Where to see Santa before Christmas

It may be hard to believe, but Santa Claus himself is taking some time off from the North Pole to visit Wichita a few more times this holiday season.

Mr. Claus has already visited Wichita sporadically, and he’ll be here more between now and Christmas.

When you’re magical, you can accomplish things that many wouldn’t think possible.

If you’re looking for when you might get a chance to meet Kris Kringle, here are some places where you can find him in the coming weeks.

Stearman Field Bar & Grill, 9-11 a.m. Saturday: The bar and grill at Benton’s Stearman Field is serving a breakfast buffet Saturday morning and is welcoming families to have breakfast with Santa. Santa’s reindeer Dasher is scheduled to make an appearance as well. The bar and grill itself, which sits mere yards away from the airport’s runway, is a fun place to hang out afterward, as it’s possible to watch small planes take off and land from the comfort of your table. Free.

Old Cowtown Museum, 9-11 a.m. Saturday: The museum is hosting its annual Breakfast With Santa event, with a hearty breakfast of pancakes, French toast, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits and fruit salad with the jolly one himself. While you wait for Santa to arrive – in a stagecoach, no less – you can partake in Christmas crafts and send a personalized telegram to the North Pole, along with all the other classic Cowtown activities. Tickets ($7.95 for ages 4-15, $12.95 for ages 16 and older) must be purchased in advance at www.wichitatix.com.

South YMCA, 9-11 a.m. Saturday: Santa will stop by the South YMCA to meet with children and watch the YMCA’s dancers, gymnasts and martial arts teams perform. For $6, guests can enjoy pancakes, sausage and orange juice during the event. All proceeds from the breakfast support the YMCA’s competitive team programs. Free to attend, $6 per person for breakfast.

Sedgwick County Zoo, 1-4 p.m. Saturday: Santa will be at the Children’s Farms Festival: Holiday in the Barn. You can play with farm toys and see animal demonstrations, including animals typically found in a manger. During, before or after, you can stop by the Plaza Beastro for hot chocolate and other snacks. Regular zoo admission applies.

O.J. Watson Park, 12:30 and 2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, 6 p.m. Dec. 23: Santa will be at this family activity geared to ages 2 and up, which includes a reading of “Polar Express,” milk and cookies, crafts, miniature train ride to the North Pole to see Santa and s’mores and hot chocolate. Tickets cost $15 per person, and reservations may be made by calling 316-529-9940 or visiting www.wichita.gov/parkandrec.

Towne East Square and Towne West Square, daily through Dec. 24: Both Towne East Square and Towne West Square are offering visits with Santa. It’s free to visit Santa, but if you want a professional photo, it will cost.

Botanica, 5:30-8:30 p.m. daily through Dec. 31: Botanica is one of the few spots in town where you can catch Mr. Claus after Christmas and congratulate him on what a great job he’s done this holiday. Botanica’s Illuminations plays host to Santa seven days a week through Dec. 31, excluding Dec. 24 and 25. Tickets to Botanica’s Illuminations are $8 ($7 members) for adults and $6 for ages 12 and under.

The Arc’s Lights, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Fridays through Sundays and Dec. 19-23. Santa will be available at The Arc’s Lights, the drive-through light display at Douglas and St. Paul, on weekends and all week prior to Christmas, excluding Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The display itself runs through Dec. 28 and starts at Douglas and St. Paul. Admission of $10 per carload is required Fridays and Saturdays, and donations are accepted Sundays through Thursdays.

This story was originally published December 15, 2016 at 3:28 PM with the headline "Where to see Santa before Christmas."