Whether you want a quick picture with Santa or make your visit an entire experience, there are plenty of places around Northeast Ohio for your kids to get facetime with St. Nick this year.
Santa Events
Sunday Brunch with Santa at Pinstripes – Bring the family and snap a picture with Santa while enjoying your favorite brunch menu items at Pinstripes this holiday season at our Santa Brunch. December 3-4, 10-11, 17-18, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. pinstripes.com/cleveland/
Santa in the Square – Meet Santa in Cleveland Public Square Saturdays and Sundays in December from 2-4 p.m. Santa’s elves will capture the magic, photographing your child with Santa! You’ll receive a free print photo, a digital photo, and complimentary hot cocoa from Rebol Cafe! While here, make sure to enjoy ice skating, hot cocoa, and the spectacular holiday lights! winterlandcle.com/events/santa-in-the-square
Christmas on the Farm – listen to the Nickajack Christmas Stories and visit Santas’ Toy Barn. Get your photo with Santa at his workbench, build crafts with his elves, and make your own magical reindeer food. Walk through Candy Cane forest, stop by and see the animals, have a snowball fight inside, glide around the ice skating rink, and enjoy some hot cocoa and s’mores. Nov. 26- Dec. 18. Nickajack Farms. nickajackfarms.com
Kringle’s Inventionasium – Kids become honorary elves and work with Kringle’s inventing team as they prepare for the holiday season. The family-friendly adventure includes mysterious corridors, secret tunnels and coded clues, all leading to the Whatchamacallit Workshop, where kids bring their design to life. The experience culminates in a private visit with Mr. Kringle.
For more information, go to mrkringle.com.
Scuba Claus at the Greater Cleveland Aquarium
You hear a “ho, ho, ho” everywhere you go during the holidays, but there’s one surprising place you can see a jolly old elf in Cleveland: underwater! Talk to Scuba Claus and snap a cellphone selfie while he visits with the angelfish, stingrays and sharks on his “nice list.” The event, which is included with aquarium admission, also features activity books, a trivia challenge, snowflake crafts, animal enrichment activities and more. For more information, go to greaterclevelandaquarium.com.
Holiday Circle Fest in Wade Oval
More than a dozen of University Circle’s renowned museums, gardens, galleries, churches and schools open their doors and offer an afternoon of activities, music, food, fun and shopping. Catch live performances from talented musicians, plus enjoy craft making, historic displays of holiday toys, storytelling, the city’s best gingerbread house competition, and much more. Outside, Wade Oval becomes Cleveland’s Central Park with ice carving demonstrations, horse drawn carriage rides, live music, photos with Santa, The Rink at Wade Oval, a Fire and Light show, and more. December 4, noon- 7 p.m.
Experience Santa Train events at the Lake Shore Railway Association in Wellington and enjoy complimentary hot chocolate in a vintage railway station that’s decorated for the season, then board the train for a short ride and a chance to visit Santa. For more information, go to lwvry.org/santa-trains
Santa Claus is Coming…to the Zoo! Guests can take photos with Santa Claus during the Wild Winter Lights walk-through experience. clevelandmetroparks.com/zoo/
Winter Wonderlands at Area Shopping Centers
Santa Village at Crocker Park – Home to Santa’s House, Santa’s Sleigh, Polar X Ornament Shop, Toy Train Town and the Holiday Express Train. In addition, families can enjoy nightly choreographed light shows on the 50-foot tree in Center Circle, an ice-skating rink, a Walk-Through Ornament and a Tree Garden. crockerpark.com.
Meet Santa at Lehman’s. You can use your own camera or phone to take photos. 11/25 & 12/4. 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. lehmans.com/
Santa’s Wonderland at Cabela’s – Experience the magic of Christmas at Santa’s Wonderland at your local Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s. Nov. 5 – Dec. 24. cabelas.com/shop/en/santas-wonderland
Pictures with Santa at Petitti Garden Centers – After taking a break for 2020 and 2021, Santa is thrilled to connect with Northeast Ohio families for 2022 at the Avon, Bainbridge, and Strongsville locations. Select Saturdays and Sundays. petittigardencenter.com/santa-photos-visits/
Visit Santa at Beachwood Place – Embark on an enchanted adventure to take pictures with Santa. Join him to create magical memories you and your family will always remember. Nov. 23- Dec. 24. *Sensory-friendly visits will be held Dec. 4 from 9-10 a.m. beachwoodplace.com
Visit with Santa at Belden Village – From November 18 – December 24, Santa will be at Belden Village to hear wish lists and pose for photos. *Sensory friendly visits Dec. 4, 6:30-8:30 p.m. and Dec. 11, 8:30-10:30 a.m.
Santa Has Arrived at Great Lakes Mall – Now through Dec. 24, visit Santa and take a photo. *Sensory friendly visits Dec. 4 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. https://shopgreatlakesmall.com
Photos with Santa at Great Northern Mall – Santa will be at Great Northern from November 18 through December 24. *Sensory-friendly visits Dec. 4 & 11, 8:30-10:30 a.m. https://greatnorthernohio.com/events/photos-with-santa/
Santa is back at SouthPark – Santa Photo’s will be from November 10th to December 24th. *Sensory friendly visits Dec. 4, 9-10:30 a.m. shoppingsouthparkmall.com
Photos and visits with Santa at Summit Mall. Nov. 18- Dec. 24. https://www.simon.com/mall/summit-mall
