Santa Claus is Coming to Town – Christmas 2019

11/8/18: Santa’s Arrival Ceremony | Mall of America | 5:30-7pm | FREE | The holiday season officially kicks off at Mall of America with Santa’s Arrival Ceremony. Santa Claus will be greeted in holiday style with live performances.

11/9/18: Santa’s Arrival Celebration | Eden Prairie Center | 6-8pm | FREE | Santa will read a story, and there will be music, dancing, games and crafts, photos available for purchase. (Note: their website lists Nov. 10th, but their email stated Nov. 9th; both say “Friday”, which is the 9th. I’ll update if they respond to my email requesting confirmation.)

11/17/18-12/16/18: Santa & Albert’s Christmas Holiday Play and Sing Along | Bachman’s on Lyndale, Minneapolis | Sat: 10am, 11:30am, 1pm, 2:30pm & Sun: 11:30, 1:00, 2:30 | Bachman’s Annual Christmas Play is FREE to attend and suitable for all ages. Guests are encouraged to participate in caroling after the play, and Santa and Albert will be available for photos.

11/17/18-11/18/18: Santa at the Holiday Bazaar | Historic Courthouse, Stillwater | noon-3pm | Bring your camera to take FREE photos with Santa Claus in his workshop while enjoying the Historic Courthouse decorated for the holidays, live music, and local shopping. 

Click Here to Read: The Great Santa Chase – A Kordatzky Adventure

11/1718-12/22/18: Cookies with Santa | Maplewood Mall | Saturdays 12-3pm  | Stop in the Reindeer Lodge for cookies and milk and a craft activity before visiting Santa. Free with pre-purchased photo package and scheduled visit.

11/23/18: Meet Santa at Holidazzle | Loring Park, Minneapolis | See website for schedule, times vary | Visiting with Santa is just one of the many fun and free activities at the annual Holidazzle festival.

11/24/18: Santa Visit and Birthday Party | Blue Sun Soda | 12-4pm | Santa will be helping Blue Sun Soda Shop celebrate its 3rd Birthday on Small Business Saturday, also free soda tastings, free popcorn and 25¢ arcade games. 

11/24/18: Stocking Stroll | Maplewood Mall | 9-11am | $15/child | A wristband includes a holiday treat scavenger hunt and activities around the mall such as bounces houses, face painting, and a meet-and-greet with Santa. 

12/1/18-12/2/18: Holly Trolley | Como-Harriet Streetcar Line, Minneapolis | 12:30-3:30pm | $4/pp | Ride the rails with Santa in a streetcar decorated for the holiday. Then, warm up with a campfire and roast a marshmallow. (also 11/24/18-11/25/18)

11/29/18-12/2/18: North Pole Express | Union Depot, St Paul | $19.95-$23.95, kids 3 and under free (2017 prices) | Take a one-mile train ride to the North Pole and write your letter to Santa on the way. Santa will board the train and ride back to the Union Depot, greeting kids and collecting letters with treats and other activities following. (This event historically sells out fast, we recommend signing up for emails so you get an alert when tickets go on sale.)

Christmas Countdown Letters from The North Pole – Christmas Letters. Amazon Affiliate Link.

12/1/18: Cookies and Crafts with Santa | Eagle Valley Golf Course, Woodbury | Santa will be taking a break from making toys and wants you to join him and a few of his helpers in decorating cookies, making a fun holiday craft and taking pictures. Bring your own camera and a great big smile for Santa | 4 morning sessions | Ages 2+ with an adult; $7/child. Pre-Registration Required.

12/1/18: Vinternatt | Como-Harriet Streetcar Line, Minneapolis | 6pm-8:30pm | $5/pp | The streetcar will be decorated with lights and seasonal greens. Hundreds of luminaries will light the path. Toast marshmallows and watch for Santa. Bring a new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots.

