He’s making his list and he’s checking it twice, so you better let him know if you’ve been naughty or nice! That’s right…Santa Claus is coming to town!
As soon as Halloween is over, you may be thinking, “Where are the best places to take pictures with Santa near me?” And we’ve got the answer.
Whether you’re looking for an elaborate set up perfect for a Christmas card, or looking for a laid back visit with the jolly man in red — we’ve got plenty of options, so you’re sure to find the perfect one for you.
Here are 25+ of the best places to take pictures with Santa in Atlanta in 2022!
If you’re looking for an African American Santa, we have those listed too...as well as a Breakfast With Santa post.
VISIT WITH SANTA: MARGARITAVILLE AT LANIER ISLAND
Anyone who says it rarely snows in the South has never been to Margaritaville at Lanier Islands during the holiday season. License to Chill Snow Island is now open, where snow will fall daily to line the “slopes” of Blizzard Mountain, a 575-foot-long, eight-story high snow tubing ride. Snow Island offers ice skating, amusement rides, snow play, and more! Visits with Santa are also available on select dates.
Winter Season Passes for unlimited visits and rides this season are on sale now at a discounted price of just $79.99 (Regularly $99.99). Sale runs through 11/29/22.
SANTA PICTURES NEAR ME: ATLANTA CLASSICS
PHIPPS PLAZA
DATES: Select dates Nov. 3-Dec. 23, 2022
Santa at Phipps is a beloved Atlanta tradition for many families! Register online for your slot to visit with Santa and let your children tell him what they want for Christmas. The Santa set at Phipps is beautiful, and when we visited, we were so happy with our pictures.
Once your pic has been taken, they have plenty of photo package and even video options for you to choose from. These pics make for a great Christmas card.
Registration is required.
Read More: SANTA AT PHIPPS: BEST TIPS FOR MAGICAL SANTA PICS
COOKIES WITH SANTA AT ZOO ATLANTA
DATES: December 3 & 4, 2022
Bring the little ones for a personal visit with Santa and a professional photo at Zoo Atlanta. In addition to a photo with Santa, you’ll take a To-Go Kit to enjoy warm cocoa, cookies, and crafts at home!
Included with your ticket you'll receive one printed photograph, and then digital copies will be available after the event. Masks will be required while taking photos with Santa.
Limited timed reservations are available from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. All guests over the age of 3 will be required to purchase a ticket, including parents and grandparents, etc.
Read More: WHERE TO FIND THE BEST BREAKFAST, BRUNCH AND TEA WITH SANTA
SANTA AT RHODES HALL
DATES: Weekends, November 19 – December 11, 2022
The "Castle on Peachtree" will be transformed into a winter wonderland featuring personal appointments with Santa at Rhodes Hall. This year’s event will celebrate the 25th anniversary of Santa at Rhodes Hall, Atlanta’s most beloved holiday tradition!
They also host a "Pet Night," so your 4-legged friends can get a pic with the big guy too. Registration required.
ATLANTA HISTORY CENTER
DATE: Nov. 18, 2022 at 7pm
Atlanta History Center will kick-off the holiday season with a new annual tradition and you’re invited! Join them in Veteran’s Park for a special tree lighting ceremony with their new 50 ft. Christmas tree followed by music, children’s activities, cash bar, roaming pictures with Santa and more in the museum.
Special performances will take place throughout the night. And bonus! Atlanta's beloved Pink Pig train cars will be on display in the atrium.
ATLANTA BOTANICAL GARDENS
DATES: Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., November 26 – December 17, 2022
Meet Botanical Saint Nick at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens! Bring your camera and come tell all of your holiday wishes to the big guy adorned in green.
Free with Garden admission or membership.
Read More: ATLANTA BOTANICAL GARDEN LIGHTS: BRILLIANT HOLIDAY FUN
GEORGIA AQUARIUM
DATES: Select dates from Dec. 2-Dec. 24, 2022
Photos with Santa at the Georgia Aquarium are back! A photo op with Santa is a must-do every holiday season, so let’s check it off your holiday “to-do” list while visiting Georgia Aquarium! They’ll capture the magic through the perfect picture of your family and our very own seaside St. Nick.
Santa has a busy schedule, so he’ll be available during scheduled dates and times this holiday season.
Read More: 7 EXCITING WAYS TO CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS AT GEORGIA AQUARIUM
SANTA PICTURES + AN ADVENTURE
TREETOP QUEST
DATES: Dunwoody: Nov. 26, 2022, 11am-3pm; Gwinnett: Nov. 27, 2022, 11am-3pm
Come zipline and mingle with Santa Claus! Santa will be a Treetop Quest Dunwoody and at Treetop Quest Gwinnett for one day only!
Santa will be at Treetop Quest Dunwoody on Nov. 26 and at Treetop Quest Gwinnett on Nov. 27. Enjoy an exciting family-friendly outdoor activity, snap photos with Santa Claus (with your phone), and enjoy the cool fall weather when Santa Claus ziplines to Treetop Quest! Gwinnett
Visits included with regular admission.
Read More: TREETOP QUEST DUNWOODY: TIPS, TRICKS AND INSIGHTS FOR YOUR FAMILY ADVENTURE
SOUTHEASTERN RAILWAY MUSEUM
DATE: Nov. 19, 2022
It is a little-known fact that Santa’s reindeer get to take the month of November off to prepare for hard work in December. This means that Santa Claus travels by train and he will be at the Southeastern Railway Museum in Duluth!
