The Christmas village of Rovaniemi opened the Christmas Season in Santa Claus Village, Arctic Circle on November 19. This year, the grand opening is at the central square where the&nbspevent gathers local people and visitors to the Arctic Circle.&nbspThe event wll be broadcasted online.

Among other things, the annual Unicef donation donated by the city of Rovaniemi to Unicef Finland will be presented by Rovaniemi's mayor Ulla-Kirsikka Vainio as part of the festivities. This year, the official hometown of Santa Claus is anticipating a busy holiday season due to an increase in post-pandemic traffic. 

Here are some interesting facts about the village.

Rovaniemi is known as the 'official hometown' of Santa Claus in Lapland. It is home to Santa's 'office'.

You can find Christmas souvenir shops here as well as Santa&rsquos Main Post Office, and cafes and restaurants. Santa is there too, in his chamber every day of the year, if you want to meet him.

In Rovaniemi, the Arctic Circle runs through Santa Claus Village, located eight kilometres north of the city centre, where it is clearly marked. Santa Claus Village in Lapland is a popular place to cross the Arctic Circle here the line is marked, and you can even get a certificate confirming the feat.&nbspThe Arctic Circle is a circle of latitude that runs 66&deg33&prime45.9&Prime north of the Equator. It marks the southernmost latitude where the sun can stay continuously below or above the horizon for 24 hours &ndash these phenomena are known as the Midnight Sun in the summer and the Polar Night (&ldquoKaamos&rdquo) in the winter.

There is a lot to do here. You can take reindeer rides - have unforgettable experiences with Santa's reindeer at the Arctic Circle in Rovaniemi without a prebooking. And you can meet real Siberian Huskies, Llamas, Reindeer, Alpacas and other Santa Claus' animals. For an additional fee, Husky rides are possible here at Husky Park and Reindeer and Alpaca walks in Elf's Farmyard.

You must take time to visit the Roosevelt Cottage &ndash the first building at the Arctic Circle.&nbspThe cottage was constructed in 1950 to honour the visit of Eleanor Roosevelt in Rovaniemi. Eleanor Roosevelt was an American political figure, diplomat and activist. She served as the First Lady of the United States from 1933 to 1945 during President Franklin D. Roosevelt&rsquos terms in office. Eleanor Roosevelt served as US Delegate to the United Nations General Assembly from 1945 to 1952, which explains her visit to Rovaniemi, destroyed by the war.