Santa Sightings: The 15 Best Places to Find Santa in the Philadelphia Region

Santa at Christmas Village in PhiladelphiaSanta at Christmas Village in Philadelphia (Submitted Image)

PHILADELPHIA, PA — Ho, ho, ho! Merry Christmas everyone! Are you looking for a place to find Santa and his friends? Look no further, because we’ve got you covered. Below is a list of 15 places where you can see Santa and his buddies in the Philadelphia region. Some of these events are free, while others may require a purchase of ticket. No matter what, we’re sure that you’ll have a blast!

1) Santa at Christmas Village in Philadelphia
Philadelphia’s Largest Holiday Attraction
Love Park, 1600 JFK Blvd.
Now thru December 24th
https://www.philachristmas.com/

Christmas Village is in fact usually the LAST place to see Santa before he heads out on his sleigh and the market closes for the year. Santa Claus heads South from the North Pole straight to Christmas Village for a triumphant return this year after a more limited experience last year. Santa Claus will be in the middle of Love Park at his workshop in the center ring. Santa is offering photo packages through Russ Brown Photography. Santa visits are free with photo packages pay-as-you-go. Stay tuned for hours and days.

2) Phil The Reindeer at Christmas Village

Also: Phil the Reindeer makes appearances every weekend walking around Christmas Village in Philadelphia – watch for him in Love Park and get a photo with your family as he greets visitors and shoppers this season.

3) Stories with Santa
Vintner Wonderland
Renault Winery and Resort
72 North Bremen Avenue, Egg Harbor City, NJ 08215
December 8th, 15th, and 22nd, at 3:00 pm, 4:30 pm, and 6:00 pm
Tickets $12
https://www.eventbrite.com/o/renault-winery-resort-18422343988

Vintner Wonderland is a celebration of a successful harvest at Renault Winery. This winter festival provides the opportunity to gather loved ones, savor the season, and create enduring memories. Santa Clause will also host Stories with Santa on December 8th, 15th and 22nd, at 3:00 pm, 4:30 pm and 6:00 pm. Fun for believers of all ages. Join Santa Clause as he reads a Christmas classic while guests enjoy fresh-baked cookies from Cafe La Fleur in our Expedition Room next to Wine Maker Hall. After storytime, guests will have the opportunity to take photos with Santa.

4) Breakfast with Santa
Vintner Wonderland
Renault Winery and Resort
72 North Bremen Avenue, Egg Harbor City, NJ 08215
December 11th and 18th, at 9:30 am and 11:30 am
Tickets $25-$40
https://www.eventbrite.com/o/renault-winery-resort-18422343988

Vintner Wonderland is a celebration of a successful harvest at Renault Winery. This winter festival provides the opportunity to gather loved ones, savor the season, and create enduring memories. Breakfast with Santa is back on December 11th and 18th, with seating at 9:30 am and 11:30 am in the Champagne Ballroom. All your favorite breakfast items are served buffet-style with coffee, juice & tea.Cash bar available for adults 21+. Gluten-Free options are available.

5)  Drink with the Grinch (Dog event)
Craft Hall, 901 N Delaware Ave
Friday, December 9, 2022

21+ Event with owners and their dogs partnered with Saved Me Rescue on December 9 th from 7-10PM. Event is filled with a night full of pictures of your dog with the Grinch along with raffles on baskets donated from local businesses, specialty cocktails with proceeds going towards Saved Me Rescue. The goal is to raise money for this amazing shelter along with promoting the drives (Doggie Drive & Clothing Drive).

This December 9th, Craft Hall welcomes you and your furry companions for a Drink with the Grinch Holiday PAW-ty! From 7-10 PM, we will be offering pictures with the Grinch along with a chance to win raffle prizes donated from vendors throughout the Tristate area! This event aims to give back to Philadelphia’s community by helping local animal shelter, Saved Me Rescue, with proceeds going towards their mission! Craft Hall will also be accepting any donations for Saved Me Rescue’s doggie drive. If you decide to donate towards Saved Me Rescue’s doggie drive, we will give you one FREE raffle ticket for a chance to win one of the many exciting prizes! Come join Craft Hall and Saved Me Rescue for an amazing evening with the Grinch, drinks, and raffles while also supporting a local animal shelter! Who wouldn’t want to have a jolly good time with the Grinch? With a select drink menu, $1 will be donated to the organization! Guests can RSVP at Crafthallphilly.com/DrinkwiththeGrinch See you there!

6) Photos with Krampus at North Bowl
Northern Liberties Holiday Pop-up Market
Saturday, December 10, 2022
11:00 am to 4:00 pm
North Bowl, 909 N. 2nd Street
https://www.explorenorthernliberties.org/events/

Get ready for photos with Krampus, the counterpart to Saint Nicolas in Alpine folklore. Yes, you too can sit upon this horned character’s lap and tell him what you don’t want for Christmas. Say cheese! Free to attend, free for DIY photos, no purchase required!

