Looking to connect with Santa Claus around Cincinnati?
We have a comprehensive list of Santa Sightings in Cincy just for you! If you have a Santa Sighting to add to the list, comment below or email us at [email protected]!
Local Mall Santa Sightings
Northgate Mall | Kenwood Towne Center | Florence Mall | Eastgate Mall | Tri-County Mall
Free Santa Sightings
Santa’s Wonderland Preview Event
November 16, Various Bass Pro Shop locations, 5-8p
Santa will arrive in his decked-out Bass Boat and greet the crowds gathered in front of the store. He will then make his way to the lobby to ask the crowd to help him light the tree, then off to officially open Santa’s Wonderland for the season. Free photos, crafts, refreshments, letters to Santa, and all of the fun games of Wonderland.
Holiday Junction featuring the Duke Energy Holiday Trains at the Cincinnati Museum Center
Now- January 4, 1301 Western Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45203
Mon-Fri 10a-5p, Sat 10a-8p, Sun 11a-6p, Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, 10a-3p on Christmas Eve
A beloved Cincinnati tradition, the Duke Energy Holiday Trains began in 1946 in partnership with the Baltimore & Ohio (B&O) Railroad. Enjoy an expanded raised platform surrounding the display, a kids’ train ride, Pogie and Patter the talking reindeer, and a visit with Santa (after Nov 28, see next event)!
Santa at Union Terminal
November 29, 1301 Western Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45203, 10a-6p
Santa makes his grand arrival on Friday, November 29. And though his reindeer are resting up for the big day, Santa will make an airborne arrival at Union Terminal.
Macy’s Downtown Dazzle
November 30 & December 7, December 14 & December 21, 5:30-10p
Macy’s Downtown Dazzle is one of the biggest highlights of the holiday season. See Santa repel off of a Cincinnati skyrise and wait with anticipation for the sky to fill with light thanks to a fabulous Rozzi fireworks display.
5:30p – Event start
6:30p – Santa Rappels
Come early and stay late – Saturdays at the Square include skating at the UC Health Ice Rink, presented by Fifth Third Bank from 10a-10p, shopping during the Winter Market at Fountain Square and free photos with Santa at the Carew Tower.
Santa’s Workshop at Washington Park
November 30 & December 7, 14, 21, 1-3p
Santa and is merry band of Elves will be spending time in Washington Park making gifts, ornaments and other fun creations. Bring your family, bring your wish lists, but most all–be sure to bring your cameras!
Santa Trolley
December 2, 4, 9, 17, 18
Children can come aboard Metro’s winter wonderland-themed trolley to get their photo taken with Santa and take home a holiday stocking filled with cheerful goodies. Additional festive activities are planned at several branches, including a holiday-themed story time.
Bond Hill Library (1740 Langdon Farm Rd.)
Tuesday, Dec. 2, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
College Hill Library (1400 W. North Bend Rd.)
Thursday, Dec. 4, 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
LeBlond Boys & Girls Club OTR (1621 Logan St.)
Tuesday, Dec. 9, 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Price Hill (3215 Warsaw Ave)
Wednesday, Dec. 17, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Avondale Library (3566 Reading Rd.)
Thursday, Dec. 18, 4:00 – 5 p.m.
Christmas in the Village
December 6, 7 & 8, 11am-9p
Visit Waynesville Ohio this holiday season and capture the spirit of the holidays! Stroll in and out of retail and dining storefronts, while listening to barbershop quartets, choirs, and musicians. You will be able to take a carriage ride and feel the holiday spirit in the air, all while listening to the clip clapping of the horses hooves and jingle bells. Costume characters will be strolling along the sidewalks, throughout the weekend to help bring a smile to your face. Don’t forget jolly old St. Nick! He will be visit all weekend long to listen to the requests of all the good boys and girls.
Fairfield Parade of Lights
December 1, 4-7p
The City of Fairfield is proud to welcome the community to celebrate the holiday season with the first-ever Fairfield Parade of Lights! The parade will bring together the entirety of our local community to celebrate the spirit of the winter season.
Other Santa Sightings
Christmas at EnterTRAINment Junction
November 16-January 1, 10a-6pm Mon-Sat, 12-6p Sun
Extended Hours! Open till 9pm 12/7 thru 12/23 and 12/26 thru 12/30.
Closing 4pm on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve
CLOSED THANKSGIVING DAY AND CHRISTMAS DAY
Create a holiday tradition for your family! See the magic of Christmas at the home of the World’s Largest Indoor Train Display. Take a “Journey to the North Pole”, where you can meet Mrs. Claus and Santa himself.
PNC Festival of Lights at The Cincinnati Zoo
November 16-January 4
Open Sunday – Thursday until 9p, Friday & Saturday until 10p
Visits with Santa begin at 4p
Festival of Lights activities begin at 5p
Closed Thanksgiving (open during the day), Christmas Eve (open during the day) and Christmas Day (closed all day).
In addition to admiring the beauty of 3 million LED lights, visitors can watch a Madcap black-light puppet show, ride the Toyland Express train ride, marvel at the spectacular Wild Lights show on Swan Lake, or snack at one of two S’mores-n-More stands. Santa will be available for visits starting at 4 p.m., an hour before the rest of the festivities begin.
Polar Express Train Ride
November 15-December 15, Train departs at 10am, 12pm and 2pm
THE POLAR EXPRESS(TM) Train Ride returns this holiday season with service to the North Pole. This is the only licensed THE POLAR EXPRESS(TM) Train Ride event in the Greater Cincinnati, Dayton and Indianapolis areas. Tickets are $36.
