Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, the magic of the holiday season still shines brightly. While photos with Santa may look a little different this year, there still are many opportunities in the greater Cleveland/Akron area to take your kids to visit jolly old St. Nick.
Check the list below for some fun, safe opportunities to spot Santa in the region.
(While we make every effort to keep events up-to-date, unforeseen closures or changes may occur. Please check with venues before attending an event to ensure times and availability are valid and to understand health guidelines.)
ONGOING
Through December 24
eVisit With Mr. Kringle. Have a magical holiday experience from the comfort of your own home by booking a virtual visit with Mr. Kringle. Whether a pre-recorded video or a streaming Santa visit, Mr. Kringle offers delightful new traditions guaranteed to make any spirit bright. mrkringle.com
Visit Santa at Beachwood Place. Visit the Lower Level Dillard’s Wing to get your professional pics with Santa taken. Santa will meet with guests in a touch-free, socially distanced manner. Reservations are required. 26300 Cedar Road, Beachwood, beachwoodplace.com
Visit Santa at Belden Village Mall. Reservations are strongly encouraged with walk-up visits available as space allows throughout the day. Best practices will be followed: maintaining social distance, face masks required for everyone and enhanced cleaning between visits. 4230 Belden Village Mall, Canton, shoppingbeldenvillagemall.com/events/santa-at-belden-village-mall
Visit Santa at Cabela’s Avon. Families who visit Santa receive a free 4×6 studio-quality photo, as well as a free shareable video when you provide your email address. Additional photo packages are also available for purchase and print instantly at the store. Advance reservations required. 35685 Chester Road, Avon, cabelas.com/shop/en/santas-wonderland
Visit Santa at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Guests can take photos with Santa Claus in the Wolf Lodge during select daytime visits throughout the holiday season, as well as the Wild Winter Lights walk-through experience. Personal photography is not permitted during the daytime experience. To allow for proper social distancing, guests are strongly encouraged to purchase their tickets in advance. 3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland, clevelandmetroparks.com/zoo
Visit Santa at Crocker Park. Monday through Saturday from noon-8 p.m. and Sundays from noon-6 p.m. Located inside Santa’s Village near Bath & Body Works. Santa will be located in a separate chair, six feet apart from the child’s chair, so they can talk about their wish list. Santa will then have a few socially distanced opportunities for a photo with the child or group, without sitting on his lap. 177 Market St., Westlake, crockerpark.com
Visit Santa at Great Lakes Mall. Families can safely meet and greet Santa in the Dillard’s Concourse. Children will have the opportunity to engage in a socially distant conversation and safely pose for a picture. Advance reservations are strongly recommended. 7850 Mentor Ave., Mentor, shopgreatlakesmall.com
Visit Santa at Great Northern Mall. Reservations are strongly encouraged with walk-up visits available as space allows throughout the day. Best practices will be followed: maintaining social distance, face masks required for everyone and enhanced cleaning between visits. 4954 Great Northern Mall, North Olmsted, shoppinggreatnorthernmall.com/events/santa-at-great-northern-mall
Visit Santa at Great Lakes Mall. Advance registration is strongly encouraged in order to promote social distancing and contactless payment for photo packages. Walk-up visits will be permitted as space allows.Monday through Saturday,11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Santa will have special hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Dec. 24. Guests can book their reservation time in advance here.Also, virtual options are available to allow families to enjoy holiday traditions. More information is available here Great Lakes Mall, 7850 Mentor Avenue, suite 250Mentor,shopgreatlakesmall.com.
