Where to get pictures with Santa Claus

Here’s a list Santa photo opportunities. They include free and paid Santa pictures. Some of the Santa photo ops are at Christmas festivals and holiday events featuring an appearance by Santa Claus. Most of the free opportunities for pictures with Santa are BYOC: bring your own camera. Others are professional photographers taking your photo with Santa at shopping malls and many other locations throughout the Puget Sound region.

You’ll find a number of unique settings for pictures with Santa, even underwater (it is the Puget Sound region, after all). The big red guy gets around. We found him in locations from Stanwood to Puyallup. All that, and toys, too. We’re indubitably impressed.

Professional Santa photos start around $25. Lines at the busiest malls are generally shorter early: early in December, early in the week, and early in the day. So plan accordingly around nap times and mealtimes, especially when young children are in tow.

Free, DIY, and low cost opportunities for a photo with Santa

(For many of these free and candid Santa photo ops, it’s usually BYOC = Bring Your Own Camera.)

Cabela’s November 10 – December 24, 2018. Cabela’s in Lacey and Tulalip and Bass Pro Shop in Tacoma stores offer Free Photos with Santa. A “Bass Pass” is required and provides a time slot to see Santa, allowing you to explore and shop the store while waiting in a virtual line. Bass Passes are limited and go quickly each day. Visit the Bass Pass Ticket Depot in your stores

Pike Place Market in Seattle. November 24, 2018, 11am-5:30pm. Celebrate the holiday season at the annual Magic in the Market with BYOC photos with Santa, tree lighting ceremony, festive music and cookie decorating.

Wintertide Celebration at Everett Performing Arts Center. November 29, 2018 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. KIDSTAGE performances of Seussical KIDS at 4:45 & 6:30. Arts & crafts & face painters
Free cocoa and cookies by the bonfire. Create memories in the holiday photo booth. Santa arrives at 5:30 p.m. Take your own photo with Santa. Everett HS Jazz Combo, Calvero Mid-High Treble Choir, Kamiak HS Barbershop Quartets, Lake Stevens HS Concert Choir, Snohomish Youth Choir. A perfect opportunity to kick off the holiday season with the family.

Watson’s Greenhouse in Puyallup. Santa visits Fridays, November 30, 2018 and December 7 & 14, 2018 from 11am-4pm.

Evergreen Beauty College Santa photos. December 1st, 2018 from 1:00pm – 4:30pm (last call at 4pm) at the Renton & Everett campuses. Get your FREE professional Santa Photos. The first 25 families in line will also receive some fun giveaways. Santa will be giving free kids (K – 12) haircuts. In addition, for everyone else including the kids, we will be providing mini manicures, mini skincare services and more. Lastly we will have Santa onsite with a photographer to provide free pictures with Santa. Where: Evergreen Beauty College Renton Campus (1222 Bronson Way N, Renton, WA 98057) & Everett Campus (802 SE Everett Mall Way, Everett, WA 98208).

Mill Creek Town Center. December 1, 2018 from 2:00 pm-8:00 pm. An afternoon of fun with Santa. Events starting at 2 pm. Santa Parade at 3:30 pm. Free Carriage rides Sponsored by Community Transit from 4:30 – 6:30 pm and Free Train rides Sponsored by First Financial Northwest Bank from 2-6 pm. Ending with an outdoor Christmas Concert by Cherry Cherry Sponsored by North Creek Roofing at 6pm.

Winterfest in Woodinville . December 1, 2018. Holiday Fair 3:00pm – 6:00pm featuring Complimentary S’mores, Hot Apple Cider, Glassybaby, Linen & Ivory, Woodinville Sign Lady, Sammamish Valley Alliance, Woodinville Arts Alliance, Daddy’s Donuts, The Pizza Coop & Ale House, Chick-fil-A, Mercury’s Coffee Co, wine tasting with Woodinville Wine Country, and activities & treats provided by our Winterfest Sponsors. Santa’s Procession 5:30pm. Community Tree Lighting 6:00pm.

