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Santa Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Skypark at Santa's Village

Santa

Skyforest, CA · On-site

$35 - $65/hr

Santa Claus is a performer within the Creative and Performing Arts department. The Santa Claus performer creates immersive magical and memorable experiences for guests of all ages through character ...

SPSV ENTERTAINMENT LLC

Santa

Skyforest, CA

$35 - $65/hr

The Santa Claus performer creates immersive magical and memorable experiences for guests of all ages through character performance, storytelling, and interactive guest engagement while maintaining ...

SPSV ENTERTAINMENT LLC

Santa

Skyforest, CA · On-site

$35 - $65/hr

Santa Claus is a performer within the Creative and Performing Arts department. The Santa Claus performer creates immersive magical and memorable experiences for guests of all ages through character ...

SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment

Santa

Langhorne, PA · On-site

Create a realistic Santa character experience for families * Consistently perform the same high energy experience repetitively throughout the night of the event * Responsible for clocking in and out ...

SeaWorld

Create a realistic Santa character experience for families * Consistently perform the same high energy experience repetitively throughout the night of the event * Responsible for clocking in and out ...

Verde Canyon Railroad

Seasonal - Santa

Clarkdale, AZ · On-site

$12.75 - $15/hr

Santa is one of the most important guest-facing roles in The Magical Christmas Journey. This position requires kindness, patience, strong guest interaction skills, confidence performing in public ...

Verde Canyon Railroad LC

Seasonal - Santa

Clarkdale, AZ · On-site

$12.75 - $15/hr

Santa is one of the most important guest-facing roles in The Magical Christmas Journey ® . This position requires kindness, patience, strong guest interaction skills, confidence performing in public ...

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Santa information

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$48

$60

$70

How much do santa jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for santa in the United States is $60.10, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $54.09 and $66.11 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Santa?

Santas, also known as Santa Clauses, are individuals who dress up as the legendary figure of Santa Claus during the holiday season. They typically appear at malls, holiday events, parties, and parades to spread cheer, pose for photos, and listen to children's Christmas wishes. The role requires a friendly personality, a jolly demeanor, and often a convincing costume, including a red suit and white beard. Being a Santa is about creating magical experiences and joy for both children and adults.

What does a Santa do?

A professional Santa Claus plays the role of Santa Claus at the mall or Christmas events. Your responsibilities include interacting with children and having pictures taken with guests. Other duties include wearing the red Santa Claus suit, growing a beard (or wearing a fake one), and convincingly emitting jolly laughter. You typically work long hours during the holidays, with some shifts are as long as 12 hours to save children the cognitive dissonance of witnessing two simultaneous St. Nicholas’s. You work with children and may have to answer difficult or tricky questions about religion or divorce. You maintain the comforting fantasy of Santa Claus for children.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a Santa?

To thrive as a Santa, you need strong interpersonal skills, a joyful demeanor, and the ability to engage with children and families, often supported by a background in acting or customer service. Familiarity with scheduling tools, costume care, and sometimes background checks or child safety certifications are typically required. Exceptional patience, improvisational ability, and warmth help Santas create magical experiences and handle a variety of situations. These skills are crucial to ensuring children feel comfortable, maintaining the magic of the season, and delivering memorable interactions.

What challenges do Santas face during the holiday season?

One of the main challenges faced by professional Santas is maintaining high energy and a positive demeanor throughout long shifts, often while engaging with excited children and large crowds. Santas must also be prepared to handle a wide range of emotional interactions, from shy or anxious children to those with special needs. Additionally, the role often requires working in warm, heavy costumes for extended periods and adapting to various event environments, from malls to private parties. Effective communication and improvisational skills are crucial for creating memorable experiences and managing unexpected situations.

What is the difference between Santa vs Elf?

AspectSantaElf
Required CredentialsNone specific, often festive experienceSimilar, often with craft or toy-making skills
Work EnvironmentPublic events, shopping malls, paradesWorkshop, toy factories, holiday events
Industry UsageHoliday entertainment, charity eventsToy manufacturing, holiday decorations
Common Search/ComparisonSantaElf

Santa is primarily known for appearing at public holiday events, spreading cheer, and engaging with children, often without formal credentials. Elves, on the other hand, are typically involved in toy-making and workshop activities, supporting Santa's mission. While both roles are integral to holiday festivities, Santa's role is more about public appearances, whereas elves focus on production and preparation.

