Santa’s got a lot of ground to cover, and not just on Christmas Eve. Between malls, town squares and everywhere else he’s got appearances on the calendar, the man in red has a pretty tight schedule. But don’t worry, he managed to pencil in the Centennial State quite a few times — and we know just where to find him. So, get your cameras and wish lists ready, because Old Saint Nick is coming to town.
Santa’s Flight Academy at Cherry Creek Shopping Center
dzپDz:3000 E. First Ave., Denver
Santa hours:10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays Dec. 1-23; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve.
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If your little one wants to make doubly sure his name is on Santa’s nice list, he can give a hand with Santa’s sleigh at Cherry Creek mall. Little boys and girls will get to do more than just read their wish lists to Santa Claus here — they’ll get to join his flight crew. Each participating child will get a personalized cadet badge before trying on a virtual flight suit and learning how to help the elves operate Old Saint Nick’s sky cruiser. Note: Santa takes cookie breaks at 1:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Pro-parenting tip: Save a little time with a visit to, where you can create your child’s cadet badge, which then gets printed out at the mall.
Santa HQ at FlatIron Crossing mall
dzپDz:1 W. Flatiron Crossing Drive, Broomfield
Santa hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday-Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays Dec. 1-10; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily Dec. 11-23; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve.
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FlatIron Crossing presents more than just a photo opportunity with the big man in red, the mall also welcomes visitors into Santa’s massive headquarters, where kids can try out Elf-Ray Vision, measure themselves on the Naughty-or-Nice ‘O Meter and toy with all the buttons and knobs in Santa’s rocket-like workshop. The FlatIron Santa also has time reserved from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Dec. 7 for photos with your four-legged fur-babies (cats and dogs only). To ensure they make it on the nice list, have them on leashes or in carriers.
Pro-parenting tip: Cut back on time in line; reservations can be made online in advance.
Santa’s Wonderland 2017 at Bass Pro Shops
dzپDz:7970 Northfield Blvd., Denver
Hours:10 a.m to 8 p.m. photos and 5-7 p.m. crafts on Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. photos and noon-5 p.m. crafts on Saturdays, and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. photos and noon-5 p.m. crafts on Sundays, Dec. 3-24.
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Bass Pro Shops pulls out all the stops when it comes to Santa time. Kids can explore an exquisitely decorated Christmas wonderland that includes a photo with Santa, games, activities and crafts, including a toy arcade and a letter-writing station. All activities are free — and so are photos, so long as your first stop is the Bass Pass Ticket Depot, where you’ll get an assigned time slot to see Santa (so forget the nightmare of waiting in line). Note: Bass Passes are required, limited, and run out quickly.
Pro-parenting tip: The waits are shorter Monday through Thursday; Santa is extra busy on the weekends!
Signing Santa at International Hearing Dog Inc.
dzپDz:5901 E. 89th Ave., Henderson
Hours:1 to 4 p.m. on Dec. 10.
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Santa has scheduled a stop in Henderson to visit the hearing service dogs at International Hearing Dog and he’s fluent in American Sign Language. Santa is welcoming deaf and hearing-impaired families to visit with him, take photos and enjoy cookies and cocoa. Note: You don’t have to know ASL to visit Santa.
Bonus: Families are encouraged to bring dog treats and toys to stuff in holiday stockings for hearing dogs.
Make Memories with Santa at Park Meadows
dzپDz:8401 S. Park Meadows Center Drive, Lone Tree
Regular hours:11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Saturday; noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays.
Special dates:10 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Dec. 2 and 9; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 15-23; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Dec. 17; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve.
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Santa will be making several appearances at Park Meadows mall at Dillard’s Court, but between breaks to feed the reindeer, Santa’s schedule is pretty tight. If you make an online reservation, you can make sure your family gets penciled in — and you get to skip the line. Note: Reservations and photo purchases are not required to visit with Santa.
Pro-parenting tip: Through Dec. 9, book anytime between Monday and Wednesday and save $5 on your photos.
