Upcoming Workshop Find Your Place at Christmas · Sat, Aug 29, 2026 · Shoreline, WA Reserve a seat →
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The Santa & Mrs. Claus Workshop · 2026

Find Your Place at Christmas

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.

WhenSat, August 29, 2026
Hours10 AM – 3 PM
WhereShoreline, WA
Suggested$100 · pay what you can

All experience levels welcome · Doors open 9:30 AM · Lunch included · No one turned away because of financial hardship

Wondering if you'd fit right in?

Who is this for?

If you have a warm heart and a little curiosity, you already belong here. This day was made for people like you.

🌷 Retirees
👵 Grandparents
🍎 Teachers
Church volunteers
🎭 Performers
🤝 Community-minded people
💼 Anyone seeking meaningful seasonal work
The simply curious
❤️ Kind souls of every kind

…and anyone who's ever thought, "I think I'd make a pretty good Santa."

A full, friendly day together

What you'll learn & leave with.

No experience required — just an open mind. Here's what the day holds, and what you'll carry home.

What You'll Learn

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
What You'll Leave With

More than notes

  • A clear roadmap to becoming a Santa or Mrs. Claus
  • Knowledge of equipment and costumes
  • A better understanding of the business
  • New friendships and connections
  • The confidence to begin
  • Access to ongoing mentorship through HeartCloud
Saturday, August 29, 2026

Your day at a glance.

Come for a few minutes or the whole day — the door is always open.

9:30 AM
Doors open · coffee, a warm welcome, and hellos
10:00 AM
Workshop begins · character, costume, community & craft
12:00 PM
Lunch included · a chance to connect and swap stories
3:00 PM
We wrap up · next steps, mentorship, and staying in touch
Learn from Santas who live it

Meet your instructors.

Experienced, generous, and genuinely kind — here to share what they've learned and cheer you on.

🎅

Santa Dan

Lead Instructor

The Seattle Santa and HeartCloud founder — a warm mentor who's spent years bringing Christmas joy to families, hospitals, and communities.

🎅

Santa Jimmy

Instructor

A seasoned performer known for his big heart and easy way with children and families, sharing the craft of a memorable visit.

🎅

Santa Cole

Instructor

Brings practical, real-world guidance on bookings, character, and building a rewarding Santa practice from the ground up.

🎙️

Santa Dave

Live Q&A

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.

You've got questions — we've got answers

Frequently asked questions.

I'm not sure I'd make a good Santa. Should I still come?

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.

Do I need any experience?

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.

Do I need a beard?

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.

Can women attend?

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.

Can couples attend together?

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.

Do I need a Santa suit already?

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.

How much can a Santa earn?

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.

Will you help me find bookings?

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.

Is lunch included?

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.

What should I bring?

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.

How much does the workshop cost?

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.

Who supports this workshop?

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.

Save your seat

Register for the workshop.

Space is limited to about 40 participants — reserving early is the kindest gift you can give yourself.

$100
Suggested donation · pay what you can

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.

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You'll get a warm confirmation from Santa Dan & Elise. Questions? 206-718-7237

The road ahead

This is just the beginning.

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.