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 now to December 24. Register online for your free photo with Santa up to 7 days before your visit. Photo packages are also available for purchase, and range from $20-$25.

The closest locations to the Cincinnati area are:

Bass Pro Shops West Chester at 5951 Bass Pro 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 now through December 24, 2025. Hours vary by date. Reservations for Santa photos are encouraged, but not required. Photo packages are available for purchase.

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 November 14 through December 24, 2025. Santa’s hours and milk & cookies break times vary by date – please check their website for the full Santa hours. Make your reservations online to avoid the line. Photo packages are available for purchase.

Sensory Santa will be at Liberty Center on December 7 from 10:00am-11:30am.

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 starting at 4:00pm from November 20 to December 23, 2025. You can find Santa and the missus in Santa’s Village, located up a pathway between the Komodo dragons and food trucks. Photo packages are available for purchase.

The Festival of Lights runs from November 20, 2025 to January 4, 2026. This year features extended hours, with the zoo closing at 9:00pm Sunday to Thursday, at 10:00pm on Friday and Saturday, and at 10:00pm from December 20-31. 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 Winton Woods Farm

Holidays on the Farm is the annual holiday event for Great Parks of Hamilton County. This 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 will be open nightly 5:00pm to 9:00pm from December 4 to 23, 2025. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door – although it is cheaper to buy tickets in advance. Admission is $17 for adults, $12 for kids ages 3-12 and seniors 62+, and children 2 & under are free.

Holidays on the Farm at Winton Woods Farm & Equestrian Center 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 Saturdays from 1:00pm to 5:00pm beginning November 22 through December 20, 2025. 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 in on foot to take photos with Santa. Santa is available for photos whenever the ranch is open – except on Christmas Eve. Pictures are available for purchase, with portraits starting at $20.

This attraction runs from November 21 through December 23, 2025. It is open 5:00 to 9:00pm Sunday though Thursday, and 5:00pm to 10:00pm on Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $37 per carload, and can be purchased online (for $5 cheaper!).

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 28 through December 24, 2024. Access to Holiday Junction is included in museum admission.

Holiday Junction at Cincinnati Museum Center is located at 1301 Western Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45203

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 through December 23. Then Santa Snoopy will be in town from December 26-31. Photo packages are available for purchase.

WinterFest runs select nights beginning November 28 through December 31, 2025. Tickets can be purchased online. Admission is included for those with an annual Gold pass.

WinterFest at Kings Island is located at 6300 Kings Island Drive, Kings Island, OH 45034

Christmas Casino at Rising Star Casino Resort

Visit with Santa 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 from November 1 to December 23, 2025. In November, Santa will be at the casino on Fridays from 4:00pm to 8:00pm, on Saturdays from 2:00pm to 8:00pm, and Sundays from 1:00pm to 6:00pm. In December, Santa will be at the casino on Fridays from 4:00pm to 8:00pm (until 10:00pm on 12/12), on Saturdays from 2:00pm to 8:00pm, and Sundays from 1:00pm to 6:00pm. On the lead up to Christmas, Santa will also be in on Monday, December 22, and Tuesday, December 23, from 1:00pm 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 November 25 through December 23, 2025 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. Tickets are $14 for adults, $12 for seniors ages 60+, $10 for children ages 3-17, and free for children 2 and under. Dayton History Members also get in free. Tickets can be purchased online.

A Carillon Christmas at Carillon Historical Park is located at 1000 Carillon Boulevard, Dayton, OH 45409

A Very Merry Middletown

A Very Merry Middletown (formerly Holiday Whopla) in downtown Middletown is a holiday lights festival with themed venues, ice-skating rink, vendors, and of course, Santa. You can find Santa and Mrs. Clause at the ice rink. They will be visiting on Fridays and Saturdays from 5:00pm to 8:00pm beginning November 28 through December 20, 2025, with one last visit on December 21 from 4:00pm to 7:00pm.

The nearby drive through light experience is Light Up Middletown, and is open nightly through December 31.

A Very Merry Middletown is located at 39 N. Broad Street, Middletown, OH 45042

Hamilton’s Santa House

Santa House is back this year as part of Holly Jolly Hamilton 2025. Located near the Butler County Courthouse on High Street, Santa House will be open Friday to Sunday from November 22 through December 21, 2025, with additional days during Christmas week.

In November, Santa House is open on November 22 from 3:00pm to 8:00pm, November 29 from noon to 8:00pm, and November 30 from noon to 6:00pm. In December, Santa House is open Fridays from 4:00pm to 8:00pm, Saturdays from noon to 8:00pm, and Sundays from noon to 6:00pm (8:00pm on December 21). During Christmas week, Santa House is open December 22 from noon to 8:00pm, December 23 from noon to 8:00pm, and December 24 from noon to 3:00pm.

Santa House is located near 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 Saturday, November 29, December 6, and December 20, 2020. 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 the Renaissance Fair’s winter holiday attraction. Yuletide Village offers holiday light shows, food and drink, holiday market, Yuletide Express train, and photos with Santa – and Krampus. This holiday attraction is open Fridays from 5:00 to 9:00pm and Saturdays from 3:00pm to 9:00pm beginning November 28 to December 20, 2025.

Admission is $17 per person, with children ages 12 and under free. Tickets can be purchased online.

Renaissance Park is located at 10542 East State Route 73 Waynesville, OH 45068