36 Items Tagged

Santa Claus

A member of the Milwaukee Krampus Eigenheit was one of dozens of furry, horned menaces swatting onlookers with switches during the annual Milwaukee Krampusnacht.

Krampus Is the Christmas Icon We Need—And Maybe the One We Deserve

At Milwaukee’s Krampusnacht, we go in search of the essence of Santa’s unholy enforcer.

Gemma Tarlach December 9, 2022

Some years, the water is so choppy, Santa arrives on Mooloolaba beach in a soaking wet red suit.

The Town Where Santa's Sleigh Is a Surf Boat

In Mooloolaba, Australia, Saint Nick wears sunglasses.

Tiare Tuuhia December 9, 2022

Columbus, Texas

Santa Claus Museum

An entire home filled with over 3,000 pieces of Santa memorabilia in glass cases, walls, on Christmas trees, and even in the bathroom.

Remembering When Mrs. Claus Cracked the North Pole's Glass Ceiling

In the 19th century, the character embodied debates about women’s rights—and occasionally got a sleigh ride of her own.

Maura Ives December 20, 2021

Church of St. Nicholas

This church houses the tomb—but not the remains—of St. Nicholas, the likely progenitor to Santa Claus.

Basilica of Agios Nikolaos

6 Places to Get to Know the Real Saint Nick

Before he was courted by children, he defended the poor and the falsely accused.

Jonathan Carey December 16, 2020

Over 500 years of Christmas trees

9 Unusual Places to Experience Christmas Any Time of the Year

Gifts that keeps on giving.

Jonathan Carey December 11, 2020

Kudla says he can spot plain-clothes Santas when he travels. "There's a look in the eye and you can tell."

In Nome, Alaska, Santa Is a Gravedigger Named Paul

Festive cheer and cemetery caretaking go together surprisingly well.

Bailey Berg December 23, 2019

Issa Kassissieh on his holiday rounds. A large poster of him as a basketball player is visible on the wall.

Meet the Only Certified Santa in the 'Ho Ho Holy Land'

Issa Kassisieh has turned his centuries-old family home into a Christmas wonderland.

Gitit Ginat December 23, 2019

Outside crossing when there is no snow.

Rovaniemi, Finland

Rovaniemi's Arctic Circle Border

If you visit Santa's village, you can get your passport stamped to show you crossed into the Arctic Circle.

The North Pole sign.

Tecopa, California

Dumont Dunes North Pole

Peek inside this sandy mailbox and you'll spot kids' letters to Santa.

Pepernoten

Every December, Sinterklaas and his helper throw these little spiced cookies to Dutch children.

Chocolate Letters

In this Dutch holiday tradition, Sinterklaas leaves good children sweet pieces of the alphabet inside their shoes.

Santa's village.

Rovaniemi, Finland

Santa Claus' Main Post Office

Roughly 17 million letters to Santa have found their way to this Arctic Circle post office.

The North Pole in August.

WaKeeney, Kansas

WaKeeney North Pole

The holiday spirit lingers year-round in the "Christmas City of the High Plains."

Santa plotting his route, from a holiday card in the New York Public Library collection.

The Most Festive Treasures of the New York Public Library's Maps Division

We wish you a mappy Christmas.

Jessica Leigh Hester December 11, 2017

A reindeer in North Pole, New York.

Wilmington, New York

Santa's Workshop

A hamlet full of permanent Christmas spirit holds one of the earliest theme parks in the United States.

Have you seen his bones?

Have Turkish Archaeologists Found the Final Resting Place of Saint Nick?

A tomb in Myra adds to confusion over relics of the beloved icon.

Vittoria Traverso October 3, 2017