Pictures with Santa 2023

Where can you get a picture with Santa? We have the low-down on all the locations Santa will be and where you can get that family holiday photo!

Nov 9 - Dec 24 ~ Santa's Flight Academy at UTC Mall: Step inside Santa’s 22-foot tall sleigh, experience the magical snowfall and meet Santa in this one-of-a-kind interactive experience. Reservations are strongly recommended for all photo sessions, however walkups are welcome as well!

Nov 19, 26 and Dec 10 | 6:30PM to 8PM ~ Santa Paws: Grab your furry family members, holiday costume optional, and head to The Mall at UTC for pet photos with Santa!

Nov 25 | 5PM to 8PM ~ Light Up the Village Holiday Parade: Santa will arrive at the Siesta Center immediately following the parade to greet children. Photos may be taken with Santa, free of charge. Gift bags provided for the first 250 kids to visit Santa. FREE.

Nov 26 | 10AM to 4PM ~ Free Photo and T-shirt with Santa: Stop by Big Frog Bradenton for a FREE photo & and a custom T-shirt with the one and only Santa Claus!

Nov 30 - Dec 21 (Select Nights) ~ North Pole Express: Join Florida Railroad Museum for a 35-minute ride from Parrish to the North Pole where Santa awaits to visit with every child. During your stay a variety of entertainment, activities, campfires and all the hot chocolate and cookies you care to eat are included with every train ticket. Ticket prices vary.

Dec 1-2 | 3PM to 7PM ~ Palmetto's Christmas in the Park: There will be appointment slots every 5 minutes and to reserve a spot with Santa (up to 10 people) you will need to call the Manatee County Agricultural Museum at 941-721-2034 on November 14, 2023 beginning at 8AM. We will be taking reservations in the order that we receive them and this will automatically register you for tickets to the Christmas in the Park event as well.

Dec 2 | 10:30AM to 2PM ~ Lester Family Fun Day: Enjoy a lineup of fun activities and performances, food, a visit from Santa and a 50/50 raffle golf ball drop. FREE.

Dec 2 | 11AM to 2PM ~ Photos with Santa: Come tell Santa what you want for Christmas! Every family will get a few minutes to talk with Santa, tell him what you want for the holidays, and wrap with a wonderfully posed photo. Hosted by Triumph Martial Arts and Picture It! Photography. Reservation required - $35 for the main photo package.

Dec 2 | 12:30PM to 2:30PM ~ Sensory Santa for Children with Autism: See Santa up close and personal in a sensory-friendly environment. FREE.

Dec 3 | 1PM to 4PM ~ Winter Wonderland at Animal Hospital of LWR: Enjoy free pictures with Santa, food trucks, face painting, free raffles, activities for kids, vendors, free hot chocolate station and more. FREE.

Dec 3 | 2PM to 4PM ~ Pictures with Santa, Elsa, Maribel and The Grinch: Bring your camera for pictures with Santa, Elsa, Maribel, and the Grinch! Plus, there will be games, bounce houses and more. Hosted by Bradenton's Best After School and Summer Camp. FREE.

Dec 3 | 5PM to 8PM ~ Kickoff to Christmas: Enjoy FREE photos with Santa, meet and greets with Rudolph, Frosty, The Grinch and other favorites, decorate cookies with Mrs. Claus and ride the Polar Express. FREE.

Dec 3, 10, 17 | 10AM to 12PM ~ Strolling Santa at The Farmers Market: Santa will be strolling our Farmers’ Market on Sundays in December from 10AM to 12PM. Snap a photo with him at the Christmas Tree, or at one of our other selfie-worthy backdrops. FREE.

Dec 4, 6, 11, 13, 18, 19 ~ Photos with Santa: A magical encounter with Santa Claus himself, where dreams come true and the joy of Christmas overflows. At The Roots Health Center. FREE.

Dec 5, 12, 14, 19, 21 | 6:30PM to 8:30PM ~ Santa at Main Street: Come to Main Street and celebrate the Holiday Season with us! You will find festive lighting displays to bring the sparkle to your child’s eyes, and Santa himself will be here, taking photos at the Christmas tree, spreading loads of Christmas cheer and sharing that all familiar laugh. FREE.

