Where To See Santa In Walnut Creek This Christmas Season

WALNUT CREEK, CA — Santa Claus will be back in Walnut Creek 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 the Walnut Creek area, kids have several chances:

• Through Dec. 24: Photos With Santa: Broadway Plaza in Walnut Creek
• Dec. 16, 2:30 p.m.-4 p.m.: Photos With Santa: Civic Park Community Center in Walnut Creek
• Nov. 11-Dec. 24 (hours vary by date): Santa’s Flight Academy Holiday Photo Experience at Sunvalley Shopping Center
• Dec. 2, 5:30 p.m.-8 p.m.: Holiday Tree Lighting, Mayor's Sing-Along & Santa, Concord
• Dec. 2- Dec. 23 (days/hours vary): Visit Santa in the Main Street Santa House at the Plaza on Main Street in Martinez. For $10, enjoy a short visit with Santa and take unlimited pictures with your own camera or cell phone. Click here for Martinez Santa House Hours for December 2022.
• Dec. 2, 5 p.m.-6 p.m.; Dec. 3, 1 p.m.-2 p.m.: Meet Santa at Frosty's Holiday Boutique at Martinez Senior Center
• Dec. 4: It’s A Wonderful Life In Lafayette Holiday Celebration. With tree lighting, Santa, free train rides, crafts & more.
• Dec. 7: Annual Holiday Festival & Santa at Pleasant Hill Community Center
• Dec. 11 & Dec. 18, 10 a.m.: Breakfast With Santa & "Grinch" Movie at The Veranda in Concord
• Dec. 10-22: Visit To North Pole & Santa - Live Theatre Experience: Lesher Center
• Noon -3 p.m. Dec. 3 & 4, Dec. 10 & 11, Dec. 17& 18, Dec. 23 & 24: Santa Visits at Danville Livery

In San Francisco, Santa is at Macy's Union Square on the sixth floor through Dec. 24. Reservations are required at least five days in advance.

Select JC Penney stores, including in Sacramento, Citrus Heights and Roseville, are offering professional portraits with Santa through Dec. 18.

• SEE ALSO: Holiday Events In Walnut Creek 2022: Christmas Parades; Tree Lightings