12/4/18: Storytime with Santa | Red Balloon Bookshop, St. Paul | 6:30pm | Join your favorite jolly old elf at Red Balloon Bookshop for stories from the North Pole and a chance to help Santa select gifts for all the kids on his list! Don’t forget to line up your shoes in the foyer when you arrive – you might just get a sweet surprise. | FREE.

12/6/18: Dinner With Santa | Duluth & Case, St. Paul | 6 – 7:30 pm | Families will enjoy food, crafts, and a visit from Santa. | FREE.

12/1/18-12/16/18: Santa’s Train Shop | Minnesota Transportation Museum, St Paul | Weekends 10am-4pm | $5-$12/pp | The museum is transformed into Santa’s Train Shop with live music, activities, train rides, pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and lots of museum fun.

12/7/18: Dinner With Mr. & Mrs. Claus | Langford Rec, St. Paul |5:30-7 pm | Spaghetti dinner, craft, cookie decorating and face painting. Bring your own camera. Walk-ins accepted. |$5/pp.

12/7/18: PJs With Santa | Vadnais Heights Commons | 6-8pm | $10/res family, $20/non-res, register with the City of Vadnais Heights by 12/3. This family event features Santa Claus, a face painter, balloon animals, holiday games, the “No Nose for Rudolph Show” and cookies. Cozy up with pajamas if you like!

Santa PJs. Amazon link.

12/7/18-12/9/18: Nature Hike With Santa | Eastman Nature Center | Fri 10am-12pm, Sat 10am-12pm & 1-3pm, Sun 1-3pm | $7/pp | Look for magical reindeer food, decorate a Santa letter, create edible squirrel ornaments, and get one-on-one time with Santa. Refreshments included. Register for Activty #1ENC0300 from 10/31 – 12/3/18.

12/8/18: Santa Visit and Free Soda Tasting | Blue Sun Soda | 12-4pm | Santa will be visiting Blue Sun Soda Shop because even Santa loves free soda tasting. 

12/8/18: Prepare for Santa’s Arrival with Mrs. Claus | Eagle Valley Golf Course, Woodbury | Spend the morning learning and preparing for The Big Guy’s arrival. Mrs. Claus and her helpers will have activities and an interactive story  | 3 morning sessions | Ages 2+ with an adult; $7/child. Pre-registration required.

12/8/18: Breakfast with Santa | Minnetonka Community Center | 9:30am-11am | $10/pp | Experience a magical morning with holiday music, a continental breakfast, letter writing to the North Pole and a photo with Santa! Register early for this popular annual event.

12/8/18: Christmas Winter Ball | The Shoppes at Arbor Lakes, Maple Grove | 2pm-4:30pm | Enjoy a royal ball complete with princesses and Santa Claus. Kids are encouraged to dress up. Tickets Required: $45.00.

12/8/18: Breakfast with Santa | Old Country Buffet, Burnsville | 9am-11am | Regular buffet prices apply. 

12/9/18: Santa’s Workshop | Landmark Center, St. Paul | 1-3pm | Snap pics with Santa, meet a pair of his reindeer, play games and made some handmade holiday gifts at the craft tables. FREE.

12/9/18: Santa at the Market | Midtown Global Market, Minneapolis | 1-4pm | Catch Santa hanging out in the Central Plaza, tell him your holiday wishes and even get a few pictures. FREE.

12/9/18: Nikolausabend Celebration | St. Peter Lutheran, Watertown | 4:30-7pm | Traditional German holiday buffet and kids can visit with Nikolaus, enjoy some fun games, Christmas crafts & treats. FREE, but reservations requested, email admin@stpeterlc.org or call 952.955.1679.

Image Credit: Germanic-American Institute

12/9/18 & 12/16/18: Santa & Mrs. Claus Visit | Choo Choo Bob’s | 4-6pm | Kids can bring their wish list and parents can bring a camera to take pictures. FREE.

12/10/18: Santa’s Arrival | Northtown Mall | 10am-8pm | First 50 families to purchase photos on the day receive a FREE plush toy. 

