Where to see Santa in Cincinnati in 2023

The Jolly Ole Elf is a busy man this time of year, with all the making and checking of lists and whatnot. He's in high demand all over town, so his personal assistant has given us a glimpse of his itinerary, and we're sharing it with you.

Nov. 1-Dec. 23: Meet Santa at Christmas Market Village, 2-8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, noon-6 p.m. Sunday, Rising Star Casino, 777 Rising Star Drive, Rising Sun. Kids can meet Santa in the market village and let him know their wishes. Santa will also be at the casino from noon-4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 1. Kids can also meet other Christmas characters, including Olaf, Cindy Lou Who, The Grinch, Elf on a Shelf and Buddy the Elf, and get photos taken with them during special hours: 6-8 p.m. Fridays, 2-4 p.m. Saturdays, 1-3 p.m. Sundays. risingstarcasino.com.

Nov. 4-Dec. 24: Santa's Wonderland, all Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's stores. Families can visit Santa's Wonderland in-store and receive a free 4x6 photo with Santa, as well as a festive video. All visitors receive candy canes, and specials gifts while supplies last. Nov. 5-15: Wood ornaments with markers; Nov. 19-Dec. 2: Christmas countdown craft; Dec. 3-24: Christmas activity book with markers. Free. basspro.com.

Nov. 17-Dec. 23: The Christmas Ranch, 5-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 5-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 3205 S. Waynesville Road, Morrow. Enjoy lighted displays, six Christmas shops, train and wagon rides, Santa's bakery and cafe, pictures with Santa and more. Closed Thanksgiving day. A portion of proceeds benefits Shriners Hospital for Children, St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, Neediest Kids of All, and Little Miami Food Pantry. Runs Nov. 17-Dec. 23. $37 per carload, $47 per oversized van (10-plus passengers), free parking. thechristmasranch.com.

Nov. 17-Dec. 23:PNC Festival of Lights, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, 3400 Vine St., Avondale. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available from 4 p.m. daily. Cincinnatizoo.org.

Nov. 18-20: Christmas in Springboro: Winter Wonderland, 6-10 p.m. Friday, noon-10 p.m. Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday, Market, South and State streets, Springboro. Holiday entertainment all weekend. Tree lighting Friday, 5K and holiday parade Saturday. Photos with Santa 6-7:30 p.m. Friday, 4:30-5:30 p.m. Saturday, noon-1 p.m. and 2-3 p.m. Sunday. Springborofestivals.org.

Nov. 18-Dec. 23: Santa on the Levee, noon-6 p.m. Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday, Newport on the Levee, 1 Levee Way, Newport. Santa visits weekends and there's no appointment needed. You can take photos with him, too. Santa's hours on Nov. 18 are 1:30-5:30 p.m. Free. newportonthelevee.com.

Nov. 19: Pictures with Santa Paws, 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Allie's Walkabout, 2844 Crescent Springs Pike, Erlanger. Bring the doggos and kiddos for winter wonderland fun and photos with Santa. Benefits Second Shot Rescue Photography. allieswalkabout.com.

Nov. 24-Dec. 17: Santa's Workshop, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Washington Park, 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Santa will be greeting children and listening to wish lists every weekend through Dec. 17, including Black Friday.

Nov. 24-Dec. 23: Santa Visits, Cincinnati Museum Center, 1301 Western Ave., Queensgate. Santa makes his airborne arrival on Friday, Nov. 24 and will be sitting by his fireplace waiting for boys and girls to give him their wish lists. Runs Nov. 24-Dec. 23. Museum is closed Tuesday-Wednesday. cincymuseum.org.

Nov. 24-Jan. 8: Snowland, daily, Great Wolf Lodge, 2501 Great Wolf Drive, Mason. Enjoy daily snow showers, visits from Santa, seasonally-themed crafts, holiday stories and songs and more for the whole family. greatwolf.com.

Nov. 24: Holiday Lights, 5-7 p.m., Bridgewater Falls, 3385 Princeton Road, Fairfield Township. Train rides, polar bear slide, giant snow globe, iceless skating rink, gingerbread playland, snow axe throwing, festive music. Tree lighting at 5:30 p.m. followed by Santa arrival by fire truck. Free. shopbridgewaterfalls.com.

