No need to leave a plate of cookies for Santa later this month. He already has his pick of delectable sweets at Santa’s Candy Castle in the Spencer County town named after him.
Since the jolly old soul is also hospitable, he invites you to visit and indulge in an overwhelming variety of candy and chocolatey goodies any time of the year, too.
Santa’s Candy Castle is an actual brick castle built in 1935 by businessman Milton Harris. Harris hoped the castle would be the first attraction in “Santa Claus Town,” a kids’ wonderland that would sell toys and treats. In 1936, Santa’s Workshop and a Toy Village opened their doors, but soon after, a lawsuit with a rival businessman and the onset of World War II ended Harris’ dreams of further expansion. Santa Claus Town and its iconic candy store remained in business through Harris’ unexpected death in 1950 and a series of new owners up until the 1970s. But those new owners could never recapture the magic of the business’ heyday.
That changed when Kevin Klosowski bought the castle in 2005, restored it, and reopened it to the public in 2006. Today, the real-life candy land purveys handmade gourmet confections, flavored popcorn, flavored candy canes, different varieties of salt water taffy, and retro candy favorites like wax lips, candy buttons, candy cigarettes, Pop Rocks, Clark bars and Fruit Stripe bum. There’s an entire room dedicated to PEZ and PEZ dispensers, and another room fully stocked with Jelly Belly varieties.
When visiting the Candy Castle, you’ll want to indulge in its signature hot chocolate. There are 33 flavors of this tummy-warming treat. Those choosing to drink their cocoa cold can opt for the castle’s self-proclaimed “legendary” frozen hot chocolate which is available in a 16-ounce size or the half-gallon “Avalanche” version. The “Avalanche” is the world’s largest cocoa beverage. Those who finish it receive a bumper sticker and have their photo placed on the Candy Castle’s “Wall of Fame.”
Celebrate an early Christmas, and Santa’s Candy Castle’s 84th anniversary, on Dec. 22 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Enjoy giveaways, raffles and 84 cent specials.
If you go …
Santa’s Candy Castle
15499 State Road 245
Santa Claus, Indiana 47579
800-356-1935
