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Visit with Santa in West Michigan

Visiting with Santa during the holidays is a magical tradition that brings the spirit of Christmas to life. Whether at a local business or a festive event, children and families eagerly line up to meet Santa Claus, ready to share their Christmas wishes. The atmosphere is filled with joy and excitement as the jolly man in red listens attentively, offering a warm smile, and sometimes even a gentle laugh. The air is filled with the scent of pine, cinnamon, and holiday treats, creating a nostalgic sense of wonder.

For parents, it’s a heartwarming moment, capturing the innocence and magic of the season, while for kids, it’s a cherished memory that adds to the enchantment of Christmas.

Here's the most current schedule of where you can find Santa in West Michigan:

December 2024

5th-8th – Victorian Sleighbell Parade & Old Christmas Weekend in Downtown Manistee.
6th – Christmas in Baldwin – Parade line up begins at 5pm. There will also be visits with Santa, tree lighting, cocoa, tunnel of lights, and music by the Baldwin Community School Band. Downtown Baldwin. For more info, visit facebook.com.
7th – Breakfast with Santa from 7-9am at The Jolly Plate- 2516 N. US-31, Scottville.
7th – Pet Portraits with Santa from 1-3pm at Patina- 4850 Main St., Onekama. Donations benefit Homeward Bound Animal Shelter. No appointments necesssary. Just sign in and wait in your car.
7th – Visit Santa from 2-4pm at Rosaleen Activewear/House & Harbor Mercantile- 102 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington.
14th – Visit with Santa from 9:30-11:30am at North Country Cafe- 110 N. Main St., Scottville. Visit with and get photos with Santa.
14th – Pup Photos with Santa from 10am-1pm at Wags to Wiskers- 4815 W. US-10, Ludington. Bring pups for pictures with Santa. Donations will be taken for the local humane society during the event. A $5 minimum donation is suggested. All photos will be posted on Facebook for a photo contest. The winner will receive a $25 Wags To Wiskers gift card.
14th – Visit with Santa from 12-3pm at Gold ‘N Deals- 112 S. Main St., Scottville. Families and pets are invited to meet and get a free picture with Santa. Hot Cocoa and Cookies will also be provided. Gold N Deals will be offering 15% off storewide and Gomez Photography will be doing a drawing for a Free Photo Session for 2025.
14th – Visit Santa from 1:30-3:30pm at The Mitten Bar: A Michigan Ideology/Hoyt’s Next Door Lounge/Sportsman’s Restaurant and Bar- 109 W. Ludington Ave., Ludington.
14th – Visit Santa from 2-3:30pm at House of Flavors Restaurant- 402 W. Ludington Ave., Ludington.
14th – Visit Santa from 2-4pm at Ludington Hobbies- 210 S. James St., Ludington.
14th – Visit Santa from 2-4pm at Rosaleen Activewear/House & Harbor Mercantile- 102 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington.
14th – Grinch Day from 5-7pm at Krave- 103 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington. Visit with the Grinch and get a photo with him.
14th – Holiday Parade & Activities in Scottville with parade at 6:30pm beginning on W. Beryl St. ending on Main Street, Activities on Main Street will follow including kids crafts, pictures with Santa, cocoa, popcorn, and cookies.
14th-15th – Christmas in the Village at The Village at Grand Traverse Commons- 1200 Village Center Dr., Traverse City. Visits with Santa, shopping specials, vintage firetruck rides, musical performances, and more. For more info, visit facebook.com.
15th – Christmas Party at Sandcastles Children’s Museum- 125 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington. This FREE event is sponsored by FloraCraft & Sandcastles Children’s Museum. It includes a FloraCraft Christmas craft project, a visit by Mr. and Mrs. Santa Clause from 1-3pm, Cookie Decorating from 12-1pm or while supplies last, live music by Eric Englade, a free bike raffle, and free access to the museum exhibits. Visit facebook.com for more information.
19th – Visit with Santa from 5:30-7pm at Ponderosa- 4687 US-10, Ludington.
20th – Santa Visits from 3-5pm at Safe Harbor Credit Union- 5511 W. US-10, Ludington. Gifts, cookies, goody bags, and visits with Santa.
21st – Christmas Cookies & Santa from 10am-2pm at The Pier- 222 W. Ludington Ave., Ludington. Hosted by Britter’s Twisted Whisk and Megan Gunia of Five Star Real Estate, this holiday celebration includes cookie decorating and free pictures with Santa.
21st – Visit Santa from 11am-1pm at Family Fare- 5539 W. US-10, Ludington.
21st – Visit with Santa from 1-3pm at Sacred Wonderz- 84 Cypress St., Manistee. Visit & take photos with Santa and enjoy cookies and hot cocoa.
21st – Visit Santa from 2-4pm at Rosaleen Activewear/House & Harbor Mercantile- 102 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington.
21st – Hot Cocoa & Pizza with Santa from 2-4pm at Nuvu Fuels- 1578 US-31, Manistee.
21st – Visit with Santa at 6pm at Brethren Fire Barn- 14270 N. Coates Hwy, Brethren. Meet Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus and enjoy arts & crafts, cookies, & lemonade. Donations for the Lakeview Church of the Brethren Food Pantry will be accepted.
23rd – Santa Visits from 3-5pm at Safe Harbor Credit Union- 5511 W. US-10, Ludington. Gifts, cookies, goody bags, and visits with Santa.

Here's a list of places you can typically find Santa during the holidays:

November

Visit with Santa & Mrs. Claus at Onekama Consolidated School- 5016 Main St., Onekama.
Santa Comes to Ludington – Visit with Santa and Mrs. Clause and get a complimentary photo by Lynsey Baldon. Red Rooster Coffee & Community- 205 S. James St., Ludington.
Santa Arrives in Pentwater – Santa is escorted into Pentwater by the Pentwater Fire Department. Downtown Pentwater. For more information, visit pentwater.org.
Aglow on the Avenue Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting – Parade is followed by caroling, a tree lighting, and a Santa visit in Legacy Plaza. Held in Downtown Ludington.