Nov. 24-Dec. 17, Dec. 21-23:Holidays on the Farm, 5-9 p.m., Parky’s Farm, 10073 Daly Road, Springfield Township. Features holiday lights, Santa’s reindeer, pony and wagon rides, caroling and other entertainment, beer garden, food trucks and new this year, the wintertime sport of curling. Interactive train display and Santa will be greeting everyone in Santaland. Runs Friday-Sunday Nov. 24-Dec. 17, plus Dec. 21-23 and Dec. 26-31. $15, $12 advance. Greatparks.org.

Nov. 24-Dec. 24: Santa Visits Deck the Y'alls Lightfest, 5:30-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Thomas More Stadium, 7950 Freedom Way, Florence. Santa will be under the tree inside the ballpark to hear children's wish lists. Closed Nov. 27 and Dec. 4. Admission: $16, $12 ages 12-under; $72 family package includes 4 entry tickets, 4 ice skating tickets and 4 s'mores pack vouchers. $7 per person ice skating includes skate rental. decktheyalls.com.

Nov. 24-Dec. 24: Scuba Santa's Water Wonderland, daily, Newport Aquarium, 1 Levee Way, Newport. Visit with Scuba Santa, enjoy colorful lights, playful penguins and magic bubbles. Runs Nov. 24-Dec. 24. newportaquarium.com.

Nov. 24-Dec. 16:Yuletide Village Season of Lights, 5-9 p.m. Friday, 3-9 p.m. Saturday, Renaissance Park, 10542 E. State Route 73, Harveysburg. Closed Sunday-Thursday. Light shows, photos with Santa and/or Krampus, petting zoo, mini train ride, pony rides, craft and merchandise vendors, food and more. Runs Nov. 24-Dec. 16. $15. yuletidevillage.com.

Nov. 25: Mount Washington Holiday Walk, 4-8 p.m., Mount Washington. Entertainment, activities, food and special visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. Tower lighting ceremony at 6:30 p.m. Free. andersonareachamber.org.

Nov. 25: Santa Parade, 4 p.m., Governor's Square, corner of S. Broad St. and Central Ave., Middletown. Parade travels from Curtis St. down Central Ave. to the square. Free.

Dec. 2: Santa Fly-In, 10-11:30 a.m., Tri-State Warbird Museum, 4021 Borman Drive, Batavia. Santa will land at the museum and be available to meet with kids until 11:30 a.m. Enjoy hot drinks, cookies, crafts and fun activities. $12, $7 children, free ages 3-under. tri-statewarbirdmuseum.org.

Dec. 2: Horse Drawn Carriage Parade and Christmas Festival, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Mulberry, Mechanic and Broadway streets, Lebanon. Parades at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Santa will be at the corner of Mulberry and Cherry streets from 10:30-noon and 4-6 p.m. to hear children's wish lists. Free. lebanonchamber.org.

Dec. 2: Springdale Santa 5K, 9 a.m., Springdale Parks & Recreation, 11999 Lawnview Ave., Springdale. Wear your Santa suit or holiday attire and race for a good cause. Cheer zones, holiday music, visit from Santa. All participants get race shirt and orna-medal. Afterward, visit Christmas Vendor Village and get photos with Santa. Benefits Springdale Offering Support. $20. eventbrite.com.

Dec. 2: Santa 5K Fun Run, 1 p.m., Independence Fire Station No. 1, 1980 Delaware Crossing, Independence. Includes race shirt, Santa hat and goodie bag. Participants encouraged to wear Santa or other holiday items. Prizes for top finishers. $25. ibanky.org.

Dec. 2: Country Christmas, 4:30-7:30 p.m., Downtown Williamstown. Pancake supper with Santa, live nativity, parade, tree lighting ceremony and more. Visitgrantky.com.

Dec. 2: Holiday in the Village, 5-7:30 p.m., Neuilly-Plaisance Plaza, 7833 Cooper Road, Montgomery. Holiday tree lighting, visit with Santa, create a craft in Mrs. Claus' workshop, enjoy horse and carriage ride, free refreshments. montgomeryohio.gov.

Dec. 3: Santa Visits, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Imagination Alley, 1317 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine. Free.