Lynnwood Heritage Park December 2, 2018 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM. Open House & Cookies with Santa Claus. An afternoon of friendship, coffee, hot cider and cookies. Bring the whole family for BYOC photos with Santa. Donations of canned food will go to the Lynnwood Food Bank.

Northwest African American Museum Black Santa Visit December 9, 15, & 16, 11:30 am – 4:30 pm. Get your photo taken with him in your favorite holiday outfit and while you wait, enjoy the Santa letter writing station, hot cocoa and cider, art activities, and holiday movies to keep you in the holiday spirit. Sitting fees: $10 up to 4 people, $15 for 5 or more includes one 4×6 print to take with you as part of the sitting fee. You may also order additional prints directly from the photographer.

Special locations for a photo with Santa

Asian American Santa at Wing Luke Museum in Seattle. December 1, 2018 from 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM. RSVP for your timed ticket. Members receive early access to registration and discounts on all photo prints. Enjoy a day of activities, cookies & cider, live music and more while you await your visit with Santa. Museum admission: Adults $17, Students $12.50, Children $10. Members and ages 4 and under are FREE.

Caring Santa at Simon Malls in Seattle and Tacoma. December 2, from 8am – 9:30am. Caring Santa supports the sensory, physical and other developmental needs of children of all abilities for this special event. More info: Seattle Northgate Mall Santa and Tacoma Mall Santa.

Pet Santa Photos at Simon Malls in Seattle and Tacoma. December 2, from 7pm to 8:30pm. Bring your furry friend for photos with Santa. More info: Seattle Northgate Mall Santa and Tacoma Mall Santa.

Holiday Party at Museum of Flight in Seattle. Saturday, December 15, 2018, 9AM-2PM. The party begins outside, when Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive at 9:45 a.m. in an airplane and taxi right into the Museum parking lot. Everyone is welcome to meet them at the plane; bring your camera to snap a photo. The outdoor event is FREE, indoor events included with Museum admission. Inside, Santa and Mrs. Claus hear children’s wishes in the Museum while the Boeing Concert Orchestra and Boeing Band provide holiday music. Enjoy festive family workshops. General admission tickets: Adult (18-64) $22, Senior (65+) $19, Youth (5-17) $143, Age 4 and under FREE.

North Pole in Puyallup at the Washington State Fairgrounds. Selected dates November 3 – December 23, 2018. The North Pole is an immersion experience for all kids, and the kid in all of us. Kids don’t want to stand in line at the mall, they want to play — and that is what The North Pole does: let’s kids (of all ages) exercise their imaginations, push their creativity, and experience the magic that the Christmas season can bring. North Pole Admission: $5.00 Ages 2-99, free for Children under 2. Santa photo packages begin at $24.95 and require a $30 reservation that comes with a $30 credit towards your picture purchase.

Swansons Nursery selected dates November 17 – December 23, 2018 during their Reindeer Festival featuring two of Santa’s reindeer. Bonjour photography will be offering Santa photo appointments most Fridays, Saturday, Sundays, and Mondays. Photo prices begin at @$29. Visit the Santa Photo Scheduler to make your appointment.

Issaquah Reindeer Festival at Cougar Mountain Zoo. December 1-23 features Santa at 10:30am – 4:00pm (with breaks throughout the day to check on his Reindeer). Photo prices: $15 for the first photo in a special Reindeer Festival photo folder; $10 for each additional photo or $5 for 3 photos using your own camera. Zoo admission: General$15.50 (13+), Seniors $14.50 (62+), Child $12.50 (2-12), under age 2 FREE. Admission discounts: Military, AAA, Prime, Members.

