Where to See Santa in the Toledo Area 2025

December 8, 2025

Multiple Dates

Franklin Park Mall

Experience the magic of the season with a heartwarming visit and keepsake photo with Santa.

Franklin Park Mall, 5001 Monroe St.

Lights Before Christmas

Create timeless memories at the Zoo’s Winter Village as you enjoy festive drinks at Twinkle Tavern, shop seasonal finds at Enchanted Gifts, roast s’mores by the fire, and visit Santa at his lodge.

The Toledo Zoo, 2 Hippo Way

Children’s Wonderland

Experience classic holiday exhibits, festive train rides, photos with Santa and more. Ticketed.

Sylvania Exhibition Center, 7060 W. Sylvania Ave., Sylvania

The Town Center at Levis Commons

Come to Santa’s house at The Town Center at Levis Commons to meet Santa & Mrs. Claus!

The Town Center at Levis Commons

3201 Levis Commons Blvd., Perrysburg

Santa’s Wonderland

Visit Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops for a magical, photo-ready holiday experience filled with festive displays and family fun.

Bass Pro Shops. 10000 Bass Pro Blvd., Rossford

Santa Photo Experience

Book now to lock in a holiday photo experience that you’ll cherish for years to come.

The Shops at Fallen Timbers, 3100 Main St., Maumee

Dec. 11

Cookies & Claus, A Family Workshop

A festive family workshop where kids and parents decorate Christmas cookies, make seasonal crafts, receive a special holiday gift and meet Santa with optional professional photos. Registration is required.

CJs on Third, 139 W. Third St., Perrysburg

Dec. 12 and Dec. 13

Cookies with Santa

Eastern Maumee Bay Chamber of Commerce’s 5th annual Cookies with Santa, a free, family-friendly celebration at Maumee Bay Lodge featuring fresh cookies and cocoa, festive activities, Santa photos, crafts, an obstacle course, and donation opportunities to spread holiday cheer.

Maumee Bay State Park Lodge, 1750 State Park Rd., Oregon

Dec. 13

Breakfast and Bowling with Santa and Mrs. Claus

Enjoy a festive three-hour holiday experience featuring a breakfast buffet, hot cocoa bar, bowling, crafts, magic, face painting and special photo time with Santa & Mrs. Claus. Reservations are required.

Forest View Lanes, 2345 Dean Rd., Temperance, MI

Santa Claus & Paws

For a $15 donation, get a framed photo of your pet, or any family member, with Santa Dave, who happily poses with animals of all kinds as well as children eager to share their holiday wishes.

Endless Pets & Supplies, 1546 W. Sylvania Ave.

Polar Express 3D

All aboard for a magical holiday journey as The Polar Express 3D steams into Imagination Station, an immersive, nostalgic adventure capped off with a visit from Santa, who gifts each child the very first gift of Christmas. Ticketed.

Imagination Station, 1 Discovery Way

Santa is Coming to Toledo Harley-Davidson

Santa is riding in for festive photos, free treats, kids’ activities and complimentary gift wrapping on Harley-Davidson purchases.

Toledo Harley-Davidson, 1176 Professional Dr.

Santa Paws Photos for Pups and People

Bring your two and four legged family out to get your holiday photos taken in a beautiful, natural, holiday setting.

Karnik on Black, 5411 Black Rd, Waterville

Santa’s Sensory Spectacular

Get ready for Santa’s Sensory Spectacular — a festive afternoon of play, music, and holiday magic. Ticketed.

DOT Playspace, 6544 Central Ave.

Dec. 14

Soothing Santa

Experience a calm, sensory-friendly holiday event for children of all abilities, with quieter activities like foam crafts and rice-digs, held before store hours to ensure a peaceful visit; registration required.

Franklin Park Mall, 5001 Monroe St.

Brunch with Santa

Enjoy a delicious buffet-style breakfast. Reservations are required.

Inside the Five, 5703 Main St., Sylvania

Brunch with Santa

Join Santa at Maumee Bay Brewing Company for a festive brunch featuring a buffet, cookie decorating, crafts, and a chance to share your wishlist with him. Ticketed.

Maumee Bay Brewing Co.

27 Broadway St.

Photos with Santa & Secret Santa Workshop

Enjoy a festive family day with a Secret Santa Workshop for gifts under $10, photos with Santa, and a cozy hot cocoa and drink station for adults.

Whiskey Bean Boutique, 5017 Bennett Rd.

