Santa Barney Combs is a professional, real-bearded Santa Claus for hire in the Columbia, Missouri area.
Santa Barney is a Gold member of the Worldwide SantaClaus Network, He has completed their Santa Claus Portrayal and Business Mastery Program and is a certified "AuthentiClaus".
When you meet him, you'll think he came directly from the North Pole! Many clients say, "He is Santa Claus".
He is available for hire for all of your Christmas events, such as tree lighting ceremonies, parades, community and corporate events, country club events, personal home visits and Christmas photographer sessions.
He is also available to support your business or community for "Christmas in July" events.
Santa Barney and Mrs. Claus were just incredible for our preschool Christmas party! Santa Barney is so tall, which adds to the magic, and Mrs. Claus is his perfect, sweet-as-sugar counterpart. They were so great with the children and had the most peaceful presence. They seemed to truly enjoy being with everyone and added so much joy to our event. My favorite part was when Santa walked in and I introduced him to one of our teachers. I told him that she had been good all year, and with a gentle shake of his bells he simply said, "I know." Santa is as real as real can be, and we're convinced that Santa Barney is THE guy! Thank you both for being so amazing!
Response from Santa Barney:
Hi Triere,
Thank you for the great review! Mrs. Claus and I had such a wonderful time with everyone. We hope the children enjoyed our visit as much as we did. Happy New Year to you and your staff.
Santa Barney & Mrs. Claus
Photos from this event
I am convinced that Santa Barney came straight from the North Pole! Fantastic job!
Response from Santa Barney:
Jessica,
Thank you for the great review and the opportunity to be a part of your event, I thoroughly enjoyed the whole day. Santa really enjoyed the interaction with all of the children and even your adult guests. I had such a wonderful time and am already looking forward to next year!
Thank you so much
Santa Barney
Photos from this event
If you need a Santa - Santa Barney is your man!!! He came to our event where we support individuals with developmental disabilities and was AMAZING!! He was so patient and kind with the!! The adults we support as well as our employees and their children loved him!!!! We will definitely hire him again.
So hire him!!! You won’t be disappointed!
5 stars is not enough to rate him!!!
Response from Santa Barney:
Hi Jennifer,
Thank you so much for the positive review. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit with everyone, I was so filled with the spirit of Christmas when I left that I sang Christmas songs all the way home!
Santa Barney
Photos from this event
We had the pleasure of working with Santa Barney, and we couldn't be more impressed. He is incredibly organized, communicates clearly, and made the entire process smooth from start to finish. The kids and families absolutely adore him, and he truly looks the part—just like the real Santa! His Santa outfit is unique and really stands out, adding to the magic. Plus, he's always ready with thoughtful and fun answers to all the tough questions kids throw his way.
Response from Santa Barney:
Thank you for your kind review Kristen!
Price Range: $100 hr. and up.
Gig Length: 30 - 480 minutes
Languages: English
Santa Barney is a professional, real-bearded Santa Claus. Prompt and on-time, cordial and easy to speak with. Follows directions and can deal with last minute changes with ease. An authentic Santa Claus, someone that looks and acts the part. Great Santa Claus suit, with a real leather belt, boots and a large brass belt buckle. Accessories including Santa's magic keys, bells on his boots and belt. - A Santa Claus that can read to children, do some magic and maybe even sing Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. - A Santa Claus that is comfortable talking to the media or with a crowd.
Santa Barney has enjoyed bringing joy and memories to people at Christmas time for over 5 years portraying Santa Claus. Santa Barney is a real-bearded Santa who works continuously to improve his impression. Santa Barney has been called the REAL Santa Claus by everyone that sees him. His rosy cheeks and the twinkle in his eyes will convince children and adults that he is the REAL Santa Claus.
Santa Barney is a Gold member of the Worldwide SantaClaus Network, He has completed their "Santa Claus Portrayal and Business Mastery Program" and is a certified "AuthentiClaus". Often referred to as "The Stanford of Santa Schools" The Worldwide Santa Claus Network's "Santa Claus Portrayal & Business Mastery" program is a year-round professional Santa Claus School providing continuous training throughout the year.
