Christmas in central Iowa is nothing short of magical. From tree lightings and holiday light displays to holiday shows and multiple iterations of the Nutcracker, Des Moines is the place to be during the holiday season. The biggest star of all is, of course, Jolly Old St. Nick. And as it turns out, the man of the hour is pretty busy in DSM in the days leading up to Christmas. There are plenty of spots to take a photo with Santa or even have a special meal with Mr. Claus, plus dozens more ways to share a special holiday moment with the big guy, from riding the Santa Express to ice skating with him.
So grab a hot cocoa and read on for awesome Santa-in-the-city experiences to enjoy before he takes flight from the North Pole on Christmas Eve.
For even more Christmas and holiday fun, see our Holiday Fun Guide and visit the on-line Calendar.
Note: We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of this information. However, you should always verify dates, times, location, and other information before heading out to an event as circumstances may change.
Local Shops, Malls and Attractions Where Kids Can Have Their Photo Taken With Santa in the Des Moines Area
Bass Pro Shops
Santa’s Wonderland • 1000 Bass Pro Drive NW • Altoona, IA 50009 • (515) 957-5500
Santa arrives at Bass Pro Shops on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at 5:00 pm! Families are invited to tailgate at Bass Pro Shops for a festive parade to kick off the Christmas season, featuring Santa as he returns to open Santa’s Wonderland! Santa’s Wonderland experience will open in the store the following morning. (There will be no photo opps during this event.)
Santa will be at Bass Pro Shops November 5 to December 24, 2023
Enjoy the magic of Christmas at Bass Pro Shops Santa’s Wonderland! Photos can be taken with Santa every day starting November 5 through Christmas Eve. Advanced on-line reservations are highly recommended. One FREE Photo per family. Additional photos are available to purchase. Please visit www.basspro.com/santa for details on times and to make a reservation for photos. Reservations may be made seven days in advance.
Store Hours:
Sunday: 10:00 am to 7:00 pm
Monday through Saturday: 9:00 am to 9:00 pm
Jordan Creek Town Center
Sephora Promo Court Lower Level • 101 Jordan Creek Parkway • West Des Moines, IA 50266 • (515) 440-6255
If you’re looking for a fun and festive way to celebrate the holiday season, look no further! Santa arrives in style at Jordan Creek Town Center on November 17th. Enjoy holiday music in their amphitheater starting at 6:00 pm with a finale of Santa throwing a fireball across the lake magically lighting the 40-foot Blue Spruce followed by fireworks.
Santa will be at Jordan Creek Town Center November 18 to December 24, 2023
Guests are encouraged to make an advanced reservation prior to visiting and can be made here. Walk-in guests will be accepted on a space-available basis. In addition to their Pictures with Santa, they will also be hosting Santa Pet Pictures and Santa Cares visits both of which can be reserved on-line.
Mall Hours:
Sunday: 11:00 am to 6:00 pm
Monday through Thursday: 10:00 am to 8:00 pm
Friday and Saturday: 10:00 am to 9:00 pm
Holiday Hullabaloo!
Former Woodsmith Shop • 10320 Hickman Road • Clive, IA 50326
Santa will make a grand entrance at the Holiday Hullabaloo on Friday, November 24, 2023, just in time for children to capture a memorable photo with him!
Santa will be at Holiday Hullabaloo! Fridays Saturdays & Sundays November 24 to December 31, 2023
Kids will have the wonderful opportunity to share their Christmas wishes with Santa, take their own photos, or purchase one from a professional photographer. Santa will briefly take a cookie break from 2:30 to 3:00 pm.
Santa’s Hours:
Friday, November 24, Opening Day: 11:00 am to 6:00 pm
Saturdays: 11:00 am to 6:00 pm
Sundays: 12:00 to 5:00 pm
December 24: 11:00 am to 1:30 pm
Valley West Mall
Lower Level of Valley West Mall • 1551 Valley W Drive #400 • West Des Moines, IA 50266 • (515) 225-3631
Valley West Mall is rolling out the red carpet, because Santa arrives on Friday, November 24, 2023. Make your holiday shopping trip more fun by adding a Santa visit to your outing!
Santa will be at Valley West November 24 to December 24, 2023
Reservations to visit Santa are strongly recommended and can be made here. Pose for a free photo with Santa; there is no requirement to make any purchases to visit Santa. Additionally, Valley West will also host Sensory Santa sessions and offer Pet Photos.
