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Tuesday, May 5, 2026

Santa coming to visit kids3 min read

Aspen, 6, Willow, 4, and their mother Lily Carpenter get their photo taken with Santa by their grandfather Carl Schmidt during Breakfast With Santa hosted by the Sedona Parks and Recreation Department at the Hub at Posse Grounds Park on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. David Jolkovski/Larson Newspapers

Strike a pose and get your pancakes because Parks and Recreation’s Breakfast with Santa Claus is served up this year on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 8 to 10 a.m. at the Sedona Posse Grounds Hub at Posse Grounds Park, at 525-B Posse Grounds Road.

“Breakfast with Santa is an opportunity for all the young and old kids to come and celebrate the Christmas season, basically for an opportunity to come celebrate with your community the holiday season, with a special guest showing of Santa Claus and lots of fun decorations and a delicious free breakfast for everyone who arrives,” Sedona Special Events Coordinator Jason Vargo said. “Santa Claus has been a long-standing supporter of the Sedona Parks and Recreation Department, and he confirmed a number of weeks ago that he will be on site again for our breakfast. He’s just really good at sched­uling, especially at this time of the year. It’s remarkable, I give him a lot of credit.”

Bring your appetite, and your wish list — to share with Santa while you snap a photo with the big guy. Breakfast includes pancakes, sausage, coffee and orange juice.

“The festive atmosphere will extend beyond Santa’s meet-and-greet,” the city stated. “Children and adults alike can enjoy a variety of games and activities, adding to the holiday spirit. The sound of Christmas carolers singing their favorite holiday tunes will fill the air, creating a truly enchanting experience as attendees will also be treated to a delicious and free breakfast. The menu includes warm cocoa, fluffy pancakes and refreshing juice, so that everyone is well-fed and ready for a morning full of fun. The aroma of freshly cooked breakfast will surely add to the festive ambiance. Parents can capture these precious moments by taking photographs, creating cherished memories for years to come.”

Parking has not been an issue for this event, Vargo said.

“We will be opening up yet again for the third year in a row at 7:30 to 7:55 a.m. for a lower sensory experience, which means that there will be no music in the room,” Vargo said. “The lights will be dimmed, and Santa will be available for any sensitive family members that would like to come in before the louder groups arrive.”

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From 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., the Red Rock Appella Ensemble will be performing an hour of Christmas music, including both novelty songs and holiday standards. Kids will be able to write their letter to Santa and either deliver it by hand and get their photo taken with him or put it in the mailbox to be delivered to the North Pole promptly.

“Good tidings for all is on my Christmas list this year,” Vargo said. “Beyond the free breakfast, it’s a really joyful atmosphere, and there’s nothing but smiles and happy people around. It’s a perfect opportunity to set the tone for the season.”

Red Rock Appella is also performing with the Verde Valley Ringers a community hand­bell choir at Community Library Sedona on Wednesday, Dec. 17, from 6 to 7 p.m.

Joseph K Giddens

Joseph K. Giddens grew up in southern Arizona and studied natural resources at the University of Arizona. He later joined the National Park Service in many different roles focusing on geoscience education throughout the West. Drawn to deep time and ancient landscapes he’s worked at: Dinosaur National Monument, Petrified Forest National Park, Badlands National Park and Saguaro National Park among several other public land sites. Prior to joining Sedona Red Rock News, he worked for several Tucson outlets as well as the Williams-Grand Canyon News and the Navajo-Hopi Observer. He frequently is reading historic issues of the Tombstone Epitaph newspaper and daydreaming about rockhounding. Contact him at jgiddens@larsonnewspapers.com or (928) 282-7795 ext. 122.

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