The best ways to get a call from Santa in 2026
If your child wants to actually talk to Santa, pick a live two-way call like CallSanta: they dial a number and Santa answers by name and replies to what they say. If you want a produced video with photos, or something free, a pre-recorded app like Portable North Pole fits better. For a face-to-face feel, book a live video visit with a costumed Santa.
Side by side
| Option | Child talks, Santa answers | Personal details | When it happens | Something to keep | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Live phone call CallSanta | Yes, live | Name, age, wish, good deed, anything you add | Any time, on your schedule | Audio recording (Family), HD video (Keepsake) | $29 / $49 / $79 |
| Pre-recorded call or video app e.g. Portable North Pole | No, it plays a message | Usually name, sometimes photos and details | Scheduled or on demand | Often the video itself | Free tiers, paid upgrades |
| Live video visit a costumed Santa over video | Yes | Whatever you send ahead | Booked time slots | Screen recording, if allowed | Per session, usually the priciest |
| Free Santa hotline | No | None | Any time | Nothing | Free |
1. Live two-way phone call: CallSanta
Best for: kids who want to talk to Santa, ask him questions and hear him answer.
You fill in a short form (name, age, wish, a good deed, anything else) and get a North Pole number by email and text within seconds. Your child dials it whenever you're ready, and Santa greets them by name, brings up the wish, thanks them for the good deed and responds to whatever they say. Santa's voice is powered by advanced voice technology, which is what makes live replies possible at any hour. Works from US (+1) and UK (+44) phone numbers.
Watch out for: it's a voice call, not video, and it costs more than a free app. If you want Santa on screen, look at the options below.
2. Pre-recorded call and video apps
Best for: a polished, produced moment, families who want photos of their child in the video, or a free option.
Portable North Pole is the best known. You enter details and schedule a call or video from Santa that uses them. Other apps, such as PackageFromSanta's call app, work similarly. As far as we can tell from their own descriptions, these play a prepared message rather than a live back-and-forth.
Watch out for: if your child asks Santa something, a recording can't reply. Older kids sometimes notice.
3. Live video visit with a costumed Santa
Best for: families who want to see Santa's face and are happy to book a slot.
A real person in costume joins a video call at a booked time. It can be wonderful, and it's genuinely live. You're working around their calendar, sessions are short and it's usually the most expensive route.
4. Free Santa hotlines
Best for: toddlers, or a quick free moment.
Your child dials and hears a recording or leaves a voicemail. No personalization and no replies. Numbers change yearly, so test one yourself before handing it over.
How to choose in 30 seconds
- "I want them to talk to Santa": live phone call (CallSanta) or a live video visit.
- "I want something free": a hotline or a free app tier.
- "I want to see Santa on screen": a pre-recorded video app or a booked video visit.
- "It's December 24th": anything instant. CallSanta numbers arrive in seconds and nothing ships.
- "I have three kids": pick something that gives each child their own turn. CallSanta adds siblings for $15 each, each with their own call.
Want them to actually talk to Santa?
He'll already know their name. Ready in two minutes.
Set up their call · from $29