Northern Liberties Business Improvement District is proud to present its 3rd Annual Holiday Pop-Up Market on Saturday, December 10, 2022, from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm at North Bowl (909 N 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA). Featuring over 35 craft and handmade goods vendors, this year’s market will fill the mezzanine of North Bowl, Northern Liberties’ expansive bowling alley and date night hot spot. This year’s festivities will feature Northern Liberties branded swag and gifts, family fun, letters to Santa, ornament making, and more family fun. New: Expanded to be both inside and outside this year! The event is free and open to the public. For more details and updates, visit explorenorthernliberties.org.

7) Enchanted in Northern Liberties: Princess Brunch in the Igloos at Figo
Featuring the Ice Queen by A Dash of Magic Events
Figo Ristorante
Saturdays, December 10 and December 17, 2022
Seatings two shows a day 11:00 am and 1:00 pm
Reservations are available on Resy
https://www.figoitalian.com/

Glu Hospitality invites you to get frozen in Northern Liberties with the city’s newest and most lavish Igloo experience, plus the return of Princess Brunches at the Igloos, and a brand-new heated cocktail garden. Partners Derek Gibbons and Tim Lu bring a new holiday and winter experience to Northern Liberties Restaurant Row with the debut of enchanting and weather-proof sparkling Igloos at Figo Ristorante (1033 N. 2nd Street). The Igloos at Figo are neary 12 feet wide, seat up to eight people, and feature over a hundred clear sustainable panels, a table-top fire pit, festive decor, and a view of the night stars and the new Northern Liberties Christmas Tree. For 2022, look for more igloos and more decor in them too!

Along with the Igloos, Glu brings back Enchanted in Northern Liberties: Princess Brunches at the Igloos at Figo in partnership and a pivot with A Dash of Magic Events, running for two shows a day on Saturday, December 10 and Saturday, December 17, 2022. Families can “Igloo-distance” themselves from other families and the Princess, as she goes Igloo to Igloo, and table to table, and interacts and delights young children. Look for the Snow Queen at both dates – she can’t wait to get frozen with all the festive families! For more information and reservations for the Igloos and the Cocktail Garden, visit www.figoitalian.com.

8) Photos with Santa and Holiday Market
Jerry’s Bar
129 West Laurel Street<

Jerry’s Annual Holiday Market and FREE photos with Santa will return next Saturday, December 10th from 11-4 pm. Shop for all your family and loved ones at Jerry’s Bar’s annual Holiday Market on Saturday, going on now through December 10th from 11 am – 4 pm.  Enjoy holiday tunes, get your photo taken with Santa, and make sure to grab brunch afterward!

9) Photos with Santa
Santa Claus Photos at Heritage
Heritage
914 N. 2nd Street
Saturdays December 10 and 17
11am to 2pm<
https://www.explorenorthernliberties.org/event/202212-heritage/

Santa will visit Heritage the first three Saturdays in December! Free hot chocolate, DIY Santa Photos, Full Brunch Menu, Stroller Parking and Holiday Cocktail Specials.

10) Santa Claus Brunch
Sunday, December 11 and 18, 2022, from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Craft Hall, 901 N Delaware Ave

Craft Hall hosts Santa Claus Brunch on Sunday, December 11th and Sunday, December 18th, from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. Free photos taken with children. Santa will even head out to the puppy porch during the event for pics with the pups! The menu is part of the Bubbles and Brunch, with a brunch buffet and bottomless mimosas, beer, wine and house drinks for only $39.95 for adults, $25 per person with no liquor and kids eat free (five and under, one free child per each adult).

Includes:

  • Brunch Buffet
  • Bottomless Mimosas, Beer, Wine and House drinks

Advance Menu – Final Selections May Vary:

  • French Toast Bake- Cinnamon, Caramel Apples, Maple Syrup (VG)
  • Assorted Breakfast Meats- Sausage, Applewood Smoked Bacon, Pork Roll (GF)
  • Soft Scrambled Eggs (GF)
  • Broccoli and Cheddar Frittata (VG, GF)
  • Breakfast Potatoes- Peppers, Onions, BBQ Spice (GF, V)
  • Loaded Breakfast Potatoes- Brisket Burnt Ends, Bacon, Peppers, Onions, BBQ Spice (GF)
  • Chicken and Waffles- Hot Honey Butter
  • Buttermilk Biscuits- Sweet Whipped Butter, Seasonal Jam (VG)
  • Shrimp and Grits
  • House Cured  Lox Platter- Traditional Accompaniments
  • BYO Pulled Pork Sliders- Slaw, Pickles, BBQ, Milk Slider Buns
  • Breakfast Pizza- Chef’s Selection Rotating Toppings
  • Seasonal Salad (V)
  • Yogurt and Fruit Parfait- Granola (VG)

Reserve now by calling Craft Hall at (267) 297-2072.

