Stars Dressed as Santa: Photos (2024)

Celebrities don’t need rosy cheeks, a white beard or a big belly (full of jelly) to look like Santa Claus. Some stars have tried their hand at dressing up as jolly old Saint Nick for the holiday season, while others have done so for fun or for roles.Tim Allen, for one, famously portrayed Santa in 1994’s The Santa Clause, 2002’s The Santa Clause 2 and 2006’s The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause. Most recently, the actor starred in the Disney+ show The Santa Clauses, which aired in 2022.In 2017, the actor reflected on the three-and-a-half hours it took to transform into the character with a fat suit and makeup.“I’ve since then admired Eddie Murphy and Jim Carrey, of course — anybody who’s done these fat suits, there’s no way to get around how uncomfortable that is,” Allen told 20/20, noting that he could not be in the suit for longer than six hours because of a lack of ventilation. “I don’t know how these other guys did it.”The costume caused other problems too. “The original coat we did for the first movie was real velvet. It had filigree all over it,” Allen explained. “It also had tiny little bells everywhere. … [We] didn’t really [know] how obnoxious it would be.”Allen had to redo much of the audio after filming as a result. “I ADRed [Automatic Dialog Replacement] most of that film because people [said], ‘What’s all that ringing?’ And it was me walking,” he said.Scroll through the gallery below to see stars rocking their takes on Santa’s suit:

Celebrities don’t need rosy cheeks, a white beard or a big belly (full of jelly) to look like Santa Claus. Some stars have tried their hand at dressing up as jolly old Saint Nick for the holiday season, while others have done so for fun or for roles.Tim Allen, for one, famously portrayed Santa in 1994’s The Santa Clause, 2002’s The Santa Clause 2 and 2006’s The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause. Most recently, the actor starred in the Disney+ show The Santa Clauses, which aired in 2022.In 2017, the actor reflected on the three-and-a-half hours it took to transform into the character with a fat suit and makeup.“I’ve since then admired Eddie Murphy and Jim Carrey, of course — anybody who’s done these fat suits, there’s no way to get around how uncomfortable that is,” Allen told 20/20, noting that he could not be in the suit for longer than six hours because of a lack of ventilation. “I don’t know how these other guys did it.”The costume caused other problems too. “The original coat we did for the first movie was real velvet. It had filigree all over it,” Allen explained. “It also had tiny little bells everywhere. … [We] didn’t really [know] how obnoxious it would be.”Allen had to redo much of the audio after filming as a result. “I ADRed [Automatic Dialog Replacement] most of that film because people [said], ‘What’s all that ringing?’ And it was me walking,” he said.Scroll through the gallery below to see stars rocking their takes on Santa’s suit:

The rapper dressed up as the jolly old elf in December 2022 for his son's first Christmas. "My Boy first Christmas, Santa had to make an appearance for him," the "Bounce Back" artist wrote via Instagram. "Happy Holidays! Love on yo people, they only here for a limited time."

The Stranger Things actor stars as Santa Claus in the 2022 action-comedy film Violent Night.

The Falling for Christmas star dressed up in December 2022 to promote Pilk (also called a dirty soda). The drink "combines the crispness of Pepsi with the subtly sweet and creamy taste of milk, traditionally topped with creamer," according to the brand.

The singer stepped out at iHeartRadio Jingle Ball in December 2022 as "Mrs. Claus" before revealing she was actually in disguise. "I've been keeping a secret from you all. I'm not actually Mrs. Claus," Lizzo told the New York City crowd as she took off her red jacket with white trim to reveal a bright green body suit. "I'm the Grinch!"

The Glee alum dressed up as the big guy for his music video "Drunk on Christmas," and duet partner Lainey Wilson appeared as Mrs. Claus.

The actor portrayed Santa in the 2018 Netflix film The Christmas Chronicles and its 2020 sequel, The Christmas Chronicles 2. Russell’s longtime partner, Goldie Hawn, joined him in the movies, playing Mrs. Claus.

The Nickelodeon alum donned the beloved Christmas figure’s signature look for her “Thank U, Next” music video in November 2018. In the video, she appeared alongside her former Victorious costar Liz Gillies, who was also dressed as Santa, to replicate the “Jingle Bell Rock” performance from Mean Girls. Grande has since worn the look during her Sweetener World Tour when performing the hit track.

Klum probably made Santa’s naughty list in 2011 after dressing up as Mr. Claus, himself, for a photo she shared to Twitter.

Santa, baby! The Australian model showed her true colors in a sexy Christmas snap in 2012. In the pic, she wore a rather risqué Santa costume.

