The Man in Red can be spotted all over town this month – start here for a guide to where you can see him!
EnterTRAINment Junction
7379 Squire Ct., West Chester
513-898-8000 or entertrainmentjunction.com
Enjoy the magic of Christmas during a “Journey to the North Pole” where you can meet Mrs. Claus and Santa himself. Check out the Main Street Holiday Trains display that offers beautiful winter train scenes, and create a new holiday tradition for your family. Exhibit is open through Jan. 4 (Santa takes a rest after Christmas!); hours are 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday – Saturday, and 12 – 6 p.m. Sunday. Admission begins at $9.95.
Krohn Conservatory
1501 Eden Park Dr.
513-421-5707 or cincinnatiparks.com
All aboard for another exciting Krohn Holiday Show, Magic and Misteltoe! This year’s exhibit features the return of the interactive train display and thousands of colorful poinsettias, cyclamen and tropical flowers. Enjoy local musicians, the Schmalz Family holiday display, extended candlelight hours, strategically placed baskets of mistletoe and plenty of great photo opportunities, including visits from Santa on Dec. 11 from 5 – 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 13 from 1 – 3 p.m. Exhibit remains open through Jan. 4; hours are 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily with special evening hours until 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 9, 11, 16 and 18. Admission is $7 adults, $4 ages 5 – 12, and free for ages 4 and younger.
Scuba Santa
Newport Aquarium
1 Aquarium Way, Newport
800-406-3474 or newportaquarium.com
Scuba Santa makes his return to the Newport Aquarium! Check him out as he scuba dives, talks to you from underwater (with help from an elf), and leads kids in a special holiday story. Visit his post office to write a letter, and more fun! Scuba Santa will be in town through Jan. 1, visit the web site for a schedule of appearances. General admission is $23 adults, $15 ages 2 – 12, free for ages younger than 2.
Macy’s Downtown Dazzle
Fountain Square
West Fifth Street, Downtown
513-421-4440 or myfountainsquare.com
It’s enough holiday fun to overflow Santa’s sleigh! First, catch Santa rappelling down the side of the 524 Vine Building to the Macy’s rooftop to kick off a fireworks display. Enjoy a variety of live performances, including a visit from Buddy the Elf (Nov. 29), the Snow Queen from the Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati (Dec. 6), and John Morris Russell and the Cincinnati Pops, along with members of the Cincinnati Ballet (Dec. 13). Then head inside Macy’s for a special story time with Mrs. Claus and more holiday fun – it all takes place at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 29, Dec. 6 and 13.
Santa Skates
U.S. Bank Ice Rink
Fountain Square, West Fifth Street, Downtown
513-421-4440 or myfountainsquare.com
Skating the U.S. Bank Ice Rink is a holiday tradition, so strap on your skates and keep an eye out for Santa as he takes a spin at noon on Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 21. Hours are 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. Sunday – Thursday, 10 a.m. – midnight Friday and Saturday through Jan. 1. Admission is $3 to skate, plus $3 per skate rental.
Photos With Santa
Washington Park
1241 Elm St.
Kids can run around and play, then make crafts with Santa. Parents, be sure to bring your cameras for awesome photo opportunities! Santa visits from 1 – 3 p.m. on Saturdays through Dec. 20.
Want even more Santa sightings? Check out these!
In Ohio …
- Storytime With Santa at the Harrison Library (10398 New Haven Road, 513-369-4442 or cincinnatilibrary.org) takes place Dec. 17 at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Preschoolers will enjoy books, songs and activities with Santa!
- Join a Holiday Open House at the Union Township Library (4450 Glen Este-Withamsville Road, 513-528-1744 or Clermont.lib.oh.us) where families can decorate a gingerbread house, play holiday bingo and greet a “surprise” visitor from the North Pole. Festivities take place on Dec. 13 from 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Visit with Santa at Macy’s Fountain Place (West 5th St., downtown; 513-421-4440 or downtowncincinnati.com) – the big guy is available Fridays and Saturdays through Dec. 20 from 12 – 8 p.m.; Sundays through Dec. 21 from 12 – 6 p.m., and Dec. 22 – 24 from 12 – 5 p.m. Families can meet Macy’s African American Santa on Dec. 4, 11 and 18 from 3 – 7 p.m.
