Santa's Castle

🎅 Santa’s Magical Meet & Greet | Meet Santa, share your holiday wishes, and get a special ornament and a copy of “The Littlest Elf” for every family from the North Pole, thanks to Gannon University

🤶 Mrs. Claus’ Bake Shoppe| Enjoy cookie decorating and make your warm cocoa with Mrs. Claus

🎨 Elf Workshop | Create your own snow-globe with Santa’s helpers

🩰 The World of Sugar Plums & Nutcrackers | Dance performances and dress-up fun with Erie Dance Conservatory

🦌 Reindeer Games | Explore games tailored to all the reindeers – Are you more Dasher than Dancer?

🎨 Face Painting | Festive facepaint designs for all guests

📬 Digital Santa Letters | Send a holiday wish directly to the North Pole with the help of VNET

🛍️ Santa’s Store | Shop kid-friendly treasures and holiday surprises to take home

From hands-on crafts and science experiments to dance, storytelling, and shopping, there’s holiday cheer around every corner. Families can sip cocoa, play together, and make magical memories in every space of the museum!

$15 / Person
20% Off for Members

When you register for Santa’s Castle, you can visit at any time during the museum’s open hours on the day you’ve chosen. There’s no set event time, just come and enjoy the holiday magic at your own pace!

*Pre-registration highly encouraged. Walk-ins are welcome only if there’s room and open spots online – sold-out sessions are full!

*No coupons or discounted admission accepted – all sales are final.

In 1925, the Junior League of Erie set out to make a difference, empowering women, inspiring volunteerism, and strengthening the Erie community through creativity and care. Their passion brought lasting change to our region, supporting everything from libraries and education to medical research. And perhaps their most magical achievement of all? Founding the expERIEnce Children’s Museum!

Among their many beloved traditions, one truly stood out: Santa’s Castle. Beginning in 1977, this immersive holiday experience invited families to step into a winter wonderland filled with themed rooms, festive activities, and of course, Santa himself. Hosted in various locations over the years, most memorably at Carlisle’s Downtown, Santa’s Castle became a cherished Erie tradition that ran through 1998.

Through their creativity and dedication, the Junior League of Erie raised thousands of dollars for local nonprofits and built a legacy of joy and generosity that continues to inspire the museum and our community today!

Santa’s Castle is created in partnership with Velocity Network (VNET). Thanks to their support, we are able to transform the museum into Santa’s Castle!

Santa’s Magical Meet & Greet is made possible by the support of Gannon University!

The World of Sugar Plums and Nutcrackers is made possible by the Erie Dance Conservatory!

Decorate-your-own cookies made possible by Wegmans Food Markets!

A special thanks to the generous donation of the Kern Family Foundation and the Bickford Family for supporting this event and making it even more magical!