Santa Claus Is In Tampa Bay And Here's Where To Find Him

TAMPA BAY, FL — As usual, the Jolly Old Elf gets around. He seems to be everywhere in Tampa Bay this year. But, just in case you're wondering where and when to find Santa, here are some locations to check out:

Santa At Citrus Park Town Center

Santa will be on hand at Citrus Park Town Center, 8021 Citrus Park Town Center, for wish lists and photos through Dec. 24. No reservations are needed.

Through Dec. 23, the Jolly Old Elf will be at the mall Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. with a break from 3 to 4 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. with a break from 2 to 2:30 p.m.

And on Dec. 24, Christmas Eve, he'll be at the mall from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a break from 2 to 2:30 p.m.

Click here.

Santa At Hyde Park Village

Kids can also visit with Santa at Hyde Park Village, thanks to St. Joseph's Children's Hospital.

Kids can enjoy shakes with Santa at Goody Goody on Dec. 22 from 4 to 8 p.m. and then bring a blanket and join Mrs. Claus on Thursday, Dec. 23 from 10 a.m. to noon for story time in the Snow Circle Shops. There will be readings of "Frosty the Snowman," "Gingerbread Baby," "Red Sled" and "Got to Get to Bear's."

While you're there, donate $1 and send a letter to the North Pole at Santa's mailbox at Hyde Park Village. All donations will go to Make-A-Wish Southern Florida. Find the mailbox and letter supplies in Village Circle by the tree now through Dec. 24.

Santa Goes Wild

Santa will be going wild at ZooTampa's Christmas in the Wild Twinkle Town Marketplace on select nights through Dec. 30. Kids will be able to meet Santa and take a photo with him in front of his sleigh.

Click here.

Santa Goes Fishing

Santa's gone fishing at Bass Pro Shops at 10501 Palm River Road, Tampa. He'll be on hand through Dec. 24 for photos and wish lists. There will also be games, carousel rides and holiday craft gift bags to take home. Click here to reserve a time slot.

Santa At The Mall

Santa will be at Westshore Plaza, 250 Westshore Plaza, Tampa, for photos by reservation. Click here.

The Jolly Old will also be making appearances at The Shops at Wiregrass, 28211 Paseo Drive, Wesley Chapel. For reservations, click here.

Santa and his reindeer will be flying into Clearwater through Dec. 24, To get a photo with Santa at Westfield Countryside, 27001 U.S. 19 N, Clearwater, click here.

Kids can also share their wish lists and have their photos taken with Santa at Gulf View Square, 9409 U.S. 19, Port Richey. Make reservations here.

Santa At Winter Village

Santa will make some surprise visits to Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park throughout the event which continues this weekend and runs through Jan. 2. Check out the Winter Village Facebook page for hints about when Santa will appear. Then have your camera ready.

Winter Village runs from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and from 4 to 11 p.m. weekdays.

Santa's Flight Academy

Santa’s Flight Academy at International Plaza, 2223 N Westshore Blvd., Tampa, runs through Dec. 24. During December, Santa is available during all mall hours.

Elves will help guide kids through the academy where they’ll also get a chance to play with snow while they wait to see the big guy. Kids can choose whether they want to sit on Santa’s lap this year.

Click here to make reservations.

Santa's North Pole Experience

Santa’s North Pole Experience will take place at Busch Gardens' Christmas Town through December. Santa's elves will guide guests to visit Santa in his workshop. Click here for more information.

Santa At Winter Festival

Santa and Mrs. Claus will be at Raprager Family Farm's Winter Festival and Christmas Extravaganza, 16907 Boy Scout Road, Odessa. Kids can hear stories from Mrs. Claus and pay a visit to Santa and take pictures with him at his workshop.

The Winter Festival will run through Dec. 23 and Dec. 26-28. Hours on Fridays are 1 to 9 p.m. and hours on Saturday and Sunday are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The cost is $12.50 with children under 2 admitted for free.

Other activities include hayrides, a giant inflatable snow globe that kids can enter, a miniature Christmas town with a train, a gingerbread village, a petting zoo and local food and craft vendors.

Santa At The World Of Enchant

The Mischievous Elf will be at Santa's Landing at Christmas at the World of Enchant at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg starting this weekend and continuing through Jan. 2.

It will feature Santa, dazzling light displays, a spinning ice-skating rink, holiday crafts and more. Buy tickets here.

Santa At DK Farm

DK Farm's Christmas at the Farm, 1750 Lake Ave., SE, Largo, will run on select nights through Dec. 26.

There will be photo ops with Santa on weekends from 5 to 8 p.m., campfires, hayrides, a bounce house, a snow machine, a kiddie barrel ride, games, a petting zoo, a holiday gift market and food and drinks.

The cost for guests over 30 inches tall is $10. Christmas on the Farm is open from 5 to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekends. Click here.