Where to Find Santa Featured

Santa is making the rounds in Colorado Springs! Here is a great list of spots to see the jolly old elf this holiday season. Merry Christmas!

As of publication, the below details were correct. But please double check before going to any of the activities or events. 

Date: December 3

Time: 5-8 pm

Location: 245 Bear Creek Road, Colorado Springs.

Details: Join us for Bear Creek Nature Center’s annual holiday celebration! Walk on luminary-lit nature trails, enjoy live music, chili dinner from Texas Roadhouse, Santa Claus and festive crafts. Pre-register for specific times. $7 per member / $8 per nonmember.

Location: Harmony Bowl, 3845 N. Academy Blvd
Date: Dec. 12
Time: noon-4 pm.
Details: It’s back! Santa Claus is coming to town! We’re celebrating the Christmas season and offering free pictures with Santa and some bowling. Bring your friends and the kiddos to give their Christmas lists to Santa, do a little bowling and share plenty of Christmas cheer! More info to come about donations.

Location: Country Club of Colorado, 3225 Broadmoor Valley Rd

Date: Sundays, Dec. 5, 12, 19

Time: 10 am-2 pm

Details: Adults $42 per person plus tax and gratuity
Kids (ages 5-11) $20 per person plus tax and gratuity

For Reservations please email: [email protected]

Location: Old Colorado City, The Michael Garman Museum and Gallery, 2418 W. Colorado Ave, Colorado Springs, 80904

Date: Through Dec. 31

Time: 10 am-5:30 pm (closed Dec. 25 and closing at 2 pm Dec. 24 and Dec. 31)

Details: As of publication, there was no specific mention of Santa this year. Please check the website for updates.

Location: Downtown Colorado Springs

Date: December 8th

Time: 5-8 pm

Details: Head downtown for one of Colorado Springs’ favorite traditions, the Holiday Stroll. Local store owners are offering extended hours and many will have sales, special offers, and refreshments while you shop. Stroll our beautifully lit Downtown, enjoy familiar holiday tunes from strolling carolers and musicians.

Plus, Santa himself will be out and about doing a little shopping, listening to wish lists, and posing for photos. Be sure to keep an eye out for the grumpy Grinch gallivanting in and out of shops as well.

Location: Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, 4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Rd. Colorado Springs, CO 80906

Dates: Dec. 3-5, 10-23, 25-Jan. 1, 2022

(*Electric Safari is NOT open on Christmas Eve, December 24)

Times: – Member early entry hour with advance timed ticket: 4-5 p.m. General admission with advance timed ticket: 5-7:30 p.m. Event ends at 8:30 p.m. **No walk-up tickets available.**

Cost: See Website

Details: Electric Safari at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is the only place in Colorado Springs where you can see over 60 one-of-a-kind light sculptures while celebrating the season with animals at the same time! New this year, you’ll also enjoy photos with larger-than-life illuminated inflatable animals, located throughout the Zoo!

Santa Zone:

  • SANTA will be available for photos and to hear wishes in the Safari Lodge from 4-8:30 p.m. through Thursday, Dec. 23.
Location: The Melting Pot, 30 E. Pikes Peak
Date: Dec. 12
Time: noon-4 pm
Details: Join us for our annual Fondue with Santa on December 12th. Santa will be present throughout the entire event and will meet and greet with each child, hand out gifts and pose for pictures. $39 Per Adult & Kids Eat Free!
One Free Kid Per Paying Adult
ADDITIONAL KIDS ARE $28
Cheddar Cheese Fondue
Salad
Choice of Caesar or California Salad
Teriyaki Sirloin, Breast Of Chicken, Pacific White Shrimp, Seasonal Ravioli and Fresh Seasonal Vegetable Medley
Choice of Cookies & Cream, Original or Pure Chocolate Fondue

Location: 9525 Burgess Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80908.

