Santa Claus is Coming to Town – Christmas 2019

Santa Claus has headed full speed into his busy public appearance time of year. That jolly old guy sure can get around! This is a sampling of some of the best places to run into the guy. We’ll keep adding to it all season, so let us know if you have any additions.

Events with Santa Claus in the Twin Cities

Image courtesy Valley West Shopping Center

Minneapolis & St Paul Santa Events

Twin Cities Northwest Metro Santa Events

Twin Cities Northeast Metro Santa Events

Twin Cities Southeast Metro Santa Events

Twin Cities Southwest Metro Santa Events

Find Santa and Twin Cities Shopping Malls & Centers

MINNEAPOLIS & ST PAUL SANTA EVENTS

Nov 29-Dec 22: Meet Santa at Holidazzle | Loring Park, Minneapolis
Visiting with Santa is just one of the many fun and free activities at the annual Holidazzle festival. Santa will be on site during ALL Holidazzle hours in 2019, and you can visit him, take photos and tell him your wish list for FREE.

Nov 30-Dec 1 & Dec 7-8: Holly Trolley | Como-Harriet Streetcar Line, Minneapolis
Ride the rails with Santa in a streetcar decorated for the holiday. Then, warm up with a campfire and roast a marshmallow. 12-3pm, $4/pp.

Nov 23-Dec 22: Santa & Albert’s Holiday Play and Sing Along | Bachman’s
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. Sat: 10am, 11:30am, 1pm, 2:30pm & Sun: 11:30, 1:00, 2:30pm.

Dec 3: Storytime with Santa | Red Balloon Bookshop, St Paul
Join Santa at Red Balloon Bookshop for stories from the North Pole. Line up your shoes in the foyer when you arrive and you might get a sweet surprise. 6:30pm, FREE.

Dec 5: Dinner With Santa | Duluth & Case, St. Paul
Families will enjoy food, crafts, and a visit from Santa. 6-7:30pm, FREE.

Dec 6: Dinner With Mr. & Mrs. Claus | Urban Growler, St. Paul
Pasta dinner, craft, cookie decorating and face painting. Bring your own camera. Cash walk-ins accepted. 5:30-7pm. $5/pp.

Dec 6-8 & 12-15: North Pole Express | Union Depot, St Paul
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. $19.95-$23.95, kids 3 and under free.

Dec 7: Vinternatt | Como-Harriet Streetcar Line, Minneapolis
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. 6-8:30pm, $5/pp.

Dec 7-22: Santa’s Train Shop | Minnesota Transportation Museum, St Paul
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. Weekends 10am-4pm, $7-$13/pp.

Dec 8: Santa Visits Choo Choo Bob’s Train Store | St Paul
Bring your wish list and get ready for photos and treats. $5/child payable at the store.

Dec 12: Dinner With Santa | Dayton’s Bluff, St. Paul
Ring in the holiday season at this fun family event. Activities include dinner, arts and crafts, games, and a visit with Santa. 6-8pm, FREE.

Dec 13: Annual Santa Party | Health Foundations Birth Center, St Paul
A photographer will be taking pictures There will be treats, crafts, live music from Santa and more! Fills up fast; pre-register at the link. 9am-12pm, FREE.

Dec 13-22: Santa at the Market | Midtown Global Market, Minneapolis
Catch Santa on select dates hanging out in the Central Plaza, tell him your holiday wishes and even get a few pictures. Please check the calendar for times. FREE.

Dec 14: Santa and Pancake Brunch | Painter Park, Minneapolis
Santa, arts and crafts, and a pancake brunch. 10am-12pm. $5/pp, pre-register.

Dec 14: Santa Brunch | Audubon Park, Minneapolis
Breakfast of pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, fruit and beverages. Make graham cracker gingerbread houses and get a photo with Santa. 10am-12pm. $7/pre-registered participant, $10/door.

Dec 14 & 21: Santa Night at Night Trains | Twin City Model Railroad Museum, St Paul   Night Trains runs every Saturday night through February, but on these two nights only, you can visit with Santa. 6-9pm. $15/pp, family rates available.

Dec 15: Santa’s Workshop | Landmark Center, St. Paul
Snap pics with Santa, meet a pair of his reindeer, play games and made some handmade holiday gifts at the craft tables. 1-3pm, FREE.

Dec 15: Babies & Brews Santa Visit | Lake Monster
Join Do Good Diapers for another Babies & Brews event. Meet Santa and decorate cookies. 2-4pm, FREE, but please RSVP at the link.

