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Spectacular lightshow - Dancing aurora borealis, or the northern lights, illuminate the skies above Arctic Lapland. Frozen in winter, the region has been associated with Christmas and Santa Claus for many years.

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Welcome to the Arctic Circle -

Lapland's stark winter beauty lures adventure tourists, lovers of the wild outdoors, and hundreds of Santa fans. 

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Cozy log cabins -

The region is characterized by traditional log cabins that in winter are blanketed with snow. They look super cozy, don't they?

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Posio - Riisitunturi National Park in Posio, southern Lapland, is renowned in wintertime for its eerie landscape of snow-clad trees.

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Riisitunturi National Park - In winter, the spruce trees that embroider many of the park's hillsides are clad with a thick coating of condensed frost, creating an extraordinary photogenic white forest.

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Finnish forest reindeer - Santa's willing beast of burden is also much-loved by locals.

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Pine cone way - Lapland inhabitants have ingenious ways of illuminating dark forests with seasonal cheer.

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Pallas-Yllastunturi -

Pallas-Yllastunturi National Park in subtle wintertime twilight.

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Rovaniemi - Lordi Square, the Lapland capital's colorful hub, glowing in neon at dusk.

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Festive view - Santa Claus Village twinkles in chilly twilight. The Arctic Circle cuts right through the amusement park. 

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Winter wonderland - The warm glow of winter in Santa Claus Village at dusk. It doesn't get more magical than this.

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Christmas wish lists - Letters to Santa Claus from around the world are displayed at the Santa Claus Office in, you guessed it, the Santa Claus Village.

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Seasonal deliveries - Don't be surprised to see this jolly fellow out and about in Rovaniemi as he makes his daily rounds sleigh-style. 

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The daylight hour - Blink and you'll miss daylight this far north. The Lapland winter is long and dark, with the sun making just a brief daily appearance.

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Tornio Church -

The city of Tornio is known for its church, constructed in 1686. Make sure you peek inside—the decorative woodwork is quite outstanding.

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Traditional architecture - You'll see a lot of these cone-shaped houses, their familiar outlines carpeted with snow. These are modern versions of the traditional lavvu, the temporary dwelling used by the Sámi people of northern Scandinavia.

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The lavvu - With a design similar to a North American tipi, a lavvu is favored by the Sámi people, who are well known for their semi-nomadic reindeer herding.

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Icebar -

For an unforgettable evening, gather up some friends and enjoy drinks and good conversation in the same cheerful way Laplanders do.

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Arctic wilderness - Hiking one of the many trails that follow rivers and streams rewards the more intrepid traveler with some memorable picture opportunities.

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Kemi - A unique and beautifully decorated snow room in the Snow Hotel at Lumilinna Snow Castle, located at Kemi. 

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Give it your best shot - Toast your stay Lapland style with a cocktail served in a shot glass carved from ice. 

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Ranua Wildlife Park - Also known as Ranua Zoo, this area in the untamed Arctic is home to polar bears and 50 other different animal species.

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Saana Fell - Saana Fell in Enontekiö, with a frozen Lake Kilpisjärvi in the foreground, is one of the most recognized landscapes in Finland.

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Kittilä - Located inside the Arctic Circle, Kittilä is distinguished by its historic church and the renowned Levi ski resort. It's also the location of Europe's largest gold mine. 

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Reindeer sledding - Why walk around Rovaniemi when you can take a reindeer sled? This charming mode of transport is also one of the most practical ways of getting around.  

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Enchanting landscapes - Lapland's winter landscapes appear as if sprinkled with icing sugar. 

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It's a hoot! - There's a good chance of seeing this handsome Lapland resident, a great gray owl, the world's largest species of owl by length.

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A Santa souvenir -

Don't leave Lapland without purchasing a Christmas gift or seasonal souvenir.

See also: DIY Christmas decorations made with everyday objects

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