Santa Buddy

Belleville, IL

Contact for rates

Travels up to 90 miles

Get a free quick quote
Gallery photo 1 of Santa Buddy

Oh My Gosh!!

Gallery photo 2 of Santa Buddy

Story Time with Santa

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Mom...Look, it's Santa!!

Gallery photo 4 of Santa Buddy

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Gallery photo 5 of Santa Buddy

Twas the Night Before Christmas......

Gallery photo 6 of Santa Buddy

All Packed Up and Ready for Christmas Eve

Gallery photo 7 of Santa Buddy

The Children were nestled all snug in their beds..

Gallery photo 8 of Santa Buddy

What's Inside?

Gallery photo 9 of Santa Buddy

Checking it twice.

Gallery photo 10 of Santa Buddy

Just let me have it already!!!

Overview

Do You Believe? Helping create Christmas Memories Since 1990.


Reviews

28 reviews

Small thumbnail image for reviewer Monica G.

Monica G.

December 22, 2025
Verified review

Awesome Experience

Santa Buddy was very personable and made this a fun experience for our little ones! Great communication. I couldn’t recommend him more.

Hired as: Santa Claus

Small thumbnail image for Santa Buddy

Santa Buddy

Monica, thank you for the kind words. If you decide to have a visit again next year, please let me know by July or August if possible. I get booked quickly, especially if you would prefer a weekend visit. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family. - Santa Buddy -


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Julia K.

Julia K.

December 12, 2025
Verified review

We love Santa Buddy!

We had the absolute best experience with Santa for our office Christmas event! From the moment he arrived, he was professional, kind, and incredibly engaging with both the kids and the parents. He took the time to truly connect with each child, making them feel comfortable, seen, and special — even our shy little ones warmed up quickly.
Santa was patient, gentle, and so authentic, which made the entire experience feel truly magical. Our families couldn’t stop talking about how wonderful he was, and it added such a special touch to our holiday celebration. We are so grateful for the care and joy he brought to our office and would highly recommend him for any family-friendly or community event. We will absolutely be inviting him back again for next year's event!

Hired as: Santa Claus

Small thumbnail image for Santa Buddy

Santa Buddy

Juliea, thank you so very much for your kind words. They meant a lot to me. If you are planning to host this event again next year, I would encourage you to book sooner rather than later. Thank you again, and Merry Christmas!!! - Santa Buddy -


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Danielle F.

Danielle F.

December 11, 2025

Best Santa Ever!

I highly recommend the Santa! He was great with kids, helped encourage the ones that were a little scared by showing them a book, and had a great conversation with the older children. He was a pleasure to work with, and we plan on hiring him again in the future!

Hired as: Santa Claus

Small thumbnail image for Santa Buddy

Santa Buddy

Danielle, thank you so much for your wonderful review. It truly means a lot. Please, if you do plan on booking for next year I would encourage you to do it sooner than later. Thank you again, and Merry Christmas!!!


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Suzanne S.

Suzanne S.

December 9, 2022

The Magic of Christmas

Just outstanding. I hired Santa for two separate events where he visited homes in our neighborhood and the home of a deployed service member. Santa was very professional and responsive leading up the event and shared all his tricks of the trade to make the experience truly flawless. He did an amazing job with my 3.5 year old and 8 month old kiddos. He has perfected his performance and was able to get them to take a variety of different pictures. Far exceeded my expectations. I can’t wait to hire him again next year!

Hired as: Santa Claus

Small thumbnail image for Santa Buddy

Santa Buddy

Suzanne, thank you so very much for your very kind words. I truly enjoyed visiting with you and the other families in your neighborhood. I hope you all have a wonderful and Merry Christmas.


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Megan M.

Megan M.

December 4, 2022
Verified review

Wonderful Experience

Santa Buddy was amazing. He was so wonderful with the children and the photographer. His years of experience was so helpful to my new photographer. He was so accommodating. Can’t wait to work with him next year.

Hired as: Santa Claus

Small thumbnail image for Santa Buddy

Santa Buddy

Megan, thank you so very much for your kind words. As promised I have reached out to a couple of "brothers in red" that we discussed. I haven't heard back from them yet, but I am sure they are quite busy as I am. We have quite a while to have us discuss dates and times for your Santa mini-sessions for next season. Take Care and Merry Christmas!! - Santa Buddy -

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Booking information

Price range: Contact for rates

What to expect

Having had the privilege of portraying Santa since 1990, and trained at the International University of Santa Claus by the Jolly Old Elf himself, I have performed at a variety of events, such as corporate Christmas parties, private family parties and office Christmas parties as well as at a local mall for several years. While all of my visits have similarities, each visit does have its own unique qualities. If you are planning an event and this is your first time, I can provide you with suggestions that have worked for similar visits in the past so that your visit is not only special and unique but magical for the children and their parents.

