Your complete directory to Santa Claus, Indiana with links to everything you need to plan travel or get information.
Santa Claus is located just 7 miles south of Interstate 64 in Southern Indiana. According to legend, this small community, originally founded by German immigrants in the late 1840s, got its name on Christmas Eve in 1852. The local residents and leaders had been struggling quite some time to come up with an acceptable name for their town. Most of the community was present for the last town meeting of the year, held right after Christmas Eve services in the local church. They were hoping to finally determine a name for their town, when suddenly the wind blew the church doors open and mysterious sleigh bells were heard outside. The children yelled excitedly, “It’s Santa Claus!” At last! They finally had the perfect name for the town.
In the 1940's, Industrialist Louis J. Koch, built the World’s first theme park in the town of Santa Claus. Koch loved holidays and wanted children who visited the town to be able to see that this was truly Santa's home. The theme park, originally named Santa Claus Land, has experienced tremendous growth over the years and is well-known today as Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari.
Santa Claus is the only town in the world with the Santa Claus name that has a post office. You will find quite a few other Christmas-themed business and street names throughout the town - everything from Christmas Lake Village and Kringle Place to Santa’s Lodge, Holiday Foods and Ho Ho Ho Video. Each year, this small town hosts an old-fashioned Christmas in Santa Claus celebration and a 14-mile Festival of Lights.
Santa Claus Post Office
Santa Claus, Indiana
47579 (812) 937-4469
The Santa Claus Post Office is the only post office in the world with the Santa Claus name. Stop by this small-town post office to receive the famous Santa Claus picture postmark, available only during the Christmas season. Also during the holidays, the Santa Claus Post Office receives thousands of letters to Santa written by children from all over the world. “Santa’s Elves” make sure each child receives a reply. The Santa Claus Post Office is located on Highway 162 in Santa Claus.
Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari
P.O. Box 179 Santa Claus, Indiana
47579 1-877-463-2645 (1-877-GO FAMILY)
www.holidayworld.com
Located at the junction of Highways 162 and 245 in Santa Claus.
Did you know that the theme park was invented in Indiana? And that the World's #1 Wooden Roller Coaster is in Indiana? And guess what-Indiana is also home to the World's #1 Friendliest and #1 Cleanest Park!
All of these "firsts" are rolled into one special place-Holiday World & Splashin' Safari. Located in the charming hamlet of Santa Claus in southern Indiana, this theme park/water park combo offer families a great getaway with all sorts of perks. Did you ever think a theme park would give away soft drinks? And not charge for parking? Use of inner tubes in the water park is free-and so is sunscreen!
Located on 100 acres, Holiday World & Splashin' Safari provide families with multiple days of fun. The theme park celebrates Christmas, Halloween and the 4th of July with rides, live entertainment, games and attractions. The water park includes numerous family raft slides, a wave pool, action river, water slides, and water activities for the little ones.
Lake Rudolph Campground and RV Resort
P.O. Box 98 Santa Claus, Indiana
47579 1-877-478-3657 / (812) 937-4458
www.lakerudolph.com
A variety of camping experiences are offered at this resort, including: Tent Sites, RV Sites, Rental RVs, and Family Cabins. Amenities available for campers to enjoy include Miniature Golf, Fishing, Playgrounds, Horseshoe Pits, Basketball Courts, Game Room, Camp Store, and Swimming Pools . Lake Rudolph is located on Highway 245 next to Holiday World Theme Park and Splashin' Safari Water Park in Santa Claus.
Christmas Lake Golf Course
P.O. Box 81 Santa Claus, Indiana
47579 1-800-927-2571 / (812) 544-2271
www.christmaslake.com
Christmas Lake Golf Course has earned an excellent reputation among golfers the World over and is known for its Zoysia grass tees, beautiful tree-lined fairways and exceptionally fast Bent grass greens. Rolling hills, valleys and sparkling lakes adorn the peaceful, well-manicured course. This property includes a championship golf course, Pro Shop and Clubhouse with restaurant. Located off Highway 245 in Christmas Lake Village in Santa Claus.
Santa Claus Statue
Twenty-two feet high and made of concrete, it weighs more than forty tons. The base alone, in the shape of the Star of Bethlehem, with its principal point showing the way East to the land of the Christmas legend, is more than twenty feet across, rising one and one half feet above the ground and set about four feet into it. Located on Highway 245 in Santa Claus.
Christmas in Santa Claus & the Festival of Lights
Santa Claus Area Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 106 Santa Claus, IN
47579 (812) 937-2848
Santa Claus invites you and your family to share in the Christmas Spirit with us. Start a new family tradition by celebrating the holidays the old-fashioned way. Listen to holiday music and see a parade full of the sights and sounds of Christmas - even Santa! Complete your holiday shopping at the Christmas Craft Show, featuring hand-crafted gifts that will be treasured forever. Then, after dark, take a magical drive through the Festival of Lights. The holiday lights in Christmas Lake Village twinkle throughout 14 miles of themed neighborhoods... from Frosty’s Evergreen Forest to the Live Nativity. Normally held the first or second weekend in December.
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