Where To See Santa In Bradenton This Christmas Season

BRADENTON, FL — Santa Claus will be back in the Bradenton area 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 Manatee County, kids have several chances:

• Santa at Main Street in Lakewood Ranch: Dec. 1, 7 and 15, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
• North Pole Express at the Florida Railroad Museum in Parrish: Dec. 1-4, 7-11, 14-18 and 19-21. This 30-minute train ride brings you to the North Pole, where Santa visits with every child. Also enjoy entertainment, activities, campfires, and hot chocolate and cookies. Registration required.
• McGrath’s Irish Ale House, 8110 Lakewood Ranch Main Street, Bradenton: Dec. 2, 5”30 to 6 p.m. Santa will make an appearance during music on Main.
• Christmas in the Park at Manatee County Agricultural Museum, 1015 6th Street W., Palmetto: Dec. 2, 3 to 7 p.m., and Dec. 3, 2 to 7 p.m. Visit with Santa in the chapel and feel free to bring him a letter.
• Donuts with Santa at Bradenton YMCA, 3805 59th Street W., Bradenton: Dec. 10, 9 to 11 a.m. Take a trip to the North Pole to visit Santa. Take a photo with him and enjoy a cup of hot cocoa and a donut.
• The Mall at University Town Center, 140 University Town Center Drive, Sarasota: Take pictures with Santa and visit Santa’s Flight Academy in UTC’s Grand Court through Dec. 23. Reservations are recommended.

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