Dec 6, 13, 20 | 6PM to 9PM ~ Pictures with Santa at Waterside Place: Snap a picture with Santa at the Plaza on during Ranch Nite Wednesdays at Waterside Place! Stroll down Lakefront Drive to see our Christmas tree, Hanukkah area, and other selfie-worthy holiday backdrops. FREE.

Dec 7 | 4PM to 7PM ~ Santa Claus is Coming to Town: Santa D will be available for family photos, offering light snacks and cocoa. Hosted by The Lace Buckle Boutique.

Dec 7-28 (Thursdays) | 3PM to 9PM ~ Joyful Thursdays on Bridge Street: Stroll Bridge Street, shop for the holidays, meet family and friends for dinner, drinks and live music every Thursday night in December, and have your family photo taken with Santa.

Dec 8 | 4PM to 5:30PM ~ Santa Stops Here at Anna Maria City Pier Park: Santa will hand out goodie bags to kids and carolers will sing holiday tunes. FREE.

Dec 8 | 4PM to 8PM ~ Santa Visits Chick-Fil-A Pelican Plaza: Join us for storytime and FREE pictures!

Dec 8 | 5:30PM to 8PM ~ A Night Before Christmas: Enjoy a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, a foam zone, face painting, bounce houses, a petting zoo, a train ride, vendors, food trucks and more. Admission is FREE with a suggested toy donation per family. $5 wristband required to do activities.

Dec 9 | 9AM to 2PM ~ Palmetto Public Market: Visit Santa from 9AM to 12PM. Also enjoy 60+ vendors, photo opps, food trucks and live music.

Dec 9 | 10AM to 2PM ~ Kid's Craft Day and Santa: Stop into Children's World and make a craft and get your picture taken with Santa. FREE.

Dec 9 | 11AM to 2PM ~ North River Ranch Winterfest: Come play in the snow and take pictures with Santa Clause, plus enjoy a holiday golf cart parade, decorating contest, bounce houses, face painting, holiday crafts, and more! FREE.

Dec 9 | 11AM to 3PM ~ Waypoint Artisan Market: Enjoy 30+ local artisans and small businesses to shop and support, live music, kids' free activities including Santa and Mrs. Claus will be reading a Christmas story at noon followed by picture opportunities and a book exchange. Pet friendly. Hosted by Waypoint Bar and Grill. FREE.

Dec 9 | 1PM to 4PM ~ Christmas in Cortez: Family event with crafts, games, bounce houses, Santa meet-and-greet and other holiday festivities. FREE.

Dec 9 | 2PM to 6PM ~ SCSO 5th Annual Open House: Please come to the FREE, family-friendly event with food, music, demonstrations, giveaways, and Santa! Meet members of SWAT, CERT, Mounted Patrol, K-9, Aviation, and many more! FREE.

Dec 9 | 3PM to 7PM ~ 5th Annual Holiday Celebration: Enjoy a day at the Ellenton Premium Outlets with arts & crafts, cookie decorating, photo booth, music, a hot chocolate bar, photos with Santa and a chance to win a $500 shopping spree! FREE.

Dec 9 | 3PM to 11PM ~ Light Up Wellen! Tree Lighting and Holiday Celebration: Local schools choir/band performances, photo ops with Santa, traditional tree lighting ceremony, ice dancers, Glow-bike Ride, live music on Solis Hall stage, ornament decorating, hot chocolate, and so much more! FREE.

Dec 9 | 4PM to 6PM ~ Holidays at The Bay: Spread the season’s cheer by snapping a free family photo with Santa. Join Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation Teaching Artists for holiday card making, dancing, and a seasonal story read by Mr. Stevey. Dance to Rockin’ Reindeer music spun by Rick Levine and enjoy family-friendly games, crafts, and more! FREE.

Dec 9 | 5PM to 8:30PM ~ Winter Wonderland: Fun will include carnival games with prizes, festive make and take activities, holiday story time, gift shopping from local vendors, and performances from local youth groups, and, of course, Santa! FREE.