Find more holiday events: 2019 Family Fun Twin Cities Christmas & Holiday Guide

TWIN CITIES NORTHWEST METRO SANTA EVENTS

Featuring events in Albertville, Anoka, Blaine, Coon Rapids, Dayton, Fridley, Maple Grove, Osseo, Ramsey, Spring Lake Park & St Anthony.

Nov 30: Santa Fest 2019 | Rum River Scout Camp, Ramsey
Visit Santa, Take a photos, participate in a craft, drink hot chocolate, write letters to Santa.  Rum River Scout Camp invites you to enjoy the lights and get into the holiday spirit! 4-7pm, FREE.

Dec 6: Santa at Osseo MiniDazzle | Boerboom Veterans Park, Osseo
Pictures with Santa, a bonfire and other entertainment follows the Light Parade and tree lighting. Dec 6, 6-8pm.

Dec 6-8: Nature Hike With Santa | Eastman Nature Center, Dayton
Look for magical reindeer food, decorate a Santa letter, create edible squirrel ornaments, and get a personal visit with Santa. Treats included. $7/child; $3/adult, Fri 10am-12pm, Sat 10am-12pm & 1-3pm, Sun 1-3pm.

Dec 7: Anoka Christmas Tree Lighting | Anoka City Hall River Plaza
Horse-drawn trolley rides, holiday music, bonfires, and meet Santa at the Santa Shack. 3-7pm.

Dec 7: Holiday Ball & VIP Tea Party | The Shoppes at Arbor Lakes, Maple Grove
Enjoy a royal ball complete with princesses and Santa Claus. Kids are encouraged to dress up. 2pm-4:30pm. Tickets required, $54 & up.

Dec 7 & 14: Santa and Live Reindeer Visits | Albertville Premium Outlets 
Visit with Santa and pet the reindeer. 10am-12pm, FREE.

Dec 8: Santa Visit and Birthday Party | Blue Sun Soda Shop, Spring Lake Park
Santa will be helping Blue Sun Soda Shop celebrate its 4th birthday. Also free soda tastings and 25¢ arcade games. 10am-6pm.

Dec 14: Candy Cane Hunt | Silverwood Park, St Anthony
Candy cane hunts divided by age; horse-drawn wagon ride, warm treats, arts, and photos with Santa. 1-4pm, $6/pp.

Dec 14 & 17: Brunch with Nature Santa | Springbrook Nature Center, Fridley
Enjoy breakfast, a story, and activities with Nature Santa. Bring your camera! 10am-noon, $7/pp, pre-registration required.

Dec 14: Sensory-Friendly Santa | Fraser, Coon Rapids
The day will include photo sessions with Santa, crafts, games and snacks. Miss Gimli the therapy tortoise will be attending! 10am-2pm FREE. Please RSVP so everyone gets time with Santa.

Dec 14: Santa & His Reindeer Visit | The Village of Blaine
Bring your camera to meet Santa and his reindeer! (Near Caribou Coffee, where else?). Enjoy free apple cider and bring a toy for the Alexandra House. | 10am-12pm FREE. 

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

For more holiday tree lighting festivals, jump over to our Twin Cities Early Holiday Events page.

TWIN CITIES NORTHEAST METRO SANTA EVENTS

Featuring events in Maplewood, North St Paul, Stillwater, Vadnais Heights & White Bear Lake.

Nov 23: Crafting With Santa | Create Space, White Bear Lake
Make and take holiday craft and pictures with Santa. 12-3pm, FREE.

Nov 23-24: Santa at the Holiday Bazaar | Historic Courthouse, Stillwater
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 shopping. 12-3pm.

Nov 29-Dec 22: Strolling Santa | Downtown Stillwater
See if you can spot Santa while out doing your holiday shopping! Weekends only, 12-4pm.

Dec 6: PJs With Santa | Vadnais Heights Commons
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! 6-8pm, $10/res family, $20/non-res, register with the City of Vadnais Heights by 12/3.

Dec 7: Santa at Winterfest | White Bear Lake
Trolley rides, photos with Santa, carolers and shopping. Also look for Santa Dec 14 & 21.

Dec 8: Breakfast with Santa & Friends | Bruentrup Heritage Farm, Maplewood
Enjoy a pancake breakfast and crafts. Reserved seatings at 9, 10, 11 & 12. $5/kids, $10/adults.

