Where To See Santa Near Livermore This Holiday Season

LIVERMORE, CA — Santa Claus will be back in Livermore this holiday season after a couple of years of COVID-19 restrictions.

Visits and pictures with Santa are at the heart of many families’ holiday traditions, but the coronavirus pandemic gave them a lump of coal. Malls and other places took social distancing measures in both 2020 and 2021 to help contain the spread of the virus, moving Santa meet-ups largely online.

Virtual visits are still an option in many places, but there’s nothing quite like seeing jolly old St. Nick live and in-person. Around Livermore, kids have several chances:

Tri-Valley:

LIVERMORE:

DEC. 3: Holiday Sights & Sounds Parade Downtown. "A Livermore tradition you don't want to miss!"

PLEASANTON:

DEC. 3: Hometown Holiday Celebration, Parade & Tree Lighting. Santa will be there, too!

DEC. 4: Santa at Fresh Cut Christmas Trees, Alameda County Fairgrounds, Gate 8.

DUBLIN:

DEC. 3: Breakfast With Santa: Shannon Community Center. Three sessions planned.

SAN RAMON:

DEC. 3: Community Tree Lighting & Santa. Treats, crafts, entertainment & more.

WEEKENDS THROUGH DEC. 18: Visits With Santa, City Center Bishop Ranch.

DANVILLE:

DEC. 9-10: Elf Workshop & Santa For Ages 1-9. Registration required. No walk-ins.

WALNUT CREEK:

THROUGH DEC. 24: Photos With Santa: Broadway Plaza. Book your spot to see the jolly one!

DEC. 10-22: Visit To North Pole & Santa - Live Theatre Experience: Lesher Center. "Join Santa and Mrs. Claus in the North Pole, during this immersive, live theatre experience."

East Bay:

ALAMEDA:

DEC. 10: Breakfast With Santa: Albert H. DeWitt O'Club. Registration deadline is Dec. 1.

DEC. 17-18:Santa Home Visits. Residents can book visits from the Big Guy.

ALBANY:

DEC. 3-4, 10-11 & 17-18: Santa On Solano. Stop by & see Old St. Nick while strolling a charming street.

BERKELEY:

THROUGH DEC. 24: Holidays On Fourth Street, Santa & Light Show. Plus dates for artisan market, marionette show & fantasy parade, too!

CASTRO VALLEY:

DEC. 3: Holiday Market. With local artists, crafters & Santa.

CONCORD:

DEC. 11 & 18: Breakfast With Santa & 'Grinch' Movie: The Veranda. Book soon!

NOV. 11-DEC. 24: 'Santa’s Flight Academy' Holiday Photo Experience: Sunvalley Mall. Reservations recommended.

FREMONT:

DEC. 3: Holiday Celebration, Tree Lighting & Santa: Pacific Commons. Carolers, elves & free photos with Santa.

HAYWARD:

DEC. 3, 10 & 17: Christmas Festivities At McConaghy House. Halls are decked & Santa is coming!

HERCULES:

DEC. 4: Holiday Tree Lighting & Santa. Food, coat & toy drive planned, too.

LAFAYETTE:

DEC. 4: It’s A Wonderful Life In Lafayette Holiday Celebration. With tree lighting, Santa, free train rides, crafts & more.

MARTINEZ:

DEC. 10: Santa Beer Crawl: Downtown. "Join the jolliest bunch of Santas this side of the bay."

NEWARK:

THROUGH DEC. 24: Pictures With Santa, Pet Nights & Santa Cares Day: NewPark Mall. Specific dates set for pet & Santa Care visits.

OAKLAND:

THROUGH JAN. 29: Glowfari: Holiday Lantern Festival: Oakland Zoo. Santa will be there, too.

PIEDMONT:

DEC. 10: Santa's Workshop & Kids' Holiday Crafts. Register to save your space.

PLEASANT HILL:

DEC. 3: Breakfast With Santa. Reservations required.

DEC. 7: Annual Holiday Festival & Santa. Free at community center.

SAN FRANCISCO PENINSULA:

DEC. 3-4: Caltrain Holiday Train & Santa: SF Bay Area Peninsula Cities. Don't miss out at your local station stop Dec. 3-4 weekend.

UNION CITY:

DEC. 3: Snacks With Santa. Space is limited & advance tickets required.

Santa will also be at Macy’s stores all over the country. In San Francisco, Santa will be at the 6th floor of Macy’s Union Square on 170 O’Farrell Street through Dec. 24. Make a reservation here five days before the visit.

JC Penney stores, including stores at the Stoneridge Mall and outdoors at Amador Valley Community Park, are offering professional portraits with Santa through Dec. 18.

Patch editor Susan Schena contributed to this report.