Between double-checking his naughty and nice list and making sure his reindeer are fit to carry his sleigh, Santa has a list of stops scheduled at locations around metro Denver this month. Check out where to meet the jolly old man.
Aspen Grove
December 7 through 22
Littleton’s outdoor mall will host Santa on Saturdays and Sundays. On Saturdays, guests can shop in Aspen Grove’s holiday-themed store, My Favorite Things, and visit with Santa between noon and 3 p.m. On Sunday, kiddos are invited to ride the carriage with Santa. Carriage rides take place from noon to 3 p.m., and kids are picked up for rides at the big tree near New Balance. On November 30, Mrs. Claus will read to kids while they enjoy hot cocoa and cookies at Panera Bread. Kids ages 10 and under are welcome, RSVP for storytime online. On December 8, Tattered Cover at Aspen Grove will treat kids with a How the Grinch Stole Christmas storytime, with a Grinch-themed craft and snacks. The free storytime begins at 10:30 a.m.
Bass Pro Shops
November 16 through December 24
The national outdoor recreation company is hosting a Christmas spectacular where families can visit Santa and get a photo for free. Santa’s Wonderland features free crafts and activities for kids, as well as games and toys, including remote control trucks, a laser arcade, and a Lincoln Logs building area. Reserve a virtual spot in Santa’s line and play as a family while you wait. Santa’s Wonderland is complete with rustic Christmas cabins, holiday characters, and live elves set amongst a dazzling backdrop of snow-covered hills and illuminated Christmas trees.
Belmar
December 6 to 22
Belmar in Lakewood is offering photos with Santa captured by a professional photographer. On Saturdays, pets are welcome to join in the memory-making. Photo packages start at $30. Santa will be located near JoS. A. Bank at 7260 W. Alaska.
Cherry Creek Shopping Center
November 7 through December 24
Cherry Creek is bringing back Santa’s Flight Academy for another festive year. In the special event, each little cadet receives a flight crew badge and is fitted with a virtual flight suit. From there, kids partner with a helpful elf to inspect and power Santa’s sleigh using a series of interactive stations. The visit ends with a snowfall dance party and a visit with Santa. Santa’s Flight Academy is free. A variety of optional photo packages are available to purchase. On November 21, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., a signing Santa will visit with children who are deaf or hard-of-hearing and collect their holiday wish lists. On December 1 and 8, Santa Claus and Paws gives furry family members (dogs and cats) a chance to get in the picture.
Colorado Mills
November 8 through December 24
Santa will be in his Santa Cabin, located in Colorado Mills’ Neighborhood 3 near Target, for photos and kiddos wanting to tell the jolly old man their wish list. Families with pets can take pictures with Santa on November 24 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Visits are free and photo packages start at $27. Fast passes are available online.
Dairy Block
December 7, 14, and 21
LoDo’s micro district will celebrate the holidays by bringing Santa’s Workshop to the Dairy Block Alley. Santa’s Workshop features a free photo booth for families to take pictures with Santa, plus a chance to meet his reindeer. After snapping a few selfies with Santa, families can enjoy free live entertainment, candy canes, face painting, and balloon artists. Santa’s Workshop is free and will be open from noon to 4 p.m. on the first three Saturdays in December. Food truck fare and hot cocoa will be available for purchase.
Denver Union Station
December 1, 8, 15, 22
On the first four Sundays of December, Santa will be visiting Denver Union Station. Kiddos can take pictures with Santa from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in The Great Hall. Visits with Santa are free, but fast passes are available online for $50.
Downtown Boulder
November 30 to December 21
Kids can visit with Santa for free during St. Nick on the Bricks at the Downtown Boulder Visitor Information Center. While waiting, kiddos can take a free ride on the Snowflake Express train, a pint-size train that makes its way along Pearl Street and boards in front of the Capital One Cafe. Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Flatiron Crossing
November 9 to December 24
Flatiron Crossing is partnering with HGTV to bring interactive technology to the Broomfield-area mall. At Santa HQ, guests can explore Santa’s Workshop, use elf-ray vision, and test out the Naughty or Nice O’Meter before taking a family picture and visiting Santa in his modernized sleigh. Photo packages start at $40, and fast passes are available online to cut down on wait time. Santa will also host a storytime for little learners, daily from November 11 to December 6 at 10 a.m.
Larimer Square
November 23 through December 24
The festive street in downtown Denver is offering free photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus in the Lincoln Hall Lobby, near the Bent Lens. On December 8, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., a Paws and Claus event will be hosted so families can get photos of their kiddos and pets with Santa. Donations will benefit the Denver Animal Shelter.
Outlets at Castle Rock
November 23 through December 24
On November 23, from 8:30 to 11 a.m., the Outlets at Castle Rock celebrates the arrival of Santa with Santa’s Big Day. Festivities include a pancake breakfast, Christmas crafts, sleigh rides, and real reindeer. Breakfast is $5 per person and the money is donated directly to Denver Rescue Mission. Families can bring new and gently-used hats, gloves, socks, coats, and toys to be gifted to a family in need. Santa will stick around until December 24 to take pictures with families in the courtyard by the Under Armour store.
Park Meadows
November 8 through December 24
Families can take photos with Santa at Park Meadows’ Dillard’s court. Photo packages start at $40, and fast passes are available online.
Southwest Plaza
November 9 through December 24
Kids can visit Santa’s Toy Factory to help the jolly old man design and test toys. Test out toys including Barbie, Hot Wheels, and Thomas & Friends, and take a photo with Santa himself. Special pet photo nights are held each Monday from 5 to 8 p.m. All photo packages start at $40. Reservations can be made online.
Southlands
November 23 through December 24
Kick off the holiday season with six days of free Santa photos on select days from November 23 to 29. After that, photos with Santa are available for purchase from November 30 to December 24, with prices starting at $35. On December 7, skate with Santa at Southlands’ outdoor ice skating rink, The Pond, from 1 to 3 p.m.
Stanley Marketplace
November 23 and 30 and December 7, 14, and 21
The immersive art installation, Camp Christmas, at The Hangar at Stanley is hosting Santa on five special dates. Santa will be available to take pictures with families from 10 a.m. to noon on November 23 and 30 and December 7, 14, and 21. Photos with Santa are included in admission and timed tickets can be purchased online. Afterward, enjoy hot cocoa or a frosty cocktail while taking lots of selfies in the 10,000-square-foot holiday display.
The Streets at SouthGlenn
November 22 through December 22
Santa will make his grand entrance at the Streets of SouthGlenn on November 22, arriving in an old-fashioned clydesdale wagon with a live reindeer corral. Santa will stick around through December 22, near the Sur La Table store, to take photos and visit with families for free.
READ MORE: Sensory-Friendly Santa Experiences
