Where To See Santa In Rochester Hills This Christmas Season

ROCHESTER HILLS, MI — Santa Claus will be back in Rochester Hills 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 Rochester Hills, kids have several chances:

• Village of Rochester Hills, (Northeast corner of Walton and Adams roads) every Friday (2 to 8 p.m.), Saturday (2 p.m. to 8 p.m.) and Sunday (2 to 6 p.m.) from Nov. 25 to Dec. 24. Kids can meet Santa, sit on his lap and discuss their Christmas wish. Bring your own camera as photography packages are not available. Walk-ups only.
• Van Hoosen Farms Santa Claus Visits, (Van Hoosen Farms (1005 Van Hoosen Road) on Saturday, Dec. 3, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Santa Saturdays at Meadow Brook Hall, Meadow Brook Hall and Gardens (480 South Adams Rd) on Dec. 3, 10, 17 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visits to Santa, live reindeer visits, and a self-guided Hall tour are included in all ticket prices. $22.50 for adults and seniors, $10 for children ages 3-12, children age 5 and under are free. Purchase tickets here.

JC Penney stores, including stores in the Detroit area, are offering professional portraits with Santa through Dec. 18. Here are the opportunities:

• Fairlane Town Center, Dearborn, Dec. 8.
• Westland Shopping Center, Westland, Nov. 28.
• Village Lakes, White Lake Township, Dec. 5.