Ready for your close up with jolly old St. Nick?
How lucky are we that Santa is making so many stops around the Queen City this year? There are many great places to visit Santa – and snap a photo or two in 2022. Check out our list of the best spots to see Santa in Cincinnati for Christmas 2022.
And remember – Santa’s visits usually vary from the days and hours of the holiday attraction he is visiting. Santa usually arrives the weekend after Thanksgiving and heads back up to the North Pole on December 23 or 24. Most holiday attractions run a week or two longer than Santa’s visit, so double check dates before heading out!
Santa in Cincinnati 2022
Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shop & Cabela’s
Bass Pro Shop and Cabela’s come highly recommended when it comes to taking photos with Santa. Santa will be visiting from November 5 to December 24. Register online for your free photo with Santa up to 7 days before your visit.
The closest locations to the Cincinnati area are:
Bass Pro Shops Cincinnati at 300 Cincinnati Mills Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45240
Cabela’s West Chester at 7250 Cabela Drive, West Chester, OH 45069
Cabela’s Centerville at 5500 Cornerstone North Boulevard, Centerville, OH 45440
Kenwood Towne Centre
Knock out holiday shopping and photos with Santa in one shot at Kenwood Towne Center. Santa will be at the Center Court November 19 through December 24 from 11:00am to 7:00pm. Reservations for Santa photos are encouraged, but not required.
Kenwood Towne Centre is located at 7875 Montgomery Road, Cincinnati, OH 45236
Liberty Center
Liberty Center is another great option for holiday shopping and Santa photos. Santa will be in the Liberty Center Living Room beginning November 20. He is available for photos Monday to Saturday from 11:00am to 8:00pm and Sunday from 12:00pm to 6:00pm.
There will be sensory visits on December 3 & 10 at 9am. On December 2, there will be story time with Santa at the Santa Set at 6:00pm. Story time with Santa at MidPointe Library Liberty will be at 6:00pm on December 5.
Please check their website for Santa’s break times. Make your reservations online to avoid the line.
Liberty Center is located at 7100 Foundry Row, Liberty Township, OH 45069
PNC Festival of Lights at Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
The PNC Festival of Lights is an annual, walkable, outdoor light display at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden. Both Santa and Mrs. Clause will be on hand for photos through December 23. For 2022, both Santa and Mrs. Clause are located behind the carousel.
The Festival of Lights runs from November 18 to January 8. The Cincinnati Zoo is open from 10:00am to 9:00pm, with festivities beginning at 4pm. Admission to the Festival of Lights is included in zoo tickets and passes.
PNC Festival of Lights at The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden is located at 3400 Vine St. Cincinnati, OH 45220
Holidays on the Farm at Parky’s Farm in Winton Woods
New for 2022 is Holidays on the Farm at Parky’s Farm in Winton Woods. This new attraction includes a walkable light display, visits with Santa, a train display, animal encounters, wagon rides, food & drink, and more! To see Santa – and his reindeer! – head over to Santaland in the red barn area. Here you’ll also find the holiday train display, letters to Santa, crafts, and pony rides.
Holidays on the Farm is open on select nights from 5:00pm to 9:00pm beginning November 18 to December 23, 2022. In November, this attraction is open Friday to Sunday. In December, it is open Thursday to Sunday the first two weekends, then open nightly from December 15-23. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door – although it is cheaper to buy tickets in advance.
Holidays on the Farm at Parky’s Farm in Winton Woods is located at 10073 Daly Road, Cincinnati, OH 45231
Newport on the Levee
Head across the river to visit Santa at Newport on the Levee. Santa will be on the Levee on Friday and Saturday from noon to 6:00pm through December 23. He takes a 20 minute break at 3:00pm to feed the reindeer. These Santa visits are complimentary and walk-up only.
Newport on the Levee is located at 1 Levee Way, Newport, KY 41071
The Christmas Ranch
The Christmas Ranch is a drive thru light experience in Morrow. After enjoying the lights, head on foot to take photos with Santa. Santa is available for photos whenever the ranch is open – except on Christmas Eve.
