Where to See Santa in Des Moines (2026 Guide)
Quick answer: For a FREE photo with Santa in Des Moines, head to Bass Pro Shops Santa’s Wonderland in Altoona (reserve ahead). For a big holiday outing, try the Santa Express train in Boone or Family Christmas at Living History Farms in Urbandale (Sat., Dec. 5, 2026). For classic mall photos, Jordan Creek Town Center in West Des Moines has Santa through Christmas Eve, including pet nights.
Santa is coming to town! Whether you want a FREE photo, a pancake breakfast in your PJs or a train ride to the North Pole, there are SO many ways to visit the big guy around the Des Moines metro this year.
Many of these events require advance registration and spots go fast, so book early. I’ll keep adding Santa sightings as they’re announced, so bookmark this page!
Free Santa visits and community events
Bass Pro Shops Santa’s Wonderland (Altoona)
The best FREE Santa photo in the metro! Bass Pro Shops at 1000 Bass Pro Dr. NW in Altoona turns into a Christmas village with a free photo with Santa, crafts and games. Santa usually arrives the first Saturday of November and stays through Christmas Eve. Reservations are recommended, and they open on a rolling basis. Reserve at basspro.com/santa. Want more? Read our guide to Free Fun at Bass Pro Shops Santa’s Wonderland.
Santa and His Reindeer at Miracle on 86th Street (Urbandale)
Meet Santa AND a few of his reindeer at Charles Gabus Memorial Tree Park, by the Urbandale Public Library, then stroll the lights. Free, no registration. Save the date for December 18, 2026. Have you ever been to Miracle on 86th Street? Check out our full guide to this fun light display in Urbandale.
Waukee WinterFest (Waukee)
Friday, Dec. 4, 2026, in the Downtown Triangle. Santa and the mayor light the tree in Triangle Park at 6 p.m. sharp, then kids visit Santa at the Waukee Community Center with hot chocolate and cookies. Free. Info: waukee.org/476/WinterFest.
Clive Mayor’s Tree Lighting (Clive)
Kid-friendly activities and a special guest from the North Pole at the Clive Public Library. This year join in on the fun on December 4, 2026. Info: Clive Chamber.
Holidays at the Town Center (Johnston)
Free ice skating, Santa and reindeer, local samples, a tree lighting and a light show at Johnston Town Center. Put December 5, 2026 on the calendar and don’t miss it! Info: johnstontowncenter.com.
Christmas in Olde Town (Altoona)
Santa, hot chocolate, s’mores, reindeer encounters, carriage rides and crafts in Altoona’s Olde Town. Join the town on November 28, 2026. Learn more at: https://altoonahistory.org/christmas-in-olde-town/
Brenton Skating Plaza Opening Night + Tree Lighting (Downtown Des Moines)
A Santa visit, the tree lighting and an ice carver to kick off skating season downtown. Skate around the tree and see Santa on November 20, 2026.
Winterset Festival of Lights (Winterset)
Photos with Santa, carriage rides and a lighted parade on the courthouse square, about 40 minutes southwest of Des Moines. Date: November 27, 2026. Info: exploremadisoncounty.com.
Santa photos at malls and big holiday events
Photos with Santa at Jordan Creek Town Center (West Des Moines)
The classic mall Santa, with reserved time slots so you skip the line, plus Pet Night. He arrives November 20., 2026 at Jordan Creek Town Center! Reserve: whereissanta.com.
Festival of Trees & Lights (Downtown Des Moines)
The 43rd annual festival fills the Community Choice Convention Center at the Iowa Events Center with about 90 decorated trees, a children’s area, the Festival Express train and visits with Santa. It runs Nov. 25–28, 2026, starting with a Sensory Day on Wed., Nov. 25 (11 a.m.–5 p.m., $10, ages 2 and under free). Proceeds benefit Blank Children’s Hospital. Tickets: iowaeventscenter.com.
Family Christmas at Living History Farms (Urbandale)
Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026, noon–3 p.m. Step into a 19th-century Christmas with crafts, horse-drawn wagon rides, heated historic buildings and a photo with Santa. Bundle up for the wagon rides! Info: lhf.org.
The Peppermint Trail (Des Moines)
Shopping and dining specials, trolley rides, ice carving and photos with Santa along the Avenues of Ingersoll & Grand and the Roosevelt Cultural District. Save the date and support local on December 12, 2026. Info: theavenuesdsm.com/peppermint-trail.
Breakfast and brunch with Santa
Brunch with Santa and PJ’s with Santa at Center Grove Orchard (Cambridge)
Weekend Brunch with Santa (breakfast buffet or an Old-Fashioned Christmas menu), plus evening PJ’s with Santa with stories, games, cookie decorating, hot chocolate and goats! About 30 minutes north of Des Moines. Details: centergroveorchard.com.
Breakfast with Santa at Raccoon River Park (West Des Moines)
All-you-can-eat Chris Cakes pancakes, photos on Santa’s lap and a take-home craft at the Nature Lodge. Registration required. Save the date for December 19. 2026. Register: wdm.iowa.gov.
