Here’s where you can get photos with Santa — and Mrs. Claus and reindeer — in Wichita this year

While sitting on Santa’s lap is still a memory of Christmases pasts thanks to the pandemic, families have several opportunities to get photos with Santa — and even Mrs. Claus and reindeer —this year.

Besides traditional photo opportunities, families can play games or enjoy a meal with Santa. Here’s a list of some of Santa’s engagements in the Wichita area:

Ongoing

Cabela’s, 2427 N. Greenwich, through Dec. 24. The outdoor recreation store is continuing its “Contactless Claus” outpost but without the plexiglass barrier that separated the jolly old elf from visitors last year. This year, a freestanding bench has been placed alongside Santa for visitors to have a seat while they share their Christmas wish list. Appointments are necessary to see Santa and can be made at cabelas.com/shop/en/santas-wonderland; reservations can be made up to seven days in advance. One 4-by-6-inch photo is provided free with opportunities to purchase more. The Santa’s Wonderland area set up in the store includes a letterbox to collect letters to Santa, plus some activities and a take-home item, according to store officials.

Towne East Square, 7700 E. Kellogg, through Dec. 24. While Santa sets up shop at the eastside Wichita mall starting at noon Nov. 26, an official Santa’s arrival party doesn’t happen until Dec. 3. For the Dec. 3 event, Santa will arrive at the southeast entrance of the mall next to JCPenney and families can follow Santa to his setup in the mall. Santa will read a holiday story followed by Ballet Wichita’s performance of a number from “Nutcracker.” There will be free cookies, face painting and a “snow show” as well. Advance reservations are strongly suggested if you want to get photos with Santa; visit simon.com/mall/towne-east-square/stores/santa-photo-experience. You must purchase a photo package, ranging from $19.99 to $49.99, to place a reservation. Walk-up visits are available if time allows.

Botanica, 701 N. Amidon, through Dec. 23. While Santa was visible to visitors behind glass last year, he’s back without a barrier at Illuminations, Botanica’s premier light display, this year. Bonus features: Go to the Santa Letters section of Botanica’s website (botanica.org/santa-letters) to download and print template letters for kids to write their wishes and response letters declaring Santa has put the child on the nice list. Kids can drop off letters to Santa in an oversized mailbox. Tickets for designated admission times to Illuminations must be purchased in advance at botanica.org/illuminations. Cost is $13, $9 for children ages 12 and under and members, free for children 2 and younger.

Weekends

Midian Shrine Center’s FEZtival of Trees, 130 N. Topeka, Nov. 26 to 28. Hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Check in with Santa right after you purchase admission tickets on the ground floor. He’s set up at the foot of the staircase leading to the second floor of the Midian Shrine Center, where all of the other event activities take place. This is the second and final weekend for the event that supports the center’s mission to provide free medical care at Shriners Hospitals for Children. Admission: $5 per person at the door, free for kids 10 and younger. More information: facebook.com/Midian-Shrine-Feztival-of-Trees-2192105097503528

Prairie Pines, 4055 N. Tyler Road, Friday, Nov. 26 and weekends through at least Dec. 12. Santa is scheduled to be at this popular tree farm from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 26, the farm’s opening day. He is expected to return for visits 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays. Santa hours for the weekend of Dec. 18 and 19 are yet to be determined. More information: prairiepines.com

Watson’s Christmas Express, Fridays and Saturdays through Dec. 18 and Sunday, Dec. 19, at O.J. Watson Park, 3022 S. McLean Blvd. In Wichita’s version of “The Polar Express” — the fictional train in the book of the same name by author Chris Van Allsburg, participants travel on the park’s miniature train to see Santa at his simulated North Pole station. Suitable for ages 2 and older; kids are encouraged to wear pajamas, just like the characters in the book. Online pre-registration required through the Wichita Park & Recreation Evolve Guide page at wichita.gov/ParkandRec; look for the Register for Classes link. Tickets are $16 per person.

Fulton Valley Farms, 3079 SW Fulton Road in Towanda, east of Wichita, opens Nov. 26 and continues Thursdays through Sundays until Dec. 19, from 6 to 9 p.m. You can see Santa and live reindeer, pose for photos with a sleigh prop as well as walk through woods lit up with 800,000 light displays synced to music and see a living nativity vignette with music. (The farm’s reindeer are also making special appearances with Santa at a few other area events.) The farm also hosts dining events with Santa that tend to sell out fast. General admission: $10 ages 12 and up, $7 ages 4 to 11, free ages 3 and under. More info: 316-775-1894 or fultonvalleyfarms.com

