🎅🏻 2026 CWH Santa Claus School — FAQ 🤶🏻

Ho ho ho — here's the updated, jollier-than-ever FAQ with details baked right into the sleigh! 🎁

 

📅 Mark Your Calendars

What are the dates and hours for the 2026 CWH Santa Claus School?
The CWH Santa Claus School will be held October 1–3, 2026, in Midland, Michigan. Classes begin between 8:00 and 9:00 AM each day and conclude by 5:00 PM. The Afternoon Adventures typically wrap up around 7:30 PM, and the Graduation Banquet finishes by 9:00 PM.

Please note: our Santa School runs only once a year and is open for three magical days each fall.

 

🎟️ Tidings of Tuition

What is the tuition for 2026?

• NEW Santa or Mrs. Claus student: $645

• ALUMNI Santa or Mrs. Claus student: $615

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🎄 Checking Your List Twice (Check-In)

What time should I arrive on the first day?
Doors open early; please arrive between 8:00 and 8:45 AM at the Midland Center for the Arts (1801 W. Saint Andrews, Midland, MI 48640) to check in and collect your welcome packet.

 

What do I need to check in?
We've got your registration info. You'll receive the official 2026 Santa School pendant and a name tag—both are required for admittance to all school activities. Pre-registered guests attending Friday or Saturday events will get a separate personalized name tag.

 

💕 Mrs. Claus & Guests (Who Can Attend)

Can my spouse/guest attend classes?
All classes and on-site events are exclusively for registered students. If your spouse/guest prepaid during registration, they may attend the Friday Afternoon Adventure and/or the Saturday Graduation Banquet as an additional paid guest.

 

Extra Ticket Eligibility: You can purchase adult tickets (for guests aged 18 and above) for guest events on our registration page.

 

🎁 Special Santa Adventures (Guest Ticket Details & Prices)

Friday Afternoon Adventure (approx. 12:00–7:30 PM):  $110 per guest
Includes a bagged lunch, transportation via Greyhound buses, a visit to Bronner's CHRISTmas Wonderland (the “World's Largest Christmas Store"), sightseeing and shopping in Frankenmuth, and dinner at The Bavarian Inn.

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Saturday Graduation Banquet (5:30–9:00 PM): $65 per guest
Includes dinner and the graduation ceremony.

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(These two events are included for registered students; adult guest tickets are available for purchase separately.)

 

🛷 Packing Your Sleigh (What to Bring)

What do I bring to class?

• Your official Santa pendant and name tag (required for entry).

• New students receive a CWH Santa School book at check-in.

• Alumni may wish to bring paper and a pen for notes.

We'll provide the rest; no need to bring props or lesson materials.

 

🧤 Suit, Beard, & Becoming Santa

Do I bring my suit or beard?
Nope, you don't need to bring a suit, beard, or accessories. Santa School teaches you how to embody the spirit of Santa. Vendors will be available if you'd like to purchase suits, wigs, or beards, but our focus is on authenticity and individuality; one Santa, not a posse!

 

Is it best to have a real beard?
Not necessary. We'll teach techniques for realistic beards, and our expert wig master will help you choose and style hairpieces that look authentic.

 

🦌 Reindeer Rules (Dress Code)

What is the expected dress for school?
Casual and comfortable are perfect for daytime classes (layers recommended for Michigan fall). For the Graduation Banquet on Saturday, please wear your Sunday best—nice clothes reserved for special occasions (no Santa or Mrs. Claus suits).

 

🍪 Milk & Cookies (Meals)

Are meals included?
Yes, this year, registered students receive four meals:

• Lunch on Thursday

• Lunch on Friday

• Dinner on Friday

• Banquet dinner on Saturday

Students are responsible for other meals. We'll also have cookies, beverages, and treats waiting for you when you arrive!

 

🚍 Travel

Is transportation included?
You are responsible for travel to Midland and all events. We do provide transportation on Friday for the Afternoon Adventures (Greyhound buses).

You can use Uber and Lyft to request rides on demand in Midland, Michigan, though driver availability is limited.

