Travel

Festive Northern Lights: Lapland at Christmas for Adults, Without the Santa Crowds

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Festive Northern Lights: Christmas Without the Crowds in brief

  • 3 or 4 nights in Karesuando, with direct flights from 8 UK airports.
  • Full board, transfers, thermal clothing and all activities included.
  • Find your departure by airport and month, from £1,179 per adult (subject to availability).
  • Lapland in its Christmas season, with snow, candlelight and the aurora, but no Santa queue.
A winter sunrise over a frozen lake in Lapland
Lapland in its Christmas season, with snow, candlelight and the aurora, but no Santa queue.

Festive Northern Lights: Christmas Without the Crowds is a 3 or 4-night break in the far north-west of Finnish Lapland, well north of the Arctic Circle. November and December are the darkest months in Lapland, with blue midday twilight and long nights for the aurora. You fly direct from the UK, with no change in Helsinki, and everything is included from the moment you land: transfers, full board, thermal clothing and every activity.

WhereKaresuando, Finnish Lapland
Nights3 or 4 nights
FlightDirect, about 3 hrs 30
TransferAbout 50 to 60 minutes
Best forAdults and teens (12+), no Santa visit
MealsFull board
UK airports8 to choose from
ClothingThermal suit and boots lent

Dates and departure airports

Find your departure

  1. November 2026
  2. Manchester3 nights · back Mon 23 Novfrom£1,229per adult · Subject to availabilityEnquire
  3. London Gatwick4 nights · back Fri 27 NovSold outAsk us for a similar dateAsk us
  4. Bristol3 nights · back Mon 30 NovSold outAsk us for a similar dateAsk us
  5. Belfast4 nights · back Fri 4 Decfrom£1,249per adult · Subject to availabilityEnquire
  6. December 2026
  7. London Gatwick3 nights · back Tue 8 DecSold outAsk us for a similar dateAsk us
  8. Bristol3 nights · back Fri 11 DecLowest pricefrom£1,179per adult · Subject to availabilityEnquire
  9. Newcastle3 nights · back Mon 14 DecSold outAsk us for a similar dateAsk us
  10. Norwich3 nights · back Thu 17 DecSold outAsk us for a similar dateAsk us
  11. Leeds Bradford3 nights · back Sun 20 DecSold outAsk us for a similar dateAsk us
  12. Birmingham4 nights · back Thu 24 DecSold outAsk us for a similar dateAsk us
  13. Manchester3 nights · back Sun 27 Decfrom£1,329per adult · Subject to availabilityEnquire
  14. Birmingham3 nights · back Wed 30 DecSold outAsk us for a similar dateAsk us
  15. Birmingham4 nights · back Sun 3 JanSold outAsk us for a similar dateAsk us
  16. Bristol3 nights · back Sat 2 JanSold outAsk us for a similar dateAsk us

Prices are from, per adult, and subject to availability. Tap Enquire and your trip, airport and date are added to your message for you. Dates disappear once they have left.

What’s included

  • Direct flights from your nearest UK airport to Enontekiö, about 3 hours 30 minutes, with a hot meal on board
  • 18 kg hold luggage and 5 kg hand luggage each
  • Transfers between the airport, your accommodation and every activity
  • Full board: breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • Thermal suits and snow boots on loan for your whole stay
  • All the activities listed, with local guides
  • All taxes and air passenger duty

Your activities

A group on a snowmobile safari across a snowy plain

Northern lights snowmobile safari

    Ride out after dark, away from every light, to wait for the aurora by a campfire.

    A husky team pulling a sled along a snowy forest trail

    Husky sled safari

      A full-length ride behind an excited team of huskies across frozen lakes and forest trails.

      A reindeer pulling a sleigh across the snow in Lapland

      Reindeer camp

        Visit a reindeer herding family, feed the reindeer and hear about life in Sápmi over coffee.

        Where you stay

        Wooden cabins in the snow in Finnish Lapland

        A small wilderness hotel in a remote village near Enontekiö, with full board.

        November and December are the darkest months in Lapland, with blue midday twilight and long nights for the aurora.

        SWEDENFINLANDNORWAYThree-Country CairnKilpisjärvi2 hr transferKaresuando50 to 60 min transferHetta20 min transferLake Jerisjärvi1 hr 15 transfer✈ Enontekiö airportPallas-Yllästunturi National Park

        Orientation map, not to scale. Every trip flies direct from the UK to Enontekiö, the small airport at the centre of this map, in about 3 hours 30 minutes.

        How the trip works

        WhenWhat happensDetails
        Day 1Fly to LaplandA morning flight takes you straight to Enontekiö. Your guide meets you, and on the way to Karesuando you collect your thermal suits and boots. Settle in, then a welcome briefing and dinner.
        Days 2 to 3Into the snowYour activities are spread over the stay and timed around the weather and the aurora forecast. Every day ends with a warm room and a hot dinner.
        Last dayHomeA final morning in the snow, then the transfer back to the airport and your direct flight home the same day.

        Your exact activity timetable is given on arrival, so it can be planned around the weather and the best nights for the northern lights.

        What to pack

        • Wool or thermal base layers, a fleece and a warm hat for each person
        • Thick socks (several pairs), liner gloves and a neck warmer
        • Lip balm, moisturiser and a phone power bank (the cold drains batteries)
        • A valid passport with at least three months left after your return date
        • Travel insurance

        Frequently asked questions

        Where do the flights go?

        All flights go direct from the UK to Enontekiö airport in the far north-west of Finnish Lapland, in about 3 hours 30 minutes, with no change in Helsinki.

        Which UK airports can I fly from?

        Released departures for this trip fly from Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds Bradford, London Gatwick, Manchester, Newcastle and Norwich. Each airport has its own dates, so use the finder on this page.

        What is included?

        Flights with luggage, transfers, full-board meals, the loan of thermal suits and boots, all the listed activities with guides.

        Are the northern lights guaranteed?

        No one can guarantee them, but these villages are some of the darkest places in Europe and sit right under the auroral oval. Activities run after dark to give you the best chance.

        Is there a minimum age?

        This is an adult-focused trip for ages 12 and over. Snowmobile drivers need a full driving licence.

        How cold will it be?

        In December and January temperatures are usually between about -10°C and -20°C, and can drop lower. With the thermal suit and boots on loan, plus your own layers, you'll be warm.

        Do I need a visa?

        No. British visitors can visit Finland for up to 90 days in any 180 without a visa. Your passport needs at least three months' validity after your return date. Check the FCDO Finland advice before you travel.

        How much does it cost?

        Released departures start from £1,179 per adult, subject to availability. The price depends on your airport and date: school holiday and pre-Christmas dates cost more. Every price is shown in the finder on this page.

        How do I book?

        Send us an enquiry with your airport, preferred dates and who is travelling. We'll check live availability and price, hold your places and handle everything in one ATOL-protected booking.

        Keep planning

        Check dates and prices with a Travel Designer

        Tell us your nearest airport, your dates and who's travelling. We'll check live availability and hold your places, all in one ATOL-protected booking.

        Make an enquiry See all northern lights trips