Mall Hours:
Monday through Saturday: 11:00 am to 7:00 pm
Sunday: 12:00 noon to 6:00 pm
December 24: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Merle Hay Mall
Target Wing • 3800 Merle Hay Road • Des Moines, IA 50310 • (515) 276-8551
Santa arrives at Merle Hay Mall on Saturday, December 2, 2023. He will only be there on select days and will take an afternoon break each day, so be sure to check out the schedule before visiting the mall.
Santa will be at Merle Hay Mall SELECT DAYS December 11-24, 2023
The holiday cheer begins right here! Pay a visit to Merle Hay Mall for a Santa photo opportunity, and while you’re there, share your Christmas wish list with Santa! You can secure your Santa visit reservations by sending Merle Hay a message on Facebook or by calling.
Mall Hours:
Monday through Saturday: 10:00 am to 8:00 pm
Sunday: 12:00 noon to 5:30 pm
December 24: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Events and Outings Where You Can Meet Santa in the Des Moines Area
ARL Santa N’ Paws
Join ARL for their 37th annual Santa N’ Paws, November 2-19, 2023. Bring the whole family, humans and pets alike, for a photo to celebrate the 2023 holiday season. You don’t even have to own a pet, or even bring them to participate, holiday photos of any kind are welcome. Photos are taken at ARL Main, Element Hotel and West End Architecture. Please visit the website for dates, locations and to make a reservation.
Pictures with Santa Claus at Homemakers
Saturday, November 11 & Sunday, November 12, 2023 11:00 am to 3:00 pm Santa will be making a weekend trip to Des Moines. He wants to visit all the good boys and girls, so bring your Christmas lists and say “cheese!” Your FREE digital photo will be sent via email following the event.
Santa Express
Enjoy a round trip ride from the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad depot, to the North Pole, and return. Arrive in your pajamas and prepare for a great adventure. Santa is the star of the show, and he is available for photos. Many trips a day are offered on Friday, Saturday and Sunday November 24 through December 17. Visit the website to purchase tickets.
Christmas in Olde Town
Altoona Historical Society is hosting “Christmas in Olde Town” when they will have crafts for children, cookie decorating, hot chocolate and photos with Santa! Saturday, November 25, 2023 at 2:00 to 5:00 pm.
Breakfast with Santa at Holiday Hullabaloo!
Savor a delightful meal with Santa at the Holiday Hullabaloo! Multiple dates offered Saturday, November 25 and December 2, 9, 16 & 23, 2023. Children can share their Christmas wishes with Santa, and each child will receive a special gift. They’ll also capture the moment with a photo of your child and Santa. Mrs. Claus will lead a fun sugar cookie decorating activity and read a heartwarming holiday story. Reservations are required. Ticket Prices per Person: $35 for Ages 13+; $30 for Ages 4-12; $10 for Ages 0-3. Your ticket includes entrance to the Holiday Hullabaloo event. After breakfast, be sure to explore and enjoy all the activities and festivities at the Hullabaloo!
Clive Mayor’s Tree Lighting
Clive’s holiday lighting ceremony is on Friday, December 1, 2023 at the Clive City Hall and there will be a surprise visitor from the North Pole. There will also be snacks and activities for the kids. The event is FREE and open to the public from 5:30 to 7:00 pm.
Breakfast With Santa
Join Eastview Community Center for their annual Breakfast With Santa on Saturday, December 2, 2023. Enjoy a FREE pancake and sausage breakfast. Bring your camera and take pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus. There is a Cookie Walk where you can stock up on all your Holiday treats! $3 a dozen for treats, lots of fun, crafts, and balloon animals. Bring your whole family and enjoy a morning of fun!
Breakfast with Santa at the Outlets
Enjoy an exclusive Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, December 2, 2023 from 8:00 to 10:00 am. This ticketed event in conjunction with Jolly Holiday Lights is the perfect opportunity for children to share their wish lists with Santa while enjoying a delicious breakfast provided by Early Bird Brunch. Breakfast will be a build your own breakfast burrito/taco bar. Mini cinnamon rolls will be provided by Cinnaholic.
