Searching for Santa Claus? Here's where you can find St. Nick in OKC this holiday season
As music stars from Bing Crosby and Bruce Springsteen to Mariah Carey and the Jackson 5 have tunefully declared: "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town."
For many families, it just wouldn't be Christmas without a photo opp with the jolly old elf himself.
Here are some of the spots in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area where folks can find St. Nick this holiday season:
Santa and Mrs. Claus at Citizens Bank of Edmond
When: Select dates through Dec. 23.
Where: Citizens Bank of Edmond, 1 East 1 St., Edmond.
Information: https://mycitizens.bank/santa.
The Edmond bank's Community Lobby annually hosts the Clauses for photos with visitors, with the images available for instant download. Guests can also partake of warm beverages and holiday treats before their photos.
North Pole Adventure
When: Select dates through Dec. 24.
Where: 2215 W I-240 Service Road, in Walnut Square Center.
Information: https://www.northpoleadventure.org and https://www.ticketstorm.com.
An interactive yuletide attraction, North Pole Adventure transports families to St. Nick's stomping grounds, where they can check on his sleigh-pulling caribou in the Reindeer Barn, attend Elf University, make toys in Santa's workshop and more. In Santa's House, ticketholders can find the Kris Kringle waiting to greet youngsters and hear their Christmas wishes.
Pictures with Santa at Quail Springs Mall
When: Through Dec. 24.
Where: First level, center court, Quail Springs Mall, 2501 West Memorial Road.
Information: https://www.quailspringsmall.com.
Folks who book online ahead of time can get a complimentary phone call from Kris Kringle.
Simon Santa Photo Experience at Penn Square Mall
When: Through Dec. 24.
Where: Lower level, center court, Penn Square Mall, 1900 Northwest Expressway.
Information: simon.com.
Families are encouraged to make reservations in advance for their Santa photos, and they can a free phone call from St. Nick by booking online.
Pictures with Santa at Sooner Mall
When: Through Dec. 24.
Where: Ground floor, JC Penney wing, Sooner Mall, 3301 West Main Street, Norman.
Information: soonermall.com.
People who book their photo visit online can expect a call from Santa, too.
Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s
When: Through Dec. 24.
Where: Bass Pro Shops OKC, 200 Bass Pro Drive, and Cabela's OKC, 1200 W. Memorial Road, and other locations nationwide.
Information: https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/santas-wonderland.
Families can get a free 4-inch-by-6-inch photo with Santa, mail their letter to St. Nick and receive free giveaways while supplies last. Advance online reservations are recommended.
Santa at OKC Zoo's Safari Lights
When: Through Dec. 25.
Where: Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden, 2000 Remington Place.
Information: https://www.okczoo.org.
Santa Claus is making special evening visits to the OKC Zoo 5:30 to 11 p.m. (last entry at 10 p.m.) daily through Dec. 25. Visitors touring the zoo's dazzling Safari Lights can capture a photo memory with St. Nick in the Canopy East room for an additional cost.
'The Polar Express' Train Ride
When: Select dates through Dec. 27.
Where: Oklahoma Railway Museum, 3400 NE Grand Blvd.
Information: https://okcthepolarexpressride.com.
A real-life train is the stage as the popular book- and movie-based holiday experience returns to OKC with more opportunities for riders to partake of "Hot Chocolate" and "Believe" in Santa's magic. Accompanied by a contingent of elves, Santa Claus boards the train and visits briefly with each passenger, presenting each rider with one of his silver sleigh bells like in the story.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Searching for St. Nick? Here are some places you can find Santa in OKC
