Where can you see Santa Claus in Lexington and Central KY? Here’s some great events in Central KY! Click the event for more information. There are places that offer breakfast, brunch, train rides, visits, photos, and more.

Fayette Mall

Thursday, November 7 through December 24, 2025

Santa’s Hours:

Monday – Thursday: 11 am – 7 pm
Friday – Saturday: 11 am – 8 pm
Sunday: 12 pm – 6 pm

Special Hours Information:

Thursday, November 6 is the special Wake Up Santa Event – Watch for more info!
Thursday, November 27: CLOSED

Santa Special Events:

Please visit our Connect page to learn more about these and other great events.

Santa’s Arrival & Wake Up Santa: November 6, 2025
Pet Photos
Embrace the holiday spirit and create cherished memories with your loved ones, including your adorable pets, by visiting Santa on Mondays during this festive season. Join us on November 10, 17, and 24 and December 1, 8, and 15 to capture heartwarming moments in a special Santa photo session. Whether you’re a family or a pet owner, these magical Mondays are the perfect opportunity to share joy, laughter, and the spirit of togetherness. We welcome your furry friends on a leash or in a carrier, ensuring everyone can be part of the holiday magic. Make it a memorable Monday with Santa this year!
Black Santa Photos – Special dates for Black Santa photos
December 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15, 2025

Santa at Lexington Green

Watch for 2025 Dates

Make a reservation online (walk-ins welcome also)

Cabela’s

November 1 (Arrival event) – December 24, 2025
Starting Nov. 2nd, experience the magic of Christmas at Santa’s Wonderland at your local Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s!

Hours vary – check online when you make your reservation

Families can also enjoy the amazing aquariums and wildlife displays found in every Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s store.

Hamburg Pavilion

November 29 – December 21, 2025
Saturdays 10 am – 2 pm
Sunday Noon – 4 pm

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Celebrate the magic of the season with Hamburg Pavilion’s “A Kentucky Christmas!”

Photographs with Santa Claus on Saturday and Sunday – FREE

Face-Painting on Saturdays from 10 AM – 1 PM

Horse & Carriage Rides on Saturday and Sunday dates:
Saturday, November 29th, 10 AM – 1 PM
Sunday, December 7th, 1 PM – 4 PM
Saturday, December 13th, 10 AM – 1 PM
Sunday, December 21st, 1 PM – 4 PM
Pick up and drop off at our gazebo next to Ted’s Montana Grill.

The events will be held in the previous iLoveKickboxing space (2308 Sir Barton Way #190). The space is facing Regal’s parking lot. It is next to Victoria’s Secret and behind My Salon Suite and Dollar Tree. These free, community events are sponsored by Hamburg Pavilion.

Santa Photos at The Summit

Watch for 2025 Info

Illuminated Evenings at Shaker Village

Saturday, December 6, 13 & 20, 2025
4 pm – 8 pm
Ages 3 and up $8

Meet Santa & Mrs. Claus – Take a picture with Santa in the cozy Farm Deacon’s building. He’ll be available and ready to pose at no additional charge from 4-8:00 p.m. You can also catch his No. 1 helper, Mrs. Claus, strolling around the Village.

Kentucky Branded

Watch for 2025 Info

Louis Flower Power Shops at Lansdowne Shoppes

Watch for 2025 Info

Kentucky Horse Park Southern Lights

November 28 – December 24, 2025 from 5:30-10:00 pm.

At the end of the route, visitors have the option to park and explore the Holiday Village (included in admission). The Holiday Village includes a visit with Santa, Santa’s North Pole Mailbox (where children can drop off their Christmas List), Animal Land, Mini Train ride, Bluegrass Miniature Train Display, and the Kentucky Horse Park Gift Shop. Food options will be available (see menu). (Lights run until 12/31 but Santa heads back to the North Pole after 12/24)

Black Santa

Sunday, November 23, 2025 4 pm
Tree Lighting at Lexington Fire Station #24

Sunday, November 29, 2025 10 am – 12 pm
North Lime Donuts (Greyline Station)
Enjoy coffee and donuts with Santa

Sunday, November 29, 2025 2 pm – 4 pm
BK’s Cookies and More

Watch for more events to be added!

Bluegrass Railroad Museum

Saturdays, November 29th, December 6th & 13th, 2025 Rides at 11 am & 2 pm
Sundays, December 7th & 14th, 2025 Rides at 2 pm

Once the train pulls out of the station for a 90 minute train ride, Santa visits with every child. Our Conductors and Car Hosts will help you pass the time while waiting for your turn with the jolly old elf.

Enjoy singing carols, watching the winter countryside or just relaxing with your family. At the end of the ride, there are candy canes for everyone before Santa gives his final farewell. Then he heads back to the North Pole to await his Big Night.

