Midland Area Santa House

10/12/2026

A little holiday magic, a few cookies, and a story of community generosity!

On Friday night, we joined Aviator Cookie Company in welcoming the Leadership Midland Class of 2026 for Dine & Dash, a component of the Midland Business Alliance’s Leadership Midland program.

We shared how the Midland Area Santa House is philanthropy at work. Community members had a dream and a vision, and their generosity helped bring it to life. Today, that generosity continues through endowment funds held at the Midland Area Community Foundation, helping keep Santa House visits free each year.

As an initiative of the Midland Area Community Foundation, the Santa House shows how giving today can create joy for generations.

Congratulations to the Leadership Midland Class of 2026! Thank you for spending part of your evening with us and learning about the community spirit behind this cherished tradition!

10/06/2026

🎅 Give the gift of your time this holiday season! Volunteer sign-ups for the Midland Area Santa House and Northern Star Train are now open.

The Midland Area Santa House, an initiative of the Midland Area Community Foundation, brings free holiday experiences to Downtown Midland, Michigan, each year. Generous volunteers and donor-supported funds help keep this beloved tradition shining bright.

🎄 Plan your visit:
The Santa House will be open daily from December 1 through December 23, with Sensory-Friendly Nights on December 2, 3, and 4. See the attached schedule for this year’s complete hours.

🚂 Help bring the magic to life:
Become one of Santa’s “elves” by welcoming families and helping facilitate visits with Santa, or assist with Northern Star Train rides through Downtown Midland. Whether you volunteer with family, gather a group of friends, or sign up on your own, your time can help create lasting holiday memories.

Explore this year’s season and reserve your volunteer shift at midlandfoundation.org/santahouse

A few hours of your time can bring joy to so many. Thank you for helping make the season special!

09/30/2026

Santa's cousins are coming to town! It's almost time for the Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School. The Santa Spirit is always alive in the Midland Area Santa House, but this week it might feel like it's all over town! Make sure you give some of our community's guests a friendly wave if you see them in a local business, on the street, or moseying up to the Santa House!

In just a few days we’ll be celebrating the 89th year of the CWH Santa Claus School in Midland, Michigan.
🎄It’s not too late to join us. 🎁
🎅🏼🤶🏼 SantaClausSchool.com

05/04/2026

We hope you’ll consider supporting the Santa House during Give Local Midland. The Santa House's operations are volunteer-led and donor-supported. Gifts made during Give Local Midland support nonprofit endowment funds, like ours. With over $160k in matching funds and $3k in prizes, gifts go further during Give Local. The giving portal opens for 24 hours at GiveLocalMidland.org at midnight tonight!

12/26/2025

This is a message we wish we didn’t have to share.

Due to icy conditions at the Midland Area Santa House and in the surrounding areas, we have made the difficult decision to cancel today’s final hours for the House. With volunteers scheduled to staff the House and safety at the forefront of every decision we make, we know this is the right choice, even though it is a heartbreaking one.

The Santa House exists because of the generosity, time, and care of our volunteers, donors, and community partners. Asking anyone to navigate unsafe conditions is simply not something we can do. The magic of the season is rooted in kindness and care for one another, and today that means choosing safety.

To every person who hoped to walk through the House today, we are deeply sorry. Please know that your support, enthusiasm, and belief in this tradition are what keep it alive year after year. To our volunteers who were ready to show up one more time, thank you for your dedication and understanding.

While today’s doors will remain closed, the spirit of the Santa House lives on in the memories made throughout the season and in the community that makes it possible.

Thank you for your kindness, understanding, and continued support. Wishing you a safe, warm, and joyful holiday season.

12/23/2025

Today’s the final day to experience visits with Santa and rides on the Northern Star Train. We hope you’ve had an incredible season. Thank you to all our volunteers and donors. Without you, this wouldn’t be possible.

Learn more: midlandfdn.org/santahouse

12/19/2025

🚨 Volunteer Support Needed This Weekend 🎄🚂

For those asking how to give back at the Midland Area Santa House, we have a great opportunity. Due to a few last-minute cancellations, we are seeking a handful of additional volunteers to assist with operating the Northern Star Train (not driving, of course) and supporting the Santa House this weekend.

The Santa House is fully volunteer-powered, and extra hands go a long way in keeping everything running smoothly for families and visitors. No prior experience is required. We will provide clear instructions, support on-site, and everything you need to feel confident in your role. All you need to bring is a positive attitude and a little holiday spirit.

If you are able to help, we would truly appreciate it. Sign up at the link attached.

Thank you for helping make the season bright in Midland.

Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up. Thank you! Entry Elf: Stationed at the front door of the Santa House. This elf manages lines and keeps the flow of visitors merry and bright. Perfect for friendly faces who love spreading cheer! Exit Elf: Stationed at the ba...

12/18/2025

The locomotive has returned! We are excited to see you on Main Street.

Reminder: Train hours can be found on the bottom left of our schedule. It runs from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM, Monday through Friday, and the same hours as the Santa House on Saturday, Sunday, December 22, & December 23.

12/17/2025

LESS THAN ONE WEEK LEFT TO VISIT THE MIDLAND AREA SANTA HOUSE 🎄

We cannot believe how quickly this season is flying by. With less than a week left, we wanted to share a quick reminder along with answers to some frequently asked questions as you plan your visit.

🎅 What does it cost to visit the Santa House?
Visits with Santa and photos are absolutely free. The Santa House is made possible through the generosity of donors. Anyone who wishes to support this community tradition is welcome to contribute at midlandfoundation.org.

📸 Do you take photos for us?
Visitors are asked to bring their own photography equipment, such as a phone or camera. Our volunteers are always happy to assist with taking photos so everyone can be in the picture.

🗓 When is the Santa House open?
Our full schedule is attached to this post for easy reference.

🚂 Is the Northern Star Train running, and does it cost anything?
The train is also completely free to ride. The locomotive is currently receiving mechanical service, so the train cars are being pulled by a pickup truck. The cars are still heated and operating, thanks to the creativity and dedication of our volunteers. The train is accessible for guests using wheelchairs or other mobility support devices, and our volunteers are available to assist as needed to ensure a comfortable and welcoming experience.

🦌 Will there be reindeer at the Santa House?
Sometimes. While we do not have an official reindeer schedule, their presence on site is simply a little extra Christmas magic.

🤍 Can I still volunteer?
Yes. We still have some volunteer shifts available, especially for the Train. If you are hoping to be added to our Veterans’ Volunteer List for first dibs on Santa House shifts next year, the best way to do that is by volunteering this year.

Thank you to everyone who has already visited, volunteered, and helped make this season special for so many families. We look forward to welcoming you before the Santa House closes for the year.

🔗 Learn more and plan your visit here: midlandfoundation.org/santahouse

12/15/2025

🚨 NORTHERN STAR TRAIN UPDATE (12/15/2025) 🚨

The locomotive portion of the Northern Star Train is currently receiving off-site service to repair the engine. While this work is underway, the train will continue to operate, with a pickup truck leading the train cars.

We know this is not the ideal experience, but we are incredibly proud of our volunteers for stepping up, problem-solving, and finding a way to continue offering train rides for our visitors. The train cars will still be heated to keep riders comfortable.

Thank you for your flexibility and understanding as we work to maintain the holiday magic.