“Being Santa is a privilege, not a job."

Tom Valent

Frequently Asked Questions

Here you will find answers to most of your Santa School questions.

What are the dates and hours for the 2025 CWH Santa Claus School?

The CWH Santa Claus School will be held from October 9 to 11, 2025, in Midland, Michigan. Classes begin between 8:00 and 9:00 AM each day and conclude by 5:00 PM. The Afternoon Adventures will wrap up around 7:30 PM, and the Graduation Banquet will finish by 9:00 PM. Please note that our Santa School is offered only once a year and is open for three days each fall.

What is the tuition for the 2025 CWH Santa Claus School?

NEW Santa or Mrs. Claus student $645
ALUMNI Santa or Mrs. Claus student $595

Can my spouse/guest attend classes?

All events and classes are exclusively for registered students. However, if your spouse has prepaid at registration, they are welcome to attend the Friday Adventures and/or the Saturday Graduation Banquet as an additional paid guest.

What are the additional Friday Adventures and Saturday Banquet tickets?

Registered students can purchase additional guest tickets for two special events during the school program.

The **Friday Afternoon Adventure** includes a bagged lunch, transportation via Greyhound buses, a visit to Bronner's CHRISTmas Wonderland – the "World's Largest Christmas Store," and shopping and sightseeing in Frankenmuth. The day concludes with dinner at the renowned Bavarian Inn from approximately 12:00 to 7:30 PM, priced at $110.
The **Saturday Graduation Banquet** features dinner and our graduation ceremony from 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM, with tickets available for $65. While these events are included with student tuition, we offer tickets for those wishing to share this memorable experience.
Tickets can be purchased separately for adults ages 18 and up on our registration page.

What do I bring to class?

Students are required to wear the official school Santa pendant and a name tag to gain admittance to all school activities. Pre-registered guests attending the Friday Adventures and Saturday Graduation Banquet also need a separate name tag. Rest assured, we will provide everything else you need for class.

Do I bring my suit or beard?

Here, you won't need suits, beards, or accessories; instead, we emphasize the magic of embodying the spirit of Santa. Explore some outside vendors if you need a Santa suit or wig, but remember, we celebrate the magic of one Santa and encourage individuality over groups. Join us in learning how to truly BE Santa!

Is it best to have a real beard?

Not necessarily! Our school provides you with options and techniques for wearing a realistic beard that transforms you into the iconic Santa Claus. Our expert wig master will guide you to ensure your hairpieces look authentic. Get ready to embody the most beloved character in the world!

What is the expected dress for school?

The dress code for class at Santa School is casual. However, for the Graduation Banquet on Saturday evening, we recommend wearing Sunday clothes—those nice outfits you typically reserve for special occasions.

Can I record or film during Santa School?

Please refrain from taking photos or videos during class to show respect for our speakers. Recording activities and lectures are not permitted during Santa School. Thank you for your understanding!

Are meals included?

This year, we are pleased to include four meals for registered students, which will cover lunch on Thursday and Friday, dinner on Friday, and the Banquet dinner on Saturday. Students will be responsible for all other meals. Additionally, we will have cookies, beverages, and treats available upon your arrival!

Is transportation included?

Students are responsible for transportation, as the events are not within walking distance of hotels. However, we will provide transportation on Friday for the Afternoon Adventures.

Is lodging included?

Students are responsible for lodging.

We have blocked rooms at a discounted rate in several hotels. To receive the discounted rate, you must book the reservation and mention the Santa School when calling the hotel using the numbers below. Only a limited number of rooms are available at each hotel. Please contact the hotels for more information.

Hampton Inn 989-837-4000 *discounted rate

SpringHill Suites 989-837-2700 *discounted rate

Residence Inn 989-837-9990 *discounted rate

Holiday Inn 989-794-8500 *discounted rate

Fairfield Inn & Suites 989-631-7100 *discounted rate

Sleep Inn 989-837-1010

H Hotel 989-839-0500

What is the closest airport to Midland, Michigan?

The closest airport is the MBS International Airport in Saginaw, Michigan (14 miles).

Other nearby airports include:

FNT - Bishop International Airport in Flint, Michigan (65 miles)
GRR - Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, Michigan (120 miles)
DTW - Detroit Metropolitan International Airport in Detroit, Michigan (136 miles)

Will the Midland Santa House be open?

Yes! We will have an Open House at the Midland Santa House for registered students and their guests.

Can I purchase a gift certificate?

Yes! We offer gift certificates to be put towards tuition. Please email us with your request, and we will send you a gift certificate with a unique one-time registration code to be printed for the recipient.

What is your cancellation policy?

It's the most wonderful time of the year! If you cannot attend this event, we will miss you! Please email us at cwhsantaschool@gmail.com to let us know.

Tickets are refundable with a $150 deduction per ticket if canceled on or before August 31. To initiate a cancellation, please ensure you receive a confirmation of receipt from CWHSS.

Cancellations made between September 1 and September 30 will receive a 50% refund. Please note that tickets become non-refundable after October 1, and all eligible refunds will be processed through PayPal after October 30, 2025.

How do I get ahold of someone at the School?

Christmas comes, but once a year, and so does our school!

As a small non-profit, we are only open for three days and will check our email intermittently until August. Starting in August, we’ll be more available to respond to you. Please note that we do not have a phone number or physical address, as our school is in various Midland, Michigan locations. If you wish to contact us, please email or use the P.O. Box below:

CWH Santa Claus School

% Tom & Holly

P.O. Box 1642

Midland, MI 48641 USA

🎄 Please be aware that the address and phone number on Google are incorrect.