SANTA'S HOUSE

Look for the little red and white house located next to the South Bend Chocolate Café. Santa’s House is a great place to spend one-on-one time with the “big guy.” Don’t forget to bring your wish list and a camera!
Date: December 2-24
Location: Located at 100 Block of S. Michigan St.
To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, the following protocols will be in place for our Visits with Santa:
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To avoid people crowding in a line to see Santa, online reservations are highly recommended for Santa visits, and can be made by clicking the "Visit Santa" button below. The link for each weekend's Santa visits will appear on this site the Tuesday before each weekend at 2:00 p.m. Each 10-minute slot can accommodate a family/group of up to 8 people.
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We will also be able to accept walk-up visitors, and a physically-distanced line will be created for those without reservations.
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Plexiglas will separate Santa from guests.
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Guests are encouraged to wear masks while waiting to see Santa, but it is not required.
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Hand sanitizer will be available.
Bring your own camera and take photos of Santa with your loved ones. Visits with Santa are free!
Each child who visits Santa will receive an “I Believe” sticker which will enable them to receive trinkets and discounts throughout downtown South Bend. The list of 2022 "I Believe" sticker promotions are coming soon!
NOTE - We will be putting cookie decorating on hold again this year out of caution, but candy canes will be distributed for Santa's visitors, and Santa letter writing will also take place by Santa's house this year with individually-packaged crayons available.
HOURS
Fridays – Dec. 3, 10. 17
5:00 p.m.. to 9:00 p.m.
(Santa’s house will open Dec. 3 right after Tree Lighting Ceremony, approximately 6:30 p.m.; additionally Santa visits will pause for an hour on Dec. 10 as Santa takes part in the Holiday Light Parade from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.)
Saturdays – Dec. 4, 11, 18
12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
(Santa's house will open at 12:30 p.m. on Dec. 4 as Santa makes his way back from visiting children at the Holiday Extravaganza at Four Winds Field)
Sundays – Dec. 5, 12, 19
1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Thursday – Dec. 23
12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Friday – Dec. 24
112:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Click calendar image above for a full printable PDF!
TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY

This year's Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and will feature live holiday music by The Erly and performances by the IU South Bend Kickline, South Bend Civic Theatre, Southold Dance Theatre, and the Spotlight Performers. There will also be holiday giveaways, a holiday photo op, roving mascots, and a Santa letter writing station.
Be sure to check out the Gingerbread Village Display in the lobby of the Courtyard by Marriott!
Santa will make his grand entrance to downtown a little after 6:00 p.m. for the lighting of the Gridiron Tree.
Santa’s House will then officially open for visitors at approximately 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. To avoid people crowding in a line to see Santa, visits will be done through timed reservations, which can be made online. Walk-ups are also welcomed. The link for each weekend's Santa visits will appear on this site the Tuesday before each weekend.
Date: Friday Dec., 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Location: The Gridiron – next to the South Bend Chocolate Cafe