Sensory Friendly Santa Visits Offer Calm Christmas Experience for Families

Families in Dubois County will have a quieter, more welcoming option for holiday traditions when The Santa Claus Fellowship and Traditional Arts Today open their doors for sensory friendly visits with Santa on Saturday, December 6. The event will take place in The Carriage House at Traditional Arts Today in Ferdinand, and offers private, 15 minute visits in a setting without crowds, bright lights, or noise.

Organizers say the program is built around the needs of children with special needs and their families, creating an atmosphere that feels more like home than a photo set. “For a few moments, we pause the world around us,” said Timothy Etter, Founder of The Santa Claus Fellowship. “Every child should have the chance to feel the wonder of Christmas in a way that feels calm and comforting. It’s not about the photos—it’s about the laughter, the warmth, and the little moments that stay with a family long after the season ends.”

Public health and social wellbeing are at the center of the event design. Sensory friendly programming can reduce acute stress for children with autism, sensory processing differences, and other developmental conditions, and can also ease caregivers burdened by managing crowded, noisy public events. By removing common triggers and giving each family a private window of time, the visit supports emotional safety and helps preserve the holiday experience for families who might otherwise avoid public Santa visits.

The partnership between a local arts organization and a civic nonprofit also highlights issues of access and equity in community programming. The visits are free to attend, removing a financial barrier for families, while required reservations help ensure that each child receives undivided attention. Traditional Arts Today and The Santa Claus Fellowship are relying on this model to make inclusion practical and sustainable, demonstrating how local nonprofits can fill gaps in public services and complement clinical and educational supports available through schools and health providers.

For Dubois County residents, the event is more than a seasonal activity. It is a modest but meaningful step toward inclusive community spaces that recognize diverse needs. Programs like this can reduce social isolation for families, normalize accommodations in public settings, and encourage other local organizations to adopt similar practices.

Families interested in reserving a visit can book online at www.TheSantaClausFellowship.com/book-online. Organizers ask that reservations be made in advance to guarantee the private time with Santa and to help staff plan an environment that is welcoming and comfortable for every participant.