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

Tom Valent

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

What are the dates and hours for the 2024 CWH Santa Claus School?

The dates are October 10-12, 2024, in Midland, Michigan. We begin Santa School daily between 8-9:00 AM and finish class work by 5:00 PM. The Afternoon Adventures ends around 7:30 PM, and the Graduation Banquet will finish by 9:00 PM.

The CWH Santa Claus School is offered once a year. We are only open THREE days in the fall each year.

Can my spouse/guest attend classes?

All events and classes are for registered students only. However, if your spouse 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 at two events during the school.

The Friday Afternoon Adventure includes transportation on Greyhound busses, a trip to Bronner's CHRISTmas Wonderland - the "World's Largest Christmas Store," downtown shopping and sightseeing in Frankenmuth, and dinner at the world-famous chicken restaurant The Bavarian Inn. The time is roughly 12:00 PM to 7:30 PM. The price is $110.
The Saturday Graduation Banquet includes dinner with our graduation ceremony from 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM. The price is $65.

These events are included with the student tuition. However, we offer this option for those who may want to share a part of the school experience with their spouse or family. Registered students can purchase tickets on our registration page as a separate ticket. Adults ages 18+ only, please.

What do I bring to class?

Students must wear the official school Santa pendant and a name tag for admittance to all school activities. Students and pre-registered guests attending the Friday Adventures and Saturday Graduation Banquet will have a separate name tag. We will have everything you need for class.

Do I bring my suit or beard?

No suits, beards, or accessories will be needed. There will be vendors to explore if you are looking for a Santa suit, beard, or wig. This Santa School is about learning how to BE Santa. We believe in the magic of only one Santa and do not encourage groups of Santa to be dressed in suits together.

Is it best to have a real beard?

Not really. The school will give you ways and ideas to have a real beard that you put on and magically change into the most well-known character in the world, Santa Claus. Our wig master can show you the way. These hairpieces are the best and very real.

What is the expected dress for school?

Dress for Santa School is casual during class, but we recommend you wear Sunday clothes (nice clothes saved for special occasions) for the Graduation Banquet on Saturday evening.

Can I record or film during Santa School?

Please refrain from taking photos or videos during class out of respect for the speakers. Recording activities and lectures are not permitted during school.

Are meals included?

This year, we will include some meals for registered students, including lunch and dinner on Friday and the Banquet dinner on Saturday. Students are responsible for all other meals. We will have a few cookies, beverages, and treats upon your arrival!

Is transportation included?

Students are responsible for transportation. We will be providing transportation on Friday for the Afternoon Adventures.

Is lodging included?

Students are responsible for lodging.

We have blocked a number of rooms at a discounted rate in several hotels. You must book the reservation yourself, mention Santa School, and refer to the links below or the phone numbers to receive the discounted rate. Only a limited number of rooms are available at each hotel. Please get in touch with 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

Sleep Inn 989-837-1010

H Hotel 989-839-0500

What is the closest airport to Midland, Michigan?

The closest airport is the MBS - 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?

Tickets are refundable minus a $50 convenience fee for each ticket on or before September 15. If you are requesting a cancellation, you must receive a confirmation of receipt from CWHSS.

Tickets cancelled between September 16 and September 30 will refunded at 50%. Tickets are non-refundable after October 1. All eligible refunds will be made through PayPal after October 12, 2024.

How do I get ahold of someone at the School?

Christmas comes, but once a year...

As a small non-profit school, it is only open for three days. We will check our email intermittently until August. Starting in August, we will be more available. We will do our best to return email messages throughout the year.

Jingle bells are our favorite sound; however, we do not have a phone number. Or a physical address for the CWH Santa Claus School, as it is held in various locations in Midland, Michigan. If you wish to contact us, please email or use the P.O. Box below.

CWH Santa Claus School
% Tom & Holly Valent
P.O. Box 1642
Midland, MI 48641 USA

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