The Black Santa Experience

The Black Santa Experience, a culturally inclusive holiday event for Black youth and families, returns for its third year 1 to 7 p.m. Saturday at the Venue by Eleven 11 Events. It will be held on Small Business Saturday, offering a holiday marketplace highlighting local Black-owned businesses; live holiday music by Transcendence Performing Arts Center’s Vocal Ensemble; a silent auction to raise funds for the Black Santa Experience’s toy delivery on Christmas Eve; the unveiling of a new Black Santa Experience-inspired work by Michigan artist Mila Lynn, prints of which will be available for purchase; live caricatures by Lynn; face painting; arts and crafts; and, of course, the opportunity to visit with Black Santa, played by George Smithers, a graduate of the Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School in Midland. Professional photo packages are available for purchase.

New this year is a pancake breakfast with Santa from 9 to 11 a.m. at One North Kitchen and Bar. Each child will receive a photo with Santa and a special gift bag, and each family will receive free entry to the main event. Tickets are $35 for the first registered child and $25 for each additional child. Parent tickets are $15.

“We are so proud to once again bring the Black Santa Experience to Lansing for our third year. We are committed to giving mid-Michigan a Santa experience like no other, and we appreciate every Black-owned business that joins us on this incredible day,” event founder Karla Wagner said.

Admission to the event is $5 per person or $15 per family at the doors. The first 100 attendees will receive a free swag bag. To register for the pancake breakfast or a photo session, visit theblacksantaexperiencetm.com.