Santa Barney is also a member of the International Brotherhood of Real-Bearded Santa's, the World's Largest Organization of Professional Santa's, Mrs. Clauses, Spouses, and Associates.
He has volunteered as a historic interpreter and historic preservationist for 40 years. He portrayed the famous explorer and adventurer Daniel Boone for 15 years at the Historic Daniel Boone Home in Defiance, Missouri.
He has been recognized by three Missouri governors for his volunteer activities in preserving history and his portrayal of Daniel Boone in the State of Missouri. He received his Commission as a Kentucky Colonel from Governor Ernie Fletcher of the Commonwealth of Kentucky for his work in preserving and sharing the history of Kentucky and Daniel Boone.
Trained as a Certified Interpretive Guide - National Association for Interpretation – Former Member.
Kentucky Colonel - Commissioned by Gov. Ernie Fletcher, Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Association of Missouri Interpreters - Lifetime member.
The Boone Society - Lifetime member.
Boone's Lick Road Association – Former Member.
Missouri River Relief - (Non-profit) - current volunteer and member of the Board of Directors.
St. Charles County Parks & Recreation – volunteer – 9 years.
Columbia, MO Parks & Recreation – volunteer – 6 years
The Historic Daniel Boone Home at Lindenwood Park – volunteer – 38 years.
The Historic Daniel Boone Home at Lindenwood Park – front line historic interpretive volunteer – From November, 1987 till currently – (38 years), under three owners of the property, (Privately owned – November 1987 till 1998) - (Lindenwood University 1998 till 2016) - (St. Charles County Parks & Recreation – May 2016 till present)
Help save and dismantle the Zephaniah Sappington/John Dressel Home, circa 1804 log home and the Benedict Warmbrodt Home, circa pre-1836 log home and move them both to the Historic Daniel Boone site in 1987.
• 2006 – Co-featured in the Missouri Life magazine article “Candlelit Village, Daniel Boone’s Home Shines in Yuletide Season”, December 2006 edition.
• 2007 – Received a Proclamation from Missouri Governor Matt Blunt in recognition of my volunteer activities.
• 2007 – Commissioned as a Kentucky Colonel by Commonwealth of Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher, for promoting Kentucky and her people through my portrayal of Daniel Boone.
• 2007 – Received a letter of thanks from Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan for preserving the history of the State of Missouri.
• 2007 - Received a letter of acknowledgement and thanks from the Boy Scouts of America, Greater St. Louis Area Council in recognition of presenting a historic program that was attended by well over one thousand Boy Scouts, Webelos, and Scouters. I was also recognized for assisting over 350 scouts earn the American Heritage Merit Badge.
• 2008 – Co-featured in the “Missouri Life” magazine article “The Best of Missouri Life Festival”, April 2008 edition.
• 2009 – Co-featured in the “Missouri Life” magazine article “Bringing Boone and His Biographer to life”, August, 2009 edition.
• 2012 – Charter recipient, Lindenwood University’s Historic Daniel Boone Home and Boonesfield Village, Boone Volunteer Lifetime Achievement Award.
•2012 – Certified Interpretive Guide Certification – July 7, 2012 – National Association for Interpretation.
• 2015 – Received the “Excellence in Letters” award from Lindenwood University’s Daniel Boone Home in recognition of my talents in social media as an editor of the Historic Daniel Boone Home Facebook Page.
• 2017 – Received the “Lifetime Achievement” award from the St. Charles County Parks Department’s Director in recognition of my exceptional methods of historical interpretation and my many years of volunteer service.
• 2017 - Received a Proclamation from Missouri Governor Eric Greitens in recognition of my
volunteerism to the State of Missouri.
• 2018 – Received a Proclamation from Missouri Governor Mike Parsons in recognition of preserving Missouri history and being a “Goodwill Ambassador” for the State of Missouri.
