Christmas Markets in Europe – 10. Rovaniemi
C’est le 29 novembre à midi, en Laponie finlandaise, que le Père Christmas ouvre le grand marché de Noël de Rovaniemi, au Lordi’s Square. On dit, qu’à 10 km au sud du cercle polaire, on se trouve à proximité de la maison de Santa Claus en personne.
While the wooden huts and international goods don't differ much from other Christmas markets in Europe, some local products make the difference: reindeer skins, fox fur gloves and scarves, and colorful woolen clothes called Sami. The local specialties, on the gastronomic side, are reindeer and elk pâté, Lappish berry jam, the essential glögi (Finnish-style mulled wine, you can even find it without alcohol), and the delicious national chocolate brand “Fazer”.
Dès 16h, le Village du Santa Claus commence sa saison festive. Nombre d’attractions et d’animations sont prévues pour toute la famille telles que le Santa Claus Chamber (a typical wooden cabin where children come to meet Santa Claus; Arctic Circle Husky Park where you can take a joyful ride in a sleigh pulled by husky dogs; the Santa's Post Office, the busiest post office on the planet before Christmas. Shoppers flock to the many shops selling traditional items such as carved knives, wooden buttons, jewelry, books about Lapland, warm coats, and other delights. All around the Christmas market, there are plenty of cafes and restaurants where you can warm up and eat.
From November 29 to January 14.
To consult:
The Finnish Tourist Board website: www.visitfinland.com.
The Santa Claus Village website: www.santaclausvillage.info.