Santa Back In Long Beach For Christmas: Where To See Him

LONG BEACH, CA — Santa Claus will be back in Long Beach this holiday season after a couple of years of COVID-19 restrictions that made it difficult for kids to crawl up on his lap and make their case that they’ve been good boys and girls over the last year.

Visits and pictures with Santa are at the heart of many families’ holiday traditions, but the coronavirus pandemic gave them a lump of coal. Malls and other places took social distancing measures in both 2020 and 2021 to help contain the spread of the virus, moving Santa meet-ups largely online.

Virtual visits are still an option in many places, but there’s nothing quite like seeing jolly old St. Nick live and in person. In Long Beach, kids have several chances:

Santa visits SteelCraft Long Beach on Saturday, Dec. 3 from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 3768 Long Beach Boulevard Long Beach, CA 90807. For more info and to reserve a spot on his lap go here.

Take a Selfie with Santa near Marina Drive and Ample Hills Creamery at the 2nd and PCH shopping center all the way until Christmas Eve. For hours and times to see him go to this link.

The Aquarium of the Pacific is giving Santa the chance to take a dive as well as meet kids and have photo opportunities. On weekends starting Dec, 3 through the 18 Santa will be available for photos. For more info visit the aquarium's website.

Santa arrived Nov. 12 at Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Santa’s Wonderland and will hold court through Christmas Eve. Reservations are encouraged.

JC Penney stores, including stores in Lakewood, Torrance and Carson, are offering professional portraits with Santa through Dec. 18.