Where's Santa? Here's The Scoop On Visiting Jolly Old Elf In Tampa Bay

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:

Sensory-Friendly Santa And Pet Photos

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. 16, Santa will be located on East Main Street near Macy's Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. with breaks from 3 to 4 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. with a break from 2 to 2:30 p.m.

From Dec. 17-23, 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.

Additionally, Citrus Park Town Center will host a sensory-friendly Santa event Dec. 12 from 8 to 10:30 a.m. before the mall opens in a partnership with the Florida Autism Centers. This is a chance for sensory-sensitive children to sit and enjoy Santa Claus in a calm environment.

Click here.

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's Snow Globe

Santa's "snow globe" is back at The Florida Aquarium for socially distanced photos. He'll be on hand Dec. 11, 12, 18 and 19 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Click here.

Breakfast With Santa

Join the city of Pinellas Park Saturday, Dec. 11 from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Public Works Operations Center, 6250 82nd Ave. N, for the Annual Breakfast with Santa. Enjoy a breakfast of pancakes, sausage, orange juice, milk and coffee for the adults with Santa and his elves.

The children can have their photo taken with Santa and make a holiday picture frame craft to take home with them.

Space is limited so you must preregister at any of the Pinellas Park recreation centers. The cost is $5. Click here.

Santa At Museum Of Science & Industry

The Big Guy is very busy this holiday season, but he’s making a special trip to the Museum of Science & Industry, 4801 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, on Saturday, Dec. 11 and Dec. 18 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Families can take photos and create lasting memories talking with Santa.

Click here for more information.

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 In Clearwater

Santa is coming to Lake Belleview on Friday, Dec. 10 at 5:30 p.m. to celebrate the holidays at the Ross Norton Recreation & Aquatic Complex, 1426 S Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Clearwater.

Enjoy live holiday music, a Christmas tree lighting, free food and inflatables. Click 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 At The Jingle Bell Bazaar

The free Jingle Bell Bazaar will take place Dec. 12 from noon to 6 p.m. at Centennial Park Ybor, 1800 E 8th Ave., Tampa, where kids can visit Santa's Village and meet the big guy. The event will also include live music, food trucks and more than 100 vendors. Remember to bring a toy to donate to Toys for Tots.

Santa At Dade City Christmas Parade

Kids can wave to Santa and see, floats, bands and other sights and sounds of the holidays during the Dade City Christmas Parade presented by Rocycle and Saint Leo University Friday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. The parade will run along 7th Street in downtown Dade City between Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Church Street.

Simpson Lakes is the main sponsor and the grand marshal of this year's parade. Pasco County Professional Firefighters are the 2021 Santa sponsor and will end the parade escorting Santa. Pasco TC Gives and AdventHealth Dade City and AdventHealth Zephyrhills are Elf sponsors. The Dade City Little League is a community sponsor.

Thousands of spectators have been celebrating the holidays at the Dade City Christmas Parade since 1982. Spectators should bring lawn chairs or blankets. No pets are allowed. Come early to claim a parking space and shop in downtown Dade City or eat at one of the city's restaurants.

Calls From Santa

Dunedin kids can get a phone call from Santa Claus. The free service is provided by the city of Dunedin and is recommended for kids age 7 and younger. To register your child, you can fill out a form online or pick one up from the Dunedin Community Center and the Dunedin Library. The deadline to submit your form is Tuesday, Dec. 14.

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, which opens this weekend at 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 Dec. 10-12, 17-23, 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, 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.

Santa At Chick-Fil-A

Santa will be on hand at the Chick-Fil-A on Waters Avenue's annual Christmas lights display, 6299 W. Waters Ave., Tampa, on Dec. 10, 17 and 22 from 6 to 10 p.m.

Santa At Armature Works

Santa will be at Armature Works Dec. 11 and 18 from 1 to 4 p.m. to visit with kids. Kids can also write letters to Santa inside at the Armature Works Mercantile. There will be a letter writing station with supplies and a special mailbox for kids to drop their letters. Click here.

Santa At Clearwater Aquarium

Enjoy a delicious brunch before your jolly visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus Dec. 18, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.

Wear your festive sweaters or pajamas and visit CMA for a day filled with holiday cheer.

There will be a holiday-style brunch with a warm French toast bake, biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, turkey and ham, mashed potatoes, and more. After brunch, visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus for a family photo.

Brunch with Santa tickets include admission to the aquarium, brunch and one family photo with Santa. Tickets are $54.95 for adults and $44.95 for kids with members receiving a 15 percent discount. Click here.

Santa Visits East Pasco YMCA

The East Pasco Family YMCA at 37301 Chapel Hill Loop in Zephyrhills invites kids to sip on hot cocoa and snack on cookies while their parents take their photo with Santa Dec. 12 at 9 a.m. The kids will make a holiday-themed craft to take home. Click here.

If you have an event with Santa coming up, let us know and we'll add it. Email the details to dann.white@patch.com.

See related stories:

• It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like ... Winter Village Now Open
• Lights, Fireworks, Holiday Ice Shows Featured At Christmas Town
• Have A Wild Holiday At ZooTampa's Seasonal Event
• Holly, Jolly Holiday Activities Abound In Tampa Bay This Weekend