Santa Claus

Skiers participate in last year's "Santa Sunday" event at the Sunday River resort in Newry, Maine.

Unique ways Americans celebrate the holidays, from skiing Santas to Festivus feats

9:43am December 08, 2023

by Rachel Treisman

Here's how communities across the U.S. put their own spin on Christmas, Hanukkah and even Festivus celebrations — from Santas who ski and surf, to trees made of tumbleweed, sand and lobster traps.

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Santa at the West Dallas Christmas Block Party

National

Black Santas are helping to change holiday icons and add more representation

7:25am December 20, 2021

by Michelle Aslam

African American communities say they appreciate a growing trend of Black Santa Claus representations at Christmas

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Arts

It Must Be Christmastime. David Sedaris Reads 'Santaland Diaries'

5:57am December 24, 2020

by David Sedaris

In Santaland Diaries, humorist David Sedaris describes his time working as a department store elf named Crumpet. Here, Sedaris again reads as Crumpet — an NPR holiday tradition.

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Bill Sandeen, dressed as Santa Claus, waits for the opening of a Santa drive-through selfie station in Las Vegas on Dec. 10. The real Santa was vaccinated by Dr. Anthony Fauci at the North Pole.

Health & Safety

'I Vaccinated Santa Claus,' Fauci Tells Kids

8:45pm December 19, 2020

by Matthew S. Schwartz

In a virtual town hall for kids on CNN, Dr. Anthony Fauci said he made a trip to the North Pole to get Santa vaccinated for COVID-19. "He is good to go."

Keith and Melanie Hubbard, who portray Santa and Mrs. Claus in Oklahoma greet their grandchildren in 2019.

National

How COVID-19 Is Making The Holiday Season Not So Jolly For Santa Clauses

8:18am December 15, 2020

by Rachel Hubbard

People who work as Santa are making tough choices due to the coronavirus. How close should they get to children? Are Zoom meetings best? For one Santa and Mrs. Claus in Oklahoma, it's not easy at all.

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Arts

David Sedaris Reads From 'Santaland Diaries'

7:12am December 25, 2019

The holiday tradition continues. Writer David Sedaris reads from his "Santaland Diaries," recounting his time spent working as a Macy's department store elf named Crumpet.

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Dressed as Santa, Tim Zander gives pointers on how to be the perfect Santa to applicants at a workshop run by Weihnachtsmann2Go (Santa2Go).

World News

Ho Ho, Oh No! Germany Has A Santa Shortage

9:02am December 22, 2019

by Rob Schmitz

Across Europe and North America, throngs of Santa impersonators have been busy preparing children for Christmas. But in Germany, there's a lack of interest among people to play the jolly character.

President Trump takes phone calls from children as he participates in NORAD's Santa tracker on Christmas Eve at the White House. He caused a stir by asking a 7-year-old caller if she still believed in Santa Claus.

Girl Still Believes In Santa, Even After Trump Casts Doubt On His Existence

2:55pm December 26, 2018

by Laurel Wamsley

The president caused a stir when he asked a 7-year-old caller to the Santa tracker hotline whether she still believed in Saint Nick.

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump speak on the phone sharing updates to track Santa's movements from the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) Santa Tracker on Christmas Eve.

President Trump To 7-Year-Old: 'Are You Still A Believer In Santa?'

6:05pm December 25, 2018

by Vanessa Romo

The president relishes speaking off the cuff but on Christmas Eve it may have led to a regretful blunder when he insinuated a boy was too old to believe Santa is real.

Vintage pixie elf Christmas tree ornament. Made in Japan, circa 1950's.

Arts

A New Twist On The 'Santaland Diaries' Tradition

7:56am December 25, 2018

by Heidi Glenn

David Sedaris' "Santaland Diaries" is an NPR tradition. This year, we asked you to describe your imaginary shift as a Santaland elf. Responses ranged from heartwarming to devilish.

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