Some Santa events are happening in drive-thru fashion, some virtual and some in-person with face masks and social distancing rules in place. While the Santa experience will be different without sitting on Santa’s lap or talking from a distance, the Christmas magic will still be alive throughout the Dayton area.
We will continue to update this guide as more Santa visits are announced throughout the Miami Valley and more specifics are shared.
Where to find Santa
🎅🏼The Mall at Fairfield Commons
Santa will welcome children at the Mall at Fairfield Commons to share their Christmas wishes in person, though contactless and observing social-distance guidelines.
Santa will arrive at Fairfield Commons on Friday, Nov. 27, and will be present through Thursday, Dec. 24, with the exception of Monday, Nov. 30, through Wednesday, Dec. 2.
“Reservations to visit Santa are strongly encouraged,” according to a statement from Fairfield Commons. “Walk-up visits will be available as space allows throughout the day. A contactless experience is possible if guests make reservations and purchase a photo package online.”
Santa will wear a face mask at all times and masks will be required for children ages 2 and up.
“Guests will have the opportunity to engage in conversation and take a photo with Santa while maintaining physical distance. In an effort to ensure the health and well-being of our guests and Santa, guests will not sit on Santa’s lap during their visit,” according to the statement.
Credit: Jim Noelker
Credit: Jim Noelker
🎅🏼Dayton Mall
Dayton Mall marketing director Karen Brown said the mall is looking forward to welcoming Santa this year.
Santa will arrive at Dayton Mall on Friday, Nov. 27, and will be present through Thursday, Dec. 24, with the exception of Monday, Nov. 30 through Wednesday, Dec. 2.
“Reservations to visit Santa are strongly encouraged,” according to a Dayton Mall statement. “Walk-up visits will be available as space allows throughout the day. A contactless experience is possible if guests make reservations and purchase a photo package online.”
Santa will wear a mask at all times and masks are required for children ages 2 and up.
“Guests will have the opportunity to engage in conversation and take a photo with Santa while maintaining physical distance. In an effort to ensure the health and well-being of our guests and Santa, guests will not sit on Santa’s lap during their visit,” according to the statement.
🎅🏼Xenia’s Hometown Christmas
Children can experience a virtual visit with Santa during downtown Xenia’s Hometown Christmas event on Saturday, Dec. 5 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Virtual visits will take place in the Santa House, where children can pick up a stocking stuffed with activities including a DIY ornament kit, festive coloring page and crayons, a city-wide holiday scavenger hunt and other goodies.
🎅🏼Santa in Lebanon
There are several opportunities to see Santa in Downtown Lebanon this season.
At the Lebanon Holiday Illumination and Tree lighting Ceremony downtown on Nov. 27, Santa will be located in the gazebo next to the Golden Lamb from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
There are also four dates to take “social distancing pictures with Santa” in Lebanon. Pictures with Santa happen at the Bicentennial Park Gazebo at the corner of E. Mulberry St. and Cherry St.
-Nov. 28 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
-Dec. 5 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
-Dec. 12 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
-Dec. 19 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Credit: Barbara J. Perenic
Credit: Barbara J. Perenic
🎅🏼Clifton Mill Christmas Lights
With a little bit of patience, visitors at the legendary Clifton Mill Christmas Lights will get to see Santa about every 20 minutes when he takes a break from his workshop and comes outside to say hello to onlookers.
During the lights, Santa stays busy in his workshop prepping for the big day. However, guests can watch Santa check his list and work on toys through the workshop window.
Clifton Mill will open Nov. 27 and run through Dec. 30. The lights are open Sunday through Saturday, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Dec. 24, 25 — 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Gates open at 5 p.m.
🎅🏼Washington Township’s Woodland Lights
Santa will make a socially-distant appearance at one of Dayton’s most beloved and longest-running holiday attractions, Washington Township’s Woodland Lights.
Set to open to the public on Friday, Nov. 27, each night of operation through Dec. 23, guests will walk down a sparkling path that leads to a cabin decorated in lights and greenery, where Santa Claus will be waiting to welcome children to his sleigh.
Santa is usually waiting to visit guests at the traditional Countryside Park Cabin. This year, Santa will have more room to socially distance from guests near the front pond.
Throughout the 2020 season, Woodland Lights will be open to guests Fridays through Sundays from 5:30-7:30 p.m. and 8-10 p.m. on Nov. 27 through Dec. 13. It will be open nightly from Dec. 18-27 and closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Tickets will go on sale for the 2020 season beginning Saturday, Oct. 31.
🎅🏼Troy Main Street
Executive director of Troy Main Street Andrea Keller said that Troy Main Street is still in the process of deciding what this year’s Santa visits will look like.
“We will have something with Santa but we will not have our typical Santa visits,” Keller said.
We will update this guide when Troy Main Street announces its plans.
🎅🏼Middletown’s Santa Parade
Santa will make his traditional appearance in the Santa Parade in Middletown on Nov. 28 at 4 p.m.
However, due to COVID-19, Santa will not be making his stop in the park for in-person visits. Social distance policies will be in place at the parade.
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