Letters to Santa Delivers Smiles in Downtown Arlington

In collaboration with the United States Postal Service and the Arlington Public Library, Downtown Arlington is delivering an abundance of Christmas cheer to you via the Downtown Post Office! 

Santa Claus is Coming to (Down)town!   

It’s true! Santa Claus (AKA Postmaster Kelvin Dansby) is coming to the Arlington Main Post Office, 300 E. South Street in Downtown for photos with Santa on Thursday, Dec. 9 from 3:00 – 6:00 pm. Santa will also have help from APL and USPS elvesto help write letters and address the envelopes! Please note that stamps are required and will be on sale during the event. 

Direct Service to the North Pole: Santa’s Mailbox   

You can bring your children to the Downtown Post Office to either write a letter to Santa for fun through the season, or send it as part of the USPS Operation Santa campaign (more information below) through December 10th! Just look for our bright red holiday mailbox, provided by the Arlignton Public Library.

Calling All Elves: Operation Santa   

There’s another way you can get involved with Santa’s Mailbox in Downtown Arlington and mailboxes around the country. Letters addressed to Santa c/o 123 ELF ROAD and postmarked by Dec. 10 will automatically be routed to USPS Operation Santa, a nationwide effort to pair volunteers with hundreds of thousands of letters sent to Santa from children in need across the country. 

For over 100 years, USPS Operation Santa has made it possible for individuals and organizations to adopt the letter writers and send responses and thoughtful gifts in Santa’s place.

The volunteer process is simple:

•    Kids write letters to Santa's special address and USPS receives them.
•    The USPS redacts personal information and publish the letters online.
•    Generous people “adopt” and fulfill them.
•    Adopters ship gifts. Holiday wishes are delivered!

Visit the Operation Santa volunteer page to learn how to become one of Santa’s helpers.

How to Write to Santa (and other VIPs)   

On the Operation Santa site, you’ll find a Letter Writing Kit with a simple tutorial on how to properly address an envelope, basic format of a letter (salutation, signature, and everything in between) and sample letters.

Share Your Elfies with Downtown Arlington   

Whether you’re in Downtown Arlington shopping for that perfect gift or helping your child mail her or his special letter to Santa, be sure to take an elfie and tag us! @dtArlington

Santa’s Mailbox
Nov. 24 – Dec. 10, 2021
Downtown Arlington Post Office
300 E. South Street

Photos with Santa
Thursday, Dec. 9 from 3:00 – 6:00 pm 
Downtown Arlington Post Office
300 E. South Street