Santa Was a Rolling Stone
Although Amazon might be Santa Claus' largest competitor, the two share a similarity—they both have multiple headquarters, or at least they will soon. Since ol' St. Nick has been around much longer, he's learned a thing or two about location. Keep reading to find out which cities Santa sometimes confuses for the home he shares with Mrs. Claus.
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Santa Claus, Indiana
With a name like Santa Claus, Indiana, this town promises Christmas cheer, reindeer and white beards. Since this is where Santa's official post office is located (you can write a letter to Santa, receive an exclusive holiday postmark and get a reply from the big guy before Christmas Day!), it's safe to say Santa lives here. Take a picture with one of the many statues of St. Nick, especially one that's 22 feet tall and stands right outside of the Santa Claus Museum and Village.
Image courtesy of Spencer County Visitors Bureau
North Pole, Alaska
If you didn't know better, you'd think North Pole, Alaska, outside of Fairbanks, really is Santa's hometown. There's even a place called Santa's House, where you can get a customized letter penned by Kris Kringle himself. Including the signs for sleigh parking, actual reindeer sightings (this is Alaska, after all) and the authentic North Pole-like weather, it's easy to believe this is where Santa hides his residence in plain sight.
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Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Don't be surprised if you hear locals referring to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, as The Christmas City, which is its second merry moniker. The town earned both of its names from being founded on Christmas Eve in 1741. Today, it shows just as much gusto for the holiday by lighting up giant industrial-style structures, giving them that gleeful glow and reminding you that, although this might not be where Santa lives, it was inspired by the birthplace of Jesus Christ, the true reason for the season.
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Lapland, Finland
At Rovaniemi in Lapland, Finland, meet Joulupukki (what Finnish people like to call Santa) at Santa's Village. Then cross over to the Arctic Circle, the southernmost place where the sun can be seen (or not) for an entire day. You'll especially want to be here to send off Saint Nicholas when he departs to deliver gifts to kids all over the globe.
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New York City
The Big Apple gets a shiny new coat of red for the holidays, in homage to the festive season. Display windows are decked with decorations that will stop you in your tracks, Christmas trees are as tall as skyscrapers, and there's someone in a Santa suit everywhere you look. This setting might feel more like a Claus family reunion than NYC, but these are actually decoy Santas (so the real one can go on about his holly, jolly business). Take the family on a hunt for Kris Kringle, including Macy's Santaland.
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Reykjavik, Iceland
The North Pole wishes it was Reykjavik, Iceland. The northern lights can be seen twirling in the winter sky above snow-covered everything in this gorgeous city. Showing the rest of the world how an Icelandic Christmas is done, the town kicks off the festivities with the lighting of the Oslo Christmas Tree and follows it with a season full of ice skating at Ingólfstorg Square, a charismatic Christmas market and even events on how to spread the sustainable influence for the holidays.
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Leavenworth, Washington
Apparently, Leavenworth, Washington, is Santa's weekend spot. Find him here throughout December on Saturdays and Sundays, when he parades with Mrs. Claus and compadres at noon. Carolers will be singing, sledders will be sledding, and the aroma of cocoa and chestnuts will fill the air. The city gets so caught up in the celebrations, they leave the Village of Lights up until Valentine's Day!
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Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
You might think that you're not in the North Pole given the coastline of Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, but the clearly marked house on the boardwalk will let you know it's Santa-friendly. Santa was smart to set up shop here, since there's no sales tax on local purchases and it's beachfront property. (Responsible financial planning there, St. Nick.) That's probably why he's extra generous and doesn't charge for photos, although donations are appreciated. (Feeding reindeer gets expensive.)
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Manila, Philippines
In Manila, Philippines, celebrations start suspiciously early—all the way back in September to be exact. And that's just when the official holiday season begins! Locals know to begin shopping for decor and gifts as early as mid-year if they want to beat the rush. Don't think that things slow down sooner, either. Yuletide revelers can find breathtaking exhibits, including the interactive Prism of Lights display, up until the first week of January.
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Chicago, Illinois
There's little else more beautiful and captivating than Millennium Park in Chicago, Illinois, during the holiday season. If the central Christmas tree doesn't sparkle enough for you, head to the Lincoln Park Zoo for Zoolights, where you'll happen to find Santa, millions of bright lights and even an exclusive kid-free after-hours event that caters to grownups (probably why Santa likes it so much here). Check out Christmas Around the World at the Museum of Science and Industry for another one of Kris Kringle's fave spots in town.
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Prague, Czech Republic
With a mega-Christmas market, glowing gothic castles by night and warm trdelník pastries in hand, Prague, Czech Republic, is an especially unique home for Saint Nicholas. Although the local legend has St. Nick aided by an angel and devil to convince children to be good to avoid getting coal (sound familiar?), the spirit of the holidays is felt tremendously in this festive town.
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