Santa Doug Eberhart has been portraying Santa Claus for 42 years. He started his acting career in Massillon, Ohio at Washington High School and began as Santa when he was 14 years old. His mother Sandy made his first Santa suit out of an XL men’s pajama pattern. Doug began by doing “Santa gigs” for friends and neighbors and worked his way into doing home visits. Being a large football player, (offensive center) Doug continued his passion for playing Old Saint Nick through his college years at Princeton University where he graduated in 1985.
Upon graduation, Santa Doug moved to Charlotte, NC and continued his portrayal up until this day. He has entertained over 20,000 children and adults. He is a member of IBRBS, Santa USA and prefers to use a designer beard due to his work in the medical field. Being a Designer Bearded Santa has not slowed down Santa Doug’s business. He has been Santa Claus for TV commercials, The Carolina Panthers, Department stores, Grocery Chains, numerous corporate parties and hundreds of home visits.

I am a proud member of the International Brotherhood of Real Bearded Santas (IBRBS), the Greater Charlotte Area Christmas Performers, and formally trained at the Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School of Midland, MI – class of 2019.

After a 43-year banking career, it is wonderful to be able to do what makes me happy! One of those special things is giving back to my community in various ways. Volunteering in schools and non-profits is now joined by my Mrs. Claus persona.

Whether working with children or animals, I am often joined by Ali Elf (when Santa allows) for reading stories, sitting for photos, decorating cookies/gingerbread houses or a fun tea party. I like to work with my ‘hosts’ to be creative in how we entertain the children and make Christmas special.