Santa Meet & Greet at Handmade Hotspot

Snap festive photos with Santa, sip bubbly holiday drinks from Sodally Soda, and shop your favorite local makers.

Handmade Hotspot, 3401 Woodville Rd., Northwood

Meet and Greet with Santa

Meet and greet with Santa, cookie decorating, crafts and prizes.

A Village Learning Center, 4346 Secor Rd.

It’s Santa

Photos with Santa, raffle prizes, goodie bags, hot cocoa or tea, and bring a toy donation to enter a $150 tattoo giveaway.

Adrenalized Ink, 2175 Woodville Rd., Oregon

Storytime with Mrs. Claus

Join Mrs. Claus at Joe Muggs in Books-A-Million for storytime.

The Town Center at Levis Commons Books-A-Million, 3201 Levis Commons Blvd., Perrysburg

Dec. 17

Visit with Santa at Ventura’s

Bring the whole family for a festive visit with Santa.

Ventura’s Mexican Restaurant, 7742 W. Bancroft St.

Dec. 18

Santa & Mrs. Claus Storytime at Walbridge

Enjoy a magical afternoon at the library with a festive reading of Cookies for Santa and a chance to take photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Walbridge Library, 108 N. Main St., Walbridge

Dec. 20

Ice Cream Breakfast with Santa

Meet Santa, enjoy small crafts and spend time with family and friends.

Charlie’s Homemade Ice Cream & Burgers, 6600 W. Sylvania Ave., Sylvania

Donuts with The Clauses presented by Children’s Wonderland

Bring the family to enjoy breakfast & a personal interaction with Santa and Mrs. Claus! Ticketed.

Sylvania Tam-O-Shanter, 7060 W. Sylvania Ave., Sylvania

Breakfast with Santa

Enjoy a festive Breakfast with Santa, complete with a full breakfast and a photo opportunity with Santa himself. Reservations are required.

Brandywine Country Club, 6904 Salisbury Rd., Maumee

What’s on Our Bookshelf this December

Lori Orlinsky

December 5, 2025

December invites us to cozy up and celebrate the many traditions that make this season shine. Whether you light candles, decorate a tree or honor heritage and community, this month’s bookshelf brings cozy and joyful reads.

Meet December (The Calendar Kids)

by April Martin

In this festive installment of The Calendar Kids®, December comes to life as a cheerful character who celebrates winter magic, holiday traditions and the joy of togetherness. A warm, kid-friendly introduction to the month that sparkles with anticipation. Ages 3-8.

Lost and Found Hanukkah

by Joe Preble

When Nate loses his beloved menorah after moving to a new home, a runaway shop cat leads him on an unexpected adventure—helping him discover that Hanukkah’s light can shine brightest in new beginnings. Ages 3-8.

Gingerbread On Strike

by Jennifer Jones

When the gingerbread cookies realize they’re expected to do all the holiday entertaining, they band together and go on strike! Chaos and plenty of laughs follow as the family scrambles to win them back. A sweet, silly tale about teamwork, appreciation and the magic that happens when everyone feels valued. Ages 3-8.

When Santa Wrote Back

by Nathan Christopher

When Ruby mails Santa a heartfelt letter about what really matters to her this Christmas, she never expects a reply—let alone one filled with kindness, wisdom and a little North Pole magic. Their unexpected correspondence helps Ruby discover that the best gifts aren’t wrapped at all. A touching holiday story about connection, gratitude and the joy of being truly heard. Ages 3-8.

Once Upon A Kwanza

by Nyasha Williams

Nyasha Williams beautifully blends storytelling and tradition in this vibrant celebration of Kwanzaa. Through rhythmic, engaging text, readers learn the meaning of each of the seven principles and how they shine in everyday life. A joyful, empowering introduction to Kwanzaa that highlights community, culture and the power of coming together. Ages 3-8

This collection of books was curated by freelance writer Lori Orlinsky, an award-winning, bestselling children’s book author and industry expert who lives and breathes children’s books. Her latest book, Being Middle, was released in August.

Toledo Kwanzaa House Announces Week-Long 2025/2026 Celebration

Melissa Lee

December 5, 2025

The Toledo Kwanzaa House is excited to invite the community to its annual Kwanzaa Celebration, held this year from December 26-31 at the Frederick Douglass Center, 1001 Indiana Ave. This seven-day event is a vibrant celebration of African heritage, community and the core principles of Kwanzaa—and the organizers are calling for performers, artists, vendors and speakers to join in.