Santa Brunch at Tinsel at Either/Or (Des Moines)
Tinsel, the floor-to-ceiling vintage holiday pop-up at Either/Or (6222 Grand Ave.), hosts Santa Brunch on Saturday, Dec. 19 and Sunday, Dec. 20, 2026, from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Kids can chat with Santa, take photos and enjoy holiday activities while you enjoy brunch. Can’t make those dates? Santa also stops by for a Meet & Greet on Sunday, Nov. 29, from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Reservations are limited to 12 guests per party. Details: eitherordsm.com/tinsel.
Santa Brunch at SnowGlobe at Exile Brewing (Downtown Des Moines)
Exile Brewing (1514 Walnut St.) turns into SnowGlobe, its annual Christmas pop-up, and hosts a Santa Brunch on Sunday, Dec. 13 [confirm], from 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Meet Santa while you brunch; he heads back to the North Pole at 2 p.m.! There’s a kids menu, too. Reserve on Tock.
Santa at the Grove at Big Grove Brewery (Des Moines)
Big Grove Brewery & Taproom (555 17th St., Sherman Hill) hosts Santa at the Grove on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2026. Bonus: Big Grove also lists Live Reindeer at the Grove on Saturday, Dec. 12. Details: biggrove.com.
Santa experiences: trains, skating and strolls
The Santa Express (Boone)
Ride the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad from Boone to the North Pole and back while Santa visits every car. The trip crosses the 156-foot Bass Point Creek High Bridge. About 50 minutes from Des Moines. Seating is assigned by party, and tickets have gone on sale Nov. 1 in past years, so book early! Tickets: bsvrr.com/santa-express.
Skate with Santa (West Des Moines)
Lace up at the RecPlex and skate with Santa. Preregistration required. Skate around with the big guy on December 12, 2026. Register: wdm.iowa.gov.
Jingle Bell Stroll (Des Moines)
A holiday loop with games and crafts at Gray’s Lake Park, designed for kids 13 and under. Pre-registration required. December5, 2026 is the date! Info: dsm.city.
Santa photos for pets
Photos with Santa Paws at Paws & Pints (Des Moines)
Bring the fur babies! First come, first served on select evenings in November and December. Save the date for November 18-21 and December 9-12.
Jordan Creek Town Center also hosts Pet Night with Santa. See the Jordan Creek listing above.
Tips for visiting Santa in Des Moines
- Reserve early. Bass Pro, Jordan Creek, Holiday Hullabaloo and the Santa Express all book up, especially weekends in December.
- Go early in the season. Lines and slots are easiest before Thanksgiving and on weeknights.
- Pick a sensory-friendly option if you need one. Festival of Trees has a Sensory Day, and the Adapted Holiday Party is designed for kids with disabilities. [Add any other sensory-friendly Santa times you know of.]
- Bundle up. Iowa December is no joke! Outdoor events like WinterFest, Miracle on 86th Street and wagon rides at Living History Farms are cold after dark.
- Bring your own camera. Many free events let you snap your own photo.
- Confirm before you go. Details can change, so check each organizer’s page the week of your visit.
More from Des Moines Parent
Looking for more holiday fun? Check out our guides to Holiday Events in Des Moines, Holiday Shows in Des Moines and Des Moines Holiday Markets 2026, plus the Des Moines Parent Event Calendar. Want new Santa sightings and weekend plans in your inbox? Sign up for DSM Weekly!
Frequently Asked Questions
Bass Pro Shops Santa’s Wonderland in Altoona offers a free photo with Santa from early November through Christmas Eve; reservations are recommended. Free community events like Waukee WinterFest and Santa and His Reindeer at Miracle on 86th Street in Urbandale let you snap your own photos.
Santa usually arrives at Bass Pro Shops in Altoona in early November, and mall photos at Jordan Creek Town Center typically start in late November. Most community visits and tree lightings happen the first two weekends of December.
The West Des Moines Parks & Rec pancake breakfast at Raccoon River Park, Brunch and PJ’s with Santa at Center Grove Orchard in Cambridge, Santa Brunch at Tinsel at Either/Or (Dec. 19–20, 2026), the Santa Brunch at SnowGlobe at Exile Brewing, or Santa at the Grove at Big Grove Brewery (Dec. 19, 2026). Most require reservations.
Yes. The Santa Express on the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad in Boone, about 50 minutes from Des Moines, takes families to the North Pole and back while Santa visits each car. It runs weekends from late November into December and sells out, so book early.
Yes. Festival of Trees & Lights holds a Sensory Day on Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Iowa Events Center, and the Adapted Holiday Party at Birdland Park is designed for kids and teens with disabilities.
Paws & Pints in Des Moines hosts Photos with Santa Paws on select evenings, and Jordan Creek Town Center in West Des Moines offers Pet Night with Santa.
Short, indoor visits work best for little ones: Bass Pro Shops Santa’s Wonderland (reserve a time slot), or the Festival of Trees children’s area.
