Beloved Upstate New York Christmas Attraction Won’t Open This Year

Families hoping to make a trip to the North Pole in Upstate New York this holiday season will have to make other plans, as the longtime Christmas attraction Santa’s Workshop has announced it will remain closed for the 2026 season.

If visiting Santa’s Workshop in North Pole, New York, is part of your family’s Christmas tradition, unfortunately, we have some disappointing news to share. The popular holiday destination, located at 324 Whiteface Memorial Highway in Wilmington, has announced that it will not open its gates for the upcoming Yuletide and winter season, leaving families without one of their favorite places to celebrate Christmas this year.

Santa's Workshop in Upstate New York Closed

Santa's Workshop Closed For Season in Upstate New York

In a post shared on Facebook, the team behind Santa’s Workshop said the difficult decision came down to staffing shortages, explaining that they do not have enough employees to safely operate the park and provide the holiday experience guests have come to know and love.

The announcement is sure to disappoint families who have already been making plans to visit the attraction, which has been a holiday tradition for generations.

Santa’s Workshop acknowledged that the news could be especially frustrating for those who have already booked a visit. The park says anyone who has made a reservation for the 2026 season will receive a refund, with additional information about the process being sent directly to affected guests.

Santa's Workshop Closed in North Pole, NY

Former Employee Accused of Sexual Offenses Against a Minor

The closure also comes weeks after a former Santa’s Workshop employee was arrested on charges involving alleged sexual offenses against a minor.

75-year-old Clarence Russell, who previously portrayed Santa Claus at the park, was arrested in September and charged with attempted second-degree rape involving a child under 15 and attempted endangering the welfare of a child, according to WPTZ.

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Following Russell’s arrest, the attraction confirmed that he was no longer affiliated with the organization and had not been since 2025.

While the timing of the arrest and the announcement of the seasonal closure may raise questions, Santa’s Workshop has publicly attributed the decision to insufficient staffing. The park has not said that the criminal case was a reason for the closure.

For now, the attraction says it is looking ahead to 2027 and hopes to welcome families back for another season of Christmas memories.