That's right! Santa Claus is coming to town, visiting with children at various locations around Little Rock and central Arkansas. He'll be at Park Plaza Mall and Pleasant Ridge Town Center and continue to make appearances throughout November and December at holiday hotspots like Garvan Woodland Gardens, McCain Mall and the Capital Hotel.

Here are 17 places to see Santa this holiday season! 

The Promenade at Chenal: Bring your camera and your cute kiddos for photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus for free! Saturday, Dec. 1 from 11 a.m.–4 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 8 from 1-6 p.m. For info: 501-821-5552, ChenalShopping.com. FREE!

Pleasant Ridge Town Center: Santa will also be at the shopping center on Dec. 8, 15 & 22 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. He'll be walking around at Pleasant ridge and stopping to take photos and chat with shoppers and visitors. 11525 Cantrell Road, Little Rock. For info: 501-225-7807, PleasantRidgeTownCenter.com. FREE!

Lighting Ceremony at Mountain Harbor Resort: The day after Thanksgiving is the official start of Christmas at this beautiful resort on Lake Ouachita. The festive lighting ceremony includes live music, a photo booth, free hayrides to view the Christmas lights, free cookies, hot cocoa and cider, Christmas story reading by Mrs. Claus, and visits with Santa. Open to the public. Located on Lake Ouachita; see website for directions. Nov. 23, 6 p.m. For info: 870-867-2191, MountainHarborResort.com. FREE!

Papa Santa’s Christmas Tree Farm in Benton: This quaint farm provides saws for adventurous visitors to cut down their own trees. Families can also go on a wagon ride, and snack on free candy canes or sip complimentary hot cocoa and cider. Beginning the Saturday after Thanksgiving, kids can say hello to Papa Santa himself! No purchase required—bring your own camera to snag a free photo. 4976 Warford Road, Benton. Santa will be there Nov. 24 and Dec. 1, 8 & 15 from 2-5 p.m. Find more Christmas tree farms here. For info: 501-779-1062, Facebook.com/PapaSantasChristmasTreeFarm. Tree prices vary; visits with Santa FREE!

Clinton Presidential Center: The Clinton Center will host holiday activities for the family, including fun art projects, special holiday entertainment, tasty treats and free photos with Santa. The Santa at the Center event is free, but regular admission fees apply to tour the Library. 1200 President Clinton Ave., Little Rock. Dec. 1, 8 & 15 from 8 a.m.-noon For info: ClintonFoundation.org. Visits with Santa and photos FREE!

Santa Claus at McCain Mall: Find Kris Kringle on the lower level at Center Court and give him your secret wish list for the holiday season. 3929 McCain Blvd., North Little Rock. Nov. 16-Dec. 24, visit website for times. Caring Santa, a special time for children with special needs to meet with Santa, takes place Dec. 2 from 9-11 a.m. Make a reservation with Caring Santa here. For info: 501-758-6317, website. Photo packages start at $24.99; visits with Santa FREE!


Santa Claus at Park Plaza Mall: Santa arrives Nov. 23 to visit with boys and girls every day until Christmas Eve. Hear him Ho-Ho-Ho on the second level near Dillard’s East. 6000 W. Markham St., Little Rock. Nov. 23-Dec. 24; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon-6 p.m. Sundays. Santa Cares, a special time for children with special needs to meet with Santa, takes place Dec. 2 from 9-11 a.m. RSVP in advance for a Santa Cares timeslot here. For info: 501-664-4956, ParkPlazaMall.com. Photo packages start at $24.99; visits with Santa FREE!


Santa Nights at Holiday Lights at Garvan Woodland Gardens: Santa will hear all the children’s wishes and professional photographer Rebecca Peterman will take photos available to purchase each night. After seeing Santa at the Garvan Pavillion, explore approximately 18 acres of Christmas lights. 550 Arkridge Road, Hot Springs. Dec. 3-6 & 10-13, 6-8 p.m. Admission to Gardens: adults $15, ages 6-12 $5, under 6 & members are free. For info: (501) 262-9300, GarvanGardens.org.

Santa Shack at the Cabot Walmart Supercenter: Cabot's 22nd annual Santa Shack welcomes children the day after Thanksgiving and throughout the holiday season to sit with Santa and pose for a photo. Each child receives a free candy cane. Photos available for $3. 304 S. Rockwood Road, Cabot. Nov. 23-Dec. 23; visit Facebook for times.

Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops: Visitors will find a Christmas village, model trains, twinkling lights and free photos with the big man in red. Kids can participate in free games, crafts and activities. Visitors must pick up a free Bass Pass when they arrive at the store to secure a timeslot with Santa. 1 Bass Pro Drive, Little Rock. Nov. 11-Dec. 24, see website for hours. For info: BassPro.com, 501-954-4500. Photo packages available for purchase; receive a 4x6 photo for FREE! 


Sundays with Santa at The Capital Hotel: Santa will await visitors in the lobby of the Capital Hotel several Sundays in December. Children may bring their wish lists, and parents may bring their cameras for photographs. Plus, don't miss the annual Capital Hotel Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 26. 111 W. Markham St., Little Rock. Dec. 2, 9, 16 & 23 from noon-2 p.m. For info: 501-374-7474, CapitalHotel.com. Visits and photos with Santa FREE!

Bernice Garden Tree Lighting: Booker T. Washington Elementary School’s choral group will kick off the evening’s festivities with holiday songs. After their performance, the kids will help lead the community in the countdown to light up the tree and Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there to visit with the kids and their families. There will be hot drinks and tasty sweets. 1401 Main St., Little Rock. Dec. 6, 5-7 p.m. For info: bernicegarden@gmail.com, 501-410-3938, Facebook. FREE!

Outlets of Little Rock: From Nov. 24-Dec. 24, every family who visits with Santa Claus at Outlets of Little Rock will receive two free 4x6 Santa Photo Prints and a digital download of a single image. Additional photos and Christmas merchandise are available for purchase. Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Sundays from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. and special hours on Christmas Eve from 9a.m.-5 p.m. For info: OutletsofLittleRock.com. FREE!

Seaton's Scott Place: Santa is a busy many this time of year but he's stopping in to check on all of the good boys and girls! Bring your kiddos and your cameras for an afternoon of story time and treats at Seaton's Scott Place on Dec. 2 from 2-4 p.m. 15235 Highway 165, Scott. For info: Facebook. FREE!

Santa in the Park at River Center Gymnasium:Enjoy pictures with Santa, arts and crafts, a cookie decorating station, carriage rides, bounce houses and more! Located at River Center Gymnasium. Dec. 8 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 1800 Citizens Drive, Benton. For info: Facebook. FREE!

Santa & Mrs. Claus at ArtLab: Stop by Little Rock's newest creative destination for a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus! Kids can try a craft or two during their visit and refreshsments will be available. Make sure to bring your camera! Nov. 29 from 5:30-7 p.m. 8201 Cantrell Road #130, Little Rock. For info: ArtLabofArkansas.com FREE!

Holidays in the Wild at the Little Rock Zoo: Head to Café Africa for holiday fun and festivities. Enjoy all day admission to the Zoo and a buffet-style meal. Santa will hear the wish lists of the children and you can enjoy photo opportunities and special visits from animal ambassadors. After your meal, Santa will check his list twice and deliver presents to the zoo animals. Tickets range from $9.95-$24.95. Dec. 8 & 15 at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. 1 Zoo Drive, Little Rock. For info: Eventbrite.

For more holiday fun, check out our guides to all the central Arkansas holiday lights and Christmas tree farms.