Posted on December 8, 2023
If you want to know what Christmastime in and near Santa Claus, Indiana, is really like, time is running out to experience chestnuts roasting, dinner with Santa, and tons more events and activities!
December 15 - 17 marks the third and final weekend of the annual Santa Claus Christmas Celebration in Santa Claus, Indiana.
Start your weekend itinerary on Friday enjoying a Christmas feast—with Santa as a special guest. On Saturday, check out a bell choir concert and storytime at the Santa Claus Museum & Village (plus, don't forget to write your letter to Santa while you're there!) Then wrap up your visit on Sunday with a spectacular "land of lights" and a meet-and-greet with a real live reindeer!
Here’s the weekend schedule of events (all times listed are Central):
5:00 – 9:00 pm Santa Claus Land of Lights at Sun Outdoors Lake Rudolph ($)
5:00 – 9:00 pm Christmas in Dale Light Show
6:00 – 8:30 pm Christmas Dinner with Santa at Santa’s Lodge ($)
10:00 am - 3:00 pm Christmas Cookie Decorating at Back 9 Grill ($)
10:00 am - 3:00 pm Glitter Tattoo & Hair Tinsel at Evergreen Boutique & Christmas Shop ($)
10:30 am – 7:00 pm Food Trucks throughout the town of Santa Claus ($)
1:00 pm Christmas Bell Choir Concert at the Santa Claus Museum & Village
3:00 pm "All Aboard the Polar Express" Storytime at the Santa Claus Museum & Village
5:00 – 8:00 pm Festival of Lights at Christmas Lake Village
5:00 – 9:00 pm Santa Claus Land of Lights at Sun Outdoors Lake Rudolph ($)\
5:00 – 9:00 pm Christmas in Dale Light Show
6:00 pm Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire at Santa's Candy Castle
6:00 pm Service of the Longest Night at Saint Meinrad Archabbey
6:00 – 8:30 pm Christmas Dinner with Santa at Santa’s Lodge ($)
1:00 pm Storytime with Mrs. Claus at the Santa Claus Museum & Village
5:00 - 7:00 pm Meet a Reindeer & Santa at the Christmas in Dale Light Show
5:00 – 9:00 pm Santa Claus Land of Lights at Sun Outdoors Lake Rudolph ($)
5:00 – 9:00 pm Christmas in Dale Light Show
See our Events page for more details.
This coming weekend marks the official end of the Santa Claus Christmas Celebration, and things slow down around Santa Claus, Indiana, as we approach Christmas. But there are still a few more opportunities for festive fun.
Visitors can experience an interactive reading of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas at the Santa Claus Museum & Village. Santa's Candy Castle will host one final Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire event on December 23. The Santa Claus Land of Lights is open nightly through December 23. And the Christmas in Dale Light Show will continue through December 31.
You can wrap up your Christmas shopping with gifts from some of the area’s best stores. Don't forget the Santa Claus Christmas Store and Santa’s Candy Castle will both close for the season on December 31. And others will adjust or reduce their hours after the new year for the winter season.
The holiday season is a special time of year for families. And we’re so appreciative of every visitor that chooses to celebrate in America’s Christmas Hometown!