Cartoon Santa in a big red chair beside a Christmas tree, with kids waving and a sleigh flying past the window
Santa 2026 · Des Moines

Breakfast with Santa and Santa photos in Des Moines, with prices.

We found 9 Santa outings for little kids in and around Des Moines with 2026 dates: 5 breakfasts and brunches and 4 photo spots and visits. One is free. The first visits start Nov 8. One more ran last season but hasn’t posted 2026 dates yet. Each listing has the time, price and a link to book.

9 outings5 breakfasts4 photo spotsFirst visits Nov 81 free

Last checked · How we choose

Start here

What kind of Santa visit?

Breakfast with Santa

5 breakfasts · Nov 29 – Dec 20

A quick photo

4 daytime spots · Nov 8 – Dec 24

Nov 8 – Dec 26

The Santa calendar

Shaded days fall inside at least one listing’s dates (check each card for days off and hours). Dots mark set dates, like breakfasts and one-day visits.

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Nov 8Portraits with Santa at…
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29Pajamas + Pancakes with Santa
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Dec 1
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5Family Christmas at Living…Santa at Ted Lare Garden…
6Breakfast with Santa at The…
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12City of Pleasant Hill…
13SnowGlobe 2026: Santa Brunch
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20Brunch with Santa at Hy-Vee…
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Inside a listing’s datesBreakfastPhotos and visits

Breakfast with Santa

5 breakfasts · Nov 29 – Dec 20

Pajamas + Pancakes with Santa

Des Moines Heritage Center · 120 E 5th St, Des Moines, IA 50309

BreakfastBook ahead
When
Sun Nov 29, 2026 · 9 a.m.–1 p.m., open-house style
Price
Family tickets $80 (2) to $180 (7); with professional Santa photos $180–$280; babies under 1 free
  • Organizer: DSM Motherhood Collective (first year)
  • Breakfast, crafts, tots music class
  • photo families get a reserved time
  • Come any time 9–1, which suits nap schedules
Book / details ↗

Checked Oct 18 on the official page · Source

Report a problem

Breakfast with Santa at The Ingersoll (presented by Coca-Cola)

The Ingersoll · 3711 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines, IA

Breakfast
When
Sun Dec 6, 2026 · 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
Price
Tickets not on sale yet
  • Listed as 'Tickets Available Soon'
Book / details ↗

Checked Oct 18 · Santa’s own 2026 tour page

Report a problem

SnowGlobe 2026: Santa Brunch

Exile Brewing Company · 1514 Walnut Street, Des Moines, IA 50309

BreakfastBook ahead
When
Sun Dec 13, 2026 · 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
Price
Order from the menu; dining reservation recommended
  • Kid-friendly brunch with Santa photo ops in the brewpub's holiday decor
Book / details ↗

Checked Oct 18 on the official page

Report a problem

Brunch with Santa at Hy-Vee on Fleur

Hy-Vee, Fleur Drive · 4605 Fleur Dr., Des Moines, IA

BreakfastBook ahead
When
Sun Dec 20, 2026 · 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
  • Price and booking not posted yet
Book / details ↗

Checked Oct 18 · Santa’s own 2026 tour page

Report a problem

City of Pleasant Hill Breakfast with Santa

Doanes Park (Pleasant Hill) · 5050 Doanes Park Rd, Pleasant Hill, IA

Breakfast
When
Sat Dec 12, 2026 · 8–11 a.m.
Book / details ↗

Checked Oct 18 · Santa’s own 2026 tour page

Report a problem

Santa photos and visits

4 daytime spots · Nov 8 – Dec 24

Portraits with Santa at East Fifth Studio

East Fifth Studio · 315 E 5th St, Des Moines, IA

PhotosBook ahead
When
Sun Nov 8, 2026 · 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
  • Reservations 'accepting soon'
Book / details ↗

Checked Oct 18 · Santa’s own 2026 tour page

Report a problem

Santa Photos at Jordan Creek Town Center

Jordan Creek Town Center · 101 Jordan Creek Parkway, West Des Moines, IA 50266

PhotosWalk-upSensory-friendly
When
Nov 20–Dec 24, 2026 (closed Thanksgiving) · Most days 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; Dec 24 9 a.m.–6 p.m.; hours change by day, full schedule on the booking page
Price
See photo packages on the booking page
Sensory
Sensory-friendly session (Santa Cares): Sun Dec 6 9:30–10:30 a.m.; reduced lights and music, smaller crowds, advance registration required, no purchase required to book.
  • Walk-ups welcome
  • booking a 15-minute slot online is encouraged (a few families share each slot)
  • Pet photo nights on 8 evenings (Nov 23, Nov 24, Nov 30, Dec 1, Dec 7, Dec 8…)
Book / details ↗

