December 7, 2025
Black Santa is coming to cities big and small to help families feel pride and joy this holiday season.
The increasingly popular Black Santa is returning to diverse communities nationwide to spread holiday cheer.
The soulful take on Santa Claus has added a jolly representation to the holiday, helping Black families feel seen among the celebration. Many cities have started to embrace the tradition by providing their own sightings of Black Santa.
As a symbol of representation and pride, Black Santa allows diverse families to reclaim Christmas for themselves. Especially amid a federal anti-Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion movement, promoting this Santa has become even more important this holiday season.
This year, states across the nation are hosting Black Santa.
In Fayetteville, North Carolina, one retired Army veteran has become an annual beacon of representation as Black Santa.
According to the Fayetteville Observer, Craig Edwards dons the red suit every Christmas to greet children during the holidays. Inspired by his granddaughter’s innocent question of why Santa did not look like her, the father of three attended Santa Academy to learn the tricks and trade of Saint Nick. Known by the community as “Santa Craig,” he continues to delight families at the local mall for classic pictures.
Photos: Craig Edwards, known as Santa Craig, greets children at the mall https://t.co/iemI7gLb09
— The Fayetteville Observer (@fayobserver) November 24, 2025
In the Midwest, the Progress Center for Black Women hosted its 7th annual Photos with Santa at the Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison, Wisconsin, which has grown from a few hundred visitors to over 1,500. Young families to solo adults come and often it’s the first time they have met a Black Mr. Claus, according to Madison 365.
Back in the Carolinas, Wilmington hosts its own Black history tours. Its Christmas-inspired version is guided by “Soul Santa.” The guide, Brandon ‘Bigg B’ Hickman, believes “Santa is who we make Santa out to be,” as his version goes deeper into the tradition to touch on the history of the local community.
In Ohio, The Voice of Black Cincinnati will bring out its Black Santa on Dec. 18. Santa will appear at the Cincinnati Art Museum for the annual tradition, which focuses on promoting holiday cheer that all can take pride in.
The Madam Walker Legacy Center in Indianapolis also has a host of holiday programming, including its Black Santa Extravaganza. Taking place Dec. 13, the free event invites families throughout the Midwest city to snap pictures with Santa as they begin their Christmas celebration. Doing this at The Walker is especially significant, as the center honors the legacy of the Black woman entrepreneur whose ambitions inspired millions.
In Houston, the Black Santa Experience also brings Mrs. Claus to the holiday occasion. Families can head to a local luxury photo studio to snap a pic with the soulful Mr. and Mrs. Claus, allowing them to see themselves in every aspect of the holiday character.
Lastly, the Black Santa 270 program in Paducah, Kentucky, started in 2017. According to WPSD Local 6, its mission aims to give back to local children in need while spreading cheer with a Santa that sparks imagination. On Dec. 20, it will continue the tradition by providing toys, food, and photos for children.
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