By Joy Donovan Brandon
Illustrations by Macie Lummus Cox
Yes, Virginia and Vincent, there is a Santa Claus. I should say, “thankfully.” Alas! How dreary the world would be if there were no Santa Claus!
Dreary indeed, just as Francis B. Church, editor of the New York Sun, wrote in 1897. And dreary is not what we need these days “to make tolerable this existence.” Just as that very wise editor stressed centuries ago, Santa Claus remains alive and well today. His magic is beyond understanding. As “Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are,” Church wrote.
Among those wonders are all the places in North Texas where Santa Claus can be seen while his elves are working diligently in preparation for Christmas, and yet, somehow, he finds time to visit the home of every boy and girl. Connecting with St. Nick is a rite of the season, whether by letter or in person. Below, we’ve composed a partial list of where to spot the jolly ol’ elf.
As Church promised in his well-known letter to Virginia, Santa can always be found by those who want to find him. The editor wrote that Santa Claus “will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.”
Downtown Fort Worth
What’s your favorite Christmas movie? Evidently, Santa Claus really likes “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” because he’ll show up when Downtown Fort Worth, Inc. hosts a festive “photo pop-up” evening, Dec. 12 in Burnett Park, 501 W. 7th Street. The outdoor movie night starts at 6:30 p.m., but Santa will be ready for Instagram-worthy pics from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. The free event, open to children, grandparents, pets and even parents, will include popcorn and candy.
Fort Worth Botanic Garden
Santa Claus will visit the Fort Worth Botanic Garden for a blooming good time among the cedars, the holly and the twinkling lights during Christmas in the Garden. The holiday lights and Christmas music lure Santa away from the North Pole to greet visitors at this festive outdoor wonderland inside the botanic garden, 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd.
A gingerbread family, Texas nutcrackers, a candy cane tunnel and dancing bluebonnets are part of the fun, along with food, such as frozen hot chocolate, for purchase. St. Nick will be located at the front of the Japanese Garden, which is inside the larger botanical garden, and near the food vendors, because we all know he does like to eat.
Tickets are limited each night, and advance purchase is strongly recommended at Christmas in the Garden | Fort Worth Botanic Garden to ensure availability.
For groups of 40 or more, call 817-546-8690 or email [email protected]. Appointments are not necessary to visit with Mr. Claus, and there is no additional charge for photos.
Admission is timed, beginning at 5:30 p.m. daily.
Fort Worth Stockyards
In the stockyards, Santa arrives not by sleigh, but by stagecoach. He also switches out his regular red hat and black boots for a white cowboy hat and white cowboy boots. What would you expect, y’all? It’s the heart of Cowtown.
After his Santa’s Grand Arrival Parade at 11:30 a.m. on Nov. 28, he’s ready for photos at the Cowboy Santa Barn, 130 E. Exchange Ave. He’ll wrangle little buckeroos and pets, too, for photo packages that start at $25.
Times: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday through Dec. 23; 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 24.
Santa accepts both appointments online at lavenderpathways.com and walk-ups.
Hulen Mall
Of course, Santa loves all the children, but Santa at Fort Worth’s Hulen Mall, 4800 S. Hulen Street has a special plan for those with autism. He has been known to get on the floor with some children and has a board with pictures for children to point to instead of speaking. As it turns out, Santa loves pets, too! Join him on Tuesday’s pet night.
Time: Monday through Friday, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Main Street Grapevine
Everyone knows Santa Claus will be in Downtown Grapevine, the Christmas Capital of Texas! Santa Claus holds court at the General Store when he’s not singing on Santa’s North Pole Express. As expected, the train rides sold out quicker than Santa can slide down a chimney and are no longer available. The lucky passengers who snagged tickets will also enjoy a complimentary photo with St. Nick.
Those who missed out can still enjoy shopping at the Grapevine Christmas Village, located in the Historic Cotton Belt Depot District, at 707 S. Main Street. Come with the whole family! Pictures and photo packages are available.
Times: 9 a.m. to 10:15 p.m. through Dec. 30, excluding Dec. 24-26, with a modified schedule on Dec. 4 and 9.
NorthPark Mall, Dallas
There’s nothing like starting the day singing with Santa at NorthPark Center, 8687 N. Central Expressway in Dallas.
There, he steps out of his cottage each morning and performs while the children clap along.
The routine begins at 10:30 a.m., Monday through Saturday, and 11:30 a.m. on Sunday. The event is free for anyone who wants to sing along, whether they’re naughty or nice. Two exceptions are Dec. 5 and 12, when Santa Claus will take his sleigh to Children’s Health, but Mrs. Claus will step in for him on those two days, because singing just needs to happen.
Costs range from $30 to $75 per person, depending on the day.
More information is available at northparkcenter.com.
Times: 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday, noon to 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Dec. 24.
The Parks Mall at Arlington
Whether he needs to pose with a poodle or cuddle a kitty, the Santa at The Parks Mall — 3811 S. Cooper Street in Arlington — will be ready. From 4 to 7 p.m., Mondays and Tuesdays, through Dec. 16, Santa Claus will be at the mall’s center court, happily posing with Fido or Fluffy. Of course, not all the pictures are reserved for four-legged fur babies. This Santa will be happy to discuss his naughty and nice lists with the visiting two-legged babies, as well.
Hours reserved for pets: 4 to 7 p.m., Monday and Tuesday, through Dec. 16. Hours for children of all ages vary daily throughout the month, with both appointments and walk-ups accepted. More information is available at the News, Events, and Things to Do kiosk at The Parks Mall at Arlington.
The Shops at Clearfork
Even though Santa Claus’ favorite spot is The Shops at Clearfork at 5188 Monahans Avenue in front of a 30-foot Christmas tree in the shopping center’s plaza area, he, of course, remains flexible. Just as he has Rudolph to guide his way on a foggy night through the rain in Fort Worth, he can be found inside the parking garage.
Here, Santa will take photos with those who have a reservation and with walk-ups. The cost is a donation to The Greatest Gift Catalog, a nonprofit initiative that supports education, medical needs and hunger relief.
Time slots are available on eventbrite.com. Begins Friday, Nov. 28.