Water Wonderland with Scuba Santa
November 29-December 31, See website for Santa’s schedule
Discover the magic of Scuba Santa’s Water Wonderland and celebrate the holidays under the sea. Meet playful elves straight from the North Pole and tell Scuba Santa what you want for Christmas. Join in the fun as Scuba Santa fills the theater with magic bubbles. His bubbles will float and fall all around you and every time a bubble pops, a wish will come true for someone throughout the world.
Plus, make a stop at Scuba Santa’s Post Office where you can write your special holiday wish on a magic bubble and drop it in Scuba Santa’s Mailbox.
The Christmas Ranch in Morrow, OH
November 22-December 23, 5-9p (Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day)
Enjoy this spectacular walk-thru Christmas wonderland that boasts 1 million dancing Christmas lights synchronized to holiday music. There are Christmas shops, Santa’s bakery, train and wagon rides, and pictures with Santa! $20 admission per vehicle.
North Pole Express at LM&M Railroad
Weekends only from November 16-December 28, See website for times.
During your hour long journey, Santa and his elves will make their way through the train to visit with each family. Celebrate with festive elves and holiday music while enjoying your hot chocolate and cookie. Every child will receive a bell from Santa’s sleigh. We encourage you to bring your own camera as pictures with Santa are allowed and encouraged. Balloon artists will also be on-board the train. Each child will receive a special “North Pole Express” souvenir train ticket. COACH CLASS Adults: $26, Children (2-16) & Seniors (62+): $22 DELUXE CLASS Adults: $39 Children (2-16) & Seniors (62+): $35 ALL DEPARTURES Infants (1 yr. & under): $5
Santa Skates at Fountain Square
Weekends only from November 30-December 22, 12-1p
Every weekend from now until Christmas, Santa will lace up his skates and join families out on the ice for an hour of holiday-filled fun. Grab your friends, your family and your wish list get down to the Square before Santa makes his way back to the North Pole. $6 admission and $4 skate rental.
Holiday Pops
December 13-15, See website for showtimes
Join “Mr. Christmas” himself, John Morris Russell, for Cincinnati’s can’t-miss holiday family tradition! Tony-winning Broadway phenomenon Brian Stokes Mitchell joins the Pops to warm your heart with traditional and contemporary holiday favorites—along with spectacular singers and dancers, and an appearance by Santa himself! Kid’s tickets are only $15!
Pancakes with Santa at the Museum Center
December 14, 8-9:30am
Join in for a special brunch featuring a decorate-your-own pancake buffet, holiday carols, and family-friendly, hands-on activities. With a special appearance by Santa Claus, it’s sure to be an event your whole family will enjoy!
Holiday in Lights
Sharon Woods, 11450 Lebanon Road, Route 42, 45241
November 16-December 31, 6 PM-9 PM Sunday-Thursday, 5:30 PM-10 PM Friday & Saturday
Holiday in Lights is an outdoor light display at Sharon Woods, a Great Park of Hamilton County, viewed by guests from the comfort of their own vehicle. Holiday in Lights is built with over 1 million lights and over 250 light displays, and has been an established Cincinnati holiday family tradition for over 28 years! A portion of the proceeds goes directly to A Child’s Hope International to feed starving children around the world! Help us make a difference and get into the Christmas Spirit! Admission is $15 per vehicle ($45 for buses and 15 passenger vans).
Breakfast with Santa
Kinman Farms, 4175 Burlington Pike, Burlington, KY 41005
December 7th, 8th, 14th, 15th, 9 & 11am
Ho Ho Ho! Despite Santa’s very busy schedule, he is making time for breakfast on the farm. Enjoy breakfast with items on the menu like biscuits & gravy, eggs, cheesy potato casserole, pancakes, muffins, and drinks. After breakfast climb up on Santa’s lap for a photo. Kids can also enjoy crafts, games, the petting zoo and more! From $8+
Light up the Levee
November 23, 5:30-10:00pm
Join us for our 11th Annual Light Up the Levee Tree Lighting Celebration as we officially kick off the holiday season! This magical evening begins with Santa’s grand helicopter arrival followed by family activities, the season’s first snowfall, the lighting of our 50-foot tree with 1.4 million lights, and more surprises. Cap off the night with an afterparty filled with food, beverage and live music from the Clyde Brown Band.
Christmas in Loveland
December 14, 4:00-9:00pm
Be swept back in time while visiting Old Historic Loveland on this special day. Everything from Jolly Ole’ St. Nick and Mrs. Claus at the North Pole, to a live Nativity scene, to a Winter Wonderland! This is the time of year that Loveland Businesses give back to the community. This complimentary event offered to the community draws over 3000 individuals each year and is Loveland’s way of saying “Thank you for your Business!!”
Liberty Center Holiday Parade
December 23, 10am-4pm
Celebrate their fifth annual Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony on Saturday, November 23!
10 AM – Kick off your holiday shopping with our Silver Saturday promotions. Hurry though, they are only valid on this day! Stay tuned for more details and the official Silver Saturday shopping guide!
11 AM – Santa! Santa! I know him! Visit with Santa starting at 11am in the Living Room. Catch Santa in the parade as he makes his way to The Park to help us light the tree!
4 PM – Head down to The Square to visit Dancer and Prancer at our Reindeer Encounter!
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