Santa is coming to town! Here's where to see him in Livingston County

Sophia Lada, Livingston Daily
·4 min read
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With the turkey legs eaten and the fall decorations put away, Santa Claus sightings are being reported throughout the area.

Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive in Brighton in their sleigh at the annual Brighton Holiday Glow and Christmas Market Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022.
Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive in Brighton in their sleigh at the annual Brighton Holiday Glow and Christmas Market Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022.

Lucky children in the Livingston County area will have a number of opportunities over the next few weeks to share their wish lists with Santa Claus and sometimes Mrs. Claus.

Brighton's Rick Alden is among those sharing the holiday spirit; he's been portraying Santa Claus for 10 years. In 2013, he attended Santa school in Midland to learn techniques of being a Santa. A decade later, dressing as the jolly old elf and listening to children's Christmas wishes is one of his favorite activities.

"It's a heart-warming thing," he said, adding that bringing joy to kids and their families makes him happy.

Alden will appear as Santa at the Brighton District Library's Jingle Jubilee, which takes place from 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 3 at the library. Kids can take part in a sing-along, get pictures with Santa and take part in outdoor activities.

Alden said he particularly enjoys working with children who have sensory difficulties. He makes sure to save a weekend in his Santa calendar to be the Sensory Santa at Ivy Rehab for Kids in Howell.

The Sensory Santa event takes place from 4 to 7 p.m. Dec. 16 and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 17 at Ivy Rehab for Kids, but kids must register in advance by calling 517-376-4831.

However, there are a lot of other places people can visit Santa this holiday season. Here are events in Livingston County at which children can visit with Santa.

Christmas in the ’Ville

Fowlerville's Christmas in the 'Ville will have time for kids to visit with Santa before the 6 p.m. parade, and again after the parade at 7 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Fowlerville Area Fire Department on Grand Avenue.

Cookies with Santa

Brighton Community Education is hosting Cookies with Santa from 1 to 3 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Miller Intergenerational Center in Brighton. To register, visit BrightonCommunityEd.com.

Breakfast with Santa

The Howell Nature Center is offering time slots from 9 to 10:30 a.m. and from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 3, 4 and 10 for a pancake breakfast with Santa. If interested, visit HowellNatureCenter.org.

The Pinckney Knights of Columbus is hosting a breakfast with Santa from 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 10 in the multi-purpose room at the St. Mary Catholic Church in Pinckney.

Brighton VFW Post 4357 is hosting a breakfast with Santa at the American Spirit Center on Grand River Avenue from 9 a.m. to noon Dec. 11. Admission is $6 for children younger than 12, $10 for adults and $9 for seniors.

Video from Santa

Howell Parks and Recreation is offering personalized videos from Santa. Registration is open until midnight Dec. 11 and videos will be sent out Dec. 22.

Santa STEM workshop

Santa will be at a STEM workshop from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 10 at the Bennett Rec Center in Howell. The workshop will include crafts, science experiments and pictures with Santa.

Picture event in Howell

The Oceola Community Center is hosting pictures with Santa from 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 5 and 12 in Howell.

Pictures for pets

Pet Supplies Plus is offering a Santa Pictures with Pets event in collaboration with Howell Parks and Recreation from 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 17 at the Oceola Soccer Complex in Howell.

Holiday activities planned

Eric Meldrum is hosting a day of holiday activities at Captain's Wood Fired Pies in Brighton. The Dec. 10 event is from 1 to 4 p.m., with Santa arriving at 2 p.m. They will have pizza, crafts, hot cocoa and photos with Santa.

Story time with Santa

A Wilde Theatre in Brighton is hosting a visit and story time with Santa from 1 to 3 p.m. Dec. 3 and 4 at 111 S. West St. in downtown. Attendees can take pictures with Santa and he will read a book every 30 minutes, starting at the beginning of the event. Tickets for the event cost $10 and include a story, a mini cupcake and a beverage. To learn more or register for the event, visit AWildTheatre.com.

Sophia Lada is a reporter for the Livingston Daily. Contact her at slada@gannett.com or 517-377-1065. Follow her on Twitter @sophia_lada.

This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Santa Claus visits offered in Livingston County before Christmas