Hey, Des Moines: Santa Claus Is Coming To Town!

Santa is a busy man this time of year, but of course he always makes time for his most important job: hearing the wish lists from the kids he has on this year's "nice list." Here are some locations all throughout the metro area — and a few destination events in central Iowa — where you'll find the jolly old elf himself. He has a lot on his plate (besides cookies), including photo ops, breakfast or brunch, and even some pet-friendly events for Fifi and Fido:

Pet-friendly events with Santa

31st Annual Santa N Paws, Animal Rescue League of Iowa, through Nov. 29 — Bring the whole family for a photo to celebrate the 2017 holiday season. Santa will be there to take photos as well.

Have a meal with Santa

Center Grove Orchard, Cambridge — Brunch with Santa and Rudolph, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 17. Includes a craft, holiday activities and time with Santa. Cost is $11.95 for ages 3 and older; $6.95 for 2-year-olds. Enjoy dinner with Santa from 5 to 8 p.m. Nov. 25 or Dec. 2. No reservations are required.

Bravo Cucina Italiana, Jordan Creek Town Center, 8 to 10 a.m. Dec. 2 and 9 — Enjoy a private meeting with Santa at breakfast. Reservations by email only at martha.wagner@ggp.com. Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children with proceeds from Dec. 2 benefiting Children & Families of Iowa.

Black Box Theatre, Kent Campus Center, Indianola — 9 to 11 a.m. Dec. 2. The Simpson Guild hosts breakfast with Santa and crafts while your little one waits to have a picture taken with Santa.

The Tea Room, Des Moines, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 9 and 10 — Children’s festivities, holiday sing-along, sugar cookie decorating, breakfast provided by Scenic Route Bakery, a reading of "The Night Before Christmas" by Mrs. Claus and a visit from Santa. Each child will be provided a photo with Santa.

Raccoon River Park Nature Lodge, West Des Moines — 8 to 10 a.m. Dec. 9. Join West Des Moines Parks & Recreation for an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast catered by Chris Cakes. Bring a camera for photos on Santa’s lap. Limited tickets will be available for purchase at the door. Register early through West Des Moines Parks and Recreation. Open house format.

Reiman Gardens, Ames — Breakfast seatings at 8 and 10 a.m. Dec. 9. Enjoy holiday music and a hearty breakfast buffet. Create your own holiday themed craft.

Giovannetti Community Shelter, Urbandale — 9 to 10 a.m. Dec. 16. Enjoy donuts and juice, holiday crafts, cookie decorating, singing songs and more. Bring your camera for a photo op. An adult should attend with child. Register by Dec. 11 through Urbandale Parks and Recreation.

Science Center of Iowa, 8 a.m. Dec. 16 and 10 a.m. Dec. 17 — Buffet-style meal, picture with Santa, "The Polar Express" in the Star Theater planetarium, story time with Santa, crafts and more. Cost is $12 for child with a membership and $15 without, $20 or $23 for adults.

Santa Photos

Jordan Creek Town Center, West Des Moines — Lower Level Younkers Court, noon to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays, through Sunday, Dec. 24. (Santa takes a break 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.) Reserve a time and skip the line, plus $5 off photos Monday through Wednesday through Dec. 9. Special hours are 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 10; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 15 through 23; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 24. Book now and plan to come to these special themed nights: Ugly Sweater Night 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 1 and holiday pajama night 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 8.

Scarcello Photography, 114 Fifth St., West Des Moines — By appointment, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 25. Each session includes a token that your child can redeem in Santa's toy shop and a beverage in Santa's favorite cafe nearby. Your session includes an online gallery and ability to download your images, share online or print yourself. Custom prints may be ordered and delivered. Private bookings available on other dates. Call 515-554-3756.

Bass Pro Shop, Altoona — Receive a free personalized digital Christmas card, plus enjoy games, activities and crafts in Santa's Wonderland. A Bass Pass is needed for a photo time slot; photo hours through Dec. 2 are 5 to 8 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. (Special hours: 10 a.m.to 5 p.m. Thanksgiving Day, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Black Friday). Hours change after Dec. 2. For craft and activity times, go to basspro.com/santa.

Blank Park Zoo — Through Dec. 24. After snapping a photo with Santa, writing a letter to the North Pole and enjoying hot cocoa, kids can explore the zoo, both indoors and outdoors. Free with regular zoo admission and free for zoo members. Call 515-285-4722 or contact events@blankparkzoo.org.

Outlets of Des Moines, Altoona — 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays, Nov. 24 through Dec. 24. Families who visit Santa will receive two free 4-by-6-inch photo prints and a digital download of a single image. Additional photos may be purchased.

Other Places to Find Santa

Mayor's Tree Lighting, Ankeny — 6 to 7 p.m. Dec. 1. The third annual event will include entertainment, holiday crafts and cocoa.

Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad's Santa Express — Nov. 24 through Dec. 17. Take a family trip to the “North Pole” to visit Santa, sing songs, and take part in activities. Passengers receive hot chocolate and a cookie and will receive a special gift from Santa himself.

"Jingle in the Junction," Valley Junction, West Des Moines — 5 to 9 p.m. Nov. 30, Dec. 7 and 14. Free horse and trolley rides, Santa, caroling and more. Watch Bill Gordish carve ice sculptures and Professor Von Air will create balloon magic. Check here for new activities.

Winterfest, Waukee Community Center — 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 1. Santa lights the holiday tree in Triangle Park at 6 p.m., then will visit children as they enjoy hot chocolate and cookies. Bring an unwrapped toy to help support Waukee Area Christian Services.

Living History Farms Family Christmas, Urbandale — 2 to 6 p.m. Dec. 2. Bundle up for a horse-drawn wagon ride to visit the festive Flynn Mansion. Enjoy an old fashioned holiday social with dance music in the Church of the Land. Kids will print their own holiday greeting cards, decorate cookies, make crafts, and visit Santa Claus. Prices: $7/person; $6.50 members. Discount witih advance purchase.

Holiday Party at the Clive Public Library, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Dec. 9 — Holiday stories and songs for the family and a special craft. Santa will visit. Register at Clive Parks and Recreation.

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