Where to Find Santa in St. Louis This Holiday Season

Santa won’t slide down your chimney until December 24th, but if you’ve got kids who are anxious to meet him in person so they can share their Christmas wishes, he’ll be making many appearances around the St. Louis throughout December.

Whether you want to share a pancake breakfast or pasta dinner with jolly Old St. Nick, watch him arrive by boat or fire truck or simply snap a few keepsake photos of your little ones on his lap, we’ve put together your ultimate go-to guide for where to find Santa in St. Louis this holiday season.

Snapshots with Santa at The Boathouse in Forest Park

Santa is a busy guy this time of year, but he wouldn’t miss his grand arrival in Forest Park. Santa is scheduled to arrive by boat at 11 a.m. at The Boathouse on Sunday, Dec. 6, and he’ll stick around until 2 p.m. for photos.

More information: boathouseforestpark.com

 
Supper with Santa at The Butterfly House
 
Sit down to a pasta dinner, cookies and hot cocoa with Santa at this popular annual event at the one and only Butterfly House. After the meal, kids will make holiday crafts and keepsake ornaments. This event sells out fast and reservations are required.
 
Dec 5, 6, 12, 13 19 and 20 from 4:30 to 7 p.m. More information: mobot.org
 
 
Santa House at City Park
 
Santa and his elves are taking up residence in City Park in Edwardsville this holiday season. Little ones can visit Santa on Wednesdays from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. and on Saturdays from 1 to 4 p.m. to let him know their Christmas wishes. Santa visits are free. 
 
More information: cityofedwardsville.com
 
Saturday with Santa
 
Your kids can whisper their Christmas wishes to Santa Claus, listen to festive holiday carols at the Missouri Botanical Garden's Saturday with Santa on December 12 from 1 to 4 p.m. Visits with Santa are included with Garden admission.
 
More information: mobot.org
 
Breakfast with Santa at The Magic House
 
This is one breakfast your kids will flip over! Make your morning (or evening) sizzle with a yummy pancake breakfast, a photo with Santa, plenty of playtime in the museum and a fun holiday craft to take home. Cost is $15 per person for members and $20 per person for non-members.
 
8:30 a.m., 9:45 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Dec. 6; 8:30 a.m., 9:45 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Dec 13. More information and reservations (required): magichouse.org
 
Pictures with Santa at the Fire Station
 

Stop by the West County EMS & Fire Protection District Fire Station #1 on Dec. 12 and have your child's picture taken with Santa. You'll receive a free 4x6 photo, and enjoy candy canes, hot chocolate and cookies. Please bring a toy to donate to the station's holiday toy drive.

1 to 4 p.m. on Dec. 12 at Fire Station #1 in Ballwin. More information: westcounty-fire.org
 
Santa's Hut
 
Take your kids to see merry Saint Nick at Santa's Hut in downtown O'Fallon, Ill. Santa will be on hand on Saturdays, Dec. 5, 12 and 19 from noon to 4 p.m. and on Dec. 24 from noon to 3 p.m. Visits are free and no reservations are needed.
 
More information: downtownofallon.org
 
Breakfast with Santa at the Saint Louis Zoo
 
Enjoy a festive breakfast buffet with the man of the hour: Santa. Children will all receive something special from Santa's bag of goodies (and parents get the gift of free parking). Pre-paid reservations are required and spots sell out quickly.
 
Dec. 5, 6, 12, 13, 19 and 20 at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. More information: stlzoo.org
 
Cookies with Claus
 
Bring your kids (and their wish lists) to visit Santa Claus at The Lodge Des Peres on Saturday, Dec. 5 from 9 a.m. to noon. And don't forget your camera! All children will receive a special holiday cookie (while they last). This event is free and reservations are not required. Later that afternoon, bring your favorite pet to The Lodge for Claus and Paws where Santa will pose for pics with your pooch.
 
More information: www.desperesmo.org
 
Photos with Santa at the Kirkwood Train Station
 
Bring your kids and your camera to take photos with Santa at the Historic Kirkwood Train Station in downtown Kirkwood on December 3 and 10 from 5-7 p.m. or during the day on Friday, Dec. 11 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. You can visit with a live reindeer too on Dec. 11.
 
Free. More information: downtownkirkwood.com
 
Breakfast with Santa at Eckert's
 
Join Santa for a meal on the farm! Kids can tell him their Christmas wishes, get their faces painted and decorate a sugar cookie with frosting and sprinkles - and enjoy a hearty country breakfast. A photo with Santa is included.
 
Saturdays and Sundays from 8 to 12 a.m. through Dec. 20. More information: eckerts.com
 
Breakfast with Santa at the West County YMCA
 
The YMCA of St. Louis is holding Breakfast with Santa at the West County YMCA on Saturday, Dec. 19 at 9:00 a.m. Enjoy a fun breakfast with jolly old Saint Nick, photos with Santa (parents, bring your cameras!) and fun holiday crafts.
 
Cost is $5 per person, and kids under 2 are free. Reservations are required. More information: gwrymca.org/news/breakfast-santa
 
Santa Arrives on a Fire Truck
 
Bring your kids to see Santa arrive on the fire truck at the Affton White-Rodgers Community Center on Sunday, Dec. 6 from 5 to 6 p.m. He'll entertain the kids, light the tree and pass out treats. 
 
