You Won't Believe This Town Is In Indiana
It is mid-August, the sun is blazing, and pools and waterparks are packed with people in full summer mode. However, in contrast to all the summer fun, sitting quietly in Southern Indiana is a town that keeps the Christmas spirit alive year-round. If you are already craving festive cheer but cannot wait for December, Santa Claus, Indiana, is a place that should be on your radar. In addition to offering a holiday-themed amusement park, this eccentric town also has Christmas shops and a reindeer-themed resort, letting you experience the magic of the season even under the summer sun.
Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari
Regardless of the time of year, Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari always seems to have some kind of holiday cheer to share with its park goers. There are plenty of rides throughout this amusement park, with different sections of the park honoring different holidays. Christmas lovers can explore the Christmas section, featuring rides such as Reindeer Games, Prancer’s Merry-Go-Round, and Comet’s Rockets. The park also offers a Thanksgiving-themed area with attractions like Turkey Twirl and Gobbler Getaway, as well as a Halloween section boasting HallowSwings and The Raven Wooden Rollercoaster. For guests feeling especially patriotic, there is even a Fourth of July section to explore!
Throughout the year, Holiday World hosts numerous quirky live events that visitors are welcome to attend. A few of the events on the calendar include Santa’s Pool Party, the Wild and Wacky Magic Show, and the Out of Hand Comedy Juggling Show. After getting your holiday fix, check out Splashin’ Safari, which was ranked as one of the country’s Top Waterparks by TripAdvisor, featuring two of the world’s longest water coasters. Travelers hoping to immerse themselves in this eccentric energy even further can opt to spend the night at the resort’s Santa Cottages, a set of cozy, Christmas-themed cottages that include amenities like a pool and splash pad, two playgrounds, and rides on the Reindeer Express Train.
Sun Outdoors Lake Rudolph Resort
Even the town’s local lodging has a holiday twist to it! The Sun Outdoors Lake Rudolph Resort is a popular place for visitors to lodge while in Santa Claus, offering over 200 cottages and nearly 300 tent and RV sites. There are countless amenities to enjoy while lodging here, including Santa’s SplashDown WaterPark, Blitzen Bay swimming pool, the Reindeer Games arcade, free mini golf, a splash pad, horseshoe pits, kayaks, paddleboats, beach volleyball, gem mining, and free shuttles to Holiday World.
Depending on the time of year, resort visitors may also be able to appreciate special seasonal activities. For seven weekends during September and October, the resort hosts its annual Halloween Weekends series. Throughout the two months, activities include trick or treating, costume contests, ghost stories, hay rides, a kids' carnival, and other family-friendly fun. Afterward, from Thanksgiving through Christmas, the resort turns into a festive wonderland for the annual Santa Claus Land of Lights! During a 1.2-mile drive-through, visitors can appreciate thousands of lights, displays, and storyboards that tell the famous story of Rudolph.
Year-Round Holiday Shopping
Whether you are looking to get ahead for your holiday shopping this year or simply enjoy wandering through cozy Christmas shops, Santa Claus offers the perfect opportunity to find gifts and souvenirs. Visitors can start their shopping spree at Santa's Candy Castle, an offbeat holiday shop housed in a historic castle from 1935. Open May through December, items for sale in the shop include 35 flavors of cocoa, rare and old-fashioned candy, handmade confections, frozen hot chocolate, and more. The castle also hosts a free annual event, “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire,” where visitors can gather around the fire to roast chestnuts while learning about this centuries-old custom, why it is now nearly forgotten, and how to preserve it for future generations.
Before leaving town, make sure to swing by the Santa Claus Christmas Store, which sells all things Christmas, such as wreaths, outdoor and indoor lights, tree trimmings, nativities, fudge, and many other sweet treats! There are also nearly 8,000 varieties of ornaments to browse, with shoppers able to personalize the ornaments on-site with names and dates for free.
Final Thoughts
Although the rest of the state might beg to differ, in Santa Claus, it is never too early to start celebrating the holiday season. Here, you might find yourself picking out your spouse’s ornament in July or climbing aboard the Reindeer Express, soaking in the holiday coziness even when it is 85 degrees outside. So let your worries melt away and get ready to have a jolly old time in the forever festive town of Santa Claus.
