Santa Sightings 2016! Where to See Santa in the Iowa City Area

Visiting Santa is a treasured holiday tradition for many families. We just so happen to have some insider information on Santa’s whereabouts, and we’ve compiled this guide to help you and your family track him down. To get those precious photos of your kiddos meeting Santa, here are some of the local places where you can find the Big Man and his elves this holiday season!


Coral Ridge Mall 

Where: (Map)

When: November 12 – December 24.  Hours vary based on the day, so refer to the schedule.

Photo opportunities: Photo packages are available for purchase.  No personal photos are allowed on the Santa Set.

Good things to know:  Reserve a time online here to avoid standing in line.  Pets are able to visit Santa on Monday evenings from 4-7 p.m.


Von Maur

Where: (Map)

When: November 26th and 27th, December 3rd, 4th, 10th, 11th, 17th, 18th. Saturdays 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sundays 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Photo opportunities: Personal photos are allowed.  Professional photos are also available.

Good things to know: Photo-taking is free. Visitors also receive a free 5×7 photo.

Photo credit to Caroline Keller Jens
Photo credit to Caroline Keller Jens
Photo credit to Michelle Beninga
Photo credit to Michelle Beninga

Breakfast with Santa at the North Liberty Rec Center 

Where: (Map)

When: Saturday December 3, from 8-11 a.m.

Photo opportunities:  Personal photos are allowed.  Professional photos will be taken free of charge by Sandi Spurrell Photography and posted within a few days to her website.

Good things to know: Tickets must be purchased in advance at the Rec Center.  Cost is $3/person (ages 3 and up) and must be purchased prior to December 1st.  This event may sell out prior to December 1st if optimum numbers are reached.  Tickets are not available at the door.  Everyone age 3 and older must have a ticket, regardless of intent to eat.  Meal is provided by the North Liberty Lions Club. 

2012 Breakfast with Santa
2012 Breakfast with Santa

Christmas in Kalona 

Where: (Map)

When: Saturday December 3, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. 

Photo opportunities: See Facebook event for details as they become available.  Santa will be available for photos at the Chamber of Commerce.

Good things to know:  Activities for the festival will include walking stockings, HACAP toy drive, a movie at the library, tour of churches, carriage rides, cocoa, and pictures with Santa (Free)!  There will also be a Christmas Village vendor fair located east of the Chamber on the KCTC lot.  Full schedule of events will be posted soon–see the Facebook Event page for more information.


Breakfast with Santa (Sponsored by the Coralville-North Corridor Rotary Club, held at the Coralville Marriott Hotel)

Where: (Map)

When: Saturday December 10th, 7:30-10:30 a.m.

Photo opportunities: Personal photos allowed.

Good things to know: Tickets are $6/person.  Age 3 and under are free. Pancakes, eggs, sausage, juice, and coffee served.  Fresh wreaths also available for purchase. Tickets may be purchased from any member of the Coralville-North Corridor Rotary Club


Scheels

Where: (Map)

When: Sunday December 18th 1-4 p.m.

Photo opportunities: Personal photos allowed

Good things to know: Photo-taking is free! Mr. and Mrs. Claus have both appeared in the past.  It can be chilly outside, so dress warmly!

Photo credit to Angelica Isabel
Photo credit to Angelica Isabel
Photo credit to Angelica Isabel
Photo credit to Angelica Isabel

South Slope Community Center

Where: (Map)

When: Check their website for details!

Photo opportunities: Personal photo allowed

Good things to know: Photo-taking is free.  Both Mr and Mrs Claus have appeared in the past.

santa2
Photo credit to Mandy Brumm

Tannenbaum Forest (Amana) 

Where: (Map)

When: Weekends, November 24 – December 18th.  See website for specific daily schedule

Photo opportunities: Personal photos allowed.

Good things to know: Children’s Weekend is December 9-11, and there will be live reindeer with Santa on Saturday and Sunday that weekend! The brochure with the full schedule of events can be found on the “Prelude to Christmas” festival website. 

Photo credit to Brianne Tremmel
Photo credit to Brianne Tremmel

Film Scene (Downtown Iowa City) 

Where: (Map)

When: November 26th, and December 3rd, 10th, and 17th 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Photo opportunities: Personal photos allowed

Good things to know: Photo-taking is free.  Other holiday activities going on each weekend in Downtown Iowa City.  See website (above) for full schedule.

Photo credit to Mary Webb-Swanson
Photo credit to Mary Webb-Swanson

Leash on Life

Where: (Map)

When: Sunday November 20th

Photo opportunities: For your furry friends!!  Professional photos taken with your pets by Laurie Haag.

Good things to know:  This event is a fundraiser for the Iowa City Animal Care and Adoption Center.  There is a suggested donation of $25 for up to two pets and $40 for 3 or more pets.  Reservations are recommended by calling 319-665-2186 or stopping by the store. 


Thank you to Caroline Keller Jens, Angelica Isabel, Mary Webb-Swanson, Michelle Beninga, Mandy Brumm, and Brianne Tremmel for sharing their Santa photos with us!

Did we miss any of your favorite Santa sighting locations?  Share them in the comments below!!

 

Sarah Bengtson
Sarah is a proud Iowa native who currently lives in North Liberty with her husband and 2 sons. She grew up in rural Benton county and moved to the Iowa City area in 2005 to attend graduate school at the University of Iowa in Physical Therapy. Now she balances raising two growing boys with a work as a pediatric physical therapist. Outside of work and family, Sarah loves music, playing her cello, running, baking, crochet, church activities, and cheering for the Hawkeyes and the Minnesota Vikings.

6 COMMENTS

  1. Santa will be at Art Van Furniture on December 3rd from 11-3pm. Pictures are welcome! Free will donations are welcome and will be going to our local Toys For Tots in partnership with the Salvation Army. Toy drop boxes are here as well for toy donations. Local vendors, music and snacks also. Hope to see lots of families.
    2300 Jones Blvd
    Coralville
    319-545-5005

  2. Hi there!
    Santa will also be making a stop in West Branch for ‘A Christmas Past’ on Friday December 2nd from 6pm-9pm and again on Saturday December 3rd from 4pm – 8:30pm. He will be found at 102 East Main Street. You can bring your own camera or professional photos will be taken and posted on the West Branch Community Develpoment Group’s page. There are all kinds of festivities happening in West Branch that weekend.

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