Seattle Aquarium features Diving Santa November 23–26, November 30–December 3, December 7–10, 14–17, and 21–24, 2018. Fridays and Mondays at noon. Saturdays and Sundays at noon and 3pm. On December 24, Seattle Aquarium closes at 3pm. Come see Santa diving in the 120,000-gallon Window on Washington Waters exhibit. Bring your camera, take your picture with Diving Santa and stay perfectly dry! Or have your photo taken by our professional photographer so the whole family can be in the picture. Donations will be accepted to help fund DreamNights at the Seattle Aquarium—evenings dedicated to bringing children who have disabilities, are chronically ill or who have special needs to the Aquarium for special nights of exploring the undersea world at their own pace. Aquarium admission: Adult $29.95 (age 13+), Youth $19.95 (ages 4-12) , Child 3 & under FREE. Discount: Save $2 when you purchase tickets online in advance. Free aquarium passes are available to Seattle Public Library cardholders or through the Seattle Community Ticket Program.

Seattle Santa travels to your Seattle event location within the Seattle city limits. Price: $150 per hour (minimum one hour). Contact them for locations outside the Seattle city limits. On December 24, Seattle Santa, Mrs. Santa, friends, and volunteers hit the streets to pass out care packages to the homeless. Seattle Santa’s charitable work is entirely self-funded through paying gigs at retail locations and holiday events.

EverettSanta.com has the most realistic Santa who will dazzle you with his sleight-of-hand magic tricks and charm you with his original Christmas stories. Santa’s workshop is filled with an array of toys including vintage pedal cars and a one-of-a-kind theme guaranteed to charm the young, as well as the young-at-heart. Make an appointment online or by phone. Everett Santa is located at 3231 Broadway Ave Everett, WA (new location for 2018). Prices: photo packages $35 to $75 include your photo(s) on a CD. Discount for military, baby’s first Christmas, and bring a friend.

Sensory-Friendly Santa. Sensational Santa is a sensory-friendly Santa portrait experience for children with special needs, by appointment only. No more noisy crowds and waiting in line with people who don’t understand special needs. Your child will get their photo with Santa in a calm and supported environment at their own designated time.

Malls and Stores

Alderwood Mall Santa in Lynnwood at Macy’s Center Court. Daily from November 9 – December 24. Don’t miss the easiest way to visit Santa—just reserve your time and skip the line! Photo prices: $39.99 – $49.99. Discount: Save $5 through December 5 make a reservation between Monday and Wednesday.

Arthur & Associates Santa Photos is the reincarnation of the former Frederick & Nelson department stores program. Open daily from Black Friday through Christmas Eve. Packages range from $27 to $65. Now serving third and fourth generation visitors, A&A provides both Santa and Easter Bunny photography for the following Seattle area locations. Photo times vary at each location; check their website for details.

Bellevue Square
Bothell Country Village
Everett Mall
Federal Way Commons
Lake Forest Park Town Center (historic Frederick & Nelson set)
Redmond Town Center
Renton Landing
Seattle University Village

Kent Station Santa Photos open Saturday after Thanksgiving through December 23. Santa’s Cottage located on the fountain stage in front of AMC Theatres. Photo prices: $15-$45. Discount: Nov 28, 29, 30, Dec 5, 6 & 7 only IF you mention the offer to the Santa assistant before your payment is taken and receive 10% off a photo package.

Macy’s Santaland in downtown Seattle is open from Black Friday through Christmas Eve. Come meet Old Saint Nick and tell him everything on your wish list. Photo prices start at $20.99.

Nordstrom Santa Lane. The guy in red arrives the day after Thanksgiving and is available through December 24. Hours vary at each location and the line often closes early in order to serve all customers by closing time (i.e. go earlier rather than later). Wait times are usually shorter at mall stores in Bellevue Square, Southcenter, and Tacoma Mall than at the flagship store in downtown Seattle. Historically, photo packages begin around $25, but they don’t post prices on their website. So call ahead to confirm before you go. Nordstrom also has racially diverse and ASL Santas; call the main store or your nearest Nordstrom for details.

Santa at Simon Malls in Seattle and Tacoma. Through Christmas Eve. Seattle Northgate Mall Santa (Santa arrives November 16) and Tacoma Mall Santa (Santa arrives November 9). Photo prices: $25-50.