Santa Claus is comin' to town. Here are 15 places to see Santa in Springfield this month

Greta Cross, Springfield News-Leader

Pull out the advent calendar because Christmas is less than 20 days away. If you're looking to snap a photo for a last-minute holiday card or just one to pin to the fridge, Santa Claus is visiting several businesses around the Ozarks.

The News-Leader compiled a list of 15 different places to see Santa Claus and other holiday characters in and around Springfield this holiday season.

Park Central Square

Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Mayor's Tree Lighting and Holiday Show on Park Central Square in Springfield on Nov. 18, 2023.
Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Mayor's Tree Lighting and Holiday Show on Park Central Square in Springfield on Nov. 18, 2023.

When: Dec. 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, and 23 from 6-8 p.m.

Where: Park Central Square

Every Friday and Saturday evening at Park Central Square, Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus will be available for free photos in the Santa House under the Mayor's Tree. In conjunction with the weekend events, the Jordan Valley Ice Park is offering free ice skating with $3 skate rentals on Dec. 23 and Dec. 25 from 7-8:30 p.m.

Renegade Harley-Davidson

When: Dec. 9, 16, 23 from 1-3 p.m.

Where: Renegade Harley-Davidson at 3980 W. Sunshine St.

Santa Claus is riding over to Renegade Harley-Davidson for photos every Saturday until Christmas. Folks are encouraged to bring their own cameras for photos. Harley-Davidson holiday gifts will be available for purchase.

Pat Jones YMCA

When: Saturday, Dec. 9 at 9 a.m.

Where: Pat Jones YMCA at 1901 E. Republic Road

During Pat Jones YMCA's holiday party with Santa Claus, children will get a free photo and a holiday treat.

The Big Slice South

When: Saturday, Dec. 9 from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Where: The Big Slice at 4126 S. Kansas Expressway

In preparation for his busy night later this month, Santa Claus is stopping in at The Big Slice. Families will have the chance to get free photos with Santa at the pizza restaurant.

University Heights Baptist Church

When: Saturday, Dec. 9 from 4-6:30 p.m.

Where: University Heights Baptist Church at 1010 S. National Ave.

University Heights Baptist Church's Rountree Jolly Jamboree will feature free professional photos with Santa Claus, hot chocolate, cookies, children's books and a gingerbread nativity activity. The event is free and open to the public.

Harrison House Market

When: Saturday, Dec. 9 from 3-5 p.m.

Where: Harrison House Market at 1717 E. Cherokee St. Suite 103

Harrison House Market, a locally-owned department store in Springfield, welcomes families to visit Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus during its holiday event. For $20, families may take a Polaroid photo with Santa, enjoy hot chocolate and decorate Christmas cookies.

Fetch Pet Supplies & Gifts

When: Monday, Dec. 11 from 4-8 p.m.

Where: Fetch Pet Supplies & Gifts at 1332 E. Republic Road

Furry friends deserve to have their photos taken with Santa too! For $10, pet owners may bring their animals to Fetch Pet Supplies & Gifts to get a photo with Santa Claus. All proceeds will benefit the SAAF Spay Neuter Clinic. Appointments are not necessary and photos will be emailed to pet owners afterward.

Jungle Gym Indoor Playground

When: Saturday, Dec. 16 from 10 a.m. to noon

Where: Jungle Gym Indoor Playground at 3322 S. Campbell Ave. Suite GG

During Santa Claus' visit to Jungle Gym, children may get their photo taken, complete a holiday-themed coloring page and write Santa a letter. The event is free with admission to Jungle Gym. Admission is $12 for children ages 2-8 and $7 for toddlers. The first two adults per a family unit are free.

Battlefield Road Hy-Vee

When: Monday, Dec. 18 from 4-7 p.m.

Where: Hy-Vee at 1720 W. Battlefield Road

The Hy-Vee on Battlefield Road is offering free photos with Santa Claus and his reindeer, available for the whole family.

Bass Pro Shops

Skyler Perez, 5, and Santa Claus say "love" in sign language as they have their picture taken at Bass Pro Shops on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019. Santa was using sign language to communicate with deaf and hard-of-hearing children.
Skyler Perez, 5, and Santa Claus say "love" in sign language as they have their picture taken at Bass Pro Shops on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019. Santa was using sign language to communicate with deaf and hard-of-hearing children.

When: Through Dec. 24

Where: Bass Pro Shops in 1 Bass Pro Drive

Santa's Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops is open through Christmas Eve. With an online registration, families may receive a free 4x6 photo with Santa Claus. A mailbox for letters to Santa will also be available for free.

