We all know Santa is REALLY busy this year, but he still finds time to see all the children of Tucson before the big day.
Here is a list of places you might be able to spot Santa and get a photo with the jolly dude.Β
Downtown
Every year since 2016, Santa has set up shop on Congress Street. Families can stop by the holiday pop-up shop for crafts, sweet treats and more. Plus, there are holiday-inspired cocktails available for purchase for the grown-ups.
Miracle on Congress Street
Starting November 25, Santa and his elves will be downtown. In addition to Santa, the Miracle on Congress Street, located just west of Hub on Congress features free photos on Fridays, free arts and crafts activities, Christmas music and live performances. Free craft class for kids on Saturday, Dec.Β 16,Β 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Enjoy free sugar-cookie decorating and sweet treats courtesy of Hub Ice Cream Factory; hot cocoa and coffee will be available for purchase.
Find more informationΒ here.
If you go
When:Β Fridays, 4-9 p.m.; Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sundays 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.Β
Where: Just west of Hub,Β 260 E. Congress St.
Cost:Β Free
The Santa Experience
Book a private photo session for your children with Santa.Β
Where:Β Something Blue Photography,Β 312 S. Convent
When:Β Sunday, Dec. 10, 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Cost:Β For registration, pricing and availability emailΒ info@somethingbluephotography.net
For more informationΒ click here.
Breakfast with Santa
Rise and shine with Santa. Breakfast atΒ The Dutch Eatery & Refuge. EnjoyΒ a special breakfast menu including dutch pancakes, olliebollen, caramelized french toast, eggs benedict, quiche and more.Β
When:Β Saturday, Dec. 23,Β 9:30 a.m.Β and 11 a.m.
Where:Β Main Gate Square, 814 E. University Blvd.
Cost: $9-$19(plus tax)
For more information on this event click here.
Send a letter to Santa
If you haven't said "hello" to Santa in person yet, try sending him a letter.Β
TheΒ Postal History Foundation's Slusser LibraryΒ will be providing materials needed to write the perfect Santa letter β includingΒ paper, crayons and stickers. You can even write letters to love ones or create create holiday cards usingΒ Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa-themed postage stamps.Β
The crafting is free but you pay for postage to send your letters to the NorthΒ Pole.Β
When:Β Dec. 1-22, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where:Β Slusser Library,Β 920 N. First Ave.
Cost:Β Average postage rates.
Southern Arizona Transportation Museum Presents 13th Annual Holiday Express with Santa
Get a chance to talk and take a photo with Santa in front of 1673 Locomotive. you can enjoy holidayΒ music, write a letter to Santa, see the museumβs bilingual exhibits and live action model trains, listen to the storytelling of the Polar Express, climb into the 1673 Train, and see arts and crafts show. So much to do! Don't miss this free event.Β
When:Β Saturday, Dec. 16, 12-4 p.m.
Where:Β Β 414 N. Toole
Cost: Free
The Pueblo Express to Santa & Holiday Bash
Join in the holiday fun and go caroling with families and see Santa at Main Gate Square's Holiday Blvd Bash. You can participate in the holiday activities, like the holiday musical performance, marshmallow roasting, holiday crafts, and thereβs even snow in the forecast!Β The Pueblo Express will be leaving at 2pm sharp from the Mercado Station on Avenida Del Convento. A regular Sun Link day pass is required to ride, children 5 and under ride free. Space is limited and no reserved passes are available.
Where:Β Main Gate Square - University Boulevard, 814 E. University Blvd
When:Β Sunday, Dec. 17, 2-5:30 p.m.
Cost: Free to attend, tickets for rides are free for 5 yr old and younger
CentralΒ
Rooftop Santa Show
The Peter Howell Neighborhood Association is hosting the annual Rooftop Santa event. There will be live music, hot chocolate, cookies, and a chance to meet jolly Santa Claus.Β
If you go
When:Β Friday, Dec. 23, two shows - 6:30 and 8 p.m.
