By Jeanni Ritchie
You don’t expect a town to fully commit to its name, but Santa Claus, Indiana doesn’t dabble in Christmas—it lives there. It’s the kind of place where holiday cheer isn’t a seasonal marketing campaign. It’s a lifelong purpose for its residents, and visitors are welcomed with open arms.
Santa Claus is small, charming, and surprisingly full of things to do—even more so for those who enjoy the kind of holiday nostalgia that makes you feel seven years old again.
A town built on tradition (and a whole lot of letters)
One of my favorite stops was the Santa Claus Museum & Village, because it tells the story of how this town became what it is: whimsical, rooted, and genuinely community-driven. At a town meeting to discuss changing their name from Santa Fee— as they’d just heard about a new city called Santa Fe— sleigh bells could be heard outside. A child excitedly exclaimed, “It sounds like Santa Claus!” and sparked the idea that turned into a moniker— and a mission— for Santa Claus, IN.
Inside, you can see decades of children’s letters to Santa (going back to the Great Depression), and you know this isn’t just a gimmick—it’s a tradition the town protects by receiving and responding to over 30,000 letters to Santa each year!
The grounds add to the magic: the historic church, the wishing well, the classroom where visitors can draft their own wish lists, and an iconic Santa statue that weighs 40 tons and stands 22 feet tall.
The museum is also houses a train room, novelty souvenirs, and a collection of American writer dolls that captured my interest. Whitman, Poe, Longfellow… I knew the names, I knew the works, but I’d never seen replicas of the men themselves.
Of course, there was also a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus!
Shopping that feels like time travel
The Santa Claus Christmas Store is your one-stop shop for ornaments, apparel, nutcrackers, gifts, fudge, and a walk down memory lane. My favorite display was the retro ornament wall filled with miniature models of my childhood: Simon Says, Easy-Bake Oven, Atari, Mystery Date, and more. I bought my sister an Operation ornament, remembering hours of sitting on the living room floor trying to keep those tweezers from hitting the metal sides and making the patient’s nose light up!
If I was feeling nostalgic before I went into Santa’s Toys, I was fully transported to the 70s after. I FaceTimed my sister—ignoring the curious looks of other shoppers— as I squealed “Look! Look!” and raced through the store holding items up to the screen. Lava lamps, Chinese checkers, batons… I wanted to play with everything right then and there! This is a place where you find yourself saying, “Oh my gosh, I used to have this,” every three minutes.
I left with a couple of gifts for my grandsons and a mystery grab bag and Barbie bath bomb for me!
I found the ultimate sticker for my scrapbook at Evergreen Boutique & Christmas Shop— a credit card with Bank of Dad as the lender and “I’m So Broke” as the cardholder. Art imitating life, for sure!
I also picked up a beautiful bracelet supporting suicide awareness from a display where many causes were represented. Do-good purchases also feel good, any time of the year.
The edible version of childhood
The retro ornaments and toys visually sparked memories, but Santa’s Candy Castle edibly transported me back in time. From an entire room filled with Pez dispensers to the shelves stocked with candy I haven’t seen since my junior high canteen days, it was a veritable blast from the past! Candy cigarettes, Wonka’s Tart N Tinys, Fun Dip…all in a historic building that recently celebrated their 90th anniversary. They have nostalgic candy as well as the newer TikTok trending candies, plus confections and the best frozen hot chocolate in the county.
Best of all, during the off-season you can place orders online. Visit santascandycastle.
Outside of the Castle was a chestnut-roasting demo, an experience that brings the carol to life.
Cozy moments in-between
Lunch at S&S BBQ & Pizzeria came with Grinch décor and the original Grinch movie on the screen, which was a perfect stop in a day spent bouncing between holiday shops and stops. It was warm, casual, and delicious.
Fat Santa’s was also every kid’s dream, a combination pizza parlor, ice cream soda shop, and arcade. The retro design of the restaurant made me feel like I’d stepped into my own childhood.
As did my stay at Santa’s Lodge! It was old school lodging combined with modern amenities like an oversized jetted tub for soaking each evening. The lobby was all decked out for Christmas, looking like a spot Santa himself would stop in just for a cup of coffee.
I had Christmas Dinner at Santa’s Lodge: a traditional holiday buffet with kids in pajamas and Santa and Mrs. Claus reading ’Twas the Night Before Christmas before handing out milk and cookies to all.
The magic continues after dark
When the sun goes down, the town keeps glowing. Santa Claus Land of Lights at Lake Rudolph Campground is a 1.2 mile drive-through display that turns an entire Christmas playlist into glowing scenery—bright, fun, and easy to enjoy at your own pace.
Just beyond Santa Claus: Dale, Indiana
Also in Spencer Country, Christmas in Dale adds a different kind of charm: synchronized lights set to music with a cause—because beneath all the sparkle, there’s still a deeper reason the season resonates.
A bucket list destination
Santa Claus, Indiana is a place where kids can be kids and grown-ups are encouraged to be young again— reminded to enjoy little things, to collect happiness in the form of nostalgia, sweet treats, and simple moments that become priceless. It’s Christmas without cynicism— an entire place that decided wonder still matters.
Jeanni Ritchie is a travel writer from Central Louisiana. Follow her adventures at jeanniritchie.com.