Visit Santa at SouthPark Mall. Reservations are strongly encouraged with walk-up visits available as space allows throughout the day. Best practices will be followed: maintaining social distance, face masks required for everyone and enhanced cleaning between visits. 500 SouthPark Center, Strongsville, shoppingsouthparkmall.com/events/santa-at-southpark-mall
Visit Santa at Summit Mall. Lights, camera, Santa! Advanced reservations are strongly encouraged for this socially-distanced experience. Santa and his helpers will be wearing masks throughout the duration of your visit. 3265 W. Market St., Fairlawn, simon.com/mall/summit-mall
DAY-BY-DAY
December 9, 13, & 16
Santa Nights at Lakeview Park. Enjoy Lorain County Metro Parks’ free Lights on the Lake Drive-Thru lighted holiday display at Lakeview Park and catch a glimpse of Santa. You won’t be permitted to exit your vehicle, but his elves will collect letters to Santa. Plus, Santa will read some of those letters on the park district’s Facebook page. 6:30-8:30 p.m. 1800 W. Erie Ave., Lorain, loraincountymetroparks.com/holiday-events
December 10 & 17
Santa Nights at Carlisle Equestrian Center. Enjoy the Lorain County Metro Parks Holiday Lights Cruise-Thru From the comfort of your vehicle and catch a glimpse of Santa. You won’t be permitted to exit your vehicle, but his elves will collect letters to Santa. Plus, Santa will read some of those letters on the park district’s Facebook page. Admission is free; visitors are asked to bring one non-perishable food item to be donated to Second Harvest Food Bank. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Carlisle Reservation Equestrian Center, 13630 Diagonal Road, LaGrange, loraincountymetroparks.com/holiday-events
December 10, 11, 12, 17, 18 & 19
Scuba Claus Meet and Greet Days. After guests tour the aquarium and complete an animal spotting activity, they can stop to talk to Scuba Claus while he’s underwater. An aquarium team member will be on-hand to snap a complimentary digital photo with Scuba Claus. All children will receive a sticker, temporary tattoo, activity book and craft. Thursdays & Fridays 4:30-7 p.m.; Saturdays 8:30-10 a.m. Greater Cleveland Aquarium, 2000 Sycamore St., Cleveland, greaterclevelandaquarium.com
December 10-23 & 26-30
Deck the Hall 2020: A Very Merry Christmas. The Manor House features a first-floor tour decorated with snowmen, elves, nutcrackers and plenty of nostalgia. The house and gardens are illuminated with more than one million holiday lights. Santa is located in Rudolph’s Corral, holding safe visits separated by plexiglass. 5-8 p.m. Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, 714 N. Portage Path, Akron, stanhywet.org/events/deck-hall-2020-very-merry-christmas
December 12, 13, 19 & 20
Visit Santa at the Burton Chamber Log Cabin. Visits with the Claus couple by appointment only in 15-minute intervals. Call 440-834-4204 to schedule your personal visit. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. 14590 E. Park St., Burton, facebook.com/BurtonBCOC/posts/3114256882118988
December 12
Santa’s Stories with Mrs. Claus at noon at the Great Lakes Mall in Mentor. Registration for Santa Stories is required;Great Lakes Mall, 7850 Mentor Avenue, suite 250Mentor, shopgreatlakesmall.com.
December 13
Brunch & Lunch with Santa. Guests will be spaced according to social distancing guidelines, throughout the entire venue, and replacing the traditional buffet will be a family style meal brought to each table. Santa will be on hand, but behind a plexi shield barrier. Families will be called up by table to say hello and safely take their photo with Santa. Reservation times are available between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. StoneWater Golf Club, 1 Club Drive, Highland Heights, stonewatergolf.com
Make Believe Holiday Party. Enjoy a visit with Santa, unlimited attractions and arcade, Christmas music and movies, crafts and activities, refreshments and more. Advance ticket purchase required. Make Believe Family Fun Center, 8303 Day Drive, Parma, makebelieveparma.com/specials
December 23
Santa & Mrs. Claus at Cafe O’Play. The Kringles will be in the party rooms for photos and wish lists from all the good girls and boys. Event is free with paid admission. 6-8 p.m. 911 Graham Road, Stow, cafeoplay.com or facebook.com/events/406484397192827
