Lights for Life

For over 15 years, Staten Island’s Santa Claus, Joe DiMartino and his family have been ambassadors for the holiday season, wooing crowds with their interactive Christmas display, “Lights for Life” that gives Macy’s a run for their money.

To date, Joe has raised over $200,000 through the generosity of his visitors, in memory of his late wife, Debra Ann who was killed in the World Trade Center Attacks on September 11, 2001.The money raised supports the children’s cancer center at the Staten Island University Hospital.

Each holiday season, the DiMartino’s pull out all the stops, filling every square inch of his Rossville property with animatronic scenes of Christmas Carolers, Mrs. Claus baking ginger bread, a Santa Claus train, Christmas Ice Capades, Ferris Wheel, Christmas lights, music, and spotlights. Every year he expands the experience.

Visitors tour through spectacular scenes from the birth of Jesus, to Santa’s workshop at the North Pole and back… without leaving Staten Island.