The craft, start to finish
- Choosing your first Santa suit
- Holiday jobs and opportunities
- Professional bookings and rates
- Building your Santa character
- Working with children and families
- Creating meaningful Christmas moments
- Mentorship and networking
Become a Santa · Mrs. Claus · Holiday Performer
Whether you're looking for seasonal work, a meaningful retirement hobby, or simply another way to serve your community… there's a place for you. This isn't just a class — it's an invitation into a meaningful new chapter, built on kindness, connection, and the simple joy of making Christmas magic for others.
All experience levels welcome · Doors open 9:30 AM · Lunch included · No one turned away because of financial hardship
If you have a warm heart and a little curiosity, you already belong here. This day was made for people like you.
…and anyone who's ever thought, "I think I'd make a pretty good Santa."
No experience required — just an open mind. Here's what the day holds, and what you'll carry home.
Come for a few minutes or the whole day — the door is always open.
Experienced, generous, and genuinely kind — here to share what they've learned and cheer you on.
The Seattle Santa and HeartCloud founder — a warm mentor who's spent years bringing Christmas joy to families, hospitals, and communities.
A seasoned performer known for his big heart and easy way with children and families, sharing the craft of a memorable visit.
Brings practical, real-world guidance on bookings, character, and building a rewarding Santa practice from the ground up.
Dialing in for a candid, ask-anything conversation — bring your questions about the life and business of being Santa.
Instructor photos & final bios are ready to drop in whenever you'd like to swap them.
Yes. In fact, many of the best Santas began exactly where you are now — with curiosity. This workshop is a chance to learn, ask questions, meet wonderful people, and discover whether this path feels right for you. There is no pressure and no expectation. Just come with an open mind, and we'll explore it together.
Not at all. This workshop is designed for everyone — from someone simply curious about becoming a Santa or Mrs. Claus to experienced holiday performers looking for new ideas, better techniques, or a stronger professional network. We'll cover topics that are valuable no matter where you are on your journey.
No. Today's professional Santa world has changed dramatically. High-quality prosthetic beards have become incredibly realistic, and many excellent Santas use them successfully. We'll discuss the different options, their pros and cons, and how our My Equipment Santa program helps some participants obtain professional-quality equipment.
Absolutely. Mrs. Claus is one of the most rewarding roles in Christmas entertainment, but the workshop isn't limited to that. We also discuss helper roles, holiday performers, volunteers, and the many ways people can participate in creating meaningful Christmas experiences. Many of the topics — building a small business, community outreach, storytelling, and working with families — are valuable regardless of which role you hope to pursue.
Yes — and we highly encourage it. Speaking from experience, Santa and Mrs. Claus are an incredible team. Sharing the experience together makes many visits even more memorable for families, and it's simply a lot of fun.
No. This workshop is informational, so you don't need any equipment to attend. We'll explain the different levels of suits, boots, belts, beards, and accessories, along with realistic price ranges and recommendations. The HeartCloud Foundation's My Equipment Santa program also provides limited equipment assistance and mentorship for qualifying participants.
It depends on what you're looking for. Some Santas volunteer entirely because they enjoy serving their communities. Others use Santa work as meaningful seasonal income. Professional Santas can earn anywhere from a few hundred dollars to many thousands — or even tens of thousands of dollars — during a successful Christmas season. We'll discuss what the marketplace looks like and how people build a rewarding Santa practice.
We love helping people succeed. One of the biggest advantages of joining the HeartCloud community is mentorship and networking. When experienced Santas are already booked, we're often able to recommend another qualified Santa we know and trust. We believe Christmas is better when we work together rather than compete against one another.
Yes. We'll provide lunch and make sure everyone is taken care of while we're together. If you have special dietary needs or favorite snacks, you're welcome to bring those as well.
Bring your curiosity. If you already own a Santa suit, beard, boots, or other equipment, feel free to bring it along — we'd be happy to discuss it and offer suggestions. We also recommend a notebook or tablet for notes, a water bottle, comfortable clothing, and any questions you've been wanting to ask. This is an interactive workshop, and we encourage discussion throughout the day.
The suggested donation is $100 — but no one is turned away because of financial hardship. If you're able to contribute the full suggested amount, wonderful. If you're only able to contribute a smaller amount, that's perfectly okay. If you're unable to contribute at this time but sincerely want to attend, we still want you there. Our goal isn't simply to fill seats — it's to grow a community of kind people who want to create meaningful Christmas experiences for others. Space is limited to approximately 40 participants, so we encourage registering early.
This workshop is made possible through the generosity of many wonderful friends and partners. It features experienced Santas and Mrs. Clauses from our local community, with additional participation from respected regional and national Christmas performers. Support also comes through organizations and partners who believe in mentoring, kindness, and helping new holiday performers succeed.
Space is limited to about 40 participants — reserving early is the kindest gift you can give yourself.
No one is turned away because of financial hardship. As a nonprofit-supported educational event, some donations may be tax deductible — please consult your tax professional.
This workshop is the first step in a growing mentorship program designed to help kind people become exceptional holiday performers — serving communities across the country. We can't wait to see where your journey leads.
Our Shoreline venue accommodates approximately 40 guests. Space is limited, so we encourage registering early.
Because kindness matters.