Between decorating, lighting displays and shopping, shepherding your kids to be delighted (or terrified) by Santa Claus is a ritual that remains central to the holiday experience for many families.
But wherever you land on the joyous/emotionally scarring side of the divide, itap nice to know you can find Santa in more places than ever this year. Here are a few we found for metro-area residents that combine convenience, holiday heritage and even a bit of innovation.
Note: While most of the photo sessions are free, photo and video packages — which offer various formats and sizes — can run up to $50, so be willing to shell out for the custom experience. Events continue through Christmas Eve.
Santa’s Village at Chatfield Farms
Location: 8500 W. Deer Creek Canyon Road, Littleton
Santa hours: 4:30-8:30 p.m. through Dec. 23 (last entry at 7:30 p.m. nightly)
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Immerse yourself in a winter wonderland while greeting Santa, Mrs. Claus and real, live reindeer at this offering from Denver Botanic Gardens — which doubles as a walkable holiday-light show and shopping excursion. Admission includes pictures with Santa, someone named Snow Man and the reindeer; crafting with Mrs. Claus; a hayride; the light display; Santa’s Cinema on Elf Boulevard; and entry into the workshop featuring (naturally) an assortment of craft vendors. Kids and adults (ages 3-65) are $20, while seniors and members of the military are $15; kids 2 and under are free.
Pro-parenting tip: Dress for the weather and expect lines and parking delays if you arrive at peak times (around 6 p.m.) Grab tickets in advance online or at the visitor’s center of the downtown/York Street Botanic Gardens location, because there’s a good chance they’ll sell out on-site.
Santa’s Flight Academy at Cherry Creek Shopping Center
Location:3000 E. 1st Ave., Denver
Santa hours:10 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 23; 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Christmas Eve
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Photos with Santa are just one of several options at this marquee holiday-shopping destination, which also offers “flight-crew membership” with a personalized cadet badge, plus the chance to try on a virtual flight suit and learn how to operate the sleigh. Thatap all on top of the simulated snowfall and a kid-friendly holiday-light display. Note: Reservations are not required, but Santa breaks daily at 1:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Pro-parenting tip: Visit to create your child’s cadet badge ahead of time so you can pick it up as soon as you arrive.
Santa’s Wonderland 2018 at Bass Pro Shops
Location:7970 Northfield Blvd., Denver
Hours:10 a.m.-8 p.m. photos and 5-7 p.m. crafts Monday-Friday; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. photos and noon-5 p.m. crafts Saturdays; and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. photos and noon-5 p.m. crafts Sundays, through Dec. 24
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If most Santa photo ops leave your kids wanting more, Bass Pro’s blizzard of fun ought to impress even the Grinchiest of them. Offerings vary slightly among Bass Pro and Cabela’s five Colorado locations, but the Denver (Stapleton) location offers pretty much everything you could want out of a brief trip to the North Pole: rotating interactive projects (this week: Color a Wood Elf), sundry standing-craft and activity tables (arcade games, toys, Lincoln Logs, etc.), Christmas letter-writing, and a simulated winter environment in which to experience it all.
Pro-parenting tip: Photos are free, but stop by the Bass Pass Ticket Depot to secure a time slot for Santa.
Santa’s Workshop at Park Meadows
Location:8401 S. Park Meadows Center Drive, Lone Tree
Regular hours:11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday; noon-6 p.m. Sundays
Special hours:10 a.m.-8 p.m. Dec. 8 and 23; 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Dec. 9 and 16; 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Dec. 14-22; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Christmas Eve
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Given the popularity of Park Meadows’ Santa photos, be sure to make a reservation before you go. Also, check to see if there are other holiday-themed goings-on, such as Pet Night (5-8 p.m. Dec. 10 and 17) or Ugly Sweater Day (all day Dec. 13), to ensure the kids aren’t the only ones having fun.
Pro-parenting tip: Reservations and photo purchases are not required to visit with Santa, but if you want to get a jump on either, visit .
Santa HQ at FlatIron Crossing
Location:1 W. Flatiron Crossing Drive, Broomfield
Santa hours:10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 10; 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Dec. 10-23; 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Christmas Eve.
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The base of the Grand Staircase at FlatIron doubles as Santa’s home in Broomfield, where kids can take pictures, visit Santa’s Magical Observatory (which offers additional photo ops), scan yourself at the Naughty or Nice O’Meter, and create — and star in — custom Elfie videos. Because this is Colorado, there are also pet photos, and because itap 2018, there’s an all-day Ugly Sweater-themed day on Dec. 13.
Pro-parenting tip: Make your reservations online in advance. And if you bring your pets, be sure they’re cats and dogs only — leashed or in a pet carrier.