Hours: 4:30PM – 8:30PM

Dates: Nov 26-28, Dec 3-5, 10-12, and 17-23

Details: Not exactly Santa, but this Old Fashioned Christmas at Forest Bend Farm offers PLENTY of photo ops and Christmas-related activities:

  • Hayride through lights
  • Kids nativity play
  • Kids’ crafts and cookie decorating
  • Crafts for sale
  • Coffee, hot cocoa, and cider
  • Roasting marshmallows on the fire
  • Fun games and activities
  • 20-ft blue spruce, fully decorated Christmas Tree
  • Tire swings
  • Outdoor games in the games corral
  • Mountain house A-frame ticket booth (perfect for photos)
  • Entry fence (look for the large Star of Bethlehem)
  • Heated tent to allow you to spread out on property while staying warm
  • New scavenger hunts on the hayride and around property
Location: Fountain Creek Nature Center, 320 Peppergrass Lane, Fountain, CO 80817

Date: December 11 and 18 

Time: 10:00-11:30 am, 1-2:30 pm

Cost: $5 

Nature Hike with Santa: Participate in the interactive reading of “Twas the Night Before Christmas” while waiting for Santa to arrive at the Nature Center! Then, hike with Santa to see what gifts nature gives us. Afterwards, enjoy seasonal tunes with the band Peppergrass and make paper snowflakes. Prepaid reservations required.

Location: Color Me Mine-Chapel Hills Mall, 1710 Briargate Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80920

Date: This business is changing locations, so check the website for more information! 

Time: 

Price: 

Details: TBA

Location: 4262 Royal Pine Dr, Colorado Springs, CO 80920

Dates: Dec. 11 from 10:30-12:30 pm.

Details: Bring your camera and get ready to snap some precious photos with Santa. Each family will have a few minutes to talk to Santa before taking as many photos as you would like in our beautiful Christmas themed vignette. Cost: $12.50.

*Santa will have a little treat for each child.

**Santa will wear a clear face shield while talking with families; however, based on each family’s comfort level, will take off the shield for pictures.

Sign up online here.

Location: 223 N. Wasatch
Date: Dec. 11
Time: 11 am-2 pm
Details: All members of the community are invited to come to get free photos with Santa in a safe environment. At this event, families are invited to come as they are comfy in what they choose to wear. Photo sessions are 10 minutes long.
Slots are on a first come first serve basis. You must sign up ahead of time for this event by going to the following link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0445AEAF2CA1FC1-photos
Please understand the following information:
1. No pets are allowed unless it is a service animal.
2. All individuals who are 5+ must wear a mask at all times while in the facility, even if they are already vaccinated.
3. Temperatures will be taken when coming into the facility. Inside Out Youth Services and Colorado Springs Youth Pride Festival can turn anyone away.
4. There are no weapons of any type allowed in the facility.
This event is weather permitting. If the weather is bad and we are unable to host the event, we will send an email to the email you registered with. It is asked that if you must cancel for any reason, please cancel your registration that way we can make space for others who might want to attend.

As of publication, Santa was planning to visit Chapel Hills Mall live, in person this year as well as through a virtual offering for those who aren’t able to make it in person. Details below.

Location: Chapel Hills Mall, 1710 Briargate Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80920.

Dates & Times: 

  • Sunday, 12/5/21, 12/12/21 & 12/19/21 – 11am – 7pm
  • Monday – Saturday, 11/29/21 – 12/23/21 – 10am – 8pm
  • Christmas Eve, 12/24/21 – 11am – 4pm

Please note Santa’s Break Times:

Monday – Saturday – 1pm – 2pm & 5pm – 5:45pm; Sunday – 3pm – 4pm

Location: 750 Citadel Drive East Colorado Springs, CO 80909

Dates & Times: Times vary throughout the month of December. Please visit the website for details about the day you are considering.

Location: 5050 Pikes Peak Hwy, Cascade, CO 80809

Dates: Year Round

Details: Visit Santa at Santa’s Workshop, a Christmas-themed family amusement park. Meet Santa and ride on more than two dozen kid-friendly rides. Due to the closure of certain rides, discounted tickets are available, but they must be purchased online in advance. Santa is in his house when the park is open, although he does take a lunch break. His helpers will be glad to take a digital picture with you.

Location: Old Colorado City, 2408 W. Colorado Ave, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80904

Dates: Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 19

Time: noon-5 pm

Details: Head to Santa’s Cabin in Bancroft Park to have your pictures made with our own Victorian Santa Claus. Santa’s Cabin will be open each weekend.

Location: Santa Fe Depot: Located one block south of Hwy 50 & 3rd Street, Canon City, CO 81212

Dates: Now through Dec. 30

Prices: Varies by dates and seats 

Details:

Join us for a journey to the North Pole in Colorado’s Royal Gorge and meet Santa Claus himself. The Santa Express Train is a winter wonderland, where children of all ages gather to make memories you’ll treasure year after year.