This free event is sponsored by St. Louis County Parks. More information: www.stlouisco.com
 
Breakfast with Santa at The Pointe
 
Enjoy donuts, fresh fruit and pictures with Santa from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the Pointe at Ballwin Commons on Saturday, Dec. 12. Be sure to stick around for crafts and cookie decorating with Mrs. Claus too. Each attendee who will eat breakfast must register.
 
More information and to register online: ballwin.mo.us
 
Skate with Santa
 
Santa is coming to the Kirkwood Ice Arena to skate during a public skate session on Saturday, Dec. 19 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Normal admission rates apply. More information: www.kirkwoodmo.org
 
You can also Skate with Santa at Steinberg Ice Rink on Saturday, Dec. 5 from 1 to 3 p.m.
 
Santa will lace up his skates once again and join his friend Frosty the Snowman for the Winter Wonderland on Ice at the St. Peters Rec Plex on Friday, Dec. 11 and Saturday, Dec. 12. More information can be found at stpetersmo.net
 
Santa Parade
 
The Santa Parade on St. Charles Main Street features a cavalcade of international Santas, each carrying the flag of their native land. The parade's grand finale is the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus in a horse-drawn carriage. 
 
Parades begin every Saturday and Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at 1000 South Main Street and continue to Berthold Square, where a short, family-friendly program will take place. You can also enter your child to win a "Ride with Santa."
 
More information: historicstcharles.com
 
Santa at the Symphony
 
Santa Claus is the guest of honor at the Macy's Holiday Celebration at the St. Louis Symphony. This longtime St. Louis holiday family event includes your favorite holiday classics and special appearances by Santa on stage. Arrive early for a photo with Santa. Dec. 18-20 at Powell Hall.
 
More information and tickets: stlsymphony.org
 
Cookies with Santa at Sweetology
 
Your kids can visit with Santa while they make cookies in the Makery at Sweetology on Dec. 13. Each child gets to make four cookies and sharing is optional! 
 
Sunday, Dec. 13 from noon to 2 p.m. at Sweetology in Ladue. More information: sweetology.com 
 
Snowflake Festival with Santa, Mrs. Claus and the Grinch
 
Visit the Snowflake Festival in Godfrey, Ill., to celebrate the season and be greated by not only Santa, but Mrs. Claus too. Kids can have their photo taken with both, then meet the Grinch as well. There will also be carriage rides, hot chocolate, cookies and more.
 
Learn more at godfreyil.org
 
Pancakes with Santa
 
Kids 12 and under can join Santa for a breakfast of pancakes and scrambled eggs, have some one-on-one time with Santa for photos, then make a craft to take home at Pancakes with Santa at Progress Park in Wentzville.
 
Registration is required. Find more information and register at wentzvillemo.org
 
 
Santa Arrives with Live Reindeer at the Museum of Transportation
 
Meet Santa and his reindeer for this exciting visit at the Museum of Transportation. Saturday, Dec. 12 from 1 to 4 p.m.
 
More information: transportmuseum.org or call 314-965-6212.
 
Santa in the Loop
 
Take a ride in the trolley with Santa along the Delmar Loop on Saturday, Dec. 5 and Saturday, Dec. 12 between noon and 4 p.m., then stop into United Provisions to make an ornament in the Kid's Craft area. Santa will be back in the Loop on Saturday, Dec. 19 between noon and 4 p.m. to participate in the Great Gift Hunt in Market Plaza (next to the Market Pub House). You can participate too, and take a chance on winning $1,000 in gift certificates from Loop businesses.
 
More information about Santa in the Loop can be found at visittheloop.com.
 
Holiday with Santa at Westport Plaza
 
Your child can have their photo taken with Santa and enjoy other fun activities too, like face painting, balloon art, goodie bags and performances by students at the DaySpring School of the Arts. This event is also a toy drive for patients at the Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital. Participants are asked to bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate. 
 
10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Dec. 5 at Westport Plaza. More information: marylandheights.com
 
 
You'll find lots more holiday events for your family in our Things To Do calendar!
 
 
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Alyssa Chirco is a freelance writer, mother and margarita lover, not necessarily in that order. In addition to writing for STL Parent, she is Contributing Editor at Parenting Squad, and covers parenting, health and lifestyle topics for publications across the country. She recently moved from the suburbs of St. Louis to a small town in rural Jefferson County, where she is learning to survive with no Target or Starbucks in sight. Follow her on Twitter @AlyssaChirco

 

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Things to Do

Water Waddlers Indoor Drop-In Swim

Stop in and have some fun in the indoor pool at the Lodge of Des Peres with your little one at this drop-in swim time for kids up to age 6. No pre-registration is needed; Water Waddlers is open to residents and non-residents of Des Peres.

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Spring Training Sea Lion Shows at the Saint Louis Zoo
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See the amazing sea lions at the Saint Louis Zoo perform for the crowd and cheer them on from the bleachers as the popular Sea Lion Spring Training Shows return. You'll see these beautiful animals perform flipper walks, ball balancing, Olympic-style dives on a high-diving platform, lots of splashing and even more surprises! 

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Daytime Playtime at Olympia Gymnastics

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Books for Babies

This special story is geared to little ones ages 6 months to 2 years with a parent or caregiver. In addition to stories, there will be lap bounces, songs, rhymes and more!

 

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