Registration closes July 31, 2026! To register now for Sept. 9-13, click here.

Santa Gathering is celebrating 15 wonderful years! For over a decade, we’ve supported one another, made lasting friendships, grown in our craft, and shared our gifts and talents. Come celebrate with us!

2026 Santa Gathering Agenda

2026 Training Class Descriptions

Retail Santa – To Be or Not To Be – Presented by Douglas Meyer

I will dive into every aspect of being a Santa who works 20 – 25 days in a retail setting, sitting and welcoming guests. How to prepare for and find such work. What it takes to work daily (wardrobe-wise, energy-wise, schedule-wise). Pros/cons of mall work for a photo company vs retail work for a single store. This is Primarily for the newer Santa who may have never done such work and has only learned about doing home visits.

A Little Magic Can Go A Long Way! – Presented by Larry Talbert

Demonstrate and teach simple magic tricks to make Santa even more magical. I will be teaching a new group of magic tricks that make you appear to be much more magical. All of them simple, take little or no practice.

How to Handle Adults – Presented by Greg Puskar

Join Santa Greg for an interactive roundtable on connecting with adults at events and appearances. Learn tips for engaging enthusiastic, emotional, skeptical, and talkative guests while creating memorable experiences. Share stories, ask questions, and exchange ideas with fellow Christmas performers.

Why Be Santa, Mrs. Claus or Elves Round Table – Presented by Bill Maney

A Roundtable discussion on what it means to be Santa, Mrs. Claus or and Elf and why would anyone want to take on this obligation. Memorable moments can be brought up to help reinforce the “Why”. This will be helpful to the experienced and the ones just starting out on this journey.

Even Santa Needs Insurance – Presented by Larry Talbert

Why have insurance? Does Santa really need it? Who would sue Santa and why? What do clients look for when getting a copy of it and why do they need it? We go over the coverage offered by multiple insurance providers to give an accurate comparison so you can make the best choice if you decide to buy it.

Reading with Children: The Basics – Presented by Shirley Wenner

Before reading a book aloud, you should prepare and practice, just as you would with any performance. In this workshop, you will learn the basics of preparing a book for reading. You will be introduced to some of the tried-and-true techniques that will get and keep your listener’s attention. Using segments of selected books, you will be able to see how your reading reflects you, and how you can make reading a book a very valuable part of your Christmas visits.

Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in our Santa Roles & Businesses – Presented by Ken Baker

Curious about AI but unsure where to start? Join Ken Baker as he shares practical, real-world ways he uses Artificial Intelligence in his Santa business and other entertainment ventures. Discover how AI can help with visit planning, marketing, social media, stories, business operations, customer communication, and more. Whether you’re a beginner or already experimenting with AI, you’ll leave with new ideas, useful tools, and the confidence to put AI to work for you.

Carry the North Pole With You: The North Pole Assistant Experience – Presented by Santa Carlucci & Jenny Lynn Claus

What if every Santa could bring the North Pole with them—complete with a trusted Elf assistant? In this interactive session, Santa and Mrs. Claus demonstrate how a smart phone based North Pole Assistant enhances visits before, during, and after each appearance. Learn to create a consistent, believable experience that grows with your families year after year. Perfect for home visits, events, and public encounters, this approach helps you stay present while your assistant supports storytelling, continuity, and engagement.

Snowman Family Craft Class – Presented by Laurel Schrader

Prepaid craft class – contact Laurel in the vendor room if you wish to join and haven’t prepaid.

Reading with Children: Let’s Read Together – Presented by Shirley Wenner

For this workshop, the focus will be on preparing a book to read. From the free book giveaway, select a book that you like (or you can bring one with you). You’ll see how to make that book ready to share using techniques such as Q&A, dramatic pauses, “chunking”, and voices.  Each step will be modeled for you, before you take your book and apply what you have learned.

Keeping Faith in Your Home Visits – Presented by Ken Baker & Bill Neely

As Santa performers, we pledge that we know the true reason for the season—but what does that look like during a home visit? Join Ken Baker and Bill Neely for a practical discussion on incorporating faith naturally and comfortably into your visits. Through stories, conversation starters, real-life examples, and audience discussion, you’ll discover ways to share the joy, hope, and message of Christmas while keeping families engaged, respected, and welcomed.

The Cost and Worth of Being Santa – Presented by Skip Bowers

The workshop will be on what costs you create as Santa, how much per hour does being Santa equal, do you charge or perform pro bono, and how to determine a fair fee for your services.

Snowman Family Craft Class – Presented by Laurel Schrader

Prepaid craft class – contact Laurel in the vendor room if you wish to join and haven’t prepaid.

The 48 Day Santa – Presented by Gary Hall

This class is designed for professional Santas, Mrs. Clauses, and holiday performers looking to maximize their income during the peak 48-day season (approximately Nov. 7th – Dec. 25th) through refined business strategies, high-end bookings, and diversified revenue streams.

Popular Toys and Characters – Presented by Russell Lee

An overview of returning and upcoming toys and gifts, many featured at this year’s toy show. We will also highlight popular children’s characters that every Christmas entertainer should be familiar with.

Learn Very Simple Balloon Animals & More – Presented by Ken Baker

You don’t need a giant balloon bag or years of practice to bring extra magic to your visits! This hands-on workshop is designed specifically for Santas, Mrs. Clauses, and Elves with little or no balloon experience. Learn basic twisting skills and several easy Christmas-themed creations that can fit in your pocket and delight children of all ages. Leave with practical skills, increased confidence, and exclusive online resources to help you continue your balloon journey.

Mrs. Claus & Supporting Entertainer Roundtable – Presented by Mrs. Claus Carol Ward

Mrs. Claus performers and supporting entertainers are invited to join this interactive roundtable discussion. Share ideas, exchange experiences, ask questions, and connect with others who help bring Christmas magic to life. Everyone is welcome to join the conversation.

Santa Claus Roundtable – Presented by Santa Skip Bowers

Join fellow Santas for an interactive roundtable discussion where everyone has a chance to share. Exchange ideas, ask questions, discuss challenges, and learn from the experiences of Santas from all backgrounds and experience levels. Whether you’re new to the red suit or a seasoned veteran, you’ll leave with fresh insights, practical tips, and new friendships.

They Just Don’t Get It… Santa’s North Pole Meltdown – Presented by Skip Bowers

That day when Santa feels overworked and under appreciated, he can be in a snit and his favorite saying becomes, “Bah Humbug!” No tinsel & No cheer! What happens on the day the Big Guy gets Grumpy? What can he do to get back the Spirit of Christmas?

Register Here for the Snowman Craft Class by Schrader Creations

Friday, September 11, 2026 at 9:00 AM – 11:15 AM

Join us this year for a fun and festive workshop where you’ll hand-paint and build your very own Snowman Family of three. All materials are included and no experience is necessary! Only $25 per person. This craft takes 1 hour or more to complete. Registration and payment are to be made directly with the class instructor, Schrader Creations.

Click here to register for this class directly with Schrader Creations.