This attraction runs from November 18 through December 23. In December, the ranch is open on Sunday to Thursday from 5:00 to 9:00pm, and on Friday and Saturday 5:00pm to 10:00pm. Reservations are required and tickets can be purchased online.
The Christmas Ranch is located at 3205 S. Waynesville Road, Morrow, OH 45152
Holiday Junction at Cincinnati Museum Center
One of the staples of Christmas in Cincinnati is seeing the Duke Energy Holiday Trains in Holiday Junction at the Cincinnati Museum Center. Santa will be back at Holiday Junction from November 25 through December 24. Tickets to Holiday Junction can be purchased online or added to any museum experience.
Holiday Junction at Cincinnati Museum Center is located at 1301 Western Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45203
Christmas at the Junction at EnterTRAINment Junction
Got yourself a train-loving kiddo? Christmas at the Junction at EnterTRAINment Junction features the Main Street Holiday Trains display and Winter Wonderland where you can meet Santa. This is one of our favorite holiday attractions and we go every year.
Santa will be visiting EnterTRAINment Junction from November 12 through December 24 from 11am until close. He does take a 30 minute nap mid-afternoon, so plan accordingly. Visits with Santa are included in the DO-IT-ALL admission tickets.
EnterTRAINment Junction is located at 7379 Squire Ct, West Chester Township, OH 45069
Santa’s Workshop at Washington Park
UDF’s Santa’s Workshop at Washington Park in OTR is a meet and greet event for the whole family – including your furry ones. The event is free, but you must bring your own camera to take photos.
Santa’s Workshop is open Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00am to 4:00pm beginning November 26 through December 18.
Santa’s Workshop at Washington Park is located at 1230 Elm St, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Christmas Glow at Land of Illusion
Christmas Glow is a drive thru light experience at Land of Illusion. After you enjoy the lights, head to the Christmas Village where you can find Santa in Santa’s Workshop. There is an additional fee for photos.
Santa’s Workshop is open daily from 6:15 to 10:00pm beginning December 1 through December 23 – but the workshop is closed December 5-7. Other attractions, such as the Christmas Drive Thru and petting zoo, open at different times, so check their calendar before heading out.
Christmas Glow at Land of Illusion is located at 8762 Thomas Road, Middletown, OH 45042
WinterFest at Kings Island
WinterFest is Kings Island’s big winter event, with holiday lights, parades, shows, games, and more. Santa will be taking photos and toy requests in Rivertown Wonderland through December 23. Then Santa Snoopy will be in town from December 26-31. Photo packages are available for purchase.
WinterFest runs on select nights November 25 through December 31, 2022. Tickets can be purchased online. Admission is included for those with an annual pass.
WinterFest at Kings Island is located at 6300 Kings Island Drive, Kings Island, OH 45034
Scuba Santa at Newport Aquarium
For a unique, more under-the-sea Santa experience, head over to Newport Aquarium to check out Scuba Santa. This experience runs daily at the aquarium from November 25 through December 24. Scuba Santa is included with regular admission.
Newport Aquarium is located at 1 Aquarium Way, Newport, KY 41071
Christmas Casino at Rising Star Casino Resort
Santa is back at the Christmas Casino at Rising Star Casino Resort. This attraction includes animatronic holiday displays, reindeer, a holiday market, and of course, visits with Santa.
Santa will be at the casino on Fridays and Saturdays from 2:00pm to 8:00pm and Sundays from noon to 6:00pm through December 17. From December 19 through 23, he will be there daily from 2:00pm to 6:00pm.
Rising Star Casino Resort is located at 777 Rising Star Dr, Rising Sun, IN 47040
A Carillon Christmas at Carillon Historical Park
A Carillon Christmas is a holiday event at Carillon Historical Park in Dayton, Ohio. You can visit Santa through December 23 in the Heritage Center, which is in front of the Dr. Richard and Dorothy Cummings Collection of Dayton-made toys. Don’t forget your camera (or smart phone, probably), to take your complimentary photo with Santa.
