Get Holly and Jolly at the Santa Claus House in Alaska
In the early 1950s, merchant Con Miller decided to build a trading post in North Pole, Alaska. Con had a history of dressing up as Santa Claus and visiting with children in the surrounding area during the Christmas season. While Con’s trading post was under construction, local legend states that a little boy recognized that Con doubled as Santa Claus and asked if Santa was building a house. Thus, the Santa Claus House in North Pole, Alaska came into being.
Photos by depositphotos.com
Located on St. Nicholas Drive, the Santa Claus House features year-round Christmas decor galore. Guests can meet (and feed!) Santa’s reindeer, shop for authentic silver bells, and stand in the shadow of a giant statue of Santa Claus hovering over a red sleigh. The Santa Claus House is also home to a Sweet Shop which serves warm drinks and sweet treats. If you have an out of season craving for hot chocolate with marshmallows and Christmas cookies in the month of June the Santa Claus House is an unmissable stop during your summer travels.
The Santa Claus House is most famous for its Christmas letter exchange. Children from all over the world routinely send mail to the Santa Claus House addressed to Santa. Santa and his tireless team of elves work overtime to ensure that every child gets a personalized letter in return. Santa even offers a letter package that includes a stuffed reindeer and a few sweatshirts and hats straight from the North Pole.
The Santa Claus House is open year-round for those who feel they need a Christmas fix in July. Visitors can bask in Santa’s splendor on the hottest day of July, or during a blizzard in December. Aunt Edna will never stop thanking you for the snow globe that you purchased for her during your trip to North Pole, Alaska.
Address:
101 Saint Nicholas Dr.
North Pole, Alaska, 99705
United States
UnusualPlaces Field Notes
- Location
- Santa Claus House, 101 St. Nicholas Drive, North Pole, Alaska, USA
- Coordinates
- 64.7546464, -147.343098
- Access
- Santa Claus House is a visitor store at 101 St. Nicholas Drive; the operator invites visitors inside to browse seasonal merchandise and displays. Silver Bell Square, Destination North Pole, Antler Academy and Santa appearances are adjacent or separate experiences with their own schedules and terms. Check the operator’s page before travelling, especially if a Santa visit is the purpose of the trip.
- Admission
- The operator’s current Visit Us page publishes store information and hours but does not list a general admission ticket price. Check directly with the operator about any specific Santa visit, tour or adjacent experience.
- Time needed
- The operator publishes no standard visit duration. Time varies with browsing, displays, queues and whether Santa is present; adjacent Silver Bell Square is a separate experience.
- Best season
- The store operates year-round and the operator publishes separate seasonal schedules for Santa. It does not name a best season. For the 2026 Santa schedule, daily appearances begin November 9, subject to listed holiday exceptions and short breaks; confirm the operator’s calendar before travelling.
- Opening hours
- The operator’s 2026 schedule lists the store daily 10:00–19:00 from May 25 through September 13 and daily 10:00–18:00 from September 14 through December 31, except Thanksgiving (November 26) and December 25–27. Santa has separate hours: Wednesday–Sunday 10:00–18:00 through November 8, then daily 10:00–18:00 November 9–December 31, with listed exceptions. Schedules can change; Silver Bell Square hours differ.
- Location checked
- 2026-10-15
- Facts checked
- 2026-11-01
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