Kentucky Railway Museum

North Pole Express
December 6 – 7, 13 – 14, 20 – 21, 2025
Rides at 5:30 pm

Join us for a nostalgic Christmas adventure aboard a historic train ride to pick up Santa! On our journey to the North Pole, enjoy a train excursion while listening to the sounds of the season. Upon arrival at the North Pole, Santa boards the train and travels with us on our way back to New Haven. Families are encouraged to wear their pajamas for the ultimate experience. Upon arriving back at the station, you have the opportunity to visit with Santa and take your child’s photo with him in the depot!

The entire family can enjoy a cookie and hot chocolate when they visit Claus’s Kitchen Caboose before the train excursion. (No food or drink other than bottled water is able to be taken on the train.) We do recommend that you arrive an hour prior to the train departure time to enjoy your cookie and hot chocolate and the small activities we have available for the kids!

NEW IN 2025, THE SMORE STATION!
ROAST MARSHMALLOWS AND MAKE A S’MORE.
S’more kits may be purchased when buying your tickets.
(One smore kit makes one s’more.)

Santa Express
December 6 – 7, 13 – 14, 20 – 21, 2025
Rides at 11:30 am & 2:30 pm

All aboard the Santa Express! Bring the children on a nostalgic journey to meet Santa while listening to the sounds of the season. Visit with the man in the red suit while traveling through the Rolling Fork River Valley and enjoying a historic train excursion. For even more fun, the whole family is welcome to wear their pajamas!

The entire family can enjoy a cookie and hot chocolate when they visit Claus’s Kitchen before the train excursion! (No food or drink other than bottled water is able to be taken on the train.) We do recommend that you arrive an hour prior to the train departure time to enjoy your cookie and hot chocolate and the small activities we have available for the kids!

NEW IN 2025, THE S’MORE STATION!
ROAST MARSHMALLOWS AND MAKE A SMORE.
S’more kits may be purchased when buying your tickets. One s’more kit makes one s’more.

Brunch with Santa
December 14, 21, 2025
9:45 am

This event begins at 9:45 a.m. with a 30-minute train ride departing from our depot in New Haven. When you arrive at Gethsemane, you will be shuttled to The Legacy at Log Still where you will enjoy activities, meet and greet with Santa and brunch from 10:30 a.m. until 11:45 a.m. The return train departs at noon to arrive back in New Haven at 12:30 p.m.

*Unfortunately, this event is not wheelchair accessible. If needing wheelchair accessibility, please choose the Santa Express or North Pole Express event.
Menu includes:

Fresh Fruit, Assortment of Breakfast Breads, Scrambled Eggs, Crispy Bacon, Sausage Patties, Hashbrown Casserole, Biscuits and Gravy, Waffles, Cookies, Brownies,Hot Chocolate, Milk, Orange Juice, Adult Beverages available for purchase.

(Menu subject to change based on availability) Reservations required.

Hillenmeyer Christmas (Ashland Henry Clay Estate)

Watch for 2025 Info (NO shop in 2024)

Cincinnati Museum Center Holiday Junction

November 14, 2025 – January 5, 2026

The Duke Energy Holiday Trains have been a Cincinnati holiday staple for decades, delighting generations since they first debuted downtown in 1946. Track-level views reveal intricate details of the display, where over 300 rail cars and 50 locomotives steam past anxious passengers waiting to board while cars sit with snow to their hubcaps and the perfect trees strapped to their roofs. Holiday Junction features bursts of winter whimsy that greet you as soon as you enter the door. The Northern Lights display serves as the perfect backdrop for family photos as wispy green lights dance behind you and snow-rimmed trees surround you. The history of the Duke Energy Holiday Trains is also told through an interactive storybook filled with photos of the iconic trains over the decades.

The Holiday Scavenger Hunt features hidden objects in the garden railway layout begging you to walk around, peel your eyes and scour every detail tucked away in the snowy hills. Returning once again is Brickopolis, a blizzard of LEGO bricks crafted into fantastical scenes. The whimsical display is another seek and find treat surrounding a stunning LEGO metropolis complete with running trains, active seashores and hijinks by the local residents.

Of course, no holiday is complete without a visit to Santa. Santa makes his grand arrival on Friday, November 28. You can visit the jolly elf by his fireplace in the Ruthven Gallery. Also returning this year is the OMNIMAX® film Rocky Mountain Express, where you can immerse yourself in the rugged beauty of the Canadian Rockies aboard a historic steam locomotive.

Special Events *Keep checking back for more 2025 updates

Santa and Mrs. Claus Meet and Greet

Holly Day Market at Alltech Arena
Saturday, December 6, 2025 2:30 – 4:30 pm
Sunday, December 7, 2025 11 am – 1 pm
General Admission tickets are $15, and children 10 and under are free. Parking is included.

