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Pictures with Santa Claus Near DC: Where to Take Santa Photos

Take a free picture with Santa at the District's Holiday Boat Parade. Photo courtesy of The Wharf DC
Take a free picture with Santa at the District's Holiday Boat Parade. Photo courtesy of The Wharf DC
11/25/22 - By Jennifer Swope

The holiday season is full of festive photo ops, including the most important photos of all—pictures with Santa. There are so many places for families to meet Santa Claus and take Santa photos throughout the DC area. You can take pictures with Santa at the mall, visit him at fun events, and even see him fly into the College Park Airport and Aviation Museum. Most visits with Santa are free with the option to purchase photo packages, but there are even some places where you can get free pictures with Santa. Don't forget to secure a reservation ahead of time at most of these places—Santa is very busy this time of year.

Read on for our list of places to take Santa pictures near DC. Then check out our Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for DC Kids, which includes our roundups of the best holiday and Christmas activities and events in DC, Christmas and Polar Express trains near DC, and more. Happy holidays!

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Santa Claus is waiting t0 meet children at Enchant DC. Photo courtesy of the event
Santa Claus is waiting t0 meet children at Enchant DC. Photo courtesy of the event

Pictures with Santa at Fun Events

Photos with Santa at Gaylord National

National Harbor, MD
Sunday, November 20 - Saturday, December 24, 2022
Visit with Santa and capture the moment with a keepsake photo. Various photo packages are available for pre-purchase online. READ MORE

Snowy Winter Wonderland Festival of Lights

Waldorf, MD
Fridays - Sundays, November 25 - December 23, 2022
Regency Furniture Stadium comes alive this holiday season with acres of holiday lights and decor, craft vendors, food trucks, Christmas music, "Whoville" with the Grinch, games for kids, and pictures with Santa (by online reservation only). READ MORE

Santa at Mosaic

Fairfax, VA
Friday, November 25 - December 24, 2022
Santa returns to Mosaic this year. Come and get family photos with him.   READ MORE

Enchant Christmas

Washington, DC
Friday, November 25, 2022 - January 1, 2023
Enchant Christmas includes a giant light maze, a magical ice skating trail, a kids' play place, live music, and a Christmas market and eatery. Kids can also have professional photos taken with Santa and enjoy storytime with Mrs. Claus. READ MORE

Breakfast with Santa at Maggiano's Little Italy

Washington, DC
Sunday, November 27, 2022
Join Santa and Mrs. Claus for a breakfast buffet, cookie decorating, letter writing, and photos. Santa's elves will also help kids make their own reindeer food. READ MORE

Santa's Suite

Washington, DC
Saturdays & Sundays, December 3-18, 2022
Visit Santa and his elves in the Santa Suite at the Fairmont Washington, DC, Georgetown. This year's Suite is a whimisical winter wonderland set up for Santa and his special guests, including Snoopy, Winnie the Pooh, Elsa, and Harry Potter and friends. Families can enjoy 15-minute visits of up to 10 people to the Suite, where they can eat gingerbread treats and write letters to Santa.  READ MORE

Bethesda Winter Wonderland

Bethesda, MD
Saturday, December 3, 2022
Celebrate the holiday season with Santa at the Norfolk Avenue Streetery in downtown Bethesda. Enjoy live ice sculpting, live music, and more! READ MORE

Holly Trolley Fest

Colesville, MD
Saturdays & Sundays, December 3-18, 2022
The National Trolley Museum presents its annual Holly Trolley Fest. Families can ride the street cars, visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and enjoy a holiday model railroad display.  READ MORE

Santa Fly In

College Park, MD
Saturday, December 3, 2022
Watch Santa fly into the College Park Airport and Aviation Museum. Guests have the opportunity to take two pictures with Santa and create crafts. READ MORE
Families can meet Santa at various malls throughout the DC area. Photo courtesy of Tysons Corner
Families can meet Santa at various malls throughout the DC area. Photo courtesy of Tysons Corner

Pictures with Santa at the Mall

Santa's Flight Academy

Fairfax, VA Thursday, November 10 - Saturday, December 24, 2022
Head to Fair Oaks Mall to attend Santa's Flight Academy. Kids receive a personalized badge, then make their way through interactive stations including a Flight Suit Visualizer, a Flight Navigation Station, and a snow and light show. At the end, they can meet and take pictures with Santa. Various photo packages are available for purchase.   READ MORE

The Magic of Santa at Tysons Corner

Tysons, VA
Friday, November 11 - Saturday, December 24, 2022
Visit Santa's winter wonderland and tell Santa your Christmas wish. A visit with Santa is always free and photo packages are available for purchase.  Pre-booking a visit is recommended to help reduce wait time. December 4 from 9:30am-10:30am is a sensory-sensitive visit with Santa. READ MORE

Photos with Santa at Springfield Town Center

Springfield, VA
Saturday, November 12 - Saturday, December 24, 2022
Have a professional photo taken with Santa at Springfield Town Center. On Mondays from November 14 - December 19, pets can also take a photo with Santa from 11am-8pm. Online reservations are strongly recommended. READ MORE

Pictures with Santa at Pentagon City Mall

Arlington, VA
Friday, November 18 - Saturday, December 24, 2022
Visit Santa and capture holiday memories. Reservations are strongly recommended. Guests without a reservation may experience longer wait times or be asked to visit at a different time, especially in December. READ MORE

Pictures with Black Santa at PG Mall

Hyattsville, MD
Saturday, November 19 - Saturday, December 24, 2022
Visit Black Santa in Center Court to capture holiday memories. Reservations are strongly recommended. Digital photo packages are available with options to purchase prints.  READ MORE
Santa's Wonderland is the perfect place to meet the man himself. Photo courtesy of Bass Pro Shops
Santa's Wonderland is the perfect place to meet the man himself. Photo courtesy of Bass Pro Shops

Free Pictures with Santa Near DC

Santa's Wonderland at Cabela's

Gainesville, VA
Saturday, November 5 - Saturday, December 24, 2022
Visit Santa at his wonderland in Cabela's and get a free 4x6 photo with him. Kids can also mail their letters to Santa and receive free giveaways. READ MORE

Santa's Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops

Hanover, MD
Saturday, November 5 - Saturday, December 24, 2022
Get a free 4x6 photo with Santa Claus at Santa's Wonderland in Bass Pro Shops. Kids can also mail their letters to Santa and receive free giveaways. READ MORE

Reston Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting

Reston, VA
Friday, November 25, 2022
Now in its 31st year, the Reston Holiday Parade marches down Market Street in Reston Town Center. Featuring balloons, marching bands, antique cars and more, the half-mile parade ends with the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus via horse-drawn carriage. READ MORE

The District's Holiday Boat Parade

Washington, DC
Saturday, December 3, 2022
Watch more than 60 beautifully decorated boats pass by the Wharf at this iconic annual DC holiday event. Other activities include ornament decorating, s'mores,  family photos with Santa, and live music under the Wharf's Christmas tree. READ MORE

Breakfast with Santa at Calvary Church

Annandale, VA
Saturday, December 3, 2022
All are invited to this free breakfast with Santa, which includes activities and crafts, storytime, and photos with the big man himself. Register ahead of time online to save time at check-in. READ MORE

Fairfax City Holiday Market

Fairfax, VA Sunday, December 4, 2022
Shop for holiday gifts from local artisans and small businesses at the Fairfax City Holiday Market. On Sunday, December 4, bring your camera to take a free photo with Santa from 11am-2pm.  READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center
Fairmont Washington, DC, Georgetown
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