Due to the rise in COVID-19 cases, many families have been left wondering if they’ll be able to take their children to visit Santa this year.
But because Omahans are nothing if not innovative, people across the city have found ways to offer you a magical holiday season, while also keeping you and your family safe. Socially distanced Santa visits, drive-through holiday events, and virtual chats with Mr. and Mrs. Claus—here are several ways your children can safely spend time with Saint Nick in and around Omaha this year.
Drive through to see Santa at the KETV Drive-Thru Family Festival
To keep the community safe this year, the annual KETV Family Festival will be a drive-through experience at the Omaha Police Mounted Patrol Barn on December 6th! Drive through to see police riding their horses as well as Santa, receive craft kits, and so much more. Volunteers will be on hand to collect food donations for the Shine the Light on Hunger campaign, so be sure to bring a nonperishable food item with you if you wish to contribute.
Wave to Santa from afar at the La Vista Wonderland
We’re walking in a La Vista Wonderland! This season, Civic Center Park is being turned into a wonderland filled with holiday cutouts, Santa’s sleigh, light decorations and so much more. This special event is open all through December with strict social distancing measures in places. Children will be able to explore Candy Cane Lane, receive goodie bags and even wave to Santa on December 8th and 15th.
Drop a letter to Santa off at the Nebraska Furniture Mart’s Santa Mailbox
This year, Nebraska’s Furniture Mart has worked with Santa to set up a special mailbox outside the store where your family can drop off letters and have them sent directly to the jolly big guy! Just download the free letter to Santa template on their website and drop it off at the Nebraska Furniture Store’s North Pole mailbox. As long as you have your letter in by December 13th (and have included your return address) you’ll receive a personalized letter from Santa. Click here for all the information and some holiday-themed coloring pages!
Visit with Santa virtually at Westroads Mall
For families who don’t want to risk in-person visits, Westroads Mall will be hosting virtual visits with Santa this year! Make a reservation on their website and enjoy a plethora of virtual events, like visits with Santa, storytime with Mrs. Claus, or even a pre-recorded personalized Santa video that your child can cherish for years to come. All of the fun is happening between November 14th and January 7th. Click here to make your reservation.
Tell Santa your Christmas list through a “Magic Barrier”at Bass Pro Shops
With customer and staff safety in mind, Bass Pro Shops will be taking reservations online for Santa visits from November 7th through Christmas Eve. When you arrive for your reservation, you will be required to undergo a temperature screening before visiting with Santa, and you’ll need to wear a mask and maintain a safe social distance at all times. The actual visits with Santa will be contactless, with an acrylic barrier in between Mr. Claus and families at all times. The same will be happening at Bass Pro Shops’ sister store, Cabelas, through December!
Live chat with Santa and his reindeer over Zoom from the Omaha Children’s Museum
This holiday season, join Omaha Children’s Museum and Santa Claus for a live virtual family experience! Santa will visit with your children, grandchildren or your entire family through a 20-minute Zoom chat where they can share their holiday wish list, enjoy a holiday story, and much more. Scheduled virtual visits with Santa cost $25 and can be reserved through December 23rd. If you are interested in seeing Santa in person at the Omaha Children’s Museum, click here to learn more about their socially-distanced Santa’s Magic event.
Chat with Santa over the phone at The Durham Museum
You know what Buddy the Elf says: The best way to spread Christmas cheer…is to visit The Durham Museum, of course! This long-standing tradition has become one of the top holiday destinations in the region. Stop by to see the 40-foot-tall twinkling tree and chat with Santa from a distance on one of their “old-fashioned telephones”. Santa’s elves will be at the switchboard to make sure you get connected to Kris Kringle himself. The phones will be disinfected after each use, and masks and social distancing are required inside the museum. Click here to purchase tickets.
Schedule a personal virtual chat with Sata using JingleRing
Started in 2020 with COVID-19 in mind, JingleRing is a brand new online service that allows you and your family to book a private, virtual chat with Santa! For $19.95, you can receive a personalized recorded message, while $24.95 provides a fun, customized virtual experience for your whole family. You can even choose your preference for Santa’s ethnicity, language (including ASL) and even faith, so your family can have a special, personal experience with Mr. and Mrs. Claus at home. Click here for all the information!
Ho Ho Ho!
We hope you have a very merry holiday season!