Santa’s Village is a magical spot nestled deep in the heart of the North Pole and remains hidden from the eyes of the world. The Village is a place where time seems to move at its own pace, neither fast nor slow, but just right for the holiday magic to flourish. At the entrance to Santa’s Village, a red and white striped pole with gold trim towers 50 feet into the air.

There is a soft glow that lights up the entire area like a blanket of stars has just settled over the Village. The air smells like peppermint and gingerbread while the sound of gentle tinkling bells is heard in the distance. The snow that carpets the ground sparkles with a soft and silvery hue as if it’s been dusted with a touch of fairy dust.

Most of our buildings are only 3 stories as that height helps us to stay hidden from the world. I love the look of our shops and homes – many gables and large round posts in front that are always wrapped with red Christmas ribbons and candy canes are everywhere.

The Village shops are much the same as any other town. Some of the busiest are the North Pole Bakery — which is always filled with a whimsical collection of cookies, cakes, and pastries, the Tiny Feet Cobbler, the Christmas Creations Tailor Shop and The Reindeer Cafe. Other very busy shops are the Frosty Barber & Stylist Shop, North Pole Foods and Baking Supplies, the Arctic Apothecary, the Northern Lights Movie Theatre and Santa’s Post Office. Many other shops of various types are spread throughout the large Village Marketplace.  

The Village is bustling with activity but everything seems to work in perfect harmony. Main Street is lined with charming little shops and houses with each one unique in its design. The shops and homes are all sturdy wooden structures adorned with candy canes, gingerbread, and twinkling lights. The windows are decorated with wreaths and garlands and the roofs are covered in a thick layer of snow. The houses are filled with warmth as their chimneys puff out plumes of smoke that mix with the icy air.

Walking through the Village, one hears the cheerful sounds of laughter and song coming from every direction. The Elves, dressed in bright green tunics and red hats, are always busy either shopping in the North Pole Gift Shop or working at the Toy Shop — but they always find time to greet each other with a wink and a smile. Elves tend to be in a hurry but are never too rushed to stop for a chat or help with whatever needs to be done. Elves love working hard in the workshop crafting toys and preparing for the big night. They often have snowballs fights on Main Street or decorate the Village with even more twinkling lights.

In the center of the Village, just beside the Town Hall, stands a grand and towering tree – an enormous evergreen that glows with thousands of colorful lights and shimmering ornaments. Beneath its branches, there is a small ice rink where the Elves (and sometimes Santa!) glide and twirl, laughing as they chase each other around in a flurry of excitement. The tree is adorned with a golden star at the top which glows brighter than any other star in the sky. The star reminds all of us that Christmas is always near in Santa’s Village.

Beyond the Village Square lies the famous Reindeer Stables where Santa’s team of reindeer and the many other reindeer that live year- round at Santa’s Village — each with their own unique personalities — rest and play. They are fed carrots, apples, and special treats. Every now and then you can hear the reindeer chatting and laughing with each other as they prepare for their long journey on Christmas Eve. You might be interested to know that there are 3,493 reindeer that live year-round in Santa’s Village. They perform many functions such as transporting toys, food, supplies, and Elves between the many buildings. It is common to see reindeer and sleighs on every street of the Village at all times of the day. There are 48 Elves who work at the Reindeer Stables to keep everything just right for our wonderful teams.

Just a quick walk from Reindeer Stables lies Santa’s Workshop – a massive collection of magical buildings nestled deep in the snow-covered North Pole. From the outside, the workshop looks like something out of a fairytale—a grand wooden cottage with steep, snow-laden rooftops, candy cane pillars, and twinkling golden lights that glow warmly against the crisp Arctic night. Smoke curls from the stone chimney and carries the scent of cinnamon and peppermint into the frosty air. Icicles dangle like delicate crystals from the eaves. Evergreen trees adorned with colorful ornaments surround the shop. A giant, glowing sign above the entrance reads Santa’s Workshop, welcoming all with festive cheer.

Just outside the shop, Elves in bright coats and pointy hats hurry about delivering freshly built toys to Santa’s storage facilities. There’s a cozy hot cocoa stand where Elves take warm-up breaks, sipping from steaming mugs topped with whipped cream and marshmallows. A winding, candy-striped path leads to the grand wooden doors, which swing open to reveal the heart of Christmas magic inside. The path is always very crowded with Elves arriving and leaving at all times of the day.

Inside, the workshop is a whirlwind of activity. Long wooden workbenches are covered in colorful paints, tiny tools, and half-finished toys. The air buzzes with the sound of whirring toy-making machines, Elves’ cheerful chatter, and the occasional Ho Ho Ho from Santa himself as he inspects the progress. Shelves upon shelves overflow with teddy bears, rocking horses, dolls, and the latest high-tech gadgets – all carefully crafted to bring joy to children around the world.

And of course, there is my home – Santa’s home – a beautiful and cozy spot at the edge of the Village. My home is surrounded by a forest of snow-covered trees decorated with large Christmas ornaments and lights. A large wreath on the door welcomes all to our home. The Elves are constantly tinkering with the outdoor decorations and lights to make sure that Santa’s house is the best decorated in the Village! The house is always warm and inviting with a soft golden glow coming from the windows. Inside, the air smells like fresh-baked cookies and the scent of hot cocoa is ever-present. Santa is always ready to sit and visit with the many Elves that stop by – listening to their wishes and sharing stories about the magic of Christmas. The Elves love stopping by as I always have a twinkle in my eye and a hearty laugh that fills the room with joy. And, all the Elves agree that Mrs. Claus is the most welcoming of anyone in the Village — there is no equal! Santa’s four dogs —  Jasmine, Ginger Snap, Snowball, and Peppermint Bark love all the visitors as they get lots of petting and extra treats! The large wooden desk in my study is always covered in letters from children around the world and each one is carefully read and responded to with great care.

Santa’s Village is more than just a place – it’s a feeling. A sense of warmth, kindness, and the joy of giving. It’s a place where dreams come true – and where every corner is filled with magic, love, and the spirit of Christmas. It’s a home for all who believe in the magic of the season and a reminder that the most important gift of all is the love and joy we share with each other.