Holidays at The Orchard Town Center
Location:14697 Delaware St., Thornton
Santa hours:11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday; noon-5 p.m. Sundays; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Christmas Eve
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Santa arrived during Thornton’s Winterfest to take over “his brand new winter wonderland experience in Town Center Square,” according to The Orchard. And thatap where he’s staying every day until Christmas Eve — minus the occasional (3-4 p.m.) reindeer-feeding breaks each day.
Pro-parenting tip: Visits are free, but photo packages and reservations can be found at.
Breakfast with Santa at Downtown Aquarium
Location:700 Water St., Denver
Hours:Seating begins at 8:30 a.m. on Dec. 8, 9, 15, 16 and 22-24
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Whatap our old buddy Santa doing at the Downtown Aquarium? You can ask him yourself at these festive breakfasts, which feature not only Saint Nick, but also the aquarium’s mascot, Sharkey. You may even catch Santa swimming with the fish while you dine on the buffet.
Pro-parenting tip: While adults cost $20 and kids (ages 3-10) cost $14, the price of each admission includes a 50 percent-off aquarium exhibit ticket and validated parking.
St. Nick on the Bricks
Location:Downtown Boulder Visitor Information Center, 1301 Pearl St., Boulder
When:11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays through Dec. 22
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Given the pedestrian traffic along Boulder’s ever-popular Pearl Street Mall, Santa would be crazy not to visit. Bring your own camera because photos are free and reservations are not required. Kids 10 and under (with an accompanying adult) can also take a free ride on the 100-percent electric Tebo Train, a.k.a. the Snowflake Express, which chugs along Pearl Street and boards in front of the Capitol One Cafe at the corner of 13th and Pearl streets (where you can also grab free hot chocolate samples). The last train leaves at 2 p.m.
Pro-parenting tip: Look up the area’s shops and restaurants beforehand so you can use the Santa visit as either the incentive or reward for the little ones, who may get a bit ornery from the walking and waiting.
Saturdays with Santa in Olde Town Arvada
Location:Olde Town Square, 57th Avenue and Olde Wadsworth Boulevard, Arvada
Hours:Noon-3 p.m. on Dec. 8 and 15
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Another free, bring-your-own-camera event, Olde Town’s Santa visits are surrounded by holiday activities and shopping options — the biggest and closest being the Olde Town Holiday Market. Kids visiting with Santa get a free sugar cookie from Rheinlander Bakery, while Colorado Home Realty is handing out the free hot chocolate. There’s also free, live entertainment in the form of Arvada Chorale (Dec. 8) andbFlatirons (Dec. 15).
Pro-parenting tip: Pop over to the market for local food when the kids get hungry — and get your knives sharpened, buy some handcrafted candles, clothes, jewelry and soaps, or check out the toys while you’re at it.
Santa at Town Center at Aurora
Location:14200 E. Alameda Ave., Aurora
Hours: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 10 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Monday and Saturday; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 24
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In addition to the free, annual Cookies With Santa event from 1 to 3 p.m. on Dec. 13 — which features a story time and letters to Santa — the jolly old man will be set up daily for free photos to combine with your frenzied shopping.
Pro-parenting tip: This year offers a FastPass for Santa photos, which is available through Dec. 21 and costs $8 for daily visits and $10 on weekends. You can also use it to pick up online orders and photo packages via .
North Pole, Colorado: Home of Santa’s Workshop
Location:5050 Pikes Peak Highway, Cascade
Hours:10 a.m.-5 p.m. through Dec. 24; closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and closes at 4 p.m. Christmas Eve
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This historic amusement park west of Colorado Springs specializes in year-round cheer, so you better believe they’re ready for the holiday season. Kiddie and family-friendly rides, shows, activities and gifts all surround the main event: Santa’s House. Visit with him there and the staff will snap a photo with your camera. Itap likely not going to be the only thing you’re leaving with.
Pro-parenting tip: Admission is $24 for attendees aged 3-59 (free for 2 and under, and for 60 and over), but if you get a group of six or more together, you save $2 per person; 10 or more and you save $5 per person.
Santa on the Square
Location:Lincoln Hall Lobby,1415 Larimer Street, Denver
Hours:10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays; noon-6 p.m. Sundays; 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Christmas Eve
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Santa and Mrs. Claus will visit one of Denver’s most historic shopping/dining districts and pose for free photos (be sure to bring your own camera) while handing out free treats for the kids.Don’t leave the pets at home on Dec. 8, as “Paws and Claus” invites dogs and cats to pose with the red-besuited couple — with suggested donations benefiting.
Pro-parenting tip: Larimer Square can be pricey, so stop by the pedestrian- and tourist-friendly 16th Street Mall (about a block east of Larimer Square) for more affordable snacks and drinks, or the (Arapahoe and 16th Streets) for traditional German wares and refreshments.
