Written by Bonnie Kulenkamp

Are you hoping to find a “black Santa near me?” Read on to learn about opportunities to visit diverse Santas in the Indianapolis area. There are also many great educational books featuring black and diverse Santas you can read to your kids. Maybe you already have a brown Elf on the Shelf? If not, that may be one way to introduce characters of color to your holiday traditions.

Black Santa Near Me

“Santa can sometimes be brown you know?” I said to my 5-year-old daughter as we pulled decorations out of Christmas storage. I remembered that two seasons ago, my sister-in-law had gifted us an African American Santa Claus ceramic ornament to add to our collection. My daughter raised her eyebrows at my comment.

At the time we were gifted Black Santa, my children were a few years younger and had not verbalized any comments about the change in skin color on our newest ornament. This year, like most five-year-olds, my daughter held a strong opinion. “Mom! Santa isn’t brown he’s pink, like you and Dad!” she exclaimed. I frowned thinking I had done a poor job exposing her to different types of Santas.

As a transracial adoptive family, I knew the importance of exposing my African American children to opportunities to see themselves reflected back in the books we read, the shows we watched, and the people we met on a daily basis. Somehow I felt I had dropped the ball when it came to exposing them to a Santa Claus that looked more like them. Representation is important, even with Santa Claus.

Because of our conversation this Christmas, I was determined to show my children more diversity when it came to Santa. This is the reason I’m excited about some of the opportunities to meet different kinds of Santas in person around Indianapolis this holiday season so I started searching for a diverse and/or black Santa near me.

5 Great Places to Visit a Black Santa Near Me

This is where you can find a Black Santa in the Indianapolis area for 2024. If you know of other opportunities not on our list, please let Indy with Kids know, so that we can add them to our list for our readers.

Santa at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis

Santa Duane will be at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis on the following days:

• Saturday, December 7, 9-10:30 am, 1:30-4:45 pm
• Sunday, December 8, 9-11:30 am, 2:30-4:45 pm
• Tuesday, December 17, 1:30-4:45 pm
• Friday, December 20, 1:30-4:45 pm
• Saturday, December 21, 8-10 am
• Sunday, December 22, 1:30-4:45 pm

Santa at the Indiana State Museum

Santa Josiah will be at the Indiana State Museum on the following days:

• Wednesday, December 4, 10 am-5 pm
• Saturday, December 7, 9 am-5 pm, 7-11 pm
• Tuesday, December 10, 5:30-8 pm
• Tuesday, December 24, 10 am-5 pm

 

Black Business Bazaar

Saturday, December 7, 2024
Fay Biccard Glick Neighborhood Center

The Black Business Bazaar, held every winter, helps DONT SLEEP fulfill part of its mission by supporting the Fay Biccard Glick Community Center through vendor donations, and offering a free Black-owned marketplace for the community to patronize. Entrepreneurship, economic empowerment, health, and wellness are encouraged through the involvement of material vendors along with Black healthcare providers. Book your Black Santa Experience photo session today!

Books and Breakfast with Santa Jammie Jam

TBA
Community Alliance of Far Eastside (C.A.F.E.), 8902 E 38th Street, Indianapolis

Books and Breakfast with Santa costs $10 per person and includes breakfast. Each child will receive a book and toy, while supplies last. There will be coffee and vendors on-site.

Santa’s Storytime Spectacular

TBA
Curious Squirrel Bookshop, 120 S. Main Street, Zionsville

Join Santa for a special storytime at this bookstore in Zionsville. The event at Curious Squirrel Bookshop promises plenty of festivities, including photos with Santa, Christmas stories, holiday crafts, and delicious treats. Come anytime between 6 pm and 8 pm. Storytimes are scheduled for 6:15 and 7:15.

Read Diverse Santa Books

If you can’t get to one of the above events or can’t find a black Santa near me this holiday season, there are other opportunities to introduce your children to an array of diverse Santa Clauses through the following children’s books.

The Night Before Christmas: An African American Retelling

written by Noland Nixon

This retelling of the Clement Moore classic poem offers illustrations featuring an African-American Santa Claus.

Jump at the Sun: ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas – Holiday Classics

written by Rex Perry

Images of an African American Santa as well as African American children help illustrate diversity in this children’s picture book series.

A Piece of Black Cake for Santa

written by Yolanda T. Marshall

Femi and her friends and family enjoy their favorite holiday traditions—including the Caribbean treat, Black Cake for Santa.

The Day Santa Got Sick

written by Deanne Samuels and illustrated by Oliver Kryzz Bundoc

This is a multicultural Christmas story about how a little elf and Mrs. Claus come up with a solution to deliver toys for Christmas after Santa gets sick.

Check out the Indy with Kids guide to the best holiday lights around the city!

Find all Indy holiday events here

When you visit a “black Santa near me” or attend other special events with your family, please be sure to share your experiences on social media with Indy with Kids using the hashtag #PLAYindy. Follow Indy with Kids on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest.

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