5 Ways To Visit Santa In Columbus This Year

Now that Thanksgiving is in the books, the Christmas season is in full swing.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has changed many traditions in 2020, and visits to Santa might look a little different. But Santa is still coming to Columbus, and there are ways to meet with him — and bring him Christmas lists, of course — safely.

Luckily, Experience Columbus, the city’s marketing hub that shows visitors what makes Columbus a destination, mapped out how kids can meet with Santa this year.

Here’s how to find him, according to Experience Columbus:

• Santa will record personalized, 30-60 second videos for Easton shoppers, asking for $10 per video to support the Easton Community Foundation. The foundation helps local nonprofits, schools, the arts and more.
• Shaking up the usual Wildlights experience at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, the socially-distant Santa visit was inspired by the 1864 classic Christmas song “Up On The Housetop,” which Experience Columbus notes was written by Columbus native Benjamin Hanby. Put on your masks and come get a picture with Santa and some of his reindeer up on a housetop through January 5. The Columbus Zoo detailed some of the biggest attractions for the 31st Wildlights season, marking “more holiday cheer than ever before.”
• In true 2020 fashion, families can also hop on a Zoom call with Santa and some of his elves when the annual Snowflake Castle moves to a virtual format. That’s available beginning Monday (November 30) through December 5, between 9 a.n. and noon and 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., according to Experience Columbus. Registration is online.
• Another way to experience a Santa visit 2020-style is via drive-through. Families can see Santa at the Run The Lights! event, stretching three miles through the Butch Bando’s Fantasy of Lights, according to Experience Columbus. On December 19, the first 90 families can see Santa from their cars as hundreds of runners prep for the race.
• Or, be sure to take part in a classic holiday tradition: writing letters to Santa. Those sending letters to Santa can get one returned with a little help from the Grandview Heights Parks & Recreation department. Send an email to santa@grandviewheights.org or drop off a physical letter at the Grandview Library’s book drop or at the Parks & Recreation department’s holiday mailbox, according to Experience Columbus. The deadline is December 17.

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