Santa Claus | History, Legend, & Facts - Britannica

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• What does Santa Claus look like?
• Is it possible to meet Santa Claus?
• What are some examples of legends?
• Who wrote “A Visit from St. Nicholas”?
• How is St. Nicholas described in the poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas”?

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External Websites

• ABC News - Who was the real Santa Claus? We sort the facts from the fiction
• History Today - How Father Christmas Found his Reindeer
• The Spruce Eats - The Story of Sinterklaas
• St. Nicholas Center - Who is St. Nicholas?
• English Heritage - The History of Father Christmas

Britannica Websites Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.

• Santa Claus - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)
• Santa Claus - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)

Santa Claus legendary figure Ask Anything Homework Help Also known as: Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, Sinterklaas Written and fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Britannica Editors Last updated Dec. 24, 2025 •History Britannica AI Ask Anything Homework Help Table of Contents Table of Contents Ask Anything Top Questions

What does Santa Claus look like?

Today’s most common depiction of Santa Claus is of a portly white-bearded gentleman dressed in a red suit with a black belt and white fur trim, black boots, and a soft red cap with white fur trim. This image was developed by illustrator Haddon Sundblum for the Coca-Cola Company’s Santa Claus advertisements from 1931, though it has roots in 19th-century illustrations by Thomas Nast.

Where does Santa Claus live?

Santa Claus is said to live at the North Pole with his wife, where he spends the year making toys with the help of his elves. There he receives letters from children asking for Christmas gifts.

Where did Santa Claus come from?

The Dutch are credited with transporting the legend of St. Nicholas (Sinterklaas) to New Amsterdam (now New York City), along with the custom of giving gifts and sweets to children on his feast day, December 6.

When does Santa Claus arrive?

It is said that on Christmas Eve Santa Claus loads his sleigh with toys and flies around the world, drawn by nine reindeer. Stopping at each child’s house, he slides down the chimney and leaves gifts, refreshing himself with milk and cookies left for him by the household’s children.

Is it possible to meet Santa Claus?

While it is tough to catch Santa Claus on Christmas Eve when he is said to come down the chimney, it is possible to spot Santa in shopping malls and other places in the United States and elsewhere around Christmastime. It has become a popular tradition in many families for children to pose for photos with Santa and tell him what presents they would like.

News •

Trump warns against infiltration by a 'bad Santa,' defends coal in jovial Christmas calls with kids • Dec. 24, 2025, 9:02 PM ET (AP) ...(Show more) Everything you need to know about Christmas, and how it has evolved into a global holiday • Dec. 20, 2025, 7:41 AM ET (AP) NORAD continues decades-long tradition of tracking Santa's trip around the world • Dec. 20, 2025, 1:31 AM ET (AP) Show less

Santa Claus, legendary figure who is the traditional patron of Christmas in the United States and other countries, bringing gifts to children. His popular image is based on traditions associated with Saint Nicholas, a 4th-century Christian saint who is typically depicted in red bishop’s robes. The Dutch are credited with transporting the legend of Saint Nicholas (Sinterklaas) to New Amsterdam (now New York City), along with the custom of giving gifts and sweets to children on his feast day, December 6 (see also St. Nicholas Day). Father Christmas fills the role in many European countries.

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The current depiction of Santa Claus is based on images drawn by cartoonist Thomas Nast for Harper’s Weekly beginning in 1863. Nast’s Santa owed much to the description given in the poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas” (also known as “’Twas the Night Before Christmas”), first published in 1823. The image was further defined by the popular Santa Claus advertisements created for the Coca-Cola Company from 1931 by illustrator Haddon Sundblum. Sundblum’s Santa was a portly white-bearded gentleman dressed in a red suit with a black belt and white fur trim, black boots, and a soft red cap.

Santa Claus is said to live at the North Pole with his wife (Mrs. Claus), where he spends the year making toys with the help of his elves. There he receives letters from children asking for Christmas gifts. On Christmas Eve he loads his sleigh with toys and flies around the world, drawn by eight or nine reindeer, stopping at each child’s house; he slides down the chimney and leaves the gifts, refreshing himself with the milk and cookies left for him by the household’s children.

Britannica Quiz Pop Culture Quiz Are Santa’s Reindeer Female? Was Santa Claus A Real Person? Why Is Christmas in December? How Did the Tradition of Christmas Trees Start? The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Melissa Petruzzello.