- Kids can visit with Santa after enjoying a Madcap Puppet Show on Dec. 6 from 1 – 4 p.m. at The Grove Banquet and Event Center (9158 Winton Road; theartsconnect.us). Admission is $1 donation for ArtsConnect.
- Pogo Play (10870 Kenwood Road; 513-432-5593 or gopogoplay.com) will host Santa on Dec. 7 from 12 – 5 p.m., along with crafts, cookies and more fun. Admission is $12 ages 3 and older, $5 ages 2 and younger.
- Enjoy a pancake breakfast with Santa at UC Clermont College (4200 Clermont College Dr., Batavia; 513-558-1215 or ucclermont.edu/community_arts) on Dec. 13, beginning at 8:30 a.m., then enjoy a telling of The Night Before Christmas with ArtReach. Breakfast with Santa is free, admission to the show is $5 – $7.
- RSVP for breakfast with Santa at Joseph Beth Booksellers (2692 Madison Road, 513-396-8960 or josephbeth.com) beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Dec. 6. Admission is $14.5 adults, and $9.95 for ages 1 – 12.
- Have brunch with Santa at Voice of America MetroPark (7850 VOA Park Dr., West Chester, 513-867-5835 or yourmetroparks.net) from 12:30 – 3 p.m. on Dec. 7. Please call for prices.
- Brunch with Santa at Winton Woods (10245 Winton Road, 513-521-7275 or greatparks.org) takes place at 10 a.m. or 12:30 p.m. on Dec. 7 and 14. Cost is $16.75 adults, and $8 ages 2 – 12, plus tax.
In Northern Kentucky…
- A Cookie for Santa: Kids are invited to the Covington Library (502 Scott Blvd.) on Dec. 6 from 1 – 2 p.m. for a story and a craft, and a special photo-op with Santa. RSVP is required, call 859-962-4077 or visit kentonlibrary.org.
- Holiday Extravaganza: On Dec. 7, families can enjoy carriage rides from 1 – 4 p.m., make a craft from 1:30 – 3 p.m., and bring your own camera for a visit with Santa from 1:30 – 3 p.m. at the Erlanger Library (401 Kenton Lands Road). Call 859-962-4003 or visit kentonlibrary.org.
- Pictures With Santa: Kids up to age 12 can stop by on Dec. 6 from 1 – 3 p.m. with their parents and their cameras for a free picture with Santa. Stick around to make a craft at the Durr Library (1992 Walton-Nicholson Road). Call 859-962-4032 or visit kentonlibrary.org.
- Visit with Santa at Totter’s Otterville (Howard Litzler and Boron Dr., Covington)! No fee to see the Jolly Elf, but professional photo packages will be available, along with discount coupons for entrance into Totter’s Otterville. Santa will be on the scene 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Dec. 5 and 12, 12 – 3 p.m. Dec. 7 and 14, and 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Dec. 13. Visit tottersotterville.com or call 859-491-1441.
- Join a Holiday Open House at the Newport Library (901 E. Sixth St., 859-572-5035 or www.cc-pl.org) on Dec. 6 at 3 p.m. for cookies, crafts, music from the Chris Comer Trio, and pictures with Santa.
- Families can don their ugly sweater for a fun contest and party at the Carrico/Ft. Thomas Library (1000 Highland Ave., 859-572-5033 or www.cc-pl.org) on Dec. 13 beginning at 10 a.m. with live music and a visit from Santa.
- Enjoy Cookies With Santa on Dec. 14 from 2 – 4:30 p.m. at the Cold Spring Library (3920 Alexandria Pike, 859-781-6166 or www.cc-pl.org), along with games, crafts and music from Hammered Dulcimer Music.
- Santa will be at the Scheben Library (8899 US 42, Union, 859-342-2665 or bcpl.org) on Dec. 6 from 1 – 2:30 p.m. Kids are invited for milk and cookies, holiday crafts, and a reading of Twas the Night Before Christmas. Bring your cameras!
- Sign up for lunch with Santa at Joseph-Beth Booksellers (2785 Dixie Hwy.; 859-912-7860 or josephbeth.com) on Dec. 6 at 11:30 a.m. Tickets are $8.95 children, $12.95 for Gives Back member adults, and $13.95 for Gives Back nonmember adults.
- Santa will visit Kiddie Castle (8459 US 42, Ste. C, Florence; 858-525-0300) on Dec. 20 from 12 – 2 p.m.