Dec 14: Santa at the Holiday Hop | North St Paul
City-wide holiday activities including visits with Santa. 9am-3pm, FREE.

Dec 16: Skate With Santa | Vadnais Sports Arena 
Join the Maplewood Figure Skating Club at the Vadnais Sports Arena for the opportunity to skate with Santa. 5:50-7:50pm. FREE, skate rental $5.

TWIN CITIES SOUTHEAST METRO SANTA EVENTS

Featuring events in Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan, Inver Grove Heights & Woodbury.

Nov 9: Santa’s Arrival Ceremony | Burnsville Center
Families are invited to line the mall corridors as Simley High School Marching Band leads Santa through the mall to his workshop! 10am, FREE.

Nov 16-Dec 24: Santa’s Wonderland at Cabela’s | Cabela’s Woodbury
Pick up a free pass in store to meet with Santa, get a free photo and enjoy crafts and games. See website for complete hours and schedule.

Nov 23: Holiday Walk in the Woods | The Woods Gifts, Woodbury
Visit with Santa and his reindeer plus stories, face painting, food samples and cocoa. 10am-3pm, FREE.

Dec 7: 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. Ages 2+ with an adult. $8/child. Pre-registration required.

Dec 7: Ruldoph’s Rockin Reindeer Bash | Woodbury Lakes
An afternoon of holiday fun celebrating Reindeer, but Santa will be there, too. Enjoy a live reindeer petting zoo, reindeer costume characters, reindeer activities and face painting, an ice carver, strolling carolers, a S’mores bar, Dancer & Prancer’s dance party with The Teddy Bear Band from 2-2:45, and more. 1-4pm, FREE.

Dec 7: Santa and Mrs. Claus Visit | Eagan Community Center
Visit with Santa and his merry elves. Santa will be posing for pictures and collecting holiday wish lists in the atrium. Everyone is welcome to this fun annual event. Don’t forget to bring your camera. 10am-Noon, FREE (however, you may want to pair this with some playtime at the Blast Indoor Playground, $4/child. There will also be a farmers market in the same building)

Dec 7: Breakfast with Santa | Veterans Community Center, Inver Grove Heights
A light breakfast, visit with Santa, facepainting, balloon animals, games and more. 8:30-10am or 10:30 am-12pm. $6/advance, $8/door.

Dec 7 & 14: Santa and Live Reindeer Visits | Twin Cities Premium Outlets, Eagan
You may pet the reindeer and take pictures with them and Santa. 10am-12pm, FREE.

Dec 8: Old Fashioned Holiday | Holz Farm, Eagan
Santa and his reindeer traditionally make an appearance at this 1940’s era event at Holz Farm. Also enjoy hayrides, a bonfire, carols, and treats. 12-3:30pm, all activities are FREE.

Image Credit: Germanic-American Institute

Dec 14: Prepare for Santa’s Arrival w/ Mrs. Claus | Eagle Valley Golf, 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. Ages 2+ with an adult. $8/child. Pre-registration required.

Dec 14: Sensory-Friendly Santa | Fraser, Woodbury
The day will include photo sessions with Santa, crafts, games and snacks. Miss Gimli the therapy tortoise will be attending! 10am-2pm FREE. Please RSVP so everyone gets time with Santa.

Dec 15: Skating With Santa (PDF) | Apple Valley Sports Arena
Santa will be at the Open Skate Session. Free apple cider and treats, holiday music and face painting. 3:30-5pm. $5/pp at the door, skate rental $3.

TWIN CITIES SOUTHWEST METRO SANTA EVENTS

Featured events in Bloomington, Chaska, Edina, Excelsior, Minnetonka, Prior Lake, Shakopee, St Louis Park & Watertown.

Nov 7: Santa’s Arrival Ceremony | Mall of America
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. 6-7pm. FREE.

Nov 30: Santa at Small Business Saturday | 50th & France, Edina
Holiday Market is open followed by tree lighting, carolers and visits with Santa. 3-5pm.

Dec 1: Chaska Firemen’s Park Tree Lighting
Santa will make an appearance at the lighting of the 50-foot community holiday tree. 6pm.

Dec 6: Santa at Holiday Fest | Shakopee 
Carolers, Santa, a tree lighting ceremony and fireworks. Dec 6, 6-8pm. 

Dec 7: Santa at Christmas in Excelsior
Annual tree lighting (7:15pm) plus bonfires, carolers, Santa, and carriage rides. Dec 7.

