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News • Rovaniemi • Lapland • Finland • 2010-12-23

Christmas lovers cheer when Santa’s on his way

The atmosphere in the Santa Claus Village on the Arctic Circle thickens as the year turns to its end. Santa’s on his way on 23rd December is an event where anyone can join to cheer white-bearded old man. This is where Santa addresses us about the meaning of giving, caring and presence in life.

Christmas guests will sense the Christmas traditions in the Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi just one day before Christmas Eve. Christmas can be experienced any day of the year but this is the moment when the excitement reaches its top.

The festivities start at 7 p.m. on the Santa Claus Village’s central square. The program is suitable for the whole family. Christmas carols and music are included in ceremonies.

This year Santa’s departure is filmed to be available for anyone to see. The compilation can be downloaded on the website www.visitrovaniemi.fi on the 24th December. The international distribution will be run through Visit Finland’s campaign ”The Real Santa”.

As before, the arrangements of the whole event are carried and provided by Rovaniemi Tourism & Marketing Ltd.

The takeoff preparations begin early in the morning for Santa

From Santa Claus’ point of view Christmas Eve is the most important day of the year. That is why he makes all preparations very carefully. The previous day and night all presents have been loaded into the sledges. All reindeers that will be pulling the sledges, have been fed with superpower lichen collected from a secret place.

In the morning Santa Claus wakes up very early. He puts on his warmest underwear and his best red jacket and brushes his beard. His beard is as long as one and a half younger elf.

When breakfast is over and Santa Claus has had his usual mug of reindeer milk, he goes to the stable to Rudolf, the reindeer with the red nose.

Rudolf is the oldest and wisest of all reindeer. As a matter of fact Rudolf is the one that makes sure Santa Claus is in the right place at the right time, but the old Whitebeard himself also wants to have his “say” in the trip planning. Nowadays that Santa Claus has hundreds of years on his shoulders, he likes to rest and doze when Rudolf leads the team of reindeer with sledges behind them through the night-skies.

Rovaniemi has a lot to offer through Christmastime

International Christmas destination Rovaniemi will serve its guests through the highest peak season. All main attractions are open every day but the opening hours vary.

Christmas Eve Christmas Day Other times

Santa Claus Office 9-15 11-17 9-19

Santa Claus Main Post Office 9-15 12-17 9-19

SantaPark 10-18 10-18 10-18

Ounasvaara Ski Resort 10-14 12-18 10-18

Ranua Zoo 10-16 10-16 10-16

Arktikum Closed 10-18 10-18

Fun on Ice 12-20 12-20 12-20

Rovaniemi Tourist Info 9-13 Closed 9-18

Reindeer Park 16-20 16-20 16-20 *,

closed on 31st Dec

*) The changes due to cold/windy weather are possible, temperature -25 °C