Jolly Ol' St. Nick and more...
Santa Claus can be sighted at select places all across Northshore during the holiday season, especially for photo ops with the kiddos.
On November 26, 2022 for Small Business Saturday, HJ Smith & Sons Hardware Store & Museum in downtown Covington will have Santa on the swing for free photos, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. -- just bring your camera! Also on Nov. 26, in Mandeville, get a professional, 4"x6" print with Santa at The Candy Bank, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. ($25).
Santa lends a festive air to your shopping on Friday, Dec. 2, 6-9 p.m., at Christmas at TerraBella's tree lighting and holiday marketplace, and at the Mandeville Trailhead's extended Holiday Markets on Saturday, Dec. 10 and 17, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Santa makes two stops on Saturday, Dec. 3, magically at the same time (4-6 p.m.), when he rolls along the Mandeville lakefront for the Winter on the Water Santa & Boat Parades, pausing for pictures at the Gazebo, and at the Covington Trailhead for Deck the Rails, a kid-friendly holiday event where children receive individually wrapped holiday treats.
Madisonville celebrates the season on Dec. 4 with Merry Madisonville Parade & Celebration, starting with a parade at 2 p.m. Santa, Mrs. Claus and Ms. Christmas will welcome everyone to "Santa's Workshop" at the Madisonville Park & Playground pavilion for free photos after the parade, about 3 p.m. Also on Dec. 4, Santa and The Mrs. will work their magic and lead the Olde Towne Slidell Community Christmas Parade from Slidell City Hall to Griffith Park, where they will participate in the annual lighting of the trees and Christmas Under the Stars. Santa will also spend time in Heritage Park during Slidell's Bayou Christmas, Dec. 15-18 and 22-23.
Santa will journey over the river and through the woods for the Folsom Horse & Wagon Christmas Parade on December 10 at 1 p.m., and then it's off to the Mandeville lakefront for pictures by the old fireplace in the Jean Baptiste Lang House, Dec. 10, 2-5 p.m. Bring your own camera and your family, including the furry ones (pets welcome!). Working his everywhere-at-once magic again, he'll also drop in to the Bayou Lacombe Visitor Center on Dec. 10, 2-4 p.m., for Cajun Christmas. Admission, photos, refreshments, wildlife crafts and visits with Santa are all free. Everyone can enjoy the interactive wildlife displays at the center and explore the trails and grounds of the historic Bayou Gardens.
Enjoy holiday goodies while supporting a good cause with the Youth Service Bureau's Your Santa Breakfast, December 3. Santa makes two stops at Don's Seafood Covington: Dec. 4, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Dec. 17, 6-9 p.m., for Cajun brunch and free photos. Entertain the kiddos with Santa and holiday treats at Pelican Park's Breakfast with Santa on Dec. 10, and, at the ticketed Merry Mande Holiday Tea Dec. 18, Santa will be posing for professional photos at the Mandeville Trailhead when he's not shopping at the Holiday Market or shaking it with the Mande Milkshakers. Also on Dec. 18, Santa brings his Naughty list to Cured.On Columbia for "Bad Santa Sunday Brunch", 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Register in advance for dining events!
If a "fun run" is more your speed, don't miss the Q50 Santa on Trails 5K Run/Walk in Fontainebleau State Park on Dec. 4, where you can witness a flurry of red caps and white beards bobbing by as runners cruise through the park in full Santa suits. Register by Nov. 30.
Santa will also make stops at Majestic Dog Boutique in Mandeville for "Santa Paws" on Nov. 27 and Dec. 4 and 11 so you can have a digital photo of your furry friend with the merry old elf (12-5 p.m. each day, $15 per photo).
Find more holiday fun in our event calendar.