Dec 9, 10, 16 and 17 ~ See Santa at The Red Barn: Don’t forget to stop by and visit with Santa. The jolly man is at the barn on Saturdays and Sundays from 11AM to 3PM. FREE.

Dec 10 | 9AM to 3PM ~ Holiday Market Kick Off with Santa: Don’t miss all your favorite local vendors, artisans, fresh food, games, and live music! There will also be Winter Wonderland activities for the whole family with Santa (available for pre-purchase) including Photos with Santa, Cookies and Coloring with Santa, a Dance Celebration, a Holiday Parade, a Holiday Costume Contest, a Toy Drive and more. FREE admission to the event / hosted by Meadows Farmers Market.

Dec 10 | 11AM to 1PM ~ Santa and The Grinch visit Learning Express of University Park: Come for free pictures with Santa and The Grinch!

Dec 10 | 4PM to 6PM ~ Santa Claus Ron + Slime: Santa Claus Ron will be at Fidget Toys Plus and we will also have tables set up where you can make high quality, customized Christmas slimes! FREE.

Dec 10 | 5PM to 7PM ~ Santa and S'mores: Come enjoy free pictures with Santa and then stay to make s'mores, have hot cocoa and take home a craft. Sponsored by Bayside Community Church/Fruitville location. FREE.

Dec 12 | 10AM to 12PM ~ Here Comes Santa to Little Discovery Center: Meet Santa, make crafts and enjoy goodie bags. Ages 2 to 5. RSVP.

Dec 15 | 6PM to 9PM ~ Movie at Waterside Park: Enjoy a free, outdoor, family-friendly holiday movie, The Santa Clause. Santa will be joining us to spread some holiday cheer from 6PM to 8PM and there will be face painting and inflatables for the kids from 6PM to 9PM. FREE.

Dec 16 | 8AM to 11AM ~ 3rd Annual Santa Firehouse Pancake Breakfast: Meet Santa, decorate ornaments and trees, enjoy a free breakfast, or stop by the bake sale to support the Venice Firefighters Benevolent Fund. Each child receives one present from Santa. Reservations strongly encouraged.

Dec 16 | 10AM to 12PM ~ Winter Wonderland: Start with a walk through our Winter Wonderland, with Whoville with the Grinch, Peanuts, Polar Express, Candyland, and Rudolph photo areas, breakfast to go, and a special meeting with the one and only Santa! RSVP in advance - $5 per family. Hosted by Learning Unlimited and Manatee Learning Academy.

Dec 16 | 11AM to 12PM ~ Pictures with Santa at Caddy's Bradenton: Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus and get a picture!

Dec 16 | 11AM to 2PM ~ Santa Visits Chick-Fil-A Pelican Plaza: Join us for storytime and FREE pictures!

Dec 16 | 4PM to 8PM ~ Parrish Hometown Christmas: "Santa J" will be arriving at 4:30PM riding in on the Parrish Fire Engine. There will be a snow slide, a snow pile to play in, a petting zoo, a Gingerbread house area for the Kids' Zone to write letters to Santa, face painting, entertainment from schools around our community, lighting of the Christmas Tree, food vendors, market vendors, photo opportunities, Christmas Tree decorating contest, and announcement of the Christmas Lighting Contest. FREE.

Dec 16 | 5PM to 7PM ~ Santa Photo Opp at Altitudes: Santa will be available for photo ops from 5PM to 7PM.

Dec 17 | 1PM to 3PM ~ The Grinch at BeachLife: Join us for an unforgettable event packed with snacks, incredible giveaways, and a chance to meet and get pictures with the iconic Grinch himself! FREE.

Dec 23 | 10AM to 6PM ~ Skate with Santa: Hosted by Astro Skate of Bradenton. Admission is $8 plus skate rental / wear red and get in half price! Wear the MOST RED and win $150 to the Astro Skate Shop!

Dec 23 | 4PM to 8PM ~ Christmas on Main: Come celebrate the season with free games, rides, photo booths, and attractions for the whole family. Santa himself will even be there! And don’t forget to be part of our heartwarming candlelight service (7PM). Hosted by Grace Church. FREE.

For more holiday fun, click on a picture below!