What is Kwanzaa?

Kwanzaa is not a religious holiday—it’s a cultural celebration, and many people observe it alongside other winter holidays. Created in 1966, Dr. Maulana Karenga, a professor and activist, created thee event to honor African heritage, strengthen community and celebrate shared cultural values.

The Seven Principles (Nguzo Saba)

Each of the seven days of Kwanzaa highlights one principle:

Umoja – Unity
Kujichagulia – Self-Determination
Ujima – Collective Work and Responsibility
Ujamaa – Cooperative Economics
Nia – Purpose
Kuumba – Creativity
Imani – Faith

What to Expect at the Toledo Celebration

Here’s a look at what the Toledo Kwanzaa House’s week-long gathering typically includes

Daily candle lighting and reflection: Each evening, participants gather to light the appropriate candle on the kinara, reflect on the principle of the day and engage in conversation, stories or readings.
Cultural performances: Expect African drumming, dancing, storytelling, poetry and other performances that highlight African and African-American traditions.
Community speakers and workshops: Community leaders, educators, artists and activists may speak on topics related to heritage, unity, economic empowerment, creativity and faith.
Vendors and artisans: There will be space for local artists, crafters and vendors to showcase African-inspired art, clothing, jewelry and culturally significant goods.

Call for participants and coverage

The Toledo Kwanzaa House is actively seeking:

Performers (musicians, dancers, drummers)
Speakers (teachers, poets, community leaders)
Vendors / Artists (crafts, cultural goods, African-inspired art)
Volunteers to help run the event

If you would like to participate contact: Rodney Gordon: 567-218-3145, Diane Gordon: 419-410-8022 or Donald Lynn: 419-509-0751.

Baby Button’s Story: a Single Mother and the Search for Stability

Dennis Bova

December 1, 2025

1000003933 — On Oct. 16, 2023, Jrdyn Makaylee Duncan (who goes by Button) was born at ProMedica Toledo Hospital at 22 weeks. Photographed is Button being bottle fed at 4 months old.

The baby named Button sure was in a hurry to come into the world. Ever since then, she’s led quite the life, as has her mother. It’s been a tough life all around. And they’re looking for help.

Button—officially Jrdyn (pronounced “Jordan”) Makaylee Duncan—was born on Oct. 16, 2023, at ProMedica Toledo Hospital at 22 weeks, a little more than half of the usual 40 weeks of a typical pregnancy. That means she was not only a preemie—a premature baby—but a micropreemie. Meaning, she was born with many physical problems because she wasn’t fully developed.

Button with a CPAP mask when she was 12 months old.

Since then, Button—it’s not because she’s cute as a button, although she is, but because in the womb she pushed up on her mother’s belly button—has been in two other hospitals’ neonatal intensive care units and in houses and apartments from Toledo to Columbus while receiving treatments, and still looking for a place for her and her mother to call their own.

But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. Her mother, Stacee Duncan, tells the tale from the beginning.

Button’s story

Duncan said she and Button’s father broke up before Button was born. Compounding the fact that she was to be a single parent, she had her own medical problems, including epilepsy and age (she was 37; this was her first pregnancy). Duncan had to be on bed rest because her pregnancy was considered high risk.

But things were going well. Duncan said she had a house—complete with a space for a nursery—and a job. “I had stability,” Duncan said. “I was going to go back to work. But none of that took place having a baby at 22 weeks.”

Button was 15 ounces at birth. “Look at your cell phone,” Duncan tells a listener. “That’s the size she was.”

Because she wasn’t fully developed – “I had no third trimester, and that’s when 80 percent of a child’s body is developed,” Duncan said – Button spent the next five and a half months at ProMedica Toledo Hospital’s NICU.

“It was astonishing how developed she was,” Duncan recalled. Button had all her fingers and toe, but she had a long way to go.

Just as she was to have been discharged, Button developed a collapsed lung. For better care, she was taken to C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor; two months later for more advanced care, she was taken to Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus. She was discharged soon before she turned one year old.

In the meantime, Duncan said, “I was trying to hold onto my home near the Toledo Museum of Art, and my vehicle, while following Button from city to city. I couldn’t keep a job.” So she sold all that she could to survive. “To give her the best, I had to give up the rest,” Duncan said.