Museum doors open at 9am and the holiday festivities will last from 11am to 4pm. Santa arrives promptly at 1pm. There will be plenty of opportunities for photos with friends and family with Santa and around the museum so do not forget to bring your camera!
Read More: 23 SPECTACULAR CHRISTMAS TRAIN RIDES IN GEORGIA & THE SOUTHEAST
GREAT WOLF LODGE
DATES: Nov. 18, 2022-Jan. 2, 2023
A Snowland Extravaganza at Great Wolf Lodge features dashing décor and fun activities for both kids and adults alike – from daily snow showers and a Frosty Fest Family Dance Party to a special visit with Santa and a customizable Hot Cocoa Bar.
The festivities continue to the 84-degree indoor waterpark which will surely warm you up no matter how chilly it is outside!
Read More: GREAT WOLF LODGE, GA: WE ANSWER YOUR TOP 30 MOST-ASKED QUESTIONS
NORTH GEORGIA WILDLIFE PARK
DATES: Dec. 3, 10, and 17, 2022
Christmas time at the North Georgia Wildlife Park in Cleveland, GA includes Santa visiting the animals and people! I am not sure who has more fun, Santa or the people.
Tell Santa what you would like for Christmas, say hello to his elves, and take your family Christmas photos. All right next to a zebra and a camel!
Tickets are $10 per child, plus the Safari Drive-Thru Admission. Your ticket includes a visit with Santa, cookies, a candy cane hunt, and a Safari Animal Experience (camel, fallow deer, or small animal).
Read More: NORTH GEORGIA ZOO: 5 BEST REASONS TO VISIT
GOATS ON THE ROOF
DATES: TBD
Take your picture with Santa at your favorite roadside attraction -- Goats on the Roof in Tiger, GA. This year, the baby goat will not be with Santa for pics.
STONE MOUNTAIN CHRISTMAS
DATES: Nov. 12, 2022-Jan. 1, 2023
Each day during Stone Mountain Christmas, you can enjoy park attractions including Summit Skyride, Scenic Railroad, and more! Then, become immersed in holiday magic with evenings full of festive music, millions of dazzling lights, spectacular shows and visits from some of your favorite holiday characters -- including Santa himself!
Bring your Christmas wishes to the big man himself, live and in person, at his North Pole office. Enjoy a chat with Santa while you get a peek at where all the magic begins.
Read More: STONE MOUNTAIN CHRISTMAS: YOUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO ALL THE HOLIDAY FUN
SANTA PICTURES AROUND TOWN
SELFIES WITH SANTA AT PONCE CITY MARKET
DATES: Saturdays, Dec. 3-17, 2022 Noon-4pm
Dash over to The Yard at Ponce City Market for a selfie with the jolly man in the red suit! Guests are invited to bring their own cameras to snap a photo with Santa in his sleigh and enjoy yard games.
If the weather is frightful, he’ll be spreading holiday cheer on the second floor of the Central Food Hall next to The Village Retail and Bar Vegan.
MARIETTA
DATES: Pics With Santa - select days beginning Dec. 2, 2022; Santa's Magical Moments - Dec. 7, 14, and 21, 2022
Marietta is hosting two amazing Santa events -- Pictures with Santa and Magical Moments with Santa.
For Pictures with Santa, you’ll find Santa in front of a beautiful Christmas backdrop at the Marietta Museum of History this season, with the beloved Hadley’s Photography team ready to capture your family’s memories.
Santa's Magical Moments is when your family gets a 30 minute magical, unique, and private experience with Santa! A digital link to download full-res images of your visit, and an ornament with your favorite image are included. You can expect to experience storytime with Santa, cookies and milk, and crafts too!
SCOTTSDALE FARMS
DATES: Tree Lighting: Dec. 1, 2022; Santa Pics: Dec. 3-4, 10-11, 2022
Attend the tree lighting at Scottsdale Farms in Milton and enjoy the evening, complete with hot cocoa and cookies, and Santa Claus himself.
In addition, Santa will also be visiting Scottsdale just for pictures on select December weekends. Scottsdale Farms invites your family to come and see Santa in a picturesque setting where photographs are welcome.
You can also have Breakfast With Santa on Dec. 3, 2022 or Brunch With Santa on Dec. 4, 2022!
DOWNTOWN KENNESAW
DATE: December 3, 2022
Photos with Santa in downtown Kennesaw will be available from 3-7 p.m. at the Community House, located in Depot Park.
Photos will be taken by a professional photographer, and a FREE digital download of the photos will be available a week after the event. You can also purchase photos on site. The photos with Santa are a part of Kennesaw's Day with Santa event.
SANTA IN NEWNAN
DATE: November 25, 2022, 6-8pm
Santa will arrive in downtown Newnan in a fire truck, and will immediately light the Christmas tree on the Court House Square. Afterward, children are invited to sit on Santa’s lap and read him their Christmas list! The event is FREE.
THE ART BARN
DATES: Nov. 12, Dec. 4, and Dec. 17, 2022, 1-3pm
Come on out to The Art Barn in Canton and meet Santa before he heads back to the North Pole. A magical day you won't want to miss, with lots of opportunities for photos galore.
The barnyard animals will be around too! Everyone from the donkeys, to the chickens, to the goats and sheep, to Daisy the cow and her daughter Marigold. And finally guests will make some awesome art and hop a hayride. Reservations must be made in advance.
MIMOSA HALL & GARDENS
DATE: Nov. 12, 2022
The annual Portraits on the Porch event is hosted by Friends of Mimosa Hall and Gardens in Roswell will be held on the historical grounds of Roswell's Historical Dolvin House.
Your 10 minute photo session will include all sitting fees with