This article was first published by MileHighOnTheCheap.com
You better watch out, you better not cry. You better not pout, we’re telling you why, Mile High On The Cheap has inside intel on Santa.
Here’s where you can take the kids to share their gift wishes with the jolly man himself.
Unless noted, all visits with Santa are free and he’s around through Christmas Eve. Do check, as some sites only let the kiddos onto Santa’s lap if you pay for a photo package.
On-Going
Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops. Monday through Friday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. (Special hours on Thanksgiving, too). Hours are extended starting December 3 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Saturday and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Customers also get a FREE 4×6 studio quality photo with Santa, additional photo packages are available. If the line is long, grab a Bass Pass and then return at the appointed time. 7970 Northfield Blvd., Denver.
Outlets at Castle Rock. Santa’s house is just north of the Food Court. Expect to find him there by 11 a.m. most days until at least 6 p.m. In December, he’s around until 8 p.m. and comes in earlier (10 a.m.), too. 5050 Factory Shops Blvd., Castle Rock.
Cherry Creek Shopping Center. At Santa’s Flight Academy try on a virtual flight suit, learn about navigation, power the sleigh and dance under a snowfall. Visits with Santa are FREE (no personal photos allowed), but there is a charge for photos. Santa is around during all mall hours. 3000 E. 1st Ave., Denver.
Santa HQ at FlatIron Crossing. Broomfield mall hosts Santa HQ at the base of the Grand Staircase. Through December 24, hours vary. Scan yourself at the Naughty or Nice O’Meter and experience Elf-Ray Vision. FlatIron Crossing has a time-saving twist with a way to reserve your spot to visit with Santa. Simply go to Santa HQ to make a reservation and prepay for photos. Visits with Santa are FREE (no personal photos allowed). 1 W. FlatIron Crossing Dr., Broomfield, 720-887-7467.
Park Meadows Mall. Santa is at the mall in Dillard’s Court. Regular hours are Monday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. with special extended hours on Black Friday, November 25, December 2, December 9, December 15 to 23. On Christmas Eve from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Check their website for days and times. Visits with Santa are FREE (no personal photos allowed), but there is a charge for photos. Make a reservation to see Santa and spend less time in line. Save an extra $5 on photos when you book a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday before through December 9. 8401 Park Meadows Circle Dr., Lone Tree.
Town Center at Aurora. Santa will be waiting for you at the lower level in front of Dillard’s. Hours vary but the jolly guy is usually around by 11 a.m. (sometimes a bit earlier) and then by 10 a.m. starting December 4 and 9 a.m. the week of December 18, with extended hours on Christmas Eve. Special pet photo night is December 10 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. This is right after the regular mall closing.
Santa’s Toy Factory at Southwest Plaza. An interactive, immersive experience to meet Santa. Kids have the opportunity to “test” new toys in Santa’s Factory before they get delivered on Christmas morning. After they “test” the toys, they visit different stations to digitally design, build and paint Mattel toys including Barbie, Hot Wheels, and Thomas & Friends. Then, they meet Santa for photos. The Toy Factory and visiting Santa are FREE (no personal photos allowed). Photo packages start at $39.99. Make a reservation to see Santa and spend less time in line. 8501 W. Bowles Ave., Littleton.
St. Nick on the Bricks. Downtown Boulder Visitor Information Center Friday. Opens November 24. Then on Saturdays, November 25 through December 23 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bring your list and a camera to capture the memories. 1301 Pearl St. (in front of the Boulder County Courthouse).
Santa’s Village at Chatfield Farms. Santa and family set up shop at Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms this winter. Admission ($20 for adults & children) includes a hayride, holiday movies in Santa’s Cinema, live reindeer, crafts with Mrs. Claus, photos with Santa and craft vendors in Santa’s workshop. Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays through December 23.
Special Appearances:
December 1: Foothills Art Center, Golden. 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Visit with Santa and shop more than 80 Colorado artists at the Center’s Holiday Art Market. Enjoy cookies, cocoa and FREE family photos. 809 15th St., Golden, 303-279-3922.
December 1: Golden Candlelight Walk. 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Santa and his reindeer are flying in to help lead the annual Candlelight Walk, as well as “Light the Lights” at the Golden Visitors Center.
December 1: Noel Northglenn. 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves are on hand. Photos with Santa cost $5 or you can take them yourself for FREE. Community Tree Festival, carolers, fire pits and more. Inside there will be make-and-take crafts, holiday vendors, WOW bubbles, an indoor “snowball” fight, and watching holiday cartoons. Northglenn Recreation Center, 11801 Community Center Dr., Northglenn.
December 2 & 3: Santa’s House, Boulder. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit Santa and Mrs. Claus, play carnival games — everybody wins! (game tickets 25¢ each), enjoy musical performances and be entertained by Mother Goose. Each child receives a commemorative ornament. Bring your own camera. Admission: $5. Pi Beta Phi Sorority House, 890 11th St., Boulder.
December 2 & 3: Tagawa Gardens. noon to 3 p.m. Tell Santa all your Christmas wishes. A professional photographer is on-site (fee), but you can take your own pictures for FREE. 7711 S. Parker Rd., Centennial.
December 2 & 3: Paulino Gardens, Denver. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Stroll the Winter Wonderland. Hot apple cider and cookies. Bring your family and your camera. Live reindeer on Sunday, December 3 from noon to 2 p.m. 6300 N. Broadway, Denver, 303-429-8062.