Dec 7: Breakfast with Santa | River Valley YMCA, Prior Lake
FREE Breakfast includes pancakes, Santa, games, crafts, book fair, bonfire & s’mores. All Ages. 8am-Noon. This is FREE, but they would appreciate donations. Registration required.

Dec 7: Breakfast with Santa | Minnetonka Community Center
Experience a magical morning with holiday music, a continental breakfast, letter writing to the North Pole and a photo with Santa! Ages 8 & under. 9:30-11am, $12/pp.

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

Dec 8: Santa at sota clothing | St. Louis Park
Retailer, sota clothing will host Santa Claus and his reindeer for a BYO camera event. Free ornament decorating, letters to Santa, and complimentary gift wrapping for shoppers. This is a toy collection site for St. Louis Park Emergency Program.

Dec 12 & 19: Milk & Cookies with Santa | Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Chaska Snack on cookies and milk while sharing your wish list with Santa Claus! Make sure to plan a stroll through the Winter Lights Display, too! Advance registration required. 5-8pm. $5 Kids ages 15 and under; $15 gate fee for adults.

Dec 14: Santa Visit | Valley West Shopping Center, Bloomington
Horse-drawn trolley rides, face painting, balloon animals, treats, and Kidsdance. Kids can also create their own holiday decorations and decorate cookies. 11am-2pm, FREE.

Dec 14: Santa at the Farmers Market | Minnetonka Farmers Market
Also, enjoy live music, vendors and crafters. 10am-12pm, FREE.

Dec 14: Breakfast with Santa | The Rec Center Banquet Room, St. Louis Park
Breakfast with Santa, kids vision screening. and vendor fair. Bring a toy or food donation and a camera for pictures  All Ages; 8am-11am. Under 2: Free; Age 3–9: $4; 10+: $5. Registration required.

ROAD TRIP SANTA EVENT

Nov 29: Here Comes Santa Claus | Downtown Rochester
A “Warming House,” live musical entertainment, “Santa’s Elves’ Workshop,” appearances by Santa & Mrs. Claus, the daring Santa rescue atop Old City Hall, and Peace Plaza tree lighting ceremony. 4 to 8 pm, FREE.

Image courtesy of Rochester Downtown Alliance

Family Fun Twin Cities Holiday Shop on Amazon

If you still haven’t found what you’re looking for, we can help you with our Holiday Shop on Amazon. We have carefully selected gift ideas to help you get a super fun gift for the littler ones in your life. 

Jump over to our Amazon Holiday Shop

Amazon links are affiliate links and Family Fun Twin Cities receives a small commission on sales through our site. 

Find Santa Claus at Malls and Shopping Centers

Santa will simultaneously be at several malls and shopping areas during the pre-Christmas season. Remember, Santa Claus is old and needs occasional breaks.

The Santa Experience at Mall of America: With options to drop in and queue or schedule an appointment. Nov 2-Dec 24

Albertville Premium Outlets: Find Santa in Plaza B. Dec 7 & 14 only, 10am-12pm.

Burnsville Center: Find Santa in the Macy’s Court. Nov 9-Dec 24

Eden Prairie Center: Nov 8-Dec 25. Special event: Story Time with Santa, Nov 16. Tickets are $20/child.

Maplewood Mall: Find Santa in the Lower level JCPenney Court. Enjoy Cookies with Santa (11am-1pm) upon his arrival Nov 16. First 50 to purchase a photo package get a free holiday teddy bear.

Northtown Mall: Find Santa in the Burlington Court. Decorate cookies with him on Arrival Day only, Nov 16, 11am-1pm. Nov 16-Dec 24. First 30 to purchase a photo package get a free plush holiday toy on Nov 16 (11am).

Ridgedale Center: Find Santa in Center Court, lower level. Nov 7-Dec 24. Caring Santa, November 24th.

Rosedale Center: Find Santa at the Winter Castle in East Court. Nov 14-Dec 24
Sensory Santa Nights will be held on Nov 24 & Dec 8 from 6:30-8 p.m.

Southdale Center: Find Santa at the Center Court Bridge. Nov 22-Dec 24

Twin Cities Premium Outlets (Eagan): Find Santa & reindeer at Center Court. Dec 7 & 14 only, 10am-12pm.

Woodbury Lakes: Look for Strolling Santa as he pops in and out of Woodbury Lakes stores. Nov 24-Dec 24, Black Friday, December Weekends & Christmas Eve.

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

Past Santa Events

Catch him before it’s too late!