Checked Oct 19 on the official page

Report a problem

Family Christmas at Living History Farms

Living History Farms · 11121 Hickman Rd, Urbandale, IA 50322

PhotosBook ahead
When
Sat Dec 5, 2026 · Noon–3 p.m.
Price
Advance $12, members $11; at the door $13, members $12; under 2 free
  • A 19th-century Christmas: crafts, carols, stories, cookie decorating, a 'snowball' fight in the barn, horse-drawn wagon rides (weather permitting) and a photo with Santa
  • Buildings are heated
Book / details ↗

Checked Oct 19 on the official page

Report a problem

Santa at Ted Lare Garden Center's Holiday Art Show

Ted Lare Garden Center · 2701 Cumming Ave, Cumming, IA 50061

PhotosFree
When
Sat Dec 5, 2026 · Santa 10am–noon
Price
Free
Ages
All ages
Strollers
Not stated
  • Photos with Santa in his sleigh, indoors, during a local artists' holiday show
  • The garden center also holds a free Story Time in the Garden each month (ages 2 and up)
Book / details ↗

Checked Oct 19 on the official page

Report a problem
Dates not posted yet
  • Breakfast with Santa at Holiday Hullabaloo · Southridge Event Center (enter through atrium doors behind Target) Dates not posted yet — check the official page (holidayhullabaloo.com).

It ran last season. We’ll add it when 2026 dates go up.

On a budget

Ways to keep Santa cheap

1Santa at Ted Lare Garden Center's Holiday Art Show
Free2Family Christmas at Living History Farms
Advance $12, members $11; at the door $13, members $12; under 2 free3Pajamas + Pancakes with Santa
Family tickets $80 (2) to $180 (7); with professional Santa photos $180–$280; babies under 1 free
For babies and toddlers

Making the visit go well

1Go right after napPick a slot when they’re fed and rested, not at the end of a long day out.
2Talk about Santa firstLook at photos together so the beard and the big red suit aren’t a surprise.
3A parent can hold themLap photos with a grown-up still count, and they’re cute.
4Tears are OKSnap the photo anyway. Crying-Santa pictures are a holiday tradition.
Also this season

Make it a Santa-and-lights night

See all 2 light displays in and around Des Moines with 2026 dates, sorted for little kids, with early start times.

Christmas lights in Des Moines →
Good questions

Santa in Des Moines: questions parents ask

Where can we see Santa for free in Des Moines?

One of this year’s Santa listings is free: Santa at Ted Lare Garden Center's Holiday Art Show. Bring your own camera where the listing says so.

What’s the cheapest breakfast with Santa in Des Moines?

Of the breakfasts and brunches with posted 2026 prices, the lowest is Pajamas + Pancakes with Santa (Family tickets $80 (2) to $180 (7); with professional Santa photos $180–$280; babies under 1 free). Prices are from each venue’s own page.

Which Santa visits are best for babies and kids under 3?

Babies and young toddlers get in free at Pajamas + Pancakes with Santa (babies under 1 free); Family Christmas at Living History Farms (under 2 free). To skip a long line with a toddler, look at reserved or timed visits: Pajamas + Pancakes with Santa and Santa Photos at Jordan Creek Town Center. A morning visit before nap usually goes better than an evening one.

When is the best time to see Santa with a toddler who goes to bed early?

Eight listings start in the morning, including Pajamas + Pancakes with Santa, Breakfast with Santa at The Ingersoll (presented by Coca-Cola) and SnowGlobe 2026: Santa Brunch.

Is there a sensory-friendly Santa in Des Moines?

Santa Photos at Jordan Creek Town Center: Sensory-friendly session (Santa Cares): Sun Dec 6 9:30–10:30 a.m.; reduced lights and music, smaller crowds, advance registration required, no purchase required to book.

How do you check these Santa listings?

Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page, and links to it. We list dates, times and prices only when that page shows them for 2026; anything without posted dates goes in “Dates not posted yet” instead. These were last checked Oct 19, 2026, and we recheck them in early November and again in early December. How we choose and check.

Keep planning: This week in Des Moines · Des Moines city guide · Visiting Des Moines

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