Heaven on Earth! Bündchen walked in the 2005 Victoria’s Secret Angels runway show while decked out in provocative Santa-inspired lingerie.

The Terminator star got into the Christmas spirit when he dressed up as Santa at the Miracle on 1st Street Toy and Food Drive in 2000.

The G.O.A.T.! Allen notably starred as Scott Calvin, a.k.a. Santa Claus, in the popular Santa Clause film franchise.He also appears as Santa Claus in the Disney+ series, The Santa Clauses, which premiered in 2022.

Thomas starred as college student Jake in the 1998 flick I’ll Be Home for Christmas, in which his fictional counterpart was left stranded in the desert by bullies while he was wearing a Santa suit — a look he sported throughout the movie.

In 2007’s Fred Claus, Giamatti played Santa Claus, who was the saintly opposite to his rough around the edges brother, Fred (Vince Vaughn).

Aykroyd embraced the jolly spirit of Santa when he dressed up as Father Christmas in the 1983 Christmas comedy film, Trading Places.

Perry’s sarcastic Friends character, Chandler Bing, dressed up as old Saint Nick to help bring some Christmas cheer to his pal Ross Geller’s (David Schwimmer) son, Ben (Cole Sprouse).

Ho, ho, ho, Perry Christmas! To get into the Jingle Ball spirit, the pop star slipped on a sexy Santa outfit in 2010 in Miami. Her festive leotard was accompanied with a fur-trimmed skirt and matching hat.

Santa’s booties! Jenny McCarthy donned a full-body Santa suit for the premiere of her TV movie Santa Baby 2: Christmas Maybe in NYC in 2009.

Sporting Santa’s belly! During Kourt’s third pregnancy, she dressed in a red velour onesie with a matching Santa hat. Naturally, her famous sisters were decked out in chic attire, but the eldest Kardashian kept it real in her holiday ensemble.

Santa’s helpers! Decked out in matching Kris Kringle ensembles (no doubt designed by Tina Knowles), the ladies of Destiny’s Child (Michelle Williams, Beyoncé and Kelly Rowland) encouraged fans to buy their Barbie replicas for the holidays at NYC’s Toys “R” Us store in 2001.

The Queen of Christmas has no problem donning Santa’s gear. For the 2011 remix of her hit single “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” Carey wore a skimpy red cutout dress with Saint Nick’s signature trimmings. Fair warning, the video itself might wreck the holidays once you see Carey flirting with a younger Justin Bieber inside of a Macy’s.

A Very Plastic Christmas! When Cady (Lindsay Lohan), Regina (Rachel McAdams), Gretchen (Lacey Chabert) and Karen (Amanda Seyfried) participated in their high school talent show singing “Jingle Bell Rock” in 2004’s Mean Girls, they sported Santa-themed miniskirts, tank tops and hats (along with their black stiletto boots). “Santa’s Helpers” stole the show, even after Gretchen kicked the boom box right into Jason’s face.

Not so jolly! In 2003’s Bad Santa, Billy Bob Thornton plays Willie — a con man who dresses up as Santa and robs department stores. His smoking, drinking and womanizing will make you forget about the old man with the beard you once knew.

Yo, yo, yo, merry Christmas! Rapper Snoop Dogg turned Santa’s costume into more of a king’s cape at the Radio Music Awards in Las Vegas in 2005.

Present from Paris! The party girl heiress dressed up in a long-sleeved Claus-inspired dress at the Macy’s launch of her fragrance Siren in 2009.

Santa, baby! Baywatch alum Pamela Anderson wore an extra-short Kris Kringle getup (complete with a fur-lined hood) during an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno in 2005.

Perry’s package! Back when John Mayer was dating Katy Perry, the pop star tweeted a picture of her man decked out like Father Christmas in 2012 with the caption “Santa baby.”

Though his New Girl character, Schmidt, is Jewish, Max Greenfield still dressed (or undressed) as “Sexy Santa” for Schmidt’s company holiday party. Unfortunately, his coworkers’ itchy wool blends gave him a severe case of “Santa lap.”

Jess’ jolly jumpsuit! To perform at the Jingle Ball in NYC in 2000, Jessica Simpson wore a one-piece red velvet jumpsuit. What, no Daisy Dukes?

When Rudy Duncan (Affleck) finally gets out of jail in 2000’s Reindeer Games, he wants to start fresh. Unfortunately, he is forced to participate in a heist, which involves him dressing up as a less-than-convincing (and significantly slimmer) Santa.

Holly jolly host! While riding on a holiday float at Disneyland in 2011, Nick Cannon went all out in a head-to-toe Santa suit.

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