This year, the Santa Express Train travels to the North Pole in the Royal Gorge up to four times daily: 9:15 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Holiday spirit abounds aboard each train, where you’ll enjoy your favorite Christmas tunes and cheerful decor. During the journey, you and your family are welcome to order and enjoy lunch or dinner, as well as your favorites from our full bar, while we make our way through the Royal Gorge to pick up St. Nick.

Once the guest of honor boards the train, Santa will greet every child and give each of them a very special gift.

Location: Pikes Peak Harley-Davidson, 5867 N. Nevada Ave., Colorado Springs

Date: Dec. 11

Time: 11 am-2 pm

Details: The Big Guy is Back! Whether it’s your camera or ours, come get free pics with Santa himself!

Location: Ivywild School, 1604 S. Cascade

Date: Dec. 17

Time: 3-8 pm.

Details: Santa is coming to visit his friends and co-conspirators at Odds and Ends Emporium at our store in Ivywild School!

Visit with Santa on December 17, from 3-8pm, tell him your wishes for Christmas and take a snap shot for posterity. We will have limited edition and limited quantities of Polaroid photos for $5 each or you are welcome to take a picture with your camera or phone. Questions? Call us at the store, visit us, or shoot us a DM. We hope to see you there! Happy Holiday’s from Odds and Ends Emporium!!!
Location: Red Leg Brewing Company, 2323 Garden of the Gods Rd
Date: Dec. 4
Time: 11 am-3 pm
Details: Ho, Ho, Ho! Santa is coming to town! Bring the family down to Red Leg Brewing Company on Dec. 4th from 11-3 pm for photos with Santa! Families can get digital photos for FREE or $5 per print onsite. Santa is happy to take photos with well-behaved pups and cats, too!
We’ll also have hot chocolate, Sasquatch cookies, pup cups, and TONS of holiday cheer!
Photos are first come first serve, so please plan accordingly.

Location: Bass Pro Shops, 13012 Bass Pro Drive, Colorado Springs, CO  80921

Dates: Now thru December 24   

Times: See website (Advance reservations are required in all locations and can go quickly. Reserving is easy and free

Cost: FREE

Details: Colorado Springs area families are invited to enjoy this magical Christmas village offering free contact-free photos with Santa and free family holiday activities including fun crafts and games. The Santa’s Wonderland Christmas village offers activity tables where they can write a letter to Santa, color pictures, and do fun crafts, all for free. Families who visit Santa receive a free 4×6 studio-quality photo, as well as a free digital video greeting card to share on social media. Additional photo packages are also available for purchase and print instantly in the store.

 

Location: The Resource Exchange, 6385 Corporate Dr, Colorado Springs

Date: Dec. 11

Time: 10 am-1 pm

Details: Santa Claus is coming …back to TRE!! Join us for our family-friendly Drive-Thru Santa event with our friends from the Empty Stocking Fund Saturday, December 11th from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.! Remain toasty in your vehicle and be greeted by Santa’s elves, receive fun giveaways, see a few fun surprises, and of course — Santa!

A donation of $10 per car is suggested to benefit the Empty Stocking Fund. Open to the public.

Location: Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center 201 S. Fairview St. Woodland Park, Colorado 80863

Dates | Times:

Dec 11, Sat., 12:30pm-3:00pmWho’s That With the Red Hat?…Mrs. Claus and Santa want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and invite you to join them for a “Merry” afternoon of Christmas joy. Santa will be hearing the children’s Christmas wishes and handing out candy canes. Mrs. Claus will delight everyone with her puppets, silly props and songs. After the show everyone will make a special Christmas craft to take home. You can also make a craft for our tree and hang it up. You don’t want to miss this special holiday celebration! The fun starts at 12:30pm. Bring your camera and take a picture of you in front of our tree with Mrs. Claus and Santa! Treat bags will be handed out to each child. 12:30pm visit with Santa & Mrs. Claus, 1:00pm show starts.

Dec 19, Sun., 11:00am-2:00pm…Dec 22, Wed., 11:00am-2:00pmSanta and the Dinos…Make a trip to the Dinosaur Resource Center for a visit with Santa and the Dinosaurs! We will have our craft table available to make an ornament for our Christmas tree as well as one for yourselves. Join us for some Christmas fun! Included with museum admissions.

Price: Cost of Admission to Dinosaur Center

Guide to the Holidays