 

🏨 Lodging

Is lodging included?
Students are responsible for their own lodging. We have secured discounted rooms at several hotels. A limited number of rooms are available; we will send you a list of hotels once you register.

 

✈️ Airports

What are the closest airports?

• MBS: MBS International Airport (Saginaw, MI) 14 miles (closest)

• FNT: Bishop International Airport (Flint, MI) 65 miles

• GRR: Gerald R. Ford International Airport (Grand Rapids, MI) 120 miles

• DTW: Detroit Metropolitan Airport (Detroit, MI) 136 miles

 

🎥 Santa's Secrets Stay Secret (Recording Policy)

Can I record or film during Santa School?
Please refrain from taking photos or videos during class. Recording lectures and activities is not permitted out of respect for our speakers and the integrity of the program.

 

🏠 Midland Santa House

Will the Midland Santa House be open?
Yes, we will host an Open House at the Midland Santa House for registered students and their guests.

 

🎁 Gift Certificates

Can I purchase a gift certificate?
Yes! Email us to request a gift certificate, and we'll send a printable certificate with a unique one-time registration code that can be put toward tuition.

 

🔁 Cancellation Policy

It's the most wonderful time of the year! If you're unable to join us for this magical event, we will miss you dearly. Please email us at cwhsantaschool@gmail.com to let us know.

 

Refund Policy

🎄 On or before August 15
Tickets are refundable with a $150 per-ticket deduction. To initiate a cancellation, please ensure you receive a confirmation of receipt from CWHSS.

🎅 August 15 – September 15
Cancellations during this period will receive a 50% refund.

✨ After September 15
Tickets become non-refundable.

We will process all eligible refunds in September and October 2026.

 

📬 How to Reach Us

Christmas comes once a year, and so do we! As a small non-profit, we are only open for three days and will monitor email intermittently until the end of August. Starting in August, we'll be more responsive. We do not have a public phone number or a single physical school address (events are at various Midland locations). To contact us:

Email: cwhsantaschool@gmail.com
Mailing: CWH Santa Claus School
% Tom & Holly
P.O. Box 1642
Midland, MI 48641 USA

 

🎄 Please note: the address and phone number listed on Google are incorrect — use the contact info above.

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🤩 Things to Do in Midland

🪷 Dow Gardens – 110 acres of botanical gardens, including what's billed as the country's longest canopy walk through the treetops. Beautiful even in late fall/winter with seasonal displays. If your visit lines up with the season, they also do a poinsettia display and Christmas Walk in winter — fitting, given why you're in town. 

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🚣🏻 The Tridge – A distinctive three-way wooden pedestrian bridge downtown where the Chippewa and Tittabawassee Rivers meet. Quick, easy, iconic photo spot. Built by Tom in 1981. To access the Tridge by vehicle, head to Downtown Midland or search for 101 Ashman St. You can't miss it!

 

🎭 Midland Center for the Arts – Home to two museums, two performance venues, and art studios, so it's a good rainy-day option with science, art, and history all under one roof.

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🍁 Chippewa Nature Center – Nearly 19 miles of trails through almost 1,200 acres of woodlands and wetlands, plus a two-story observation deck. Great if you want fresh air and quiet before a few intensive days of Santa training. 

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🏠 Alden B. Dow Home & Studio – A mid-century modern architecture tour, since Midland has a strong Frank Lloyd Wright-adjacent design history through Alden Dow.

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🌽 Downtown Midland – The Midland Area Farmers Market if your visit lands on a Wednesday or Saturday between May and mid-November.

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⚛️ Herbert D. Dow Midland County History Center – Local history museum covering the area's lumber and chemical-industry past (Dow Chemical got its start here), good if you want context on the town.

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⚾️ Dow Diamond – Home of the Great Lakes Loons minor league baseball team; worth checking if there's a game during your visit.​

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🚂 Pere Marquette Rail Trail – A 30-mile paved trail good for biking, walking, or inline skating, running right through town.

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📚 Grace A. Dow Memorial Library – A striking piece of Midland's mid-century modern architecture (part of the Alden Dow legacy), even if you're not there to check out books.