, receive a crossing certificate, visit Santa Claus's Office and the Main Post Office. This is where thousands of letters arrive from all over the world. The webcam often captures the queue to the main office, where you can take a photo with the holiday's main figure. The post office operates daily, sending postcards with a unique Arctic Circle postmark.

How to Get to Santa Claus's Residence

If you are planning a trip, head to the city of Rovaniemi. The village is located 8 kilometers northeast of Rovaniemi city center, on the Arctic Circle. You can get here by bus number 8, taxi, or rental car. The drive from Rovaniemi Airport takes no more than 15 minutes. The live webcam feed will help you assess the current road conditions and weather before leaving home.

What's on Camera

The Santa Claus Village webcam online broadcasts the central part of the park. In the frame — the Arctic Circle line running right through the square, office buildings, and souvenir shops. In winter, the lens captures snow-covered roofs, decorated Christmas trees, and tourists in warm jackets hurrying to meet Joulupukki. In summer, the camera shows lush greenery and sun-drenched paths. The 24/7 webcam allows you to observe village life at any time of day: at night, bright lights shine here, and during the polar night, a bluish twilight prevails. Watching the Santa Claus Village webcam in real time is an opportunity to touch a fairy tale, no matter where you are.