Get the cameras ready and don your best holiday outfits because it’s time for a visit with Santa!
Go ahead and get your Christmas list ready for Santa ’cause we found some spots where you can see Santa in Cincinnati and we even found a few opportunities to take pictures with Santa!
Most, if not all, Breakfast with Santa events require advance ticket purchases or reservations.
Breakfast With Santa Events:
December 7: Head to the Tri-State Warbird Museum to see Santa Fly-In! Santa will arrive around 11:15 am (doors open at 10:45am) and will be available to meet and greet until 12:30pm. Fun activities, cookies and hot drinks will be available. Tickets must be purchased in advance: $7 for children 4 and up; $12 for adults; member receive 50% off.
December 7: Joseph Beth’s Bronte Bistro in Rookwood is hosting Breakfast with Santa starting at 9am. Enjoy a fantastic feast of pancakes, sausage, fruit, and your choice of coffee, tea, milk, or orange juice. Advance ticket purchase required.
December 7: Kick off the holidays with Breakfast with Santa at the Sharonville Community Center. Enjoy holiday activities and a delicious hot breakfast. Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus and don’t forget your camera!
December 8: Lunch with Santa is happening at Springfield Township’s Grove Event Center. Families will enjoy a pizza lunch by Krimmers Italianate with cookies for dessert. At noon, Madcap Puppets will present “The Nutcracker”. Santa will arrive at 1:00 with goodies and he can hardly wait to see your child’s list. Top your afternoon off by having your photo taken with Santa, making a craft and taking a hayride through the neighboring streets. Your ticket will include the lunch, show, 4×6 photo and a special gift from Santa (1 photo per child).
December 14: Santa will be at Glenview Golf Course for Breakfast with Santa. They’ll have a Breakfast Buffet available starting at 9am.
December 14: Enjoy a pancake breakfast as part of The City of Montgomery’s Breakfast with Santa, 8am-10:45am at Terwilliger Lodge. All-you-can-eat pancakes will be served up by City of Montgomery employee volunteers. Kids, be sure to bring your wish list! Have your family photo taken with the jolly ‘ole elf! All proceeds benefit the Holiday Family Fund to support local families in need.
December 8: Maggiano’s and Santa Claus cordially invite you to Breakfast with Santa. Enjoy breakfast from 9-10am. They’ll also have cookie decorating, face painting, crafts, and more.
December 15: Enjoy Afternoon Tea with Santa at The Bonbonerie. They have three seatings to choose from – 10am, 12:30pm, and 3pm. This special afternoon tea will include all of your favorites you have come to love from their menu with the addition of some holiday favorites. Each registration includes afternoon tea, meet and greet and the opportunity to decorate your own cookie. Bring your cameras!
December 14 and 15: Maggiano’s and Santa Claus cordially invite you to Breakfast with Santa. Enjoy breakfast from 9-10am. They’ll also have cookie decorating, face painting, crafts, and more.
December 18 : Enjoy Afternoon Tea with Santa at The Bonbonerie. They have three seatings to choose from – 10am, 12:30pm, and 3pm. This special afternoon tea will include all of your favorites you have come to love from their menu with the addition of some holiday favorites. Each registration includes afternoon tea, meet and greet and the opportunity to decorate your own cookie. Bring your cameras!
December 21 and 22: Maggiano’s and Santa Claus cordially invite you to Breakfast with Santa. Enjoy breakfast from 9-10am. They’ll also have cookie decorating, face painting, crafts, and more.
December 21 : Enjoy Afternoon Tea with Santa at The Bonbonerie. They have three seatings to choose from – 10am, 12:30pm, and 3pm. This special afternoon tea will include all of your favorites you have come to love from their menu with the addition of some holiday favorites. Each registration includes afternoon tea, meet and greet and the opportunity to decorate your own cookie. Bring your cameras!
Pictures with Santa / See Santa in Person:
Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s are hosting Santa’s Wonderland through December 24, 2024. Families are invited to tailgate at both Bass Pro Shops and Cabelas for a festive parade when Santa arrives (early November). Head over to their site to make your free reservation. Families who visit Santa receive a free 4×6 studio-quality photo. Additional photo packages are also available for purchase and print instantly in the store. Be sure to mail your letter to Santa while you’re there!
Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo; admission fees apply. Santa will be available for visits starting at 4 p.m. from Nov. 21 through December 23, 2024. To be noted: the Zoo will be closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day this year.
Holiday Junction featuring the Duke Energy Holiday Trains will be at Cincinnati Museum Center. Santa makes his grand arrival by helicopter on Friday, November 29, 2024. Visits with Santa by his fireplace on the Mezzanine in the Ruthven Gallery. Tickets required.
Santa on the Levee will be open for visits with Santa on Saturdays, spreading holiday magic and taking photos.
Santa’s Workshop at Washington Park, Saturdays and Sundays from November 30 through December 22, 2024; 11am-2pm. Bring your family, your dog, your friends, but most all–be sure to bring your cameras! *Please note that this event is free, but you must bring your own camera for photos.*
Scuba Santa will be at Newport Aquarium late November – Dec. 24; admission fees apply. See Scuba Santa swim underwater with a tank full of sharks and tell him what you want for Christmas! Meet cheerful elves straight from the North Pole and enjoy a Water Wonderland full of colorful holiday lights and festive music. Reserve your time when you book a ticket.
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See Santa at a Local Mall:
Kenwood Towne Centre, through Dec. 24; reservations encouraged and available online
Northgate Mall, through Dec. 24, reservations are encouraged and available online.
There are also Santas at Land of Illusions and the Christmas Ranch!
Does anyone know if/where there is a Grinch photo?
Thank you, Bethany! I will get those added to the list!
Great Parks of Hamilton County is offering personalized virtual Santa video calls every Saturday and Sunday 11a-5p until December 20th.
Where can I take my super friendly dog to get her photo w Santa or at least walk through Christmas lights displays?
Hi Alex, Sadly, I have not seen any pet photo opps this year. As far as light displays go, I’d see if the Cincinnati Nature Center allows dogs. The have some trails that are lit. There’s also an upcoming date to walk the lights at Sharon Woods (again, check to see if pets are allowed). And the Purple People Bridge is lit this year as well.
Alex, the Santa Workshop at Washington Park allows dogs to get pics with Santa 🙂
Happy hangout on the west side is having a Santa on December 12 12-2 Parents will need to buy tickets in advance and are spaced out every 15 minutes. You can take your own photo and the playground will be open!
Local petsMarts are doing Santa photos.