Santa Sightings: Where And When In West Des Moines

WEST DES MOINES, IA — If you need to find Santa for a photo op, there are plenty of places on the west end of the metro to find him. Plus, he's accepting reservations for breakfast and brunch in between lighting Christmas trees and snapping pics with pets.

Tonight you can find him at the Family Pet Veterinary Center for photos with pets and on Friday he'll flick a fireball across the lake at Jordan Creek Town Center to light the Christmas tree. Whew, when is there time to read the wish lists?

Here are some scheduled Santa stops in Clive, Waukee and West Des Moines. Know of others? Email melissa.myers@patch.com with details to get them added to the list. Also, click the link below for a broader list of Santa visits metrowide.

Family Pet Veterinary Center, 1215 Prospect Ave., West Des Moines, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16. — Complimentary pet and people pictures with Santa, cider and cookies, and Santa snacks.

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.

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.

Jordan Creek Town Center, West Des Moines — Santa arrives at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17, for the holiday concert that will end when he throws a fireball over the lake to magically light the Christmas tree. Lakeside fireworks follow. Photos with Santa at Lower Level Younkers Court, noon to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays, Nov. 18 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.

>>> Central Iowa Santa Stops: Click here to see where else he'll be

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.

"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.

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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