LOCAL

Ho-ho-here he comes! Santa is back and here's where you can see him this holiday season

Sophia Lada
Lansing State Journal
A masked Santa waves to Adaila Mason, 6, of Okemos, after her visit at the Meridian Mall on Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020, in Okemos.

'Tis the season to be jolly and Santa Claus is here to make it happen. Well, actually, he's in a lot of places. Here are a few:

Lansing Mall

Santa arrives at the Lansing Mall on Dec. 2 and will be there through Christmas Eve. Hours will vary; appointments are encouraged and can be made through the Lansing Mall website. And on Dec. 6 and 13 from 4 to 7 p.m., the Lansing Mall will have pet nights.

Meridian Mall

Santa is coming to Meridian Mall on Nov. 24 and will be there through Christmas Eve. He will be there Fridays and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sundays noon to 6 p.m. and Mondays through Thursdays 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The mall will be closed on Thanksgiving Day and Santa will have adjusted hours on Christmas Eve: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 5 p.m. On Nov. 29, Dec. 6 and Dec. 13, Meridian Mall will be having pet nights from 4 to 7 p.m., where pets can be brought to the mall as long as they are on a leash.

Also, the mall is hosting a "Santa Cares" morning on Dec. 12 from 9:30 to 11 a.m., where the experience will be more sensory-friendly for people will disabilities. The Santa Cares event is available by appointment only, and appointments can be made on the Meridian Mall website. 

Santa breaks the ice with small children by reading a children's book at Williamston United Methodist Church Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020. The families make appointments to tell Santa what they want for Christmas one at a time in a calm, dimly-lit space to accommodate children with disabilites. Here, Anna Clark and her two children Scarlett, 3, and Elliot, 2, who do not have disabilities, listen to Santa read "Elmo's Night Before Christmas." This is the first year the church sponsored the event.

Soldan's Pet Supplies

Meeting Santa isn't only for kids — pets can meet Santa too! There will be a photographer with Santa at various Soldan's Pet Supplies locations throughout the season, with 5 x 7 photos available to purchase for $10 or a CD for $25. 

  • Saturday, Nov. 27, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in DeWitt
  • Sunday, Nov. 28, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Okemos
  • Sunday, Dec. 5, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in West Lansing
  • Saturday, Dec. 11, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Charlotte
  • Sunday, Dec. 12, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in South Lansing

To learn more about these locations and events, visit soldanspet.com.

Pets can meet Santa Claus at Soldan's Pet Supplies locations throughout Greater Lansing.

Williamston United Methodist Church

For some kids, meeting Santa in a traditional setting with bright lights and music playing can be overwhelming. Williamston United Methodist Church is trying to change that. The event will be hosted in the church's newly renovated "Great Room," which is designed with sensory-friendly lighting and the ability to absorb sound.

Reservations are required for this event, which takes place Tuesday, Nov. 30, from 5 to 8 p.m., and Thursday, Dec. 2, from 5 to 8 p.m. A photographer will be available. If you are interested in scheduling a 15-minute appointment with Santa, email WUMCSensorySantaClaus@gmail.com.

Santa sits inside his cabin and visits with children outside on the other side of a window on Saturday, Dec. 18, 2020, at Peacock Road Family Farm in Laingsburg. Microphones and speakers are in place inside and outside the cabin to allow kids and Santa to communicate.

READ MORE:Disability-friendly Santa comes to town in Williamston

Willow Tree Family Center

To show kids a Santa that reflects their ethnicity, the Willow Tree Family Center offers their Santa meet and greet event with a Spanish-speaking Santa on Dec. 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. A photographer will be there taking free photos. There will be crafts, snacks, hot chocolate, a raffle and a Santa mailbox at the event. To learn more, visit the Willow Tree Family Center website.

Did we miss anything?

If you know of an event or have additional information not on these lists, please submit via email to events@lsj.com.

Sophia Lada is a news assistant at the Lansing State Journal. Contact her at slada@lsj.com or 517.377.1065. Follow her on Twitter @sophia_lada.