Santa Finds Holiday Bliss In Airbnb’s First Animated Christmas Commercial

Airbnb has unveiled its first Christmas commercial, “Santastrophe,” as part of its ongoing "Get an Airbnb" campaign. Animated by global creative agency BUCK , the ad reimagines Christmas Eve through Santa Claus’s perspective, humorously showcasing the perks of Airbnb stays over traditional hotels.

Set to the playful rhymes of a narrative inspired by the poem, A Visit from St. Nicholas and accompanied by the classic tune of Run-D.M.C.'s "Christmas in Hollis," the ad begins atop a bustling hotel on Christmas Eve. Santa faces numerous challenges in the "Santa-proof" environment: crawling through narrow air vents, waiting at the front desk, navigating tight elevators, and wrestling with a malfunctioning key card. The humor in these scenes highlights the frustrations of hotel stays during the holidays.

The tone shifts when Santa enters an Airbnb. The ad creatively transitions to a cozy, chimney-equipped home, where Santa effortlessly delivers presents under a tree. As a child wakes to discover the gifts, Santa vanishes up the chimney, flying off into the night. The tagline sums up the message: “Some trips are merrier in an Airbnb.”

Airbnb’s in-house creative team conceptualized the ad to emphasize the platform’s ability to enhance holiday experiences. A spokesperson explained, “With many families traveling this holiday, this newest ad shows how staying on Airbnb is Santa-friendly, with many homes featuring room for a tree or a fully functioning chimney.”

Adding to the charm are subtle Easter eggs like Santa’s red coat stitched with gold designs resembling Airbnb’s Belo logo and magical touches, such as a bellhop’s scarf and hat reappearing as parts of a snowman.

The advertising campaign showcases how Airbnb is seen as a cozy and personalized home-like option for travelers, especially during the holiday season. The advertisement depicts Airbnb as "Santa-approved," connecting the brand to the holiday magic and confirming it as the top choice for relaxing holiday stays.

The lighthearted story and creative imagery in the ad are meant to connect with viewers, presenting Airbnb as an ideal location for happy events. "Santastrophe" follows other creative campaigns from Airbnb, including promotions featuring pop-culture-inspired stays like Pixar's Up house and Marvel's X-Men mansion, further showcasing the brand’s versatility and charm.