December 2 & 3: Avenue Gifts, Golden. Santa will be on hand from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bring your camera. 1212 Washington Ave., Golden.
December 2: Ridge at 38th, Wheat Ridge. Holiday Celebration from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. FREE hot chocolate, cider, cookies, live entertainment. horse-drawn carriage rides and visits with Santa and his elves. This is a collaboration with the city of Wheat Ridge for its official tree lighting. Stevens Elementary, 7101 W. 38th Ave., Wheat Ridge.
December 2: Arvada Olde Town Square. Noon to 3 p.m. Santa will be in the Olde Town Square (57th and Olde Wadsworth) for pictures. Bring your own camera. Enjoy free cocoa and holiday entertainment.
December 2: arc Thrift Store, Lakewood. 10 a.m. to noon. Take as many photos as you wish. After meeting Santa, each child under age 12 receives a $5 arc gift voucher. 6791 W. Colfax Ave., Lakewood.
December 3: Union Station. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available in the Great Hall for FREE family photos.
December 3: Jared’s Nursery & Garden, Littleton. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit with Santa, no waiting lines, no charge. Take your own pictures. Hot cider, cocoa and cookies. 10500 W. Bowles Ave., Littleton.
December 5: Aurora Holiday Treelighting, Aurora Municipal Center, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Santa makes his grand entrance at 5:45 p.m., while Mrs. Claus reads stories. Live music and lighting of the trees. 15151 E. Alameda Pkwy., Aurora.
December 8: Longmont Lights, Roosevelt Park. Santa’s Workshop is open from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.. This parent/child activity workshop is geared for children ages 10 and under. FREE craft, courtesy of Home Depot. Visits with Santa are available starting at 5 p.m. Due to Santa’s overwhelming schedule, the line to see Santa will be cut-off at 7:15 p.m.
December 8, 9 & 10: Thornton WinterFest. Santa and his elves will meet with kids in Santa’s Village on Friday from 6:45 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Sunday from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Also live music, tree display, ice skating, ice carving demos & more. Carpenter Park Fields, 108th & Colorado Blvd.
December 9: Eastbridge Town Center, Denver. 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. FREE visits with Santa, live ice sculpting, caroling and a variety of special offerings including gingerbread house decorating, games, roasted chestnuts and festive drinks and treats. 10155 E. 29th Dr., Denver.
December 9: Arvada Olde Town Square. noon to 3 p.m. Santa will be in the Olde Town Square (57th and Olde Wadsworth) for pictures. Bring your own camera. Enjoy free cocoa and holiday entertainment.
December 9: Holidays in the Highlands, Denver. noon to 2 p.m. Highlands Square’s holiday event features horse-drawn wagon rides, pony rides, hot chocolate, treats and portraits with Santa. 32nd Ave. & Newton St.
December 9: arc Thrift Store, Aurora. 10 a.m. to noon. Take as many photos as you wish. After meeting Santa, each child under age 12 receives a $5 arc gift voucher. 1070 S. Sable Blvd, Aurora.
December 9 & 10: Paulino Gardens, Denver. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Hot apple cider & cookies. Bring your family and your camera. 6300 N. Broadway, Denver, 303-429-8062.
December 9 & 10: Jared’s Nursery & Garden, Littleton. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit with Santa, no waiting lines, no charge. Take your own pictures. Hot cider, cocoa and cookies. 10500 W. Bowles Ave., Littleton.
December 10: Tagawa Gardens. noon to 3 p.m. Tell Santa all your Christmas wishes. A professional photographer is on-site (fee), but you can take your own pictures for FREE. 7711 S. Parker Rd., Centennial.
December 10: Union Station. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available in the Great Hall for FREE family photos.
December 14: Glendale Sports Center, 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Meet Santa Claus and enjoy crafts, music, cookies and hot chocolate. Bring your own camera for photos. 4500 E. Kentucky Ave., Glendale.
December 16: Arvada Olde Town Square. noon to 3 p.m. Santa will be in the Olde Town Square (57th and Olde Wadsworth) for pictures. Bring your own camera. Enjoy free cocoa and holiday entertainment.
December 16: Tagawa Gardens. noon to 3 p.m. Tell Santa all your Christmas wishes. A professional photographer is on-site (fee), but you can take your own pictures for FREE. 7711 S. Parker Rd., Centennial.
December 16: Avenue Gifts, Golden. Santa will be on hand from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bring your camera. 1212 Washington Ave., Golden.
December 16: arc Thrift Store, Lakewood. 10 a.m. to noon. Take as many photos as you wish. After meeting Santa, each child under age 12 receives a $5 arc gift voucher. 7677 W. Jewell Ave., Lakewood.
December 17: Union Station. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available in the Great Hall for FREE family photos.
December 22: Fitzsimons Credit Union, Aurora. 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Goodies for the kiddos and FREE photos (limit one photo per child). 2201 N. Fitzsimons Pkwy., Aurora.
December 23: arc Thrift Store, Aurora. 10 a.m. to noon. Take as many photos as you wish. After meeting Santa, each child under age 12 receives a $5 arc gift voucher. 16801 E. Iliff Ave., Aurora.
December 24: Union Station. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available in the Great Hall for FREE family photos.