Dec. 3: Lunch with Santa, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., The Grove Event Center, 9158 Winton Road, Springfield Township. Enjoy pizza and cookies, a performance of Twas the Night Before Christmas by MadCap Puppets, crafts, hayride through street. Santa arrives at 1 p.m. with goodies. Fee includes 4x6 photo with Santa. $18 children, $8 adults, free ages 23 months and under. theartsconnect.us.

Dec. 3: St. Nikolaus Fest, 1-5 p.m., German Heritage Museum, 4764 West Fork Road, Green Township. Kids can meet St. Nikolaus, and Krampuslauf Zinzinnati will present a child-friendly Krampus as a reminder of good behavior. Apple cider, juice, stollen and cookies available.

Dec. 9: A Merry Little Christmas Celebration, 5-7 p.m., Rising Sun Visitor Center, 217 N. High St., Rising Sun. Enjoy movie "The Santa Clause" under heated pavilion, plus visit with Santa. Free. enjoyrisingsun.com.

Dec. 9: Breakfast with Santa, Elves, Anna & Elsa, 10 a.m.-noon, Receptions Event Center, 5975 Boymel Drive, Fairfield. Includes breakfast buffet, singing and story time with Disney princesses, and photos with Santa. $34.95. 513-860-4100; receptionsinc.com.

Dec. 9: Breakfast with Santa, 8:30-10 a.m., Terwilliger Lodge, 10530 Deerfield Road, Montgomery. All-you-can-eat pancakes served up by City of Montgomery volunteers. Get family photos taken with Santa. Bring non-perishable item for Matthew 25 Ministries. Register: montgomeryohio.gov.

Dec. 9: Breakfast with Santa, 9-11 a.m., Withamsville Tobasco Elementary School, 3950 Britton Blvd., Withamsville. Enjoy donuts, crafts, games, music and family photos with Santa. Free. eventbrite.com.

Dec. 9: SantaCon, noon-midnight p.m., Hard Rock Casino, 1000 Broadway, Downtown. Revelers pick up wristbands at the casino, then hit the streets and bars of Downtown, The Banks, Over-the-Rhine, Mount Adams, Newport and Covington dressed in Santa outfits, ugly sweaters, reindeer costumes and more. Ages 21-up. Benefits The Cure Starts Now. cincinnatisantacon.com.

Dec. 9-10: Breakfast with Santa, 9 a.m., Maggiano's Little Italy, 7875 Montgomery Road, Sycamore Township. Enjoy breakfast from 9-10 a.m. followed by face painting, cookie decorating, crafts, and pictures with Santa. $40, $35 children. 513-794-0672; eventbrite.com.

Dec. 10: Pioneer Christmas, 1-4 p.m., Keehner Park, 7211 Barret Road, West Chester Township. Enter the 18233 log cabin and step back in time. Enjoy molasses cookies, apple cider and traditional pioneer fare. Photos with Santa, and kids go home with candy cane. Free. westchesteroh.org.

Dec. 11: Santa Visits Winter Wonderland Ice Rink, 2-5 p.m., Todd Creech Park, 305 W. Tate St., Lawrenceburg. Free photos. Skating sessions: $8 ages 13-up, $6 ages 12-under. downtownlawrenceburg.com.

Dec. 16: Santa Run 5K and 1 Mile, 11 a.m., Middletown City Building Plaza, 1 Donham Plaza, Middletown. Participants receive Santa hat and unique keepsake ornament. Prizes for top finishers. $25. runsignup.com.

Dec. 16: Breakfast with Santa, 10 a.m.-noon, Bell Event Center, 444 Reading Road, Pendleton. Capture the magic with a photo booth session wit Santa, enjoy holiday music, activities and crafts. Breakfast buffet, hot chocolate station and more. $35, $25 ages 12-under. tinyurl.com/bellsanta.

Dec. 16-17: Breakfast with Santa, 9 a.m., Maggiano's Little Italy, 7875 Montgomery Road, Sycamore Township. Enjoy breakfast from 9-10 a.m. followed by face painting, cookie decorating, crafts, and pictures with Santa. $40, $35 children. 513-794-0672; eventbrite.com.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Where to see Santa in Cincinnati for the 2023 holiday season