Pro Santas That Started An Industry Still Meet EVERY YEAR
(PRUnderground) January 7th, 2026
In 1994, German catalog giant OTTO Versand landed super-model Cindy Crawford for the cover of their Fall/Winter catalog & the theme they selected for their Christmas commercial that year was, “Our Christmas catalog has so many gift ideas, SANTA’S GONNA NEED SOME HELP!”
On a sunny September afternoon, nine professional actors scrambled up & down WB’s “Brownstone Street” set carrying armfuls of wrapped presents, while the tenth sat in his sleigh, thumbing contentedly through that Cindy Crawford catalog. All ten men had responded to a casting call for “Santa with OWN COSTUME & REAL BEARD”. During breaks, these guys swapped ‘war stories’ about some of their most- & least-favorite true-life Santa experiences. By the time the shoot wrapped, all agreed that they should “Do Lunch” sometime– after their Seasons ended, of course. On a Sunday afternoon in mid-January, they all met at Clearman’s Northwoods Inn in La Mirada and had so much fun, to a man they agreed to do it again the following January! This time, a couple thought to invite a fellow Santa he knew– and by the third year, nearly 20 professional Santas were sitting around the table! After that, the “Real-Bearded Santa Reunion” just sort of took on a life of its own…
Fast forward 32 years, and that “Santa Brunch” has evolved into the oldest & largest annual event in the Christmas Community! Today, it fills at least 3 full days every year / it’s the largest Claus Wear ‘n Gear show in the country / Vendors & Sponsors now include the nation’s premiere custom costumers, belt & boot makers, Santa prop & magic designers, Claus trainers, and professional benefit providers!! Keynote speaker is always a famous Claus or celebrity (any “Big Bang” fans out there?).
MANY films & documentaries, TV shows, commercials & online media outlets have featured our annual party!
The 2026 Santa Reunion is being hosted the weekend of Feb 6th thru 8th by Hotel FERA in Orange, CA.
It’s not too late to register for all weekend events, at FORBSantasReunion.com; but the best news is, the Vendor Faire will be open to the public on all 3 days, from 9a-5p. Drop by and see more professional Clauses in one place than you’ve ever dreamed of!!
About FORBS Reunion
In 1994, the ORIGINAL fraternity for professional Santas was born on a Hollywood movie set (because OF COURSE it was!!)– and we will celebrate that event for the 32nd time this year– at the 2026 Santa Reunion Weekend!! Hosted this year by the OC’s legendary Hotel FERA, it will feature the largest Claus Wear n’ Gear Show in the country!! 2026 Sponsors include: Cherry Hill Programs / Adele’s Of Hollywood / Worldwide Santa Claus Network / Christmas Performer Workshops / Karcher-Alera-PIC Underwriters / Capri Boots / Stuff For Santa / Hampton Roads / Santa’s Tailor / Santa’s Village-Skypark / Andrew McFarlane Fashions
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Original Press Release.
