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The Top Places to Find Santa Claus in Colorado Springs
Want to know where to find Santa Claus in Colorado Springs this holiday season? We know you’ve got Christmas lists to share and adorable photos to take! We’ve got the details on the jolly old elf’s every move in the Pikes Peak region and we are here to share his holiday stops. After all, wouldn’t Santa himself want us to share? Before Santa travels all over the world to hand out presents, he first travels all over the world for meet-and-greets with his biggest fans. Here’s where to meet Santa in Colorado Springs this Christmas.
Meet Santa at the North Pole, Colorado
5050 Pikes Peak Hwy. | 719-684-9432 | NorthPoleColorado.com
Everyone knows that Santa’s favorite place for a year-round vacation is located right here in the Pikes Peak region. It’s at the North Pole – Santa’s Workshop. The popular mountainside amusement park is a magical Christmas destination with rides, holiday activities and meet-ups with the Claus duo. Santa and Mrs. Claus are at the North Pole before Christmas. They love taking time to take photos with young people and listen to all those special Christmas wishes. The park requires reservations during the peak season and it releases tickets in waves. On peak days, the North Pole requires ride bands for all guests under 3 and cost $32. On non-peak days, entry to the park is free. You can find the release schedule here and the peak date schedule here. Ride bands give park attendees access to the park rides and activities.
Gold Camp Christmas Parade in Cripple Creek
Bennet Ave., Cripple Creek, 80813 | visitcripplecreek.com
Meet Santa in the old historic mining town of Cripple Creek and enjoy a classic Christmas parade. The parade rolls out along Bennet Avenue and the participants are quite festive. Hosting in a mining town adds a little extra flavor to the floats you won’t find in any city parade. After the parade, attendees are invited to head over to the Aspen Mine Center where they can mingle with Santa and enjoy toasty s’mores as awards are given out for Most Creative, Grand Marshal, Mayor’s Choice and more. If you’re up there, you might as well make a day of it and check out the Holiday Head Frame lights located in the area, or attend the Christmas play at the Butte Theater.
Photos with Santa Claus in Old Colorado City
2408 W. Colorado Ave. | 719-344-8537 | ShopOldColoradoCity.com
Old Colorado City is another top destination to hang out with Santa Claus. The charming city streets really match Santa’s holiday style. Santa will greet folks from noon to 4 p.m. every weekend until December 22. You can get the first professional photo for just $17 and additional photos for $7. Once you’re done sharing your lists and squealing over your baby’s first Santa photo (don’t worry, almost all of them cry), you can search for some of those hard-to-find Christmas gifts at one of the locally owned shops that line Colorado Avenue. You can find art, jewelry, clothing, food and inspiration throughout the area and lots of holiday deals.
Say Hello to Santa in Manitou Springs
719-344-8537 | ManitouSprings.org
Santa likes to pay a few different visits to Manitou Springs. It makes sense, considering the town is packed with great food and fun things to do. You can meet him for a hearty breakfast in Manitou Springs. The local Kiwanis club will be hosting Santa and serving up eggs, ham and pancakes, plus hot coffee and hot cocoa on Dec. 14 from 8-10 a.m. The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for the kids. The club hosts the event at the Manitou Springs Town Hall, 606 Manitou Ave, Manitou Springs, CO 80829. Free parking is available from 7-10:30 a.m. in public parking spots east of Pawnee Avenue. Find more details here.
If you aren’t anxious to get up so early to visit with Santa, he’ll be back in the evening as part of the town’s Christmas kick-off parade on Sunday, December 8 at 6 p.m. in downtown Manitou Springs. Santa may pay a visit or two to the Town Clock throughout the season. He’s even been known to cruise by on the MSFD fire truck on Christmas Eve. Keep an eye on the town website for updates.
Ride with Santa on the Royal Gorge Railroad
401 Water St., Cañon City | 719-276-4000 | www.royalgorgeroute.com
The Royal Gorge Railroad is one of the top trains in Colorado and the Santa Express train is one of the most popular routes. It really is one of the most magical holiday adventures in Southern Colorado and it’s only one hour from Colorado Springs. Why is this train so cool? Let’s start with the fact that children are invited to attend in their coziest pajamas so they can maximize that at-home holiday feel. Every corner of the train is decorated, providing plenty of opportunities for photos. Every ticketed child receives a special bell from Santa Claus during the journey, too. Tickets for the train are sold through December 30 (the train is closed Christmas Day). Drinks and food are available for purchase and there are multiple ticket classes to meet every budget and taste.
Santa at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Rd. | 719-633-9925 | cmzoo.org
As an avid friend of the animals (all of his reindeer brag endlessly about the North Pole benefits package), it’s no surprise Santa pays a visit to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo each Christmas season. Santa will be spending time with the animals during the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Electric Safari, an after-hours extravaganza filled with lights and holiday cheer. The zoo decorates the trees and buildings with more than 85 different light sculptures and opens up at dark for all sorts of holiday revelry. You and your family will get to meet the animals that have decided to stay up late, participate in holiday activities and share all your dreams with Santa. He’ll be at the zoo December 6 – 23 for photos and fun.
Find Santa at the Cog Railway
515 Ruxton Ave. | 719-685-5401 | cograilway.com
It’s not every day you get to summit a fourteener via an authentic cog train and meet the one and only Santa Claus. The Cog Railway will host its popular Christmas adventure during weekends leading up to Christmas Day (the Cog is closed on Christmas). You’ll ride up Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain via the famous and fabulous Pikes Peak Cog Railway. Your journey will be filled with cool Colorado facts and information on the flora and fauna that create Pikes Peak’s dynamic ecosystem. At the top, you can explore the Summit House, munch on specialty hot and fresh donuts and take all the panoramic pictures your phone’s memory can hold. You’ll get to meet Santa upon your return and take photos to finish off your perfect day with a joyful exclamation point.
Meet Santa at the Mall
Chapel Hills Mall, 1710 Briargate Blvd. | 719-594-0111| chapelhillsmall.com
Citadel Mall, 750 Citadel Drive East | 719-591-5515 | cshopthecitadel.com
Is there anything more classic than packing up the family and meeting Santa Claus at the mall? The tradition dates all the way back to the 1860s when Macy’s began hosting Santa in their department stores in New York. Colorado Springs is home to two different shopping malls, one in the central part of the city and one on the north side near the Air Force Academy. Both malls offer photos with Santa against the backdrop of a beautiful holiday setting. Santa will be working hard seven days a week, but hours will vary, so check the mall website before you go. If you can, try to visit on weekdays. Evenings and weekends tend to be very busy and grumpy kids stuck in lines don’t always take the best photos.
Have the merriest of Christmases and enjoy hanging out with the hippest, jolliest old elf in the entire world. Each of these fantastic locations have something unique to offer. You’ll get more than a fantastic moment with Santa. You’ll get an entire holiday experience your family will cherish! Don’t forget your Christmas list, your camera and your sense of wonder.
