Booking Santa: FAQ

Why That’s Santa!?

That’s Santa! provides a professional Santa who lives the role every day of the year. He has taught at Santa schools, wears a custom-tailored suit and boots cobbled for his feet, and the beard is real. There are less expensive options, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more authentic or professional Santa.

How much is a visit?

Visits start at $200 for the first half-hour and $100 for each additional half-hour. Travel is billed at $100 per hour of drive time, and the first 30 minutes each way is free. When several events book the same trip, That’s Santa! splits the travel among them, so booking near other events can lower your share. Overnight trips include a hotel allowance.

How do I book him?

Start at book.thatssanta.com. Enter your date, time and city, and you’ll see a preliminary quote right away. A submitted request doesn’t hold the date. That’s Santa! reviews each request, confirms the details and final quote, and sends a contract. Your date is reserved once the contract is signed and a 50% retainer is paid. The balance is due at the end of the event.

Retainers may be paid by Venmo, Apple Pay or check. Balances may be paid by cash, check, Venmo or Apple Pay.

When can I book?

Santa’s Florida season runs from the Friday after Thanksgiving through December 23. Returning clients get first choice of dates each summer, and booking opens to new clients on June 24. Requests within three weeks of the event, outside the season, or outside Florida are Special Consideration requests. Email [email protected].

Is the retainer refundable?

A retainer isn’t a deposit. It protects against losing other bookings for your date. The best events are large annual ones booked six months to a year ahead, so a cancelled date rarely refills with comparable work.

The retainer is refunded only if That’s Santa! cancels: if Santa is ill or injured and no quality replacement can be found, or if weather that That’s Santa! judges impassable prevents the visit. If a client cancels over weather That’s Santa! judges passable, the full fee is still due. All contracts are pay-or-play.

Sounds pretty businesslike!

It is, on purpose. We’d rather be all business on the front end and all Santa on the day of your event. That’s Santa! exists for one reason: to bring the joy of meeting Santa to boys and girls of all ages.