Yes, there's really a town called Santa Claus. And in December, it more than lives up to the name! The Santa Claus Christmas Celebration happens throughout Santa Claus, Indiana during the first three weekends of December each year. Insider Tip: Unofficially, the festivities kick off a week early, over Thanksgiving weekend!
Here's what to see, where to stay, and how to turn a Christmas visit into a favorite family memory.
Make it a Tradition
Write a Letter to Santa
Sit down inside the original, historic Santa Claus Post Office, located at Santa Claus Museum & Village, and write a letter to Santa. Every letter gets a response by Christmas… and it’s all free!
Santa Claus Post Office
Send holiday cards from the only post office in the world bearing the Santa Claus name. The official Santa Claus Post Office in the Kringle Place Shopping Center offers a one-of-a-kind holiday picture postmark, designed each year by a local high school student. Available throughout December, this special tradition has been spreading holiday cheer since 1984.
Santa's Candy Castle
Santa's Candy Castle stocks old-fashioned and hard-to-find candy, more than 30 flavors of hot chocolate, and its award-winning frozen hot chocolate. It's also home to the Chestnut Roasting Experience, celebrating one of America’s oldest traditions. Check the Christmas Event Guide for dates.
Santa's Reindeer Ranch
Not only is Santa Claus, Indiana, a real place, it’s also home to real reindeer! At Santa's Reindeer Ranch, you’ll feed and interact with reindeer, plus learn some pretty cool facts. (Did You Know: It’s not the reindeer’s hooves themselves that are clicking “up on the housetop.” It’s the tendons in their back hooves making a clicking noise!) Encounters are by reservation, so book before you go.
Santa Claus Christmas Store
The Santa Claus Christmas Store carries thousands of ornaments, wreaths, nativities, and Christmas gifts. Santa's inside during the holidays, checking his list (twice) and visiting with kids of all ages, so plan a stop to see him while you're in town.
Where the Name Comes From
How does a town end up named Santa Claus? The Santa Claus Museum & Village tells the real story. While you're there, be sure to snap a family photo with the 22-foot-tall Santa statue—it might just be your next Christmas card.
Make It a Weekend
With events, shopping, and so much festive fun, you don’t need to try to fit your visit all into one day. Book a Christmas package and make it a weekend your family will remember.
Get cozy in one of Santa's Cottages or relax in a cabin at Lincoln Pines Lakefront Resort. Book a room at Santa's Lodge and have milk and cookies with Santa before bedtime.
The Santa Claus, Indiana, Christmas Event Guide has the full list of what's happening this season so you can pack your weekend stay with fun. Annual favorites include the Santa Claus Christmas Parade, the Chestnut Roasting Experience at Santa's Candy Castle, and the Santa Claus Arts & Crafts Show.
In between events, pop in to Santa's TOYS, Evergreen Boutique & Christmas Shop, and other local spots around town to find gifts and souvenirs.
Plan Your Christmas Visit
Ready to plan? The Santa Claus, Indiana, trip planner can help you create the perfect Christmas visit—from what to do, where to stay, and where to eat. Need extra assistance? The friendly team at the Spencer County Visitors Bureau is an area expert when it comes to all things Santa Claus, Indiana. Send them a message or call (888) 444-9252.
