The World Santa Congress returns to Niagara‑on‑the‑Lake for the third consecutive year, assembling Santas from across the globe, bringing holiday cheer to young and old in July.
This year’s congress began Monday with a visit to Fort George and will return to NOTL on Thursday.
At 10:30 a.m., Santas will gather at Willow Cakes and Pastries in Regal Florist and Garden Centre for a holiday treat tasting, followed by a historical walk with the NOTL Museum and a final stop for ice cream at Avondale Dairy Bar.
At Fort George, the Santas explored the historic site in their summer Santa costumes, greeted families and brought a little Christmas spirit to the height of NOTL’s tourist season.
Julia Grcevic at the Fort George National Historic Site said it isn’t every day that their re-enactor staff aren’t the most attention-grabbing redcoats on site.
“The Santas certainly brought a bit of Christmas cheer to both visitors and staff,” said Grcevic.
The event is led by Cheryl Etherington, who brought the congress to Niagara after the original event in Denmark was moved in 2019.
Her father, Peter Boxall Sr., a longtime Santa from Niagara Falls, was the founder of the World Santa Congress. Etherington chose to relocate the event to his hometown to carry on the tradition in his memory.
“It was always my dad’s dream to have a World Santa Claus Congress here in Canada,” said Etherington.
This year, Santas have come from Denmark, California and across Canada to take part. Unlike other Santa gatherings focused on training and workshops, Etherington said this one is meant to bring Santas together through shared experiences and directly bring cheer to the public.
“We have Santas doing what Santas do best, which is spending time with children and making people happy,” said Etherington.
Canadian Santa Charles Oberleitner said the delight they evoke in spectators isn’t just for kids.
“I have found a very special part of being Santa is watching all the joy and wonder come back into the faces of adults as they relive their childhood while sharing the experience with their children,” he said.
Danish Santa Peter Gislund travelled to Niagara in part to honour his longtime friend and fellow Santa, Peter Boxall Sr., but he continues to come back for the glee it brings.
“When you see a little kid and see their eyes glow when they talk to Santa, that’s what inspired me to start almost 40 years ago,” said Gislund.
He said many children ask why so many Santas are together.
“I tell them it’s because I have a conference and I’m meeting together with all my cousins,” said Gislund.
Etherington and the Santas said they would be happy to return next year for the congress, but residents may see their familiar faces near Christmas time: “I’ll see you again on Dec. 24.”
