“Wish I knew all the places I can take the kids to see Santa this year”
Looking for Santa? Spread the word… Santa and all the great events & activities for kids during the holidays can be found on LubbockForKids.com!
It’s a present for all of us – the gift of saving time! In today’s blog we wanted to share some of the opportunities that our kids have in the Lubbock area to see Santa… so great to be a kid in the Hub!
Santa has many more visits on his schedule, so check our Santa Sightings section for up-to-the minute listings. You know… we are the official keeper of Santa’s schedule in the Lubbock area… it’s true!
What a wonderful place we live in … our community provides so many opportunities to create family memories and enjoy the fun of the season!
Where oh where can we find Santa on the South Plains?
At Breakfast with Santa events… (reservations required for most)
Fri 11/20 and Sat. 11/21: Holiday Happening @ the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center. Space is limited.
Sat. 12/5: The Village Shopping Center @ Zio’s (82nd & Quaker). (Sold out).
Sat. 12/5: Breakfast with Santa at Maxey Community Center. $10/person. Space is limited.
Sat. 12/5 starting at 9am @ South Plains Mall Grand Court: Polar Express Weekend Extravaganza Private Breakfast (free!) with Santa & “Mall Express Train’ ($3) to Premiere Cinema to see “The Polar Express” movie. Movie starts at 10:30am. $3 mall train ride. $6 movie (purchase tickets online – sure to sellout!). Activities FREE. Candy cane & cookie decorating at Premiere. Part of the Polar Express Weekend Extravaganza benefiting Literacy Lubbock.
At Tree-Lighting Events…
Tues 12/1: The Carol of Lights ceremony @ Texas Tech. Join Santa & Raider Red for cookies starting at 5pm at the Frazier Pavilion
Tues 12/1: SPC Christmas Tree Lighting & Carriage Rides with Santa @ South Plains College in Levelland.
Fri. 12/11 & Sat. 12/12 from 6 to 9pm: Candlelight at the Ranch @ the National Ranching Heritage Center. Special appearance by Santa till 9pm each night in the NRHC main gallery!
Children will have an opportunity to visit with Santa at the National Ranching Heritage Center from 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 11-12 during the 37th Annual Candlelight at the Ranch.
At Parades…
Thurs. 12/3:
Levelland Christmas on the Square & Lighted Christmas Parade @ 5:30pm.
Plainview Christmas Parade on Broadway @ 6pm.
Sat. 12/5:
Post City Trade Days & Christmas Parade @ 6pm.
Sat. 12/12:
Miracles Christmas Parade on 34th Street in Lubbock @ 6pm.
With Pets…
Mondays from 6-8pm till Christmas: Pet Photos with Santa @ South Plains Mall. A special time for your furry friends to visit Santa! (Cats and Dogs only, in carriers or on leashes please).
Sat. 11/28 & 12/5 from 11am-4pm and Sun. 11/29 & 12/6 from 1-4pm:
Santa Paws Photos @ KK’s Corner Mall. $10. Professionally photographed by Robert Cason.
Proceeds benefit the Humane Society of West Texas
Sat. 12/12: Santa Paws @ Hodges Community Center (40th & University) from 9am-1pm.
Photos available for purchase or bring your camera!
On Trains…(reservations suggested)
On the Polar Express! Departures begin Nov. 21 and end Dec. 26. Wolfforth depot.
At Carnivals…
Sat. 12/5: Christmas Carnival @ Mae Simmons Community Center. 2-4pm.
Sat. 12/12: Holiday Wonderland @ The Science Spectrum. 10am-3pm.
Sun. 12/20: Pancho Clos @ Maggie Trejo Supercenter (32nd & Amherst). 2-5pm.
Holiday Wonderland at The Science Spectrum
Through the Season…
South Plains Mall: 11/14 – 12/24. Photos available for purchase.
Holland Gardens: Saturdays & Sundays from 1-4pm (free!) now through Christmas.
(50th & Memphis)
Santa’s Land Drive Thru Park in Tahoka (free!): Open November 26 (Thanksgiving!), 27,28,29 and December 4,5,6,11,12,13,18,19,20,21,22,23,24 and light will be on 25, 26 & 27.
Kingsgate Shopping Center: Saturdays Thanksgiving – 12/20 (82nd & Quaker).
Also don’t miss their complimentary carriage rides Friday – Sunday evenings through Christmas Eve!
Bring a coat to donate to their Coat Drive!
Santa Land @ Mackenzie Park: Nightly 12/10 – 12/23 from 6-10pm.
Opening Ceremony: Tues. 12/10 @ 6pm. Help welcome Santa & Mrs. Claus from the North Pole & turn on the lights to the tree and winter village!
And you can help Santa…. If you have him scheduled to be at an event open to the public – or if you know of any great event or activity for our kids – just add the listing to LubbockForKids.com or comment here on our blog to help spread the word!
This article was originally published in 2013 and updated for 2015.