To register, visit the Bass Pro Shops' website at basspro.com/shop/en/santas-wonderland. Select the Springfield store along with a preferred date and time. At the store, show your online registration confirmation to check-in.

Wonders of Wildlife

Scuba Claus drops into the fish tank at Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021. Scuba Claus will return to the aquarium on Dec. 7, Dec. 15, and Dec. 21.
Scuba Claus drops into the fish tank at Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021. Scuba Claus will return to the aquarium on Dec. 7, Dec. 15, and Dec. 21.

When: Dec. 8, 12, 15, 19 and 22

Where: Wonders Of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium at 500 W. Sunshine St.

Looking for different type of Santa Claus experience this year? Wonders Of Wildlife is hosting its annual SEAson of Wonder, featuring Scuba Claus. Scuba Claus and his helper Peppermint will be diving into the Great Barrier Reef exhibit several days this month. Seeing Scuba Claus is free with a ticket to the museum and aquarium. Additional packages, which include story time with Scuba Claus and Mrs. Claus, snacks, activities and scavenger hunts are also available. For more information, visit the Wonders Of Wildlife website at wondersofwildlife.org/holidays.

Battlefield Mall

When: Through Dec. 24

Where: Battlefield Mall at 2825 S. Glenstone Ave.

Battlefield Mall's Santa Photo Experience is available through Christmas Eve too. Families may make reservations on the Simon Property Group website at simon.com/mall/battlefield-mall/stores/santa-photo-experience. Photo packages range from $40-50. All packages come with a phone call from Santa too. On Sunday, Dec. 10, furry friends can get their photos with Santa from 6:30-7:30 p.m.

More: 25+ things to do in December, including the annual downtown Springfield Christmas Parade

Chesterfield Family Center

When: Saturday, Dec. 16 from 6-7 p.m.

Where: Chesterfield Family Center at 2511 W. Republic Road

The Springfield-Greene County Park Board is hosting its annual Swim with Santa, where families can get photos with Santa Claus underwater or just above the surface. Holiday ornament craft kits will also be available. Registration is available on the Springfield-Greene County Park Board website. Registration is $20 for non-members and $10 for members.

If you're willing to drive a bit outside of Springfield, there are a few other businesses offering holiday events with Santa Claus in the Ozarks.

Jennings Barber Station

When: Saturday, Dec. 16 from 2:30-4:30 p.m.

Where: Jennings Barber Station at 235 U.S. Highway W. 60 in Republic

Jennings Barber Station, a barbershop in Republic, is hosting Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus with free hot chocolate, cookies, crafts and a few other surprise guests.

Big Cedar Lodge

Santa visits with a youngster at Big Cedar Lodge.
Santa visits with a youngster at Big Cedar Lodge.

When: Various dates and times through Dec. 25

Where: 190 Top of the Rock Road in Ridgedale

Big Cedar Lodge is hosting several different events with Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus throughout the holiday season. Traditional photos with Santa will be available in the Falls Lodge Lobby on select dates through December. Reservations can be made on the Big Cedar Lodge website at bigcedar.com/activity/photo-with-santa-at-falls-lodge-lobby. Reservations are $30, which includes a 10-minute timeslot and printed photos.

Mrs. Claus will be reading children's Christmas stories in the Falls Lodge Lobby every Friday from 2-2:30 p.m. in December. Storytime is free but a reservation is required. Reservations can be made on the Big Cedar Lodge website at bigcedar.com/activity/storytime-with-mrs-claus.

Santa is eating breakfast with families on Dec. 9, 10, 16, 17, 23 and 24 from 7-11 a.m. The menu includes assorted pastries and cookies, Greek yogurt parfaits, fresh fruit salad, Belgian waffles, French toast, scrambled eggs, smoked bacon and country sausage, country potatoes, an omelet station and Santa's Cupcake Wall. Adult tickets are $48 and children tickets are $28. Children under the age of five are free. Book a spot on the Big Cedar Lodge website at bigcedar.com/activity/breakfast-with-santa.

Families interested in a personalized experience can book Santa to come visit them at their room throughout December between 7-10 p.m. and on Christmas from 7-10 a.m. Reservations are required and can be made on the Big Cedar Lodge website at bigcedar.com/activity/santa-visits. Reservations are $65 per child.

Greta Cross is the trending topics reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretacrossphoto. Story idea? Email her at gcross@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: 15 places to get photos with Santa in Springfield, including Bass Pro

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