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Santa jobs near you
Infographic showing various Santa job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, 3% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $124,999 per year, or $60.1 per hour.

Santa

Skyforest, CA • On-site

Skypark at Santa's Village
Amusement, Gambling, and Recreation • 201 - 500 employees
Learn more about Skypark at Santa's Villageexternal

$35 - $65/hr

Full-time

Posted 11 days ago

Job description

Santa Claus is a performer within the Creative and Performing Arts department. The Santa Claus performer creates immersive magical and memorable experiences for guests of all ages through character performance, storytelling, and interactive guest engagement while maintaining Santa Claus' established personality and bringing the magic of Santa's Village to life.
The position requires performers to be jolly and create fun, engaging, and family-friendly experiences while maintaining character integrity, Show Quality Standards, and SkyPark protocols.
This is a seasonal position running November 2026 through January 2027 and requires availability to work weekends, holidays, and peak-season dates. Shifts may vary from 1-5 days per week and approximately 5-10 hours per day, based on department scheduling needs.
A real beard is required. The performer must be able to wear the provided SkyPark Santa costume in sizes L-XXL.
Responsibilities
  • Follow wardrobe protocols and properly care for assigned costumes and accessories.
  • Review the daily entertainment schedule and arrive prepared for assigned duties.
  • Maintain Santa's established personality, presentation, storyline, character and interaction standards while performing and interacting with guests.
  • Engage guests with warmth, enthusiasm and genuine holiday spirit through approved photos, performances, ceremonies, special events, and other entertainment activities.
  • Listen to children's Christmas wishes and participate in approved photo opportunities.
  • Learn and perform assigned scripts, routines, and character interactions.
  • Follow all Claus Protocols and Conducts, Show Quality Standards, and other Creative & Performing Arts policies.
  • Work effectively with other performers and maintain appropriate timing and coordination.
  • May perform as a mascort or assist with mascot performances.
  • May assist with special events, ceremonies, and other entertainment activities.
  • Attend all required training, rehearsals, and meetings.
  • Report safety concerns, guest concerns, costume or equipment issues, or other problems to management.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Character & Professional Conduct
  • Maintain character while performing and interacting with guests in designated guest-facing areas.
  • Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with guests, particularly children.
  • Follow SkyPark guidelines regarding guest interaction, physical contact, photography, and character interactions.
  • Do not make inappropriate, offensive, or unapproved comments, gestures, or behavior while representing Santa or SkyPark.
  • Break character when necessary for safety, emergencies, or as directed by management.
  • Notify management of unsafe, inappropriate, or difficult guest interactions.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements
  • Safely wear assigned Santa costume and accessories, which may affect visibility, hearing, ventilation, or movement.
  • Be able to perform safely in large or close-fitting costumes.
  • Stand, walk, dance, bend, and perform repetitive movements for extended periods.
  • Work indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions and temperatures.
  • Work in crowded, noisy, and highly interactive guest environments.
  • May perform in Santa costume for extended periods with required meal and rest breaks.
  • May be required to handle props, and other entertainment equipment.

Qualifications
  • Real beard required.
  • Must be able to wear the provided SkyPark Santa costume in sizes L-XXL.
  • Reliable attendance and punctuality.
  • Ability to work assigned weekends, holidays, and peak-season dates as required.
  • Jolly, friendly, engaging personality with strong guest service communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to work comfortably and appropriately with children of all ages and their families.
  • Ability to learn and consistently perform character routines, scripts, storylines, and performance and character standards.
  • Ability to maintain character during both scripted and unscripted guest interactions.
  • Previous acting, dance, entertainment, or similar performance experience is a plus.
  • Ability to follow direction, protocols, and safety procedures.
  • Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
  • Strong teamwork, organization, and time management skills.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees in this position. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, or working conditions. Duties may be modified based on operational needs.
Salary Description
$35-$65

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