Santa's Land USA

Santa's Land USA is a Santa Claus-themed roadside attraction and family park set in the southern foothills of Vermont, described by its operator as a New England family tradition for generations. It opened in 1957 and, per its official site, has served millions of families over the last 68 years. The park is small and family-run, historically operating from the late fall until the New Year; in 2025 it moved exclusively to evening operations under the banner Nighttime Magic, with no rides that year. Attractions include a landscape of lights through the Santa Land forest, elves at work, Rex the talking Reindeer, a school house for writing letters to Santa, photos with Santa, and food and shopping at the Candy Cane Cupboard, Santa's Sweet shop, and a gift shop.

Santa's Land was founded in 1957 by New York City radio pioneer and founder of WOR, Jack Poppele, who was vacationing in Vermont when he fell in love with the Putney property and later constructed the roadside attraction. In 1970 the Brewer family bought the land and operated the park for 30 years. The park went on to have several owners and faced turbulent times, closing in 2014; the property fell into disrepair due to neglect and severe vandalism. Magician David Haversat, who had dreamed of owning Santa's Land since he was a young boy, worked toward purchasing and restoring the park in 2017. According to the Brattleboro Reformer, Haversat said it was time to reclaim Santa's Land and make it great for families and local people; the Vermont Preservation Trust noted that Haversat restored much of the original 1950s architecture and artifacts. The official site states that since opening in 1957 the park has served millions of families over the last 68 years, and that in 2025 it went exclusively into evening operations for Nighttime Magic, with no rides that year and a planned late-Fall 2026 opening.

A classic roadside attraction and small family park presented as a New England family tradition for generations.

• Nighttime Magic evening experience

  Evening walk-through of a landscape of lights in the Santa Land forest with elves, Rex the talking Reindeer, letter-writing to Santa, and photos with Santa.

• Candy Cane Cupboard

  Food service offering burgers and fries.

• Santa's Sweet shop

  Shop for hot chocolate and treats.

• Gift shop

  Shop offering ornaments.

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3. 3Santa's Land USAwikidata.org