Santa Claus Is Coming To Clearwater For Christmas: Where To See Him

CLEARWATER, FL — Visits and pictures with Santa are treasured traditions for many Clearwater area families. For them, there’s nothing quite like seeing jolly old St. Nick live and in person.

Around Clearwater, kids can share their Christmas wish lists with Santa Claus at these locations and events:

Sea Of Holiday Joy

Meet Santa under the sea and have your cameras ready as Santa Claus himself makes a special appearance amidst the marine animals. Get your holiday wishes ready and take a memorable photo with Santa in this unique aquatic setting.

Santa will be diving:

• Dec. 1 and Dec. 8 at 10 a.m.
• Dec. 15 at 1 p.m.
• Dec. 18 to Dec. 22 at 10 a.m.
• Dec. 26 to Dec. 29 at 10 a.m.

In addition, there will be photo opportunities with Santa Claus in his holiday workshop, interactive marine presentations full of holiday spirit, holiday crafts and activities and a chance to to immerse yourself in a winter wonderland adorned with festive marine-themed decorations, twinkling lights and holiday cheer around every corner. Dates are Nov. 24 to 26, Dec 2 and 3, Dec. 9 and 10, Dec. 16 to 24 and Dec. 26 to 31.

Click here.

Reindeer Lane

Countryside's Reindeer Lane will take place on Saturday, Dec. 2 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Follow the reindeer tracks around the Countryside Recreation Center Lane. Play reindeer games, collect prizes and toys, enjoy photo opportunities and eat holiday snacks along the way. At the end of the trail, take photos with Santa Claus. The first 200 participants will receive a special treat. This is a free event and space is limited at Countryside Recreation Center, 2640 Sabal Springs Drive.

Holiday Trolley Tours

Clearwater's Bright & Beautiful Holidays Trolley Tours will take place Dec. 8 and 15. Visit your neighborhood recreation center at the times listed below to meet Santa Claus and his cheerful elves when they cruise through Clearwater. Attendees can also enjoy holiday activities, watch movies, sip on hot chocolate and participate in children's activities.

The tours will take place Dec. 8 from 4:30 to 5:45 p.m. at the North Greenwood Recreation & Aquatic Complex, 900 N Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., and Dec. 15 from 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. at the Clearwater Beach Library & Recreation Center, 69 Bay Esplanade.

Ho-Ho Holiday Party

There will be a Ho-Ho Holiday Party & Hayride on Friday, Dec. 8, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Get in the holiday spirit with some goodies, games, arts and crafts. Take your picture with Santa, create a take-home craft, play on inflatables, win prizes playing games and end the night with a hayride at the Morningside Recreation Complex, 2400 Harn Blvd.

Mrs. Claus At The Market Marie

The Market Marie will take place Saturday, Dec. 9 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Coachman Park, 300 Cleveland St. Make the gift-giving season extra special by shopping local. There will be handcrafted goods, a "Dog Paw-Parade," food trucks and a special storytime with Ms. Claus. Registration for the parade is on-site .

Winter Holiday Social

A Winter Holiday Social will take place Friday, Dec. 15 from 4 to 6 p.m. Attend this family-friendly holiday event at the North Greenwood Recreation & Aquatic Complex. There will be a face painter, balloons, children's activities and bounce houses. Santa Claus may even stop by.

Girl Gang Christmas Market

The Girl Gang Christmas Market is set for Saturday, Dec. 16 from noon to 4 p.m. in downtown Clearwater. Experience the holiday spirit with more than 100 women-owned businesses. As you stroll through this festive marketplace, you'll find unique gifts for everyone on your list. And who needs Santa when there's Ms. Claus on hand? She'll travel from the North Pole to take photos with all who attend. This market is a celebration of female entrepreneurship and will donate 10 percent of vendor fees to EmpowHerment, a Clearwater-based nonprofit that offers invaluable resources to women in Pinellas County.

Santa At The Countryside Mall

Santa Claus has arrived at the Countryside Mall, 27001 U.S. 19 N, Clearwater, and is available for visits and photos.

Photos with Santa will be available at Countryside Mall through Dec. 24. Reservations are highly recommended for pictures with Santa, with limited walk-up availability.

Santa’s Visiting Hours:

Through Dec. 7
Mondays through Fridays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sundays from noon to 6 p.m.

Dec. 8 to Dec. 20
Mondays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sundays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Dec. 21, 22 and 23
10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve)
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Click here for reservations.

Pet photos with Santa will be available Monday, Nov. 27 to Monday, Jan. 1. Shoppers can capture that perfect holiday memory with leashed, well-behaved four-legged members of the family on select Mondays. Click here.

Santa’s Candy Cane Stroll

On Friday, Dec. 1, from 6 to 8 p.m., the Countryside Mall will welcome Santa for a Candy Cane Stroll.

Guests will enjoy a festive stroll through the mall with stops at select stores for treats, roaming holiday characters, jolly activities, and a contest with a prize for the family with the most Christmas spirit.

Guests should come festively dressed in their ugliest Christmas sweaters, cozy Christmas PJs or in their yuletide best.

Check-in with Santa’s helpers at the Candy Cane Stroll service table located near the Santa Set and receive a free goodie bag, passed out to the first 100 guests

Know about another Santa visit? Post the information to the Clearwater Patch events calendar.