About

I have had the joyous privilege of portraying Santa and helping families create Christmas memories in the St. Louis/Metro East, Illinois area since 1990. I am a graduate of the International University of Santa Claus (Masters Degree), having been trained by the Jolly Old Elf himself. I am a member of the Illinois Association of Professional Santas; The Red Suit Society; and a signatory of the Santa Claus Oath. I am available for private home visits, corporate Christmas parties, photography studios (usually in November for pictures with Santa), and numerous other types of visits. Lastly, I do "Sneak-A-Peeks". These are very special visits where I come to your home after the kids go to bed on Christmas Eve. When I arrive you wake your child(ren) up and they "catch" Santa putting presents under the tree. Sneak-A-Peeks" have been a Christmas favorite for numerous families over the years.

Additional booking notes

For your peace of mind for Christmas of 2025: I have had my seasonal flu shot.

Past booked events

December 2025

20

Saturday

House Party

3:00pm - 3:30pm

Columbia, IL

06

Saturday

Corporate Event

10:00am - 12:00pm

St Louis, MO

December 2023

17

Sunday

Personal Occasion

6:00pm - 7:00pm

St Louis, MO

December 2022

03

Saturday

Children’s Birthday Party

10:00am - 2:00pm

Sparta, IL

November 2022

27

Sunday

Dinner Party

1:00pm - 2:00pm

New Athens, IL

05

Saturday

Children’s Birthday Party

12:30pm - 1:00pm

Wildwood, MO

December 2021

25

Saturday

Holiday Party

3:30pm - 4:15pm

Swansea, IL

24

Friday

Christmas Party

6:00pm - 7:00pm

Alton, IL

23

Thursday

Christmas Party

7:30pm - 7:45pm

Maryville, IL

18

Saturday

Nonprofit Event

2:00pm - 4:00pm

Lake St Louis, MO

15

Wednesday

Christmas Party

10:00am - 11:00am

Imperial, MO

13

Monday

Personal Occasion

6:30pm - 7:00pm

St Peters, MO

05

Sunday

Personal Occasion

10:00am - 10:30am

Troy, IL

January 2021

23

Saturday

Christmas Party

3:00pm - 4:00pm

Cape Girardeau, MO

December 2020

20

Sunday

Virtual Event

6:00pm - 6:15pm

Caseyville, IL

19

Saturday

Christmas Party

6:00pm - 7:00pm

Ballwin, MO

18

Friday

Personal Occasion

6:00pm - 6:45pm

St Louis, MO

15

Tuesday

Christmas Party

6:30pm - 8:00pm

O Fallon, IL

November 2020

29

Sunday

Surprise

3:00pm - 3:30pm

Belleville, IL

28

Saturday

Personal Occasion

5:30pm - 6:00pm

Brentwood, MO

December 2019

28

Saturday

Christmas Party

5:00pm - 5:45pm

Wildwood, MO

25

Wednesday

Surprise

7:00pm - 7:30pm

O'fallon, IL

24

Tuesday

Christmas Party

7:30pm - 8:00pm

Wentzville, MO

22

Sunday

Surprise

7:00am - 8:00am

Farmington, MO

21

Saturday

Nonprofit Event

3:30pm - 5:00pm

St Louis, MO

08

Sunday

Birthday Party

1:00pm - 1:30pm

St Louis, MO

07

Saturday

Children's Birthday Party

2:30pm - 3:30pm

Imperial, MO

November 2019

30

Saturday

Personal Occasion

4:00pm - 4:30pm

Webster Groves, MO

December 2018

24

Monday

Christmas Party

7:30pm - 8:00pm

Columbia, IL

22

Saturday

Dinner Party

7:30pm - 8:00pm

Fairview Heights, IL

17

Monday

Personal Occasion

6:00pm - 9:00pm

Ellisville, MO

15

Saturday

Christmas Party

8:30pm - 11:00pm

St Peters, MO

15

Saturday

Christmas Party

6:00pm - 7:00pm

St Louis, MO

15

Saturday

House Party

4:00pm - 4:45pm

Crestwood, MO

December 2017

02

Saturday

Dinner Party

6:00pm - 6:45pm

St Charles, MO

November 2017

24

Friday

Corporate Event

9:00am - 1:00pm

Ferguson, MO

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