RELATED: Baby University Founders Encourage and Support South Toledo Families

Eventually, Button was discharged; she and her mother moved into a room in Duncan’s stepfather’s Toledo house, and later two other places. “I wanted to be close to family and to a hospital that knew her well,” Duncan said.

Button at 24 months, celebrating Halloween 2025.

Since last November, Duncan has been meeting with groups and agencies to secure a more-permanent home, but with no luck.

In the past month, Duncan has broadened her appeal, to reach other friends and the public who might help. Overcoming reservations—“I was embarrassed and didn’t want to be a charity case, but Button didn’t fight for her life to have a life of mediocrity”—Duncan took the advice to ask for support via crowdfunding (gofundme.com/f/the-little-button-that-could).

“There has to be someone who will understand that I’m asking for help,” she said. “There has to be one ‘yes’ out there.”

In the meantime, Button and Duncan are in Columbus for a month or so of tests at Nationwide, which provides short-term housing.

“I’m looking to re-establish a stable life for me and Button,” Duncan said.

Festive Family Fun Photo Contest

Mary Genson

November 25, 2025

TPS Cell Phone-Free Policy Begins

Mary Rose Kulczak

November 25, 2025

Toledo Public Schools became a cell phone free-school district in August, in accordance with Ohio House Bill 250. The bill mandates a cell phone-free policy for all Ohio schools beginning in January 2026. TPS opted to implement the changes with the new school year, which means that students do not have access to their cell phones or personal electronic devices during the school day. The TPS administration notes that “this legislation was driven by Governor Mike De Wine’s concern that cell phones are a significant source of distraction in classrooms and [that they] negatively impact student learning and focus.”

New procedures

TPS outlined the new procedure for parents and students:

Comprehensive high schools and magnet schools will utilize Yondr bags where students will secure their phones upon arrival at school in a locked bag, which is unlocked when the student leaves the building at the end of the school day.
K-8 buildings will use secure lockboxes for device storage. Students will check in their phones each morning and retrieve them at dismissal.
Cell phone use infractions will result in disciplinary actions, ranging from phone calls home to school suspensions.

The district purchased Yondr pouches for use by all students at TPS high schools for cellular phones and smart watches, which are secured with a magnetic lock throughout the day.

Deputy Superintendent James Gant spoke about the new policies on a podcast shared on TPS’s social media platforms, including the early days of implementing the policy, from passing out the Yondr pouches to adopting new daily procedures. Listen to the full podcast at youtube.com/ watch?v=eggE6SlVVkU.

“We had to get them out to the students. That took some time. And then we had to work through the process. I’m excited to say that from a student acceptance perspective of students and behavior of students, it’s been extremely positive,” Gant explained, adding, “I’ve already heard positive things in terms of [effects on] instruction in the classroom.”

He added, “I’ve heard from principals that the students are talking more with each other. It is louder in the hallways and lunchrooms because if you’re looking at your phone you don’t have to talk. That kind of engagement is what we’re after.”

Gant noted that the challenge has been in the time necessary to make the handoff each morning, but expects that the process will become more efficient in the future. “Some kids say they just leave it (they’re phone) home now,” he said.

When TPS first began to explore ways to go cell phone-free, they sent a team to Akron schools, which had implemented a similar policy several years ago. The team was able to see, first hand, the positive impact that the policy was having on behaviors and classroom participation. They noted a reduction in fights caused by group chats, removing occurrences of what Gant calls “electronic courage”.

Parental concerns

Many parents expressed concerns over the new policy, with worries that they would not be able to reach their student in an emergency situation. “I completely understand the need to want to talk and communicate with your child and to make sure they are safe and sound. We understand that,” Gant said. “In cases of emergency, we definitely have protocols. If your contact information is up to date, we have the ability to give you a message that’s from the school itself or from the district. We can also text and email. If you have questions about that, please reach out to your child’s school.”

Regarding concerns surrounding medical issues Gant added, “If there is a medical concern, the school can reach out. The nurse has the ability to open up phones and provide information for them. We’ll be able to address those issues from a medical perspective.”

Gant encourages parents to call the school office to address any specific concerns. “This is new. We are all learning together. If there are things we can be doing differently and better, we are open to hearing that and having discussions and collaborating, making improvements and implementing them.”

Gant has received feedback from open houses, and reports that comments from parents have been overwhelmingly positive. “This is about education and instructional time and socialization of kids and, hopefully, creating better citizens in the process.”

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