Santa Claus waits for visitors at Santa Claus' Village on the Arctic Circle near Rovaniemi, Finland, December 15, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

Lapland tourism is a rare bright spot in Finnish economy, which is struggling to recover from a long stagnation. Travelling to Lapland increased 10 percent from January to October to more than 2 million overnight stays, and the number is expected to hit a new record in the full year.

"Another year is coming to its end and it has been a turbulent year with many big problems but also many very good things," Santa said in his Christmas message.

"Now as Christmas is coming close, reach out for those who need a helping hand, do it with compassion - that's the real Christmas spirit."