Where:Β Peter Howell Neighborhood,Β 4218 E. Irving Circle
Cost:Β Free, but bring a canned food donation.
Santa at the Tucson Mall.
Photos with Santa at the Tucson Mall
Get last-minute holiday shopping and photos with Santa done in one spot at the Tucson Mall. And here's an elf tip, avoid the long lines andΒ reserve a time to meet Santa here. You can also save 30 percent off your photo purchase if you preorder.
If you go
When:Β Now until Dec. 24.
Hours:Β Monday-Friday, Nov. 10 to Dec. 14, 11 a.m to 8 p.m. and Sundays 12-6 p.m.(Closed on Thanksgiving);Β Monday-Friday, Dec. 15-23, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Dec. 17 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. andΒ Christmas Eve, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.(Closed Christmas Day).
Where:Β Tucson Mall,Β 4500 N. Oracle Road
Cost:Β Visiting Santa is free, but the price of photos varies.Β
Santa Claus is Coming to BookmansΒ
Santa is coming to town and he's stopping at every Bookmans store to bring a little bit of holiday magic and cheer to all.
Where:Β All Bookman locations
When:Β Dec. 9, 16 and 23. ClickΒ hereΒ for times.
Cost:Β Event is free to attend
For more informationΒ click here.
East
Themed Photo Nights with Santa
More Santa fun is happening at the Park Place Mall, now until Dec. 24.
More Santa fun is happening at the Park Place Mall, now until Dec. 24. Beat the long lines and reserve a time toΒ meet the big guy here, you can also save some cash if you buy your photos in advance.
If you go
When:Β Nov. 10 to Dec. 11
Hours/Themes:Β
Pet Nights: Nov. 13 to Dec. 11,Β Mondays 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.Β
Holiday PJ Night: Dec. 8,Β 5-8 p.m.
Ugly Sweater Night: Dec. 1, 5-8 p.m.
Where:Β Park Place Mall,Β 5870 Broadway Blvd.
Cost:Β Visiting Santa is free, but the price of photos varies.Β
Santa at Harlow Gardens
Bring your kids, pets and camera to take a picture with Santa. Your children also get to make their own Christmas ornament to take home with them.
Where:Β Harlow Gardens,Β 5620 E. Pima St.
When:Β Saturday, Dec. 9, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Cost:Β Free
For more informationΒ click here.
Northwest
Santa Adoption PartyΒ
Take your furry friend to see Santa Claus. Santa will be posing for family photos and handing out gifts. While you're there, go see pets looking for a home during this holiday season. These adoptable pets would love to lay under your tree.
Where: Pima Animal Care Center,Β 4000 N. Silverbell Road
When: Saturday, Dec. 9 and Sunday, Dec. 10, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: Event is free to attend
For more information click here.
Santa Experience at Tucson Premium Outlets
Hang out with good ol' Saint Nick and get photos taken with your furry friend or your family. There will also be story time with Santa on Saturdays from noon to 1 p.m. and pet photos will be scheduled Sundays from 4-5 p.m.Β
If you go
When:Β Santa Photos, Fridays-Sundays, Dec. 1-24, 12-5 p.m.
Where:Β Tucson Premium Outlets,Β 6401 W. Marana Center Blvd.Β
Cost:Β Free
For more informationΒ click here.
West
Holiday Celebration at Old Tucson
Old Tucson has an Old West holiday theme with musicals, comedy shows, caroling and a hay wagon ride with Santa.Β
If you go
When:Β Friday-Sunday Nov. 24 to Dec. 10, 12 p.m.;Β Friday and Saturday Dec. 15-23, 12 p.m. Closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Where:Β Old Tucson,Β 201 S. Kinney Rd.
Cost:Β Adults 12 and older, $18.95; children 4-11, $10.95; and children 3-and-under are free.
Find more informationΒ here.