Breakfast with Santa at Downtown Aquarium
Location:700 Water St., Denver
Hours:Seating begins at 8:30 a.m. on Dec. 9, 10, 16, 17, 22-24.
Price:$18.99/adults; $12.99/children
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During several weekends in December, Santa Claus will make the journey from the top of the North Pole to the bottom of the sea — or at least the bottom of the exhibit tank at Denver’s Downtown Aquarium — for a breakfast buffet with Sharkey and all his underwater companions. Grab photos with Santa, and be sure to keep your eyes on him because he’s been known to take a dive; the fish have wish lists, too, you know!
Pro-parenting tip:A reservation is required for this event and includes 50 percent off an exhibit ticket and validated parking.
Saturdays with Santa in Olde Town Arvada
dzپDz:Olde Town Square, 57th Ave. and Olde Wadsworth Blvd., Arvada
Hours:Noon to 3 p.m. on Dec. 2, 9, 16.
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Get your Christmas sweaters and Santa letters ready, because Old Saint Nick is coming to Olde Town — three Saturdays in a row! Remember to bring a camera to snap a free photo with him, then enjoy all the shopping and goodies that Olde Town has to offer. There will be different holiday entertainment each Saturday, as well as free hot cocoa.
Bonus: Bring coats and canned food to donate for Colorado Home Realty’s coat drive and The Rising Church’s food collection.
North Pole Colorado: Home of Santa’s Workshop
Location:5050 Pikes Peak Highway, Cascade
Hours:10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec.1-4, 7-11,14-18, 20-24. Closed most Tuesdays and Wednesdays (for toymaking, obviously).
Price:$23/general admission (ages 2-59); $18/active military, military family or retired military (IDs required); $21/small group rate (6 or more); free for seniors (60+), free for children younger than 2
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You don’t have to travel as far as you might think to visit the North Pole. Load the family up for a day trip to North Pole, Colo., just west of Colorado Springs, where you can explore Santa’s workshop, hang out with the elves, ride rides, enjoy a variety of holiday shows, shop for gifts and ornaments and greet Old Saint Nick at his very own house.
Pro-parenting tip: Visit the website to print out a discount coupon for a group of 10 or more.
St. Nick on the Bricks
dzپDz:Downtown Boulder Visitor Information Center, 1301 Pearl St., Boulder
When:11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays through Dec. 23.
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Santa Claus will make a few trips to Pearl Street in Boulder this month. Bring a camera to capture a few photos with Santa (and maybe even Mrs. Claus) before getting some holiday shopping done. Photos are free.
Holidays at The Orchard Town Center
Location:14697 Delaware St., Thornton
Santa hours:11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Saturday; noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve.
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You’ll find another one of Santa’s many workshops this year at The Orchard Town Center Square inside the grand holiday tree. No cost and no reservations are needed to sit with Santa, but you’ll need to reserve a spot with him if you want a photo — gotta make sure you catch him between reindeer feedings.
Pro-parenting tip: Pick out and pay for your photo package online to save $5.
Sensitive Santa at Town Center at Aurora
dzپDz:14200 E. Alameda Ave., Aurora
Hours: 8 to 10:45 a.m. on Dec. 3, doors open at 7:30 a.m.
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Santa is making a special visit to Aurora where he is setting aside some time to visit with children who have sensory, physical or developmental needs. Santa and his crew will be there before regular shopping hours to create a controlled, comfortable environment for his visitors. Families need to RSVP for a time slot. Prices vary with photo packages.
Bonus: Santa will again make another special appearance at the town center on Dec.10 from 6 to 8 p.m., this time to take photos with pets (cats or dogs on leashes or in carriers).
Santa on the Square
Location: The Bent Lens,1415 Larimer Street, No. 101, Denver
Hours:10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and noon to 4 p.m. on Sundays through Dec. 24.
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Santa and Mrs. Claus have managed to squeeze downtown Denver into their tight schedule every weekend until Christmas Eve. They will be taking photos and gift requests on Larimer Square at The Bent Lens. Photos are free, but visitors should bring their own cameras.
Bonus: On Dec. 9, Santa is inviting you to bring your furry friends to join the fun.