Holiday Open House in Versailles

Saturday, November 15, 2025
10 am – 4 pm
Kick off the holiday season with a day full of festive fun while shopping local! Support our amazing small businesses and find the perfect gifts for everyone on your list.
✨ What to Enjoy:
🎅 Santa hosted by the Woodford County Library
🛍️ Kids Market (kids shop for free!)
☕ Hot chocolate & holiday shopping
🇺🇸 American Legion Market
🎨 The Art Village at The District
👧 Fun kids activities & more!
Visit all participating locations with your Christmas Open House Map for a chance to WIN a uniquely Woodford County basket! Come celebrate community, holiday cheer, and the joy of shopping local. Happy Shopping

Santa Arrives by Train in Midway

Saturday, November 29, 2025
10 am – 3 pm
Get ready for a magical day in Midway on Saturday, November 29 as Santa Arrives By Train!
The northern side of E. Main Street will be closed off with a variety of activities beginning at 10am
Coffee and Hot Chocolate*
Breakfast Foods*
Face Painting*
Santa letter writing station (Free)
*additional charge/pay individual vendors
Santa arrives at approximately 11am via RJ Corman Train. So arrive early to see his grand entrance into the city of Midway!
Children can visit with Santa for FREE from 11-1 outside under a tent!
Midway Museum will open at 11am for public restrooms and to showcase the amazing history of Midway! (Porta potties also available)
Find gifts, decor and more at our amazing local shops and boutiques.
Enjoy a delicious meal at one of our fabulous restaurants.
Event Parking (Free)
On following streets: N. Winter, E. Bruen, S. Gratz and E. Main Street.
Parking lots; Midway Museum, Kentucky Cannabis Company and Midway Baptist Church.
No Parking on or next to the Railroad tracks in non-designated spaces.

Pink Santa at Olive’s Apron

Sunday, December 7, 2025
Register for a time between 9 am – 3 pm (30 minute visits)
Join us at our little pink house for a magical visit with Pink Santa. Each spot includes 1 cookie to decorate and 1 goody bag, plus a visit with Pink Santa. **This is a take your own photo event.** Tickets are $25/per FAMILY with additional goody bags and cookies available to purchase, We will NOT have extras to purchase the day of.

Brunch with the Grinch at the Ed Davis Center (Georgetown)

Watch for 2025 Info

A Kentucky Christmas at Ashland

December 6, 2025
4 pm – 6 pm

Join us for one of Lexington’s most beloved traditions as we light our Christmas Tree for the first time to kick off the holiday season! Our Christmas Shop at the Keeper’s Cottage with local vendors will be open, Santa will be here for pictures with children and pets, & seasonal refreshments will be available for purchase. The tree will be illuminated at dusk; candlelight tours of the mansion to follow for ticketed guests.

Breakfast with Santa at Bronte Bistro in Joseph Beth

Saturday, December 13, 2025
Saturday, December 20, 2025
9 am
Meet Santa while enjoying a fantastic feast. This is a ticketed event, please purchase tickets online. $20/person

Breakfast with the Grinch at Bronte Bistro in Joseph Beth

Saturday, December 6, 2025
9 am
Meet the Grinch while enjoying a fantastic feast. Purchase tickets online. $20/person

Breakfast with Santa at Palmers Fresh Grill

Watch for 2025 Info
8 am – 10 am
Come have breakfast with Santa! Select menu items available. Make your reservations online at OpenTable or call today! 859-273-0103

Tea with Mrs. Claus at Waveland

Saturday, December 13, 2025
10 am
$20.00 per person, Children 12 and under with an accompanying adult.
Join Mrs. Claus as she shares stories, songs, and holiday treats. Children will also make a bag of reindeer food to take home for Rudolph’s Christmas Eve visit. Reservations are required. Call 859-272-3611 to book your space.

Pancakes with Santa

Watch for 2025 info
Hamburg Banking Center/Forcht Bank
FREE
You’re invited to join Forcht Bank to celebrate 10 YEARS of Pancakes With Santa! We’ll be serving free breakfast including pancakes, sausage, fruit, and other goodies. We’ll have reindeer games and crafts and, of course, Santa will be in attendance. Plus, you can get your picture taken with him too! At the event, donations will be accepted for the Visually Impaired Preschool Services.

Breakfast with Santa (4-H)

Saturday, December 13, 2025
9 am – Noon
Join us at the Fayette County Extension Office for Santa Breakfast! Enjoy a pancake breakfast, local craft vendors, live holiday music from local student performers, gingerbread houses, 4-H animals, and SANTA!