• 2018 – Received the “Outstanding Interpretive Volunteer” award from the Region 6 chapter of The National Association for Interpretation. – (Regional Award)
• 2018 – Received the “Outstanding Volunteer Parks Advocate” award from the St. Charles County Parks Department for extraordinary service and dedication to the St. Charles County Parks & Recreation Department.
2019 - Became a crew member of Missouri River Relief.
2019 - Became a volunteer for the Columbia Parks & Recreation Department, Park Patrol volunteer. – (Portrayed Santa Claus for their “Cookies with Santa” program, December 18th., 2019)
2019 - Received the "AMI Outstanding Interpretive Volunteer" award for the State of Missouri from The Association of Missouri Interpreters. – (State Award)
2019 - Received the "NAI Outstanding Interpretive Volunteer" award from The National Association for Interpretation. – (National Award)
2019 - Runner-up - Best Re-enactor in the Lore and Legends category - Discover the Best of Missouri Life Awards - Missouri Life Magazine.
2019 – Received the “Dive-In Head First Award” from Missouri River Relief – This annual award is meant to recognize the most outstanding newcomers to the Missouri River Relief crew.
2021 - Received the “Metamorphosis Award” from Missouri River Relief – This annual award is meant to recognize the most outstanding crew member that has taken on multiple new roles in the Missouri River Relief crew.
2021 – Appointed a member of the Board of Directors of Missouri River Relief.
I have no particular requirements for lighting, staging and sound.
| November 28, 2025 • 2:00pm - 5:00pm | Rocheport, MO Wassail Walk |
| December 04, 2025 • 5:30pm - 7:00pm | Jefferson City, MO Mayor's Tree Lighting |
| December 05, 2025 • 5:30pm - 8:00pm | Living Windows Festival - Columbia, MO |
| December 20, 2024 • 11:30am - 12:30pm | Christmas Party |
| December 15, 2024 • 9:30am - 2:30pm | Christmas Party |
| December 07, 2024 • 6:00pm - 7:30pm | Christmas Party |
| December 07, 2024 • 4:00pm - 4:30pm | Corporate Event |
| December 06, 2024 • 6:00pm - 8:00pm | The District Living Windows |
| December 05, 2024 • 5:00pm - 7:30pm | Jefferson City , MO Mayor's Tree Lighting |
| November 29, 2024 • 2:00pm - 5:00pm | Rocheport Wassail Walk |
My passion to portray Santa Claus has come from various areas.
Movies such as Miracle on 34th. Street and Edmund Gwenn who portrayed Kris Kringle (Santa Claus) - It's a Wonderful Life - Elf - A Christmas Carol - How the Grinch Stole Christmas and others.
Actual Santa portrayal artists, especially Santa Ed Taylor, the "REAL SANTA CLAUS". I'm also influenced by Dale Dimas, Thomas Sheerin and many others. Much credit should be given to The World Wide Santa Claus Network for all the training and insights into portraying Santa Claus.
My love of the spirit of Christmas and what it means.
My many, many years of volunteer service as a historic interpreter. I portrayed Daniel Boone for 15 years at The Historic Daniel Boone Home at Lindenwood Park in Defiance, Missouri. I've also portrayed many other historical figures, including some of my own ancestors.
A comfortable chair to sit in for photographs. - If it is an outdoor event, preparations for inclement weather are a plus, such as a pop-up canopy, portable heater for cold weather and a possible indoor alternative.
St Robert, MO 
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9 Verified Bookings Neili H. said “Both Santa and Mrs. Claus went above and beyond to make everyone feel special. I guarantee each child went home with Christmas spirit!”
Mount Vernon, IL
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40 Verified Bookings Santa C. M. said “We love Santa”
Springfield, MO
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Nick H. said “We had Santa, Mrs. Clause and their elf out to our home for a Christmas surprise. They were absolutely amazing and did a fantastic job with the kids.…”
Kansas City, MO
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34 Verified Bookings Gregory F. said “He is the perfect Santa, and handled shy Grandchildren with obvious years worth of experience!”
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