All The Best Places to Visit Santa in Ann Arbor

Are your kids counting down the days until Santa arrives? or wondering Where can I meet Santa near me? While they have to wait until Christmas for the gift delivery, we’ve got details on where to see Santa near Ann Arbor in 2024.

Be sure to check back throughout the season as more places to see Santa near us get announced.

What do you think is the Best Place to Visit Santa Near Ann Arbor? My daughter always preferred the more casual interactions with Santa instead of being “on stage” visting at the mall.

Enjoy a Meal or Snack with Santa This Year

There are several Santa Meals around Ann Arbor this holiday season. I love Santa Meals as a relaxed way for the kids to interact with Santa. Many of the Santa meals require advance registration and sell out. Be sure to check our list and make your reservations.

Holiday Train Rides in Michigan – See Santa on the Train

Have you ever been on a train with Santa? There are a couple Santa trains in Michigan – some closer to Ann Arbor than others..

Spicers Santa Train

Spicers Orchard in Fenton offers “train’ rides to visit Santa in either the Gingerbread Barn or Santa’s Sleigh Cabin. Trains run November 29-December 23 and (Thursday-Sunday through December 1 and daily starting December 5. Reservations are required and book quickly. Tickets are $18/day time, $20/night (6p & later).

Southern Michigan Railroad

Southern Michigan Railroad offers the closest Santa trains to Ann Arbor. They are offering trains on Saturday and Sunday from Thanksgiving weekend through December 15. Last year they sold out in 5 days, so get your tickets soon!

North Pole Express

The North Pole Express is a bit further from Ann Arbor in Owosso. They typically run the Pere Marquette 1225 (PM 1225). The blueprints for this train were used to make the train in the Polar Express Book & Movie. They are sold out for 2024. Tickets often go on sale in the summer, so check back in summer 2025!

Ann Arbor Santa Sets

The traditional way to visit Santa is a mall Santa or other Santa setup where you can just walk in any time. Check out these sites for for Santa Claus visits near us

Briarwood Mall Santa

Santa is arriving at Briarwood Mall on November 21. He will be available daily through Christmas Eve (December 24). Reservations are suggested. Last year he didn’t arrive until after Thanksgiving, so there are a few more options to meet Santa this year.

Briarwood Mall traditionally hosts Caring Santa on a Sunday morning for children with sensory sensitivities (December 8). They also host a pet photos night on a Sunday evening (December 1)

Cabela’s Dundee, MI Santa

Santa arrived at Cabela’s before we looked for information on November 3.. Santa will continue to greet guests indoors at Cabela’s through December 24. Reservations are recommended and open 7 days in advance.

Attendees will get a free 4×6 photo and a video they can share. Additional photo packages are available for purchase.

They are also offering Santa Breakfasts with reservations opening 7 days in advance.

Three Cedars Farm

Their Country Christmas starts November 29.

Visit Santa and Mrs Claus at Three Cedars Farm’s Country Christmas. Santa is available 11a-2p and 4-7p on Fridays and Saturdays and noon-4p on Sundays. They also have trees, wreaths, and roping available. Don’t miss out on their donuts, cider, and hot chocolate.

Kerrytown Santa

Santa Joe was the Kerrytown Santa for years. However, Kerrytown has not brought back their Santa experience since December 2019. Santa Joe can be found on Facebook as the Merry Town Santa Claus.

Find a Black Santa near Ann Arbor

Are you looking for a Black Santa? We found one when my daughter was young… at Toys R Us if that gives a hint as to how long ago it was.

McDonalds on Ecorse Rd in Ypsilanti is hosting Santa’s Story Time on December 14 from noon-1:30p and will have a black Santa. A group of local businesses has also collaborated to have a Black Santa in Ypsi on December 21 & 22

Events with Santa Claus Appearances near Ann Arbor

The list below will be updated as new events are announced. We can’t wait to see everywhere Santa is visiting in 2024 near us.Several of the events even offer free Santa pictures near Ann Arbor.

Santa Visits Near Ann Arbor We Are Watching For Information

Many events are repeated year after year and we updated our list when we see updates. These were some of the best places to visit Santa near us in 2023. We are still updating holiday events or are waiting for updates to add them to our list of where to see Santa near me 2024.

2023 Events

Ann Arbor Christmas

For more Ann Arbor Christmas fun, be sure to check out our Christmas Guide. It includes Holiday Parades, Holiday Shows, Christmas Tree Farms, and more.

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