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Great Bend Santas Sparkle in Holiday Ambience

Overview: Twenty-five life sized Santas, representing countries and regions from around the world, appear in a winter wonderland of lighted trees and festive holiday décor in downtown Great Bend. The exhibit, known as “Santas Around the World,” will be open to the public at 1223 Main Street, starting at approximately 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 30. Santa Claus is also available to visit with children. 

Following opening day, the public can visit the international Santa display from 4-6 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, and from 1-6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. The display will remain open through Dec. 22, 2024.

There is no charge to visit the exhibit, but a free will donation is suggested to provide funds to Rosewood Roots & Wings Foundation, as well as to provide a payment to Great Bend’s Retired Senior Volunteer Program for helping to man the booth through the season. Roots & Wings provides therapeutic, educational and recreational opportunities to people in need who have developmental disabilities.

The multi-cultural Santas are a collection that span five years of work and artistry by Great Bend artist Loretta Miller. The Santas have gained state and national recognition since their creation. Arts & Entertainment Network even featured Miller’s Santas in a 2003 holiday special, titled “Ultimate HolidayTown USA.”

Santa Sculptor – Loretta Miller stands with Scotland’s Abbot of Unreason, one of the 25 life-sized Santas she created more than a decade ago. Miller’s Santas are now on public display, dressed in elaborate costumes and accompanied by detailed accessories and props that help tell the story of each Santa in the collection.

Originally, the Santas appeared in downtown retail stores of Great Bend. After a few years, however, they were moved as a group to the CPI Qualified Plan Consultants Annex, then to a building on Lakin and Kansas Streets. During that time, the Santas were donated to the Rosewood Roots & Wings Foundation. They were moved to their current home, when Rosewood opened its Wine Cellar in 2013.


There is no charge to visit the exhibit, but a free will donation is suggested to provide funds to Rosewood Roots & Wings Foundation to maintain the Santas exhibit, as well as to provide a payment to Great Bend’s Retired Senior Volunteer Program for helping to man the booth through the season. Roots & Wings provides therapeutic, educational and recreational opportunities to people in need who have developmental disabilities.


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