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Before your visit, be sure to create and print your family’s personalized invitation from Santa! It’s a fun way to begin the Christmas magic before you ever arrive at the Caboose. Santa’s invitation makes a wonderful surprise for the children—leave it somewhere special for them to discover, tuck it into the mail, or have an elf deliver it! Create and print your invitation before your visit, then let the excitement begin!
Yes! A little preparation helps Santa create a lot more magic. Be sure to complete your family's Elf Report before your appointment. This is your chance to quietly share those special details Santa couldn't possibly know, such as accomplishments, a teacher's name, something your child is proud of, or a little encouragement they may need.Please complete it without the children watching and keep what you've told Santa our little North Pole secret! The look on their faces when Santa suddenly knows something special about them is priceless.
Yes! Charge those batteries and make some room for Christmas memories! You'll be welcome to take photographs and video throughout your visit, so charge your phone and camera beforehand, check that you have plenty of storage space, and bring anything else you normally use for family pictures. You don't want to discover a 2% battery just as your child leans over to whisper something important into Santa's ear! Santa does have a tripod with a phone mount than can be used, but if you have a remote switch, or access from a smartwatch, please be prepared in advance. Also please practice setting your camera onto timer mode. Santa does deliver some cameras as Christmas, but does not know how to program them all.
Also, please silence your phones, this is magical family time, we don't want to interrupt our visit for an unexpected phone call.
Anything that makes them feel happy and comfortable! Christmas pajamas can be adorable, holiday dresses and sweaters photograph beautifully, and everyday clothes are perfectly fine too. There is no North Pole dress code. Choose something that lets your children move, play and be themselves. A comfortable child almost always gives you better memories than a perfectly dressed child who's worried about keeping their clothes perfect. Please be aware, that if there is snow outside or the sidewalk is wet that Santa may ask everyone to take off their shoes as they enter. Wisconsin winters can also mean snowy, wet or salty shoes. If your children will be wearing special holiday shoes for their photographs, consider bringing them along and having the children wear boots or everyday shoes outside. Once aboard the warm Caboose, they can change into their Christmas shoes and keep them clean and picture-perfect. Santa does request that outdoor shoes be removed upon entering the caboose to keep it clean for every visitor. And most importantly, bring your children, your Christmas spirit, and leave the rushing behind. Santa will take it from there.
This one is especially close to Santa's heart. Little ears are everywhere at Christmastime. Please save adult conversations about arrangements, gifts, photographs, schedules and other behind-the-scenes details until you're safely away from curious children. If you happen to see Santa somewhere unexpected, remember that sometimes he's out making his list, and checking it twice! Childhood gives us only a few precious years when the North Pole is completely real. Together, we can protect that wonder for every child just a little longer.
After all, that's what we're here to do: Keep the Miracle Alive.
Anything that makes them feel happy and comfortable! Christmas pajamas can be adorable, holiday dresses and sweaters photograph beautifully, and everyday clothes are perfectly fine too. There is no North Pole dress code. Choose something that lets your children move, play and be themselves. A comfortable child almost always gives you better memories than a perfectly dressed child who's worried about keeping their clothes perfect. Please be aware, that if there is snow outside or the sidewalk is wet that Santa may ask everyone to take off their shoes as they enter.
The magic begins before you ever step inside! When you arrive, stay warm and cozy in your vehicle and take a look at the little traffic light on Santa's Caboose. If it's red, Santa is still making Christmas memories with the family before you. When it turns green, that's your family's special signal that Santa is ready for you! Gather up the children and come on in. From that moment until your visit ends, the Caboose belongs to your family and Santa.
The Christmas magic can begin right in your car! While you're waiting, tune your radio to 103.5 FM and enjoy North Pole Radio. Stay warm, get the children excited about what's about to happen, and keep an eye on Santa's little traffic light. When it changes from red to green, that's your family's invitation to come aboard!
Think of it as Santa's little North Pole traffic signal. A red light means Santa is still visiting privately with another family or resetting and sanitizing the space, so please remain in your vehicle and let them enjoy their final magical moments. When the light turns green, Santa has said goodbye, straightened his hat and beard, and is ready for your family. That's your signal to come aboard!
That's perfectly okay. Santa has met lots of little ones who prefer to study that big white beard from the safety of Mom or Dad's arms first! There is never any hurry and never any pressure. We might start with a story, look at a toy, talk about Rudolph, or simply let your child watch for a while. Santa will follow their lead. Quite often, curiosity takes over and the magic begins all by itself.Don't be surprised if your child becomes abnormally quiet or shy. In a child's eyes Santa is the most famous person in the world. Imagine how you would feel if you were to meet your idol in person. Most children do come around.
Not at all! Christmas magic doesn't require a lap picture. Your child can sit beside Santa, stand nearby, cuddle with Mom or Dad, or find another spot that feels just right. Santa wants children to remember how happy and safe they felt, not where they were sitting. Sometimes the most wonderful photographs happen when everyone forgets about posing and simply enjoys being together.
Please do, and take lots of them! Your visit isn't limited to one hurried Santa picture. Bring your phone or camera and capture as many memories as you'd like. Take the family portrait, but keep the camera ready for the little moments too: a whispered secret, a surprised expression, a belly laugh, or that priceless look when Santa knows something he couldn't possibly know. Those unexpected moments often become the photographs you'll treasure most.
