Where To See Santa In Fremont This Christmas Season

FREMONT, CA — Santa Claus will be back in Fremont this holiday season after a couple of years of COVID-19 restrictions that made it difficult for kids to crawl up on his lap and make their case that they’ve been good boys and girls over the last year.

Visits and pictures with Santa are at the heart of many families’ holiday traditions, but the coronavirus pandemic gave them a lump of coal. Malls and other places took social distancing measures in both 2020 and 2021 to help contain the spread of the virus, moving Santa meet-ups largely online.

Virtual visits are still an option in many places, but there’s nothing quite like seeing jolly old St. Nick live and in person. In Fremont, kids have several chances:

Kids will have their first chance to share their Christmas Wish List with Santa Friday, Dec. 2 at Fremont Hub for Bright Up the Night, a free event lighting up the sky from 6 to 8 p.m. in the courtyard near Old Navy featuring laser light shows, live holiday music, a holiday giveaway, and photo-ops with Santa Claus, Frosty the Snowman, a peppermint princess, nutcracker and a holiday teddy bear. Fremont Hub is located at the intersection of Argonaut Way & Mowry Avenue in Fremont.

Then on Saturday, Dec. 3 Pacific Commons will host its annual Holiday Celebration and Tree Lighting beginning at 6 p.m. Attendees at the event can bring their cell phone or camera and take a free picture with Santa Claus while enjoying holiday carolers perform and artist elves that will be arm painting and balloon twisting. Attendees will receive a holiday treat while supplies last. Pacific Commons is located at 44109 Pacific Commons Boulevard in Fremont.

On Wednesday, Dec. 7, at 5:30 p.m. parents can take their little ones to the Holiday Tree Lighting at The Shops at Washington West in Fremont. Located at the corner of Paseo Padre and Mowry Avenue, those in attendance can enjoy the annual tree lighting, entertainment, refreshments, and sightings of Santa and Mrs. Claus.