12/13/18: Dinner With Santa | Dayton’s Bluff, St. Paul | 6 – 8pm | Ring in the holiday season at this fun, free family event. Activities include dinner, arts and crafts, games, and a visit with Santa. (Please bring a camera to take a picture with Santa!) | FREE

12/14/18:  Annual Santa Party | Health Foundations Birth Center | 10am-12pm | A photographer will be taking pictures There will be treats, crafts, live music from Santa and more! | FREE, but fills up fast, pre-register at the link.

12/14/18: Skate With Santa | Vadnais Sports Arena | 6pm-9pm | FREE, Skate Rental $5 | Join the Maplewood Figure Skating Club at the Vadnais Sports Arena for the opportunity to skate with Santa.

Elf Costumes. Amazon affiliate link

12/14/18: Santa at the Market | Midtown Global Market, Minneapolis | 4-7pm | Catch Santa hanging out in the Central Plaza, tell him your holiday wishes and even get a few pictures. FREE.

12/15/18: Candy Cane Hunt | Silverwood Park, St Anthony | 1-4pm | $6/pp | Candy cane hunts divided by age; horse-drawn wagon ride, warm treats, arts, and photos with Santa. 

12/15/18: Santa and Live Reindeer Visits | Twin Cities Premium Outlets, Eagan | 10am-12pm | FREE | Visit with Santa, Donner and Blitzen. You may pet the reindeer and take pictures with them and Santa. 

12/15/18: Santa at the Farmers Market | Minnetonka Farmers Market | 10am-12pm | FREE | Also, enjoy live music, vendors and crafters. 

12/15/18: Santa at the Market | Midtown Global Market, Minneapolis | 12-4pm | Catch Santa hanging out in the Central Plaza, tell him your holiday wishes and even get a few pictures. FREE.

12/15/18: Skate with Santa | Braemar Arena, Edina | 10:30-Noon | $12/pp || Event includes hot chocolate, cookies, open skating and photo ops with Santa! Register by Dec. 8th.

12/16/18: Santa and Live Reindeer Visits | Albertville Premium Outlets | 1pm-3pm | FREE | Visit with Santa, Donner and Blitzen. You may pet the reindeer and take pictures with them and Santa. 

12/15/18 & 12/22/18: Santa Night @ Night Trains | Twin Cities Model Railroad Museum, St Paul | 6-9pm | $15/pp | Night Trains runs every Saturday night through February, but on these two nights, you can visit with Santa.

12/16/18: Skating With Santa (PDF) | Apple Valley Sports Arena | 3:30-5pm | $5/pp at the door, skate rental $3 | Santa will be at the Open Skate Session. Free apple cider and treats, holiday music and face painting.

12/18/18 & 12/22/18: Breakfast with Nature Santa | Springbrook Nature Center, Fridley | 10am-noon | $7/pp, pre-registration required (763-572-3588) | Enjoy breakfast, a story, and activities with Nature Santa. Bring your camera!

12/19/18: Supper with Santa | Groveland Rec Center, St. Paul | 5:30-7:30pm | Dinner, music, crafts and games and the opportunity to tell Santa what’s on your wish list. Bring your own camera. FREE.

12/20/18: Dinner With Santa | Hancock Rec Center, St. Paul | 6 – 7:30 pm | Families will enjoy pasta dinner, party, and a visit from Santa. | FREE, but space is limited. Please pre-register by calling Hancock 651.298.4393, Scheffer 651.298.5820 or West Minnehaha 651.298.5823.

CANCELLED: Skate with Santa | Neill Park, Burnsville | 6-8pm | Skating, a candy cane hunt, bonfire, and visits with Santa. FREE. Santa doesn’t care for this unusually balmy weather.

12/22/18: Santa Skate | Schwan Super Rink | 1:45-3:15pm | Skate with Santa, enjoy cookies and juice. Photo booth, games and prizes. Pictures with Santa. | $7 per person, no pre-registration necessary. Skates and helmets available for rent. 

12/22/18: Santa Visit | Blue Sun Soda | 12-4pm | Santa will be visiting Blue Sun Soda Shop.