Get your family in the holiday spirit with a visit from their favorite man in the red suit, Santa Claus.
Start the holiday season off with a visit to the Art Van Santa Parade on Nov. 18 in downtown Grand Rapids, the second-largest parade in the state, and continue to get your children excited leading up to the big day with these events and Santa appearances. They won’t be small enough to sit in Santa’s lap forever!
Art Van Santa Parade
Nov. 18, 2017
- Address: Downtown Grand Rapids
- Contact: chair@santaparadegr.com
- Time: 9-10 a.m.
- Cost: Free
Come out and celebrate the season at the second-largest parade in the state. Kids can get a photo with Santa immediately following the parade in front of PNC Bank.
Santa’s Workshop
Nov. 18, 2017
- Address: Grand Rapids Public Library, 111 Library St. NW, Grand Rapids
- Phone: 616-988-5400
- Time: 10 a.m.-noon
- Cost: Free
Join not only Santa, but Mrs. Claus, too, for a story time and meet and greet. Decorate a tabletop holiday tree, as well.
Aquinas Alumni and Friends Breakfast with Santa
Dec. 2, 2017
- Address: Aquinas College Donnelly Center, 1700 Fulton St. E, Grand Rapids
- Phone: 616-632-2822
- Time: 9-11 a.m.
- Cost: $7/adults, $5/ages 2-12, free/under age 2
Chow down at a pancake buffet breakfast, sing holiday carols, write letters to Santa and more at this event.
Breakfast with Santa at Grand Rapids Public Museum
Dec. 2, 2017
- Address: Grand Rapids Public Museum, 272 Pearl St. NW, Grand Rapids
- Phone: 616-929-1700
- Time: 8:30 a.m.-noon
- Cost: $30/children and adults, free/under age 2
Make sure to pre-register for this early morning with Santa. Along with photos with Santa and breakfast, families can enjoy a holiday-themed planetarium show.
Breakfast with Santa at Kroc Center
Dec. 2, 2017
- Address: 2500 Division Ave. S, Grand Rapids
- Phone: 616-588-7200
- Time: 10 a.m.-noon
- Cost: Free/members, $5/person, $20/family
Come out for a light buffet breakfast at the Grand Rapids Kroc Center and get some pictures featuring the man in red. There will also be a chance to pen a few letters to Santa and put together crafts.
Santa Photo Shoot at City2Shore
Dec. 6, 2017
- Address: Naidra L. Walls, Realtor, 718 Wealthy St., Grand Rapids
- Phone: 616-643-3976
- Time: 4-7 p.m.
- Cost: Free
Stop by the City2Shore office and have your child’s photo taken with Santa – holiday cookies, music and cocoa, too. Pets are welcome!
Breakfast with Santa at Indian Trails Camp
Dec. 9, 2017
- Address: Indian Trails Camp, O-1859 Lake Michigan Drive NW, Grand Rapids
- Phone: 616-677-5251
- Time: 10 a.m.-noon
- Cost: $5/person
Enjoy a buffet breakfast, holiday activities and more than just a photo with SantAa – you’ll get a gift, too!
Breakfast with Santa at the Library
Dec. 9, 2017
- Address: Kent District Library, 4950 Breton Road SE, Kentwood
- Phone: 616-784-2007
- Time: 9-11 a.m.
- Cost: Free
Doughnuts and juice, along with holiday coloring books, will be provided at this pictures with Santa event. There won’t be a photographer onsite, so be sure to bring a phone or camera to snap a few pictures.
Kids’ Christmas Party at 5th Street Hall
Dec. 9, 2017
- Address: St. Adalbert’s Aid Society, 701 Fifth NW, Grand Rapids
- Phone: 616-774-2312
- Time: noon-3 p.m.
- Cost: Free
This event is open to members and their children ages 10 and under. Kids can play games, craft and visit with Santa.
Pet-centered Santa Photo Shoot
Dec. 10, 2017
- Address: Fido & Stitch, 820 Monroe Ave. NW, Suite 140, Grand Rapids
- Phone: 616-288-7992
- Time: noon-2 p.m.
- Cost: $5/photo
Consider your fur babies children? There’s a Santa event for you, too! Bring your pet to Fido & Stitch to get a Santa photo and enjoy cider and doughnuts while you wait.
Snacks with Santa
Dec. 12, 2017
- Address: Downtown Market Grand Rapids, 435 Ionia Ave. SW, Grand Rapids
- Phone: 616-805-5308
- Time: 4-7 p.m.
- Cost: Free
Stop by the Downtown Market to grab a few Christmas snacks and meet Santa. Kids can play bingo, make crafts and more.
Holiday Photos at Senior Living Center
Dec. 13, 2017
- Address: Samaritas Senior Living of Grand Rapids, 2000 32nd St. SE, Grand Rapids
- Phone: 616-452-5900
- Time: 5-7 p.m.
- Cost: Free
Get the whole family together for a photo with Santa at Samaritas Senior Living of Grand Rapids and decorate holiday cookies, too.
Santa at Toddler Time
Dec. 15, 2017
- Address: Sky Zone Grand Rapids, 3636 29th St. SE, Kentwood
- Phone: 616-920-8059
- Time: 10 a.m.-noon
- Cost: $6/toddler
Get ready to bounce around at Sky Zone Grand Rapids. Kids ages 5 and under can enjoy the event and go home with a picture with Santa.
Santa Concert at West Grand
Dec. 16, 2017
- Address: West Grand Neighborhood Organization, 415 Leonard St. NW, Grand Rapids
- Phone: 616-451-0150
- Time: 4-7 p.m.
- Cost: Free
Get ready to sing along to some holiday tunes at this kid-friendly event. Enjoy a cup of hot chocolate as you get down to the music as Santa Claus performs for families.
Brunch with Santa at Wheelhouse
Dec. 16-17, 2017
- Address: Wheelhouse, 67 Ottawa Ave. SW, Grand Rapids
- Phone: 616-226-3319
- Time: 9 a.m.
- Cost: $29.95/adults, $14.95/kids
Enjoy a full breakfast buffet featuring an omelet station, waffle bar and more, along with a chance to get a photo with the big man himself.