Absolutely! If you'd like Santa to surprise your child with a special gift, we can help make it look as though it came straight from the North Pole. Please have it wrapped and clearly identified, and follow the instructions provided for getting it to Santa without little eyes discovering our secret. If several children are visiting and gifts will be opened, please bring something for each child so everyone can share in the magic.Please let Santa know in that you would like gifts given in advance of the visit.Bring them wrapped in paper different than any that you have at home (Children have recognized that, ruining the moment).Write the name directly on the paper (tags can fall off).Place them in a black garbage bag. (For whatever reason, children generally ignore the black bag being carried in)Discretely carry the gifts in with you when you arrive, you can place them under the desk. When Santa is distracting the children, place them under the tree.Please put the name facing down so the children don't recognize their own name immediately. Please limit to only 1 gift per child, too many gifts add to the child's emotional overload. Opening gifts will be the last activity that we do so they don't distract from the visit.
Yes! Christmas magic isn't only for the children. Grandparents, parents, siblings and other special family members are welcome to become part of the memory. In fact, please get into some of the photographs yourselves. Years from now, your children may treasure the picture of themselves with Santa, Grandma and Grandpa even more than the perfectly posed Santa portrait.
Santa's Caboose is wonderfully cozy, and about eight guests with Santa is generally the comfortable maximum. Remember, this is an authentic historic caboose rather than a large event room, and that's part of its charm. If your Christmas crew is larger, contact Santa ahead of time. We'll see what we can do to keep everyone comfortable without losing that intimate, magical feeling.
The elves were remarkably clever when they built railroad cabooses, but this one doesn't have a restroom available for our guests. We strongly recommend making a quick "North Pole pit stop" before arriving, particularly with younger children. It's a small bit of preparation that can prevent a very urgent interruption right when Santa is about to reveal whether somebody made the Nice List!
Santa knows that four-legged children are family too! Please check with us before bringing a pet so we can make sure the visit will work safely and comfortably for everyone. If your furry family member joins you, having an extra adult along to help can make things much easier. And yes, Santa has been known to pose for a Christmas picture with a good boy or girl who happens to have four paws!
If your pet is very protective, a large man in red with a beard my provoke unwanted reactions. Please consider this before bringing them. Also please keep the pets to dogs or cats.
Christmas Eve may run on North Pole magic, but unfortunately our Caboose clock still keeps Wisconsin time! If you're running late, please let us know as soon as possible. Another family may be eagerly waiting for their own private visit after yours, so we may not be able to extend your scheduled ending time. Arriving a few minutes early and relaxing in your vehicle is the best way to make sure you enjoy every magical minute you've reserved.
Santa's Christmas Caboose is an authentic 1890s railroad caboose, and unfortunately its historic design presents some accessibility challenges. The deck is elevated, the entrance and interior are narrow, and the Caboose cannot comfortably accommodate wheelchairs or walkers. But Santa doesn't want that to keep your family from experiencing Christmas magic. If getting aboard the Caboose isn't possible, ask about a Home Visit and Santa can come to you instead.
Please tell Santa. Every child experiences Christmas differently, and that's something we understand and respect. The Caboose can be kept quieter, the pace can be slowed down, and your child can have additional time and space to become comfortable. There doesn't need to be a lap picture, a particular pose, or even a traditional Santa conversation. We can read, play, talk quietly, or simply let your child explore. Santa adjusts to your child. Your child never has to adjust to Santa.
Please tell Santa. Every child experiences Christmas differently, and that's something we understand and respect.The Caboose can be kept quieter, the pace can be slowed down, and your child can have additional time and space to become comfortable. There doesn't need to be a lap picture, a particular pose, or even a traditional Santa conversation. We can read, play, talk quietly, or simply let your child explore.Santa adjusts to your child. Your child never has to adjust to Santa.
The magic doesn't have to end when you step off the Caboose. On the ride home, ask your children what surprised them, what Santa said, and what their favorite part was. Those little conversations become part of the memory too. And when you get home, back up those photographs and videos! Years from now, they'll be a wonderful little doorway back to the Christmas when your children still believed.
Santa loves seeing the memories you captured! If you have a favorite photograph from your visit, you're welcome to share it with us. We are very careful about children's privacy, so Santa may use your photo for inspiration to AI generate more images for our website, but your photos will never be shared publicly. Your family's trust always comes first.
You, however, can do whatever you want with your photos, if you do post them onto socials, please tag me in the images so that your friends can find Santa to create their own magical events.
Please do! If your family had a magical time, a few words about your experience mean more than you might realize. Reviews help other moms, dads and grandparents discover Santa's Christmas Caboose and decide whether it's right for their own children. Tell them what your family loved most. Those personal stories are far more meaningful than anything Santa could say about himself.
Your visit is completely paid for when you book, and a gratuity is never expected. If Santa helped create an especially magical memory and you'd like to leave something extra, gratuities are always appreciated, but please never feel obligated. A child's smile, a kind review, or telling another family about your experience means an awful lot to Santa too.
Christmas magic is even better when it's shared. If your family loved your visit, tell another family about it! Share your experience, leave a review, or recommend Santa's Christmas Caboose to a friend whose children still believe. For a small local Christmas experience like ours, those personal recommendations are one of the greatest gifts you can give.
Before pulling away, take a quick look around the car and make sure everyone has their coats, phones, cameras, gifts and special treasures from the visit. Then comes the most important part: ask the children what they thought. Don't explain the magic or fill in the blanks for them. Let them tell the story.You may be surprised by which tiny moment became the biggest part of Christmas for them.
We are located at Vickery Village in Suamico's historic downtown district. We are near the back of the campus behind Station 1 Brewing Company.
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