© Getty Images

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.

© Shutterstock

Welcome to the Arctic Circle -

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

© Getty Images

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?

© Getty Images

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

© iStock

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.

© Shutterstock

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

© Shutterstock

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

© iStock

Pallas-Yllastunturi -

Pallas-Yllastunturi National Park in subtle wintertime twilight.

© Getty Images

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

© iStock

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

© Shutterstock

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

© Shutterstock

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.

© Reuters

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

© Reuters

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.

© iStock

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.

© Getty Images

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.

© iStock

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.

© Shutterstock

Icebar -

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

© Getty Images

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

© iStock

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

© Shutterstock

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.

© Shutterstock

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

© Shutterstock

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. 

© Shutterstock

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.  

© Shutterstock

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

© Shutterstock

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.

© Shutterstock

A Santa souvenir -

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

© iStock