Lapland Elf – Christmas Season 2026

Inghams & Santa's Lapland (part of Hotelplan UK) is recruiting Lapland Elves for the 2026 Christmas season, working directly with families visiting Finnish Lapland on short Santa-experience breaks.

This is one of the most recognisable seasonal roles in the overseas travel industry: elves are the face of the Santa's Lapland experience, guiding excited children and their families through a magical itinerary that culminates in meeting Santa himself. It is a high-energy, guest-facing role that suits people who genuinely enjoy working with children and thrive on delivering a bit of Christmas magic to strangers, repeatedly, all season long.

Responsibilities:

• Welcome and guide family groups through the Santa's Lapland itinerary from arrival to departure
• Entertain children throughout transfers and activities, including hosting lively Christmas parties and games
• Deliver clear, friendly guest service to parents managing young children in a new, snowy environment
• Support with reindeer visits, sleigh rides, and other seasonal excursions as part of the guest day
• Help manage timings across a tightly scheduled programme so every family gets the full experience
• Assist with light logistics such as coach transfers, kit distribution (snowsuits and boots), and check-ins
• Represent the Inghams and Santa's Lapland brand with consistent warmth, patience, and energy across a demanding, high-volume season

Requirements:

• Must be 18 years or older at the time the season starts
• A genuine enjoyment of working with children and families in a high-energy, repetitive-itinerary environment
• Comfortable working outdoors in Arctic winter conditions, often for full days in the cold and snow
• Strong spoken English; a warm, performative, "always on" attitude is more important than formal qualifications
• Flexible and resilient — this is a fast-paced, guest-facing role across a short, intense Christmas season
• Team-oriented, since elf teams work in close coordination to keep large group itineraries running on time
• EU right to work in Finland, or eligibility to be processed under Inghams' seasonal recruitment arrangements

What is included:

• A fixed-term seasonal contract covering the Christmas period
• Full training on the Santa's Lapland guest itinerary before families begin arriving
• Seasonal accommodation and staff facilities arranged through Inghams' overseas recruitment team
• The experience of working inside one of the most famous festive tourism operations in the world, in genuine Arctic Lapland

This role is intense but short, built around one of the busiest and most joyful periods in overseas seasonal tourism. It suits candidates who want a vivid, high-energy Christmas season abroad rather than a long-term posting, and who can keep smiling and improvising through back-to-back family groups every day of the season.

To apply, use the application form on the Inghams & Santa's Lapland recruitment site, or contact the overseas recruitment team directly at OverseasRecruitment@inghams.co.uk with questions before applying. Candidates should note they can apply for one role at a time and will be considered for the most suitable available position.