Larry Jefferson has been putting on a big red suit and perfecting his best ho, ho, ho for nearly 20 years. The retired Army captain plays Santa at shopping malls, holiday parties and charity benefits.

Jefferson, or Santa Larry, is only at the Santa Experience inside the Mall of America, by appointment only. He will be there Thursday until Sunday. For more information, click here.

"Kids only see the red suit, the white beard," said Larry Jefferson, who was certainly Santa to Kingston Strong of Minneapolis at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minn. ((Leila Navidi ...

Santa Larry Jefferson in Branson, Missouri for Discover Santa 2016. Courtesy Larry Jefferson Dec. 11, 2017, 2:35 PM EST / Updated Dec. 11, 2017, 2:35 PM EST ...

As he walked through the crowd of hundreds of bearded, plump, and jolly white men, Larry Jefferson, a professional Santa Claus, stood out. It was July, at the annual Santa Claus convention in ...

Santa Larry gained world-wide fame three years ago when he became the first black Santa hired to spread joy at Mall of America. 24/7 Live San Francisco East Bay South Bay Peninsula North Bay.

Santa Larry Jefferson holds up some "multicultural" Santa merchandise for sale at the Santa Experience at Mall of America on Dec. 1, 2016 in Bloomington, Minn. ((Leila Navidi / Minneapolis Star ...

Santa Larry Jefferson smiles with Auden Good, 4, and his 1-year-old brother Ezra of Ramsey during photos at the Santa Experience at Mall of America. (Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune) ...

But when Jefferson first became “Santa Larry” it wasn’t only about representing his community. “It was a calling, you know,” Jefferson said. Once you’re Santa, you’re always Santa.

Santa Larry Jefferson smiled with Jack Kivel, 3, of Prior Lake for photos at the Santa Experience at Mall of America in December 2016. (Leila Navidi, Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune) ...

Santa Larry gained world-wide fame three years ago when he became the first black Santa hired to spread joy at Mall of America. 24/7 Live Houston Southwest Southeast Northwest Northeast.

Santa Larry gained world-wide fame three years ago when he became the first black Santa hired to spread joy at Mall of America. 24/7 Live Raleigh Durham Fayetteville Surrounding Area.