Jingle Bell Stroll
Celebrate the season at the Jingle Bell Stroll on Saturday, December 2, 2023! Walk along the holiday-themed loop with game and craft stations. Visit live reindeer, listen to some holiday tunes, and pick up a hot chocolate to keep you warm as you wander around the loop. Santa Claus will be available for a quick photo. Parents, relatives, or guardians, be sure to bring your phone or a camera to capture the holiday moment. Since you will not be able to chat long with Santa Claus, we invite you to bring a letter (with your address listed) and Des Moines Parks and Recreation will be sure he reads before he departs for the North Pole. Registration is required for this FREE event.
Skate with Santa
Enjoy a special opportunity to take to the ice at the MidAmerican Energy RecPlex in West Des Moines during to ice skate with Santa! Bring along the kids and a camera to capture pictures and skate around with Santa! Saturdays, December 2 & 9, 2023. $11 preregistration is required.
Miracle on 3rd Street
Enjoy an evening shopping experience surrounded by Uptown Ankeny’s holiday charm and over 50 animated Winter Wonderlights displays. Visit Santa and his reindeer on Friday, December 8, 2023 from 4:00 to 6:30 pm.
Breakfast with Santa
Kids will enjoy crafts and a light breakfast of donuts & muffins with Santa on Saturday, December 9, 2023 at Reclaimed Rails in Bondurant. Children will have the chance to chat with Santa, and have their photo taken. This FREE community event is brought to you by Real Advantage Partners Real Estate Team. Space is limited, so please sign up today!
Breakfast with Santa
Visit and have breakfast with Santa on Saturday, December 9, 2023 at Doanes Park Youth Center in Pleasant Hill. Reservations can be made for 8:00 am, 9:00 am or 10:00 am. Children can enjoy breakfast and pictures with Santa. This is a free event hosted by Pleasant Hill Parks and Recreation, but pre-registration is required.
Santa Run 5K
Celebrate the holidays running for a Claus! Join fellow Santas on a festive holiday jog through downtown Des Moines on Saturday, December 9, 2023. All registrants get a Santa Suit and a $10 gift certificate to Fleet Feet Des Moines at packet pickup. But, the REAL present is that $15 of your entry goes to one of several different local charities of your choice.
Santa and the Reindeer
Join the City of Urbandale on Saturday, December 9, 2023 at Charles Gabus Memorial Tree Park and meet Santa Claus and his reindeer! This event is FREE and fun for the whole family! No registration required.
Breakfast with Santa
Join West Des Moines Parks and Recreation for this fun, festive, holiday breakfast featuring Santa Claus himself at the Raccoon River Nature Lodge on Saturday, December 9, 2023. Registration is required and cost for ages 12+ is $8; ages 2 to 11 is $6; and kids under 2 years are FREE. The event features an all you can eat pancake breakfast catered by Chris Cakes.
Breakfast with Santa
Santa Claus is coming to Dave & Buster’s on Sunday, December 10, 2023! Skip the long line at the mall and score an exclusive meet & greet from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. Invite your family & friends along to visit their one-stop-Santa-shop and enjoy a morning of holiday fun. Ticket includes: All American Breakfast buffet ticket with soda, coffee & tea, a $10 Power Card® with Unlimited Video Game Play, early access to the store, personal photo with Santa, suggested 18% gratuity & taxes.
Receive a Letter from Santa in the Des Moines Area
Urbandale Parks & Recreation Letter from Santa
Kids will be thrilled to receive a letter from Santa. The letter will arrive approximately one week before Christmas. A unique and touching idea for all of your nieces, nephews or grandchildren no matter where they live! Registration deadline is December 6, 2023 for kids ages 10 and under. There is a $4 fee.
Waukee Letters From Santa
He’s making a list… and checking it twice. Because Santa Claus is so busy this time of year, he asked the Waukee Parks & Recreation Department to help put all the kids of Waukee on his Christmas Wish List. To receive a personalized letter from Santa, register between November 1 and 15, 2023. The cost is $5 per child.
West Des Moines Parks & Recreation Letter from Santa
Children aged 3-6 can receive a special letter from Santa. Register with West Des Moines Parks and Recreation by December 8, 2023, and they’ll ensure it’s sent. There is a $4 fee for this service.
Are you planning on visiting Santa? Know of a cool place to visit him? Let us know in the comments section below.