This event is open 5:00pm to 9:00pm Sunday to Thursday, and 5:00pm to 10:00pm Friday and Saturday. In addition to Santa, enjoy the light displays, train rides, a Christmas village, and more.
A Carillon Christmas at Carillon Historical Park is located at 1000 Carillon Boulevard, Dayton, OH 45409
Deck The Y’alls Lightfest at Florence Y’alls Thomas More Stadium
New this year is Deck The Y’alls Lightfest at Florence Y’alls Thomas More Stadium. Santa will be visiting nightly through December 24, with special appearances by Mrs. Clause and the elves. In addition to Santa, there is a walkable light display, ice skating, carnival rides, and vendors. There is also an additional charge for ice skating, Santa, and carnival rides.
Deck The Y’alls is open 5:30pm to 9:00pm Sunday to Thursday, and 5:30pm to 10:00pm Friday and Saturday, with special hours on holidays. It is also closed on November 28-29, and December 5-6. Tickets to Deck The Y’alls Lightfest can be purchased online, and prices vary by date.
Deck The Y’alls Lightfest at Florence Y’alls Thomas More Stadium is located at 7950 Freedom Way, Florence, KY 41042
Holiday Whopla
Holiday Whopla in downtown Middletown is a holiday lights festival with themed venues, ice-skating rink, ride-on train, vendors, and of course, Santa. You can find Santa and Mrs. Clause in the crystal palace, next to the ice rink. They will be visiting on weekends from 5:00pm to 8:00pm beginning November 25 through December 24.
The nearby drive through light experience is Light Up Middletown, and is open nightly through December 31.
Holiday Whopla ice rink is located at 39 N Broad St, Middletown, OH 45042
Hamilton’s Santa House
Santa House is back in downtown Hamilton near the Butler County Courthouse on High Street. Santa will be in town December 2 to 24. Hours and days to visit Santa are outlined on the Facebook event page.
The Butler County Courthouse is located at 101 High Street, Hamilton, OH 45011
Doscher’s Candies
We love visiting Santa at Doscher’s Candies in Newtown. Santa will be at the candy store from 11:00am to 2:00pm on November 26, December 3 and December 17. And make sure to pickup some of their famous handmade candy canes while you’re there!
Doscher’s Candies is located at 6926 Main Street, Cincinnati, OH 45244
Yuletide Village at Renaissance Park
Yuletide Village at Renaissance Park is a new attraction held in the same place as the Renaissance Fair every fall. Yuletide Village offers holiday light shows, food and drink, holiday market, and photos with Santa – and Krampus. Woodland Santa can be found in St. Peter’s Church, while Krampus is set up in Aleing Knight Pub.
This attraction is open Fridays from 5:00 to 9:00pm and Saturdays from 3:00pm to 9:00pm beginning November 25 to December 17.
Renaissance Park is located at 10542 East State Route 73 Waynesville, OH 45068
Fifty West Brewery Cincinnati
If you’d like a beer with your Santa photos, head over to the Fifty West Burger Bar and Beer Garden. Fifty West Brewery Cincinnati is hosting photos with Santa on November 26, December 4, December 10, and December 18.
You can schedule your visit with Santa online. Tickets include one physical print photo, one digital copy and free hot cocoa for the kids.
Fifty West Cincinnati is located at 7605 Wooster Pike, Cincinnati, OH 45227
Events with Santa
There are many fun events to meet Santa around Cincinnati in 2022. Here are some that caught my eye!
- Santa at Happy Hangout Westside – December 2
- Merry Mama by Midwest Mama at Little Miami Brewing Event Center – December 4
- Ho Ho Hot Chocolate & Santa at Milk and Beans in Crescent Springs KY – December 10
- Pictures with Santa at Cartridge Brewing in Maineville – December 11
- Christmas at the Clubhouse at Kids Clubhouse in Springboro – December 16-18
I hope you and your little ones enjoy meeting Santa while he’s visiting Cincinnati from the North Pole. Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas, friends!
If you enjoyed our post on holiday trains, make sure to also check out Cincinnati Holiday Lights and Holiday Trains for all the holiday fun around Cincinnati.