Santa Sightings: Where You Can See Saint Nick This Year

Looking for Santa this holiday season? You don’t have to look far.

Here a few places you can find him in December.

Southern Lights: Spectacular Sights on Holiday Nights
Take a three-mile drive through the Kentucky Horse Park, bedecked with dozens of holiday light displays created from more than one million twinkling lights. After you finish the drive, come inside for even more fun.

Enjoy local holiday and craft vendors, seasonal entertainment, an exotic petting zoo, pony and camel rides, model trains, photos with Santa and the Mini-Train Express.

The Mini-Train Express ferries holiday travelers between the decorated buildings housing indoor attractions. Riders may even see some additional light displays not visible from the driving tour.

Southern Lights runs through Dec. 31.

Indoor attractions will be open every night with the exceptions of Dec. 24-31.  Hours are 5:30 p.m.-10 p.m.

Tickets: Sunday-Thursday, $15/car; Friday-Saturday, $20/car.

Info: 255-5727 or kyhorsepark.com.

Lexington Downtown Christmas Parade
Santa returns to downtown on Thursday, Dec. 6 at for the annual Christmas parade. The parade starts at 7:30 p.m. on Main Street, from Midland to Broadway.

Food and drink vendors will be located in the Fifth Third Bank Pavilion at Cheapside Park, Courthouse Plaza and Phoenix Park.

After the parade, take a spin on the ice at the Unified Trust Company Ice Rink at Triangle Park.

Fayette Mall
You can visit with Santa daily through Christmas Eve at the mall in front of Dillards. Santa will be available for photos at the following times:

Monday – Saturday: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. (Breaks: 1-2 p.m., 5-6 p.m.*)

Sunday: Noon-6 p.m. (Break: 2:30-3 p.m.)

Christmas Eve: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (Break: 1-2 p.m.)

* All breaks subject to change.

Sunday, Dec. 9, 6-9 p.m. – Pet Photo Night. Four-legged family members want to see Santa, too! Please use the mall entrance next to Talbots when arriving with pets.

You can reduce wait time with Santa’s Fast Pass. Info: 272-3493. Register at www.shopfayette-mall.com.

There will also be a special Chick-fil-A  Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 1, 8-10 a.m. Tickets are $5 and include breakfast, a photo with Santa, a special gift and more.

Merry Christmas From Santa at Lexington Green
Visit Santa at The Mall at Lexington Green Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. (Break: 2-3 p.m.)

The Santa at Lexington Green, provided by TSS Photography, is accepting “Call Ahead” reservations again this year so that waiting in line will be minimal. Info: 983-2630.

Santa will have many exciting new photo ideas for 2012, including videos of every child. Info: Like Merry Christmas From Santa at Lexington Green on Facebook or visit

www.SantaLexGreen.com.

Joseph Beth Booksellers
Get your wish lists in order to meet the man himself at Jo-Beth’s annual Breakfast with Santa.

The morning of holiday fun includes a delicious breakfast from Bronte Bistro and a special reading of the Night Before Christmas.

Saturday, Dec. 8 at 8:30 a.m. Tickets are $14.95/adults, $8.95/kids. Reservations are required.

Info: 273-2911.