Christmas in July? Seminole County nonprofit teams up to help train next generations of Santas

2-day event taking place in Winter Springs

Tim Connaghan, who has served as Santa Claus since 1969, will lead the School4Santas class at Seminole County's Christmas Dreams. (Courtesy of Tim Connaghan)

WINTER SPRINGS, Fla. – Ho, ho, how do you portray Santa in the correct way? Well, the Winter Springs nonprofit Christmas Dreams is partnering with School4Santas to host a two-day event to train the next generation of “Santas, Mrs. Claus and those interested in the Santa industry,” according to a news release.

Sleigh, what?!

The event will be held at the Christmas Dreams office in Winter Springs on July 26-27 and consists of 16 hours of Kris Kringle training.

Fir real!

The nonprofit said they provide Christmas experiences 365 days a year for children and their families who are battling life-threatening illnesses.

“There will be just over 25 Christmas loving people being trained in the art of being Santa/Mrs. Claus,” the release states.

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Instructor Tim Connaghan, who has been playing the man in red since 1969, is set to lead the yuletide training.

Attendees will learn the history and business of being Santa, costuming tips, how to take the best photos and how to answer those tough questions from children.

“Whether you are real-bearded or theatrically bearded; professional or just a volunteer, this school has something for everyone,” the release states.

Connaghan will host a presentation of the Santa Claus Oath at the close of the first day of class.

Each participant will receive a diploma at the completion – either a bachelor’s, master’s or advanced master’s degree in SantaClausology.

There are still a few spots open, organizers said. To register for the Central Florida event, or others on the tour, click here.

Remember, there’s no business like snow business.


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About the Author

Jacob joined ClickOrlando.com in 2022. He spent 19 years at the Orlando Sentinel, mostly as a photojournalist and video journalist, before joining Spectrum News 13 as a web editor and digital journalist in 2021.

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