11) Tree Lighting and Santa Skate
Flight on Ice
Energy Transfer Veterans Memorial Rink,
4901 West Chester Pike
Newtown Square, PA 19073
https://www.flightonice.com/locations/newtown-square/
Special Event: Wednesday, December 14, 2022 – 6-8pm

Flight on Ice is excited to be back in Edgmont, PA. Conveniently located on Route 3,  just minutes from the Blue Route, West Chester, Newtown Square and a short drive from Philadelphia or The Main Line. For our 2nd year you can expect many improvements and fun for the whole family including ice skating sessions, fire lounge area, the Visit Delco beer garden, heated party tents, DJs and affordable food and beverage offerings. If you’re local and think you might be coming often a season pass is the way to go. Plus, a portion of proceeds are donated to the Delaware County.

Come out for the official tree lighting, ribbon cutting and skate with Santa on Wednesday, December 14, 2022,from 6-8pm.

12) Santa Brunch at Figo Ristorante
1033 N. 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA
Sunday, December 18, 2022, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Igloos, outdoor and indoor dining available for this!
For more on Figo, visit https://www.figoitalian.com/.
https://www.figoitalian.com/

Santa Claus is coming to Northern Liberties at Figo Ristorante at 1033 N. 2nd Street. Figo’s beautiful new outdoor Christmas patio and cocktail garden will be decorated from top to bottom, complete with the neighborhood tree. Figo Brunch with Sants will take place on Sunday, December 18th, from 10:00am to 1:00pm. Reservations are available on Resy. For brunch food and drink, look for a special family-friendly menu that is pay-as-you-go. Photos with Santa are DIY and available with purchase of brunch. There will also be a cookie decorating station, seasonal sips for the kids and adults, and a MYO Hot Cocoa Station too.

13) Drag Queen Story Time and Pictures with the Grinch
Two overlapping family events!
Craft Hall, 901 N Delaware Ave

Pictures with the Grinch (Family Event)
December 18th, 12-2
Craft Hall, 901 N Delaware Ave

An overlapping event with the Grinch and Storytime for families to get pictures with the Grinch. On December 18th from 11am-1pm Brittany Lynn will be hosting a very special Drag Storytime. This storytime is even more special because Brittany Lynn will be reading her very own story “The FURther Adventures of Miss Kitty Popcorn & Cheese!” with a very special appearance by Wallace West and his new book “Mighty Red Riding Hood! Along with free drawings for the kids during story time! Come dressed up for the holiday story time and enjoy new and exciting stories with Brittany Lynn.

Drag Story Time
December 18th 11-1
Craft Hall, 901 N Delaware Ave

Drag Queen Story Time is a program created by Philly’s Queen Brittany Lynn with the help of child educators from the city’s top museums and schools. Drag Queen Story Time promotes literacy to children of all ages with style, flair, and creativity-while reading stories about love, diversity, and acceptance. You can find Drag Queen Story Time all over the tri-state area at libraries, museums, schools, parks, and now Craft Hall!

Drag Queen Story Time won the title of “Best Community Builder” from Philadelphia Family Magazine in 2019 and “Family Favorite Program” in 2021.

14)  Brunch with Santa
The Olde Bar
Sunday, December 19, 2022
10:00am and Noon
Pricing: $45 adult, $25 children under 12 (plus tax & grat)
Reserve via OpenTable Experience at Theoldebar.com
http://theoldebar.com/

Santa is making his annual stop at The Olde Bar!  This family tradition returns on Sunday, December 19th with a festive brunch with the big man himself. Kids have a chance to chat with Santa, parents can snap the instagram photo and everyone enjoys  a festive brunch. Menu includes silver dollar pancakes, french toast, scrambled eggs, biscuits & mushroom gravy,  shrimp & Grits, Steak & Eggs, Crab Fries,  and More! Don’t forget the hot chocolate and cookies, of course!

15) Countdown to Noon with Cinderella
Presented by Glu Hospitality with A Dash of Magic Events
Figo Ristorante
Reservations available on Resy 11/1
https://www.figoitalian.com/

Glu Hospitality and A Dash of Magic Events invite you to an enchanting end of the year with Countdown to Noon with Cinderella at the family-friendly New Year’s Eve brunch celebration on December 31st. There is no charge this year – the party is included with each brunch reservation. Come say goodbye to 2022 and say hello to one of the most famous and festive princesses of them all. Cinderella will be there from 11:30am to 1:00pm so make your reservation for before, during or after to get a photo and a smile. Reservations are live on Resy.

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