VALDOSTA MAIN STREET SEEKS THE REAL DEAL: SANTA CASTING CALL SET FOR SEPTEMBER 3

Ho, ho, hold onto your naughty-and-nice lists — Valdosta Main Street (VMS) is on the hunt for the city's next official Santa Claus, and the search kicks off with a public casting call on at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at the City Hall Annex. The media is invited to attend for some great visuals.

All Santas and aspiring Santas are invited to show up in full costume, beard and all, and sit before a panel of interviewers who will be looking for that unmistakable jolly spark. VMS will select one lucky Kris Kringle to serve as the city's official Santa for the entire 2026 holiday season, making appearances at three of Valdosta's biggest downtown celebrations:

  • The new Jingle Bells Festival — November 20–21
  • The City of Valdosta and Lowndes County Tree Lighting Ceremony — December 4
  • The Greater Valdosta Christmas Parade — December 5

The selected Santa will be the guest of honor at each event, greeting families, posing for photos, and helping bring the holiday spirit to life across Downtown Valdosta.

"We're not expecting Santa to work for milk and cookies this year — this is a paid position," said Patrick Pearson, Manager of Valdosta Main Street. "We take our Santa search seriously. He's the face of the holidays in Downtown Valdosta, and we want someone who can bring warmth, joy, and a genuinely great 'ho ho ho' to every event on the calendar."

Interested candidates are encouraged to arrive at the City Hall Annex on September 3 in full Santa attire and ready to make a great first impression. Additional details on casting call times and how to sign up will be shared by Valdosta Main Street ahead of the event.

Valdosta Main Street invites the community to follow along as the search unfolds and to mark their calendars for a holiday season filled with festive downtown celebrations.

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