Still Believe Santa Claus
Whispered gift requests
Santa with a friend.
Santa with his beautiful granddaughter, with his real beard, 2024.
11/22/2025 Devon Shanor Studio, Virginia Beach
11/22/2025 Devon Shanor Studio, Virginia Beach
11/22/2025 Devon Shanor Studio, Virginia Beach
11/29/2025 Finley General Store, Carrollton, Virginia
Book I wrote, which I’ll gladly read!
The book I wrote features Santa but is all about JESUS.
Children at Cape Town hospice enjoy Santa's ZOOM visit.
Enhanced photo of me!
granddaughters look at Santa at Smithfield Mistletoe Fair
Last year, 2025, I used a professional beard, but this year I am going back to a real one.
I am going back to a real beard for Christmas 2026! So the kids can delicately see if I am real!!!
Real beard - Ai simulation - for 2026. It will look like that!
Real beard, which I am going back to this Christmas season, 2026.
Santa (Dean Nowotny) without the beard. June, 2026.
Raising money for Cuba this year! Visited this year and saw needs.
Raising money for Cuba this year. I visited Feb. of this year and saw the need.
Children in Cuba GREATLY appreciating what we do for them. Feb. 2026 missions trip.
Overview
1) Fully insured
2) Current background check
3) All profit will be going to CUBA to help children
4) 100% / 5 star customer satisfaction
5) One of least expensive Santas in the area
Home visits, parties, businesses, schools, day cares, churches, tree lightings, parades, community events, photo shoots, holiday fairs/marketplaces, etc. Can also do CHRIST-centered presentations of the real meaning of CHRISTmas where I will read my book, Dear Maggie a Letter from Santa.
Can ZOOM across the country and around the world. Have done so to Europe, Asia, So. America, Africa, Latin America, So. Pacific and the Caribbean.
Reviews
6 reviews
Kaitlin J.
January 6, 2026Absolutely Amazing
Hands down, best Santa out there! He showed up as scheduled. He came into our big family event and everyone was head over heals that SANTA had arrived! He sat with all of the kids for pictures, had conversations with them and truly made Christmas for all of the kids (and adults). He sang with the kids and we all had just a magical time! Thank you Santa!!
Hired as: Santa Claus
Tiffany B.
January 6, 2026Loved him!
We had a visit from Santa to our childcare facility and he was fantastic! The kids loved him and he made sure to show attention not only to the kids, but also their parents. He read a book, sang a song, and took plenty of pictures. We can't wait to have him return next year!
Hired as: Santa Claus
Cindy E.
September 3, 2023he was a wonderful Santa
Dean was a wonderful and very sweet personable Santa - very engaging with the kids snd us adults as well. Sounded like Santa and read his book so nicely snd kids stayed engaged in his every word. He let us take family photos and bid us farewell. He is our go to Santa every year
Hired as: Santa Claus
Liz M.
August 27, 2023Excellent Christmas book to read all year round!!!
This is a wonderfully crafted story that allows children to keep the magic of Santa alive in their little heads all while cherishing the love for Jesus in their hearts. I recommend this story for everyone both young and old.
Hired as: Holiday Entertainment, Santa Claus
Amanda H.
August 26, 2023Genuinely the Best Santa
Dean is the best Santa around! He looks like the real Santa with his beard and amazing costumes that have so much detail! He's wonderful with children and loves bringing joy to others. I highly recommend his services!
Hired as: Santa Claus
Booking information
Price range: $30 (zoom), $50 - $200+ hourly
Languages: English
Gig length: 30 - 240 minutes
Insurance: $1,000,000 - property and general liability, entertainers specific policy - can/will supply copy
What to expect
With my theater and speech background, you can expect a very outgoing, animated Santa. I have a great sense of humor which I love to employ with ALL my interactions children and adult! Always engaged, never disinterested or with a sourpuss! I have had children come to me that normally would not come near to Santa to the parents' surprise.
100% of my reviews are 5 ***** - totally satisfied from day one! Search stillbelievesantaclaus for more info
About
Native of MA. Attended Emerson College in Boston to pursue theater. Received a BA at Central Bible College in Springfield, MO and received a MA from Liberty University.
My wife, Susan, and I pastored churches in MA for over 25 years. This includes one that we started. I am still ordained and preach occasionally and do other ministry.
We moved to VA 24 years ago. Surprisingly, our two children decided to as well. So, we are blessed to have our children and our 10 grandchildren right near by, and our great granddaughter!
I had been a hospice Bereavement Coordinator for 15 years. I am currently retired and volunteering for hospice, taking art lessons, reading and spending time with family.
Additional booking notes
If I am reading my book, in a public setting, I will need the illustrations to be projected on a screen. I can send them to you for free, and this applies to anyone wanting to use my book for Christmas whether you use me or not. The Powerpoint is the illustrations only, which is perfect for showing while reading.
Services offered
Past booked events
December 2025
21
Sunday
Christmas Party
5:30pm - 7:00pm
•
Hampton, VA
19
Friday
Christmas Party
3:00pm - 3:45pm
•
Carrollton, VA
Set list
I have a Santa chair, free-standing North Pole sign, and a photo backdrop.
I am taking the word "set" here literally. I do not normally sing, but can surely lead groups in doing so.
Influences and inspiration
Another Santa influenced me, encouraged me to pursue this. I have a passion for children. And when I can, and this is 100% optional, I love to share the gospel through my book.
I have always thought of this as a ministry because ALL my income goes to ministries that help children. Previously I gave ALL my earnings to Iris House Children's Hospice in Cape Town, South Africa and Agape International Mission (AIM). They help trafficked and exploited children. They even have their own swat team to free the children and arrest the kidnappers and pimps.
2026 / this Christmas season - all my earnings will be going to CUBA. I went on a missions trip there at the beginning of the year and saw great need which engendered a great desire to help.
Setup requirements
I have my own Santa Chair but sometimes would prefer your own. I really do not need anything else.