Where's Santa? Here's where to visit Mr. Claus in the Des Moines metro this season

Nina Baker, Des Moines Register
·3 min read

After pandemic disruptions during the holidays in 2020 and 2021, this holiday season marks the return to traditional visits with Santa Claus for children and families. Across the country, photography events with Santa have returned to shopping malls and department stores.

While last year, visits to Santa may have been cancelled, found six feet away or behind Plexiglas, children and families this year will find photography events with Santa in shopping centers and department stores across the country largely without the same pandemic precautions as the past two holiday seasons.

In the Des Moines metro, it's no different. Here's how to visit Mr. Claus this winter.

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Is there a Santa appearance at your event or store this holiday season? Email Nina Baker at NBaker@gannett.com to be added to the list.

Jordan Creek Town Center

Jordan Creek offers more than one opportunity to meet Santa this year. While pictures with Santa are available from now until Christmas Eve, Jordan Creek also offers pet nights with Santa, where you can capture photos with you, your furry loved one and Santa, from now until Monday, Dec. 5, from 4 to 7 p.m.

And, for children with special needs, a sensory-friendly event will be held on Sunday, Dec. 4, from 9 to 10 a.m.

Location: Lower Level Von Maur Court in Jordan Creek Town Center, 101 Jordan Creek Parkway, West Des Moines

Start Date: Now until Dec. 24

Hours: Reservations are available to book at Jordan Creek's website. 15-minute time slots are available Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5:45 p.m.

Valley West Mall

From 2020: A visit with Santa looked different during the pandemic. This year, Santa returns to Valley West to hear children's Christmas wishes.
From 2020: A visit with Santa looked different during the pandemic. This year, Santa returns to Valley West to hear children's Christmas wishes.

Santa is coming to Valley West Mall at the start of December for families to capture memories with multiple photo opportunities. Like at Jordan Creek, a sensory-friendly Santa event will be held on Sunday, Dec. 4, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Pet photos will also be held on the first two Mondays of December, Dec. 5 and 12, from 4 to 7 p.m.

On Friday, Dec. 2, Santa's arrival will kick off at an event with crafts, face paintings, train rides and balloon creationsfrom 5 to 7 p.m.

Location: Valley West Mall, 1551 Valley West Drive, West Des Moines

Start Date: Dec. 1-24

Hours: Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. Reservations are strongly recommended and are available at the Where is Santa website.

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Bass Pro Shops

From 2020: Santa made a big arrival at Bass Pro Shops.
From 2020: Santa made a big arrival at Bass Pro Shops.

Whereas most of the year, Altoona's Pro Bass Shop focuses on sporting goods and outdoor supplies, the national chain is continuing its tradition of having a "Winter Wonderland" inside its department store. Children and families can grab a photo with Santa behind a winter-themed backdrop.

Location: 1000 Bass Pro Drive Northwest, Altoona

Start Date: Now until Dec. 24.

Hours: Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. On the week of Nov. 27, photo hours will be prorated and will last from 3 to 8 p.m. Christmas Eve hours will last from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Reservations may be made at the Bass Pro website.

Nina Baker is a news reporter at the Des Moines Register. She can be reached at NBaker@gannett.com or on Twitter @Nina_M_Baker.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Where to find Santa Claus in the Des Moines metro, winter 2022 version