Holiday Stroll event series, Sundays through Dec. 19, Bradley Fair, 21st and Rock Road. Santa will visit this outdoor shopping plaza from 1 to 3 p.m. during Bradley Fair’s Holiday Stroll event series to pose for photos. The event runs from 1 to 7 p.m. and features complimentary horse-drawn carriage rides, live musical performances and, of course, holiday shopping. bradleyfair.com/event/holiday-stroll

Victorian Christmas at Old Cowtown Museum, 1865 Museum Blvd., 6 to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Dec. 3 and 4, 10 and 11. It was 1897 when the now legendary “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus,” editorial was published in a New York paper, so of course Santa will be part of Cowtown’s popular Victorian Christmas event. Santa is usually set up in the living history museum’s Southern Hotel for photos and wish-list sharing. Other activities include a re-enactment of the “Night Before Christmas” tale in the schoolhouse and more. Admission is $9 adults, $8 seniors (ages 62+), $7 ages 12 to 17, $6 ages 5 to 11, free for kids 4 and under and members. Old Cowtown Museum also hosts a dining event with Santa. More info: 316-219-1871 or facebook.com/events/955888118515154

One-time appearances

Pine Lake Christmas Tree Farm, 6802 S. Oliver, Derby, 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 28. Santa is making a special one-time visit at this longtime tree farm. More info: 316-258-0088 or pinelakechristmastrees.com

Wichita Art Museum holiday open house, 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5, WAM, 1400 Museum Blvd. This is one of those events where Santa is joined by a live reindeer. The Glitter Elf, Kelcy’s Dance Studio and Andover High School singers will also be at this event. Free. More info: 316-268-4931 or wichitaartmuseum.org

Winter Wonderland, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, in Naftzger Park, 601 E. Douglas. Following the lighting of the city of Wichita’s tree, Santa and Mrs. Claus are scheduled to meet and greet visitors and pose for photos. (Look out for the Grinch, since he’ll be there too.) Activities include letter-writing to Santa, roasting s’mores by a fire pit and drinking hot cocoa, playing cornhole and listening to holiday music. Free. More info: wichita.gov/ParkandRec/Pages/WinterWonderland.aspx

Board Games with Santa, 4-Hall, Sedgwick County Extension Education Center, 7001 W. 21st St., 6:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17. While there may not be any reindeer games, Santa and a live reindeer will be at a special edition of this regularly occurring family board game night, hosted by the K-State Research and Extension Office. Special treats include cookies and hot cocoa. Free.

Dining with Santa

Breakfast with Santa, Empire House Theatre, Old Cowtown Museum, 1865 Museum Blvd., 9 to 11 a.m. Saturdays, Dec. 4 and 11. Along with eating breakfast, participants can make crafts, listen to a story and get photos with Santa. This event is generally a sell-out. Tickets are $14 per person with discounts available for members. The link to purchase tickets online can be found at facebook.com/events/427306208902521

Santa’s Pancake Party, 300 N. McLean, Exploration Place, three hourly seating times from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 18. Limited seating. Wear festive Christmas outfits or even your pajamas and get free photos with Santa during the science center’s special breakfast event. Reindeer will be there too. Other activities include coloring holiday pictures and creating a make-and-take ornament project. Tickets include admission to all exhibits for the day. Cost: $20 adults, $15 for children with 15% discount for members. Free to children under the age of 1. For tickets: exploration.org/full-events/santas-pancake-party

Santa dining events at Fulton Farms, 3079 SW Fulton Road in Towanda. Home to live reindeer, this country farm has different dining options with Santa — from a traditional Christmas dinner on Fridays, Dec. 3 through 17 to a pancake breakfast Saturday mornings, Dec. 11 and 18. A lighter supper fare option has already sold out. Tickets are $48 ages 12 and older, $19.50 ages 4 to 11, and free for 3 and under for the Christmas dinner, and $15 per person, with children 3 and under free for breakfast. More info: 316-775-1894 or fultonvalleyfarms.com

For the fur babies

For families with fur babies who’d like to get some holiday-themed photos, check out these events:

Santa Paws, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, Naftzger Park, 601 E. Douglas. The Kansas Humane Society and Downtown Wichita have partnered to offer photo sessions with pets of all kinds. All animals, including cats, rabbits and others, are required to be on a leash. Backdrops vary. There will be treats too. Cost is $25 for a digital photo, $55 for a digital copy and 20 photo cards. Book appointments at kshumane.org/familyphotos

Santa photo days at PetSmart stores. According to the PetSmart website, all three Wichita area PetSmart locations are offering free photos with Santa on Saturday and Sunday afternoons during the first three weekends of December. You’ll need to book an appointment online at petsmart.com/2021-photos-with-santa.html

Holiday photos at Chuck & Don’s, 2244 N. Greenwich Road, 1 to 4 p. m. Saturdays, Dec. 4 and 11. No appointments necessary to visit and get photos of your pet with a holiday backdrop.