Santa as the pop culture icon does not exist but there is a whole complex in Laponia dedicated to him that people can visit and its glorious.
Saint Nicholas who slapped the heretic Arius during the Council of Nicea and sent gifts through chimneys for fathers who couldnt pay a dowry to marry their daughters was real.
So the veredict is: he WAS real as close as it could get to the real deal, and today its a symbol that inspires to bring joy to all, for the glory of Our Lord who was born; and we bring gifts to children so they become joyful in this time, both to honor Him, and to follow His path.