Fly-In to the Festivities in Santa Claus, Indiana

Are you dreaming of a holly, jolly Christmas? Santa Claus, Indiana, provides visitors and vacationers a Christmas experience 365 days a year, but the town gets particularly jolly around the holidays. If this sounds like your idea of the perfect Christmas vacation, you should know that pilots can get to Santa Claus by flying into one of the many regional airports and renting a car to drive to their final festive destination. Great airports to fly into include Owensboro, Huntingburg Regional Airport, and Perry County Municipal Airport. Each of these airports offers their own unique fly-in experience.

 

Airports to Fly Into to Visit Santa Claus, Indiana

When planning your trip to Santa Claus, pilots have their choice of small and large airports. Unfortunately, Santa Claus does not have its own airport, but Owensboro, Huntingburg Regional, and Perry County Municipal Airport are all close to Santa Claus, Indiana, and they have plenty of amenities.

  • Owensboro – 40 miles – 41 minutes by car to Santa Claus.
  • Huntingburg Regional Airport – 14 miles – 17 minutes by car to Santa Claus.
  • Perry County Municipal Airport – 18 miles – 27 minutes by car to Santa Claus.

Owensboro Airport

Owensboro Airport (OWB) is located in Owensboro, KY, which is about 40 miles from Santa Claus, Indiana. It’s a regional airport that’s open to the public. Owensboro Airport was first activated in 1949, and it has a control tower. The airport is home to two runways, including Runway 18/36 and Runway 06/24. Runway 18/36 is 8,000 feet long and 150 feet wide. Runway 06/24 is long enough to accommodate most single and twin-engine piston aircraft. It boasts a length of 5,000 feet and a width of 100 feet.

The airport has 100LL and Jet-A available, and major airframe and powerplant services are available. The CTAF is 120.7. The UNICOM is 122.95. The tower can be contacted on 120.7, and Owensboro ground can be contacted on 121.7. Pilots can contact Evansville Approach and Departure on 124.025. Rental cars are available via Enterprise.

Huntingburg Regional Airport

Huntingburg Regional Airport (HNB) is located 14 miles or 17 minutes by car from Santa Claus, Indiana. Like Owensboro, Huntingburg is open to the public. HNB was activated in 1941, and it has one runway. Runway 09/27 is 5,501 feet long and 100 feet wide. Minor airframe and powerplane services are available, and pilots can get 100LL and Jet-A. The CTAF is 122.8. Evansville Approach and Departure can be contacted on 124.025, and clearance delivery is on 118.8. Rental cars are available via Enterprise.

Perry County Municipal Airport

Perry County Municipal Airport (TEL) is located 18 miles from Santa Claus, Indiana. This is the smallest airport on this list, and it’s operated by the Perry County Airport Authority. It’s located in Tell City, Indiana, and is open to the public. TEL has one runway. Runway 13/31 is 4,400 feet long and 75 feet wide. The airport does have 100LL and MOGAS available. The CTAF is 122.7, and Evansville Departure and Approach can be contacted on 124.025. It’s important to note that the airport is unattended, and fuel is self-service. The airport lists Marksmen Auto Rentals as a place to rent a vehicle.

Santa Claus, Indiana: A Year-Round Jolly Town

Santa Claus, Indiana, has a year-round population of 2,609. It’s located in Spencer County and has plenty of Christmas activities for families of all ages. The town of Santa Claus was founded by a group of German immigrants in the early 1800s and was initially known as Sante Fee. By 1850, it was large enough to apply to have a post office installed. Unfortunately, the post office application was rejected due to the fact that there was already a town named Sante Fe in Indiana. That Sante Fe still exists, and it’s located in Miami County just south of Logansport, which is 220 miles north of Santa Claus, Indiana. However, since there was already a town named Sante Fe, Sante Fee had to change its name.

It’s rumored that the adult townsfolk in Sante Fee were discussing new names in the church while their children played. Suddenly, a large gust of wind pushed open the doors. Once the doors were open, the townsfolk could hear sleighbells. The excited children ran outside, yelling ‘Santa Claus,’ and thus, the town was renamed.

In 1914, the postmaster started responding to children’s letters to Santa Claus. In 1935, the town welcomed its first attraction, Santa’s Candy Castle. The castle was soon followed by the Santa Claus Park and a 22-foot Santa Claus statue. The latter is now the Santa Claus Museum and Village. 1946 Santa Claus Land opened and became the world’s first themed amusement park.

Where to Stay in Santa Claus, Indiana

There are plenty of places to stay in Santa Claus, from hotels and motels to bed and breakfasts and cottages.

Santa’s Lodge

Santa’s Lodge offers a variety of standard and ADA-compliant rooms. Guests can choose from one king, two queens, queen deluxe, one king suite, and one queen ADA room, as well as several types of suites. The hotel offers indoor and outdoor pools, an ATM in the lobby, vending and ice machines, a playground, and a gift shop.

Santa’s Lakeside Cottages

Santa’s Lakeside Cottages offers several cozy cabins, including the one-bedroom cottage, Stable Cottages, Bells Cottages, a two-bedroom loft, and a one-bedroom duplex. The cottages, depending on size, can accommodate between six and ten people. Each cottage offers a full kitchen with a refrigerator, microwave, and cooktop. A coffee maker, dishes, silverware, and pots and pans are provided. Guests can also enjoy free WiFi, satellite TV, and a fire pit.

Mistletoe Manor

Mistletoe Manor is 4,920 square feet and contains six comfortable bedrooms, three luxurious full bathrooms, and two half bathrooms. Up to 23 people can sleep comfortably. The manor offers a full kitchen, WiFi, heat and A/C, a fire pit and charcoal grill, and a 1-acre pond.

Santa Claus Christmas Festivities

The town of Santa Claus, Indiana, really comes to life during the fall and winter holidays. Numerous events and festivals are held in November and December.

  • Candlelight Evening at the Farm Between November 15 and December 13 – Guests can enjoy an evening at the farm from 5:30 PM until 7:30 PM. This event is being hosted at the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial inside the Living Historical Farm. This event is located just outside of Santa Claus, Indiana.
  • Lighting Santa’s Great Big Tree of Lights on November 29 – On November 29 at the Santa Claus Christmas Store, the Great Big LED Tree of Christmas lights will be turned on at 5 PM. Once the tree is turned on, attendees can enjoy a festive light show from 5 PM until 10 PM with a local radio station providing the music.
  • The Holiday Market on November 30 – Small businesses will be supported during a Holiday Market between the hours of 9 AM and 4 PM. It’s being hosted by Dale Floral and Gifts.
  • Live Reindeer on November 30 and December 1st – Santa’s Toys will host the 8th annual live reindeer event from 11 AM until 4 PM.
  • A Quilt Show on December 6 – There will be a quilt show between the hours of 10 AM and 4 PM at the Santa Claus Museum and Village.
  • Violin Performance at the 1880 Santa Claus Church – Rachael Scott will give a violin performance at 2 PM.
  • Santa Claus Arts and Crafts Show on December 14 – The Heritage Hills Middle School will host a Christmas arts and crafts show in the gymnasium. The show will run from 9 AM until 4 PM.
  • Santa Claus Christmas Parade December 14 – The Christmas parade will be held between 1 PM and 2 PM.
  • Christmas Cookie Decorating on December 15 – Visitors can enjoy decorating cookies at the Christmas Lake Village Golf Club between the hours of 10 AM and 5 PM.

Places to Eat in Santa Claus, Indiana

There are plenty of places to dine in Santa Claus, Indiana. If you’re in the mood for pizza, you might try Fat Santa’s Pizza and More. Twenty-one North Kringle Place in Santa Claus is home to S&S BBQ and Pizzeria, as well as Annie’s Ice Cream and Coffee. Adults can take a trip to the Santa Claus Brewing Company, and if you’re looking for a quick bite, you might check out the Santa Claus Christmas Store, Santa’s Candy Castle, or Stone Ridge Station, which offers cafe and deli food.

No matter your holiday style, Santa Claus, Indiana, has something for everyone. Couples and families can choose to stay in a hotel, motel, cottage, or vacation home and participate in the nearly daily activities in November and December.

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