Frequently Asked Questions

Not at all! The Practical Santa is designed for Santas of all experience levels. We've had students with zero experience up to 45 years in the Big Red Chair. Everyone will learn something valuable at this class.

The Practical Santa (March) is our foundational 2.5-day course covering everything you need to become a professional Santa — wardrobe, business skills, visit techniques, and more. Advanced Santa Studies (August) is for experienced Santas and focuses on master-level character development, premium events, social media branding, and building a six-figure Santa business.

All courses are held at the Hilton Garden Inn, 7415 Waverly Walk Ave, Charlotte, NC 28277. The hotel offers comfortable accommodations and excellent meeting facilities. Class registration takes place on the 2nd floor of the hotel.

The course fee includes all instruction, workshops, course materials, snacks and some meals (pizza lunch on Sunday for The Practical Santa), professional photography sessions, and a certificate of completion. Hotel accommodations and most meals are not included — you'll want to book your own room at the Hilton Garden Inn or nearby.

We intentionally keep our class sizes small to ensure personal attention and hands-on learning. This means classes can sell out quickly, so we recommend registering early to secure your spot.

All sales are final — there are no refunds once payment is made. However, if you are unable to attend, you may transfer your enrollment to a future class or a different course at no additional charge. Contact [email protected] or call 704-502-2500 to arrange a transfer.

Both courses are led by Doug Eberhart, 2025 International Santa Claus Hall of Fame member with over 45 years of experience portraying Santa Claus. Each course also features additional guest instructors who are seasoned professionals in their respective fields — from photography and business development to character work and storytelling. Visit our Instructors page to learn more.

Yes! Bring your Santa suit and Mrs. Claus outfit — we offer free professional photography sessions during the course so you can get great shots in your gear. Check out our photo galleries from previous classes to see examples. ProSantaShop will also be available on-site where you can browse and purchase professional Santa gear and accessories.

Absolutely! Our classes welcome anyone who wants to portray Santa or Mrs. Claus professionally. The training applies to all who want to bring the magic of the holiday season to others.

Registration and payment are handled securely through Stripe. You can pay with any major credit card, debit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay. Simply visit our registration page, select your course, fill in your details, and you'll be redirected to Stripe's secure checkout.