Santa Larry doesn’t just deliver presents to Chicago — he brings the gift of inclusive Christmas magic.
During the holiday season each year, veteran Larry Jefferson embodies the spirit of Christmas by spreading joy, light, love and laughter. He’s currently posted up at Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, taking photos with families and greeting guests every day from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. through Dec. 20. And he’ll also appear with Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch at Kenwood Academy High School on Dec. 22 at 1:00 p.m.
“When [Black] children come to the museum, they’re not expecting to see me, but when they do, they freak out,” Santa Larry told The TRiiBE. “They say, ‘Oh my God, Santa Claus, you look like me,’ and I say, ‘Yes, I do.’”
Since 2019, Santa Larry has been spreading holiday cheer across Chicago. As an additional treat, some of Santa Larry’s youngest visitors have said they would go the extra mile to prepare milk and a full meal to ensure he’s got enough energy to deliver maximum presents.
“Chicago is the perfect city for holiday spirit,” he said. “The diversity of the city reflects those who visit me.”
When resting, Santa Larry’s “North Pole” is in Arkansas, with a sleigh-adorned front yard and festive decorations filling the house year-round. However, Jefferson said he works as Santa Larry throughout the year, making appearances at events across the country for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Black History Month, Easter, Christmas in July and more.
“Santa has a sleigh and can travel anywhere,” he said. “Whether they’re from Chicago or another place, I’m happy to be Santa Larry to spread love wherever I go.”
In 1999, Jefferson stepped into the red suit for the first time. He did so to bring holiday cheer to friends, families, homeless shelters and fellow troops while deployed overseas. Growing up in Nashville, Arkansas, Jefferson never saw a Black Santa; so he didn’t fully realize the impact his role would have until he witnessed the joy on the faces of people who had never seen a Santa Claus like him.
What started as a fun tradition evolved into an unexpected legacy.
“God opened my eyes one day, and I realized being Santa Larry is my calling.” Jefferson said.
In 2015, Jefferson was discovered at a Santa Claus convention in Branson, Missouri. From there, he was selected as one of four Santas to work at The Santa Experience MN at the Mall of America in Minnesota, where families took photos with him.
In 2016, he made history as the first African-American Santa Claus at the Mall of America in Minneapolis. In 2020, he was inducted into the International Santa Hall of Fame.
Today, Santa Larry’s motto — “I’m a Santa for all” — encapsulates his mission: to make every person he meets feel seen and special for Christmas, no matter their race, background or religious tradition.
“It’s very important for Santa to look like his community and for Santa to look like America,” he said. “When Black families see me, they get excited because they see themselves. It’s powerful for them and for others. It expands the ability to identify with various cultures.”
Santa Larry has received both heartfelt and hilarious Christmas wishes. Children have asked for new baby siblings, iPhones, Nintendo Switches and Barbie Dreamhouses, while adults have requested a clean house, more sleep and vacations.
“It’s the most wonderful time of the year and I enjoy spreading joy, happiness and hope because it helps people’s hearts,” he said. “People will get sick, die and face tragedy, but you can still choose to celebrate light and love everyday like it’s Christmas.”
Jefferson takes great pride in creating lasting Christmas memories for families of all ages, from newborn babies to individuals in their 90s, deeming it a “gift from God to be Santa Larry.” But Chicago isn’t Santa Larry’s final destination. He’s eyeing the big screen next.
“I’m just trying to make myself as available as possible for people to see a Black Santa,” he said. “But, Santa Larry’s got to be in a movie now.”
The post ‘Santa looks like me’: How Santa Larry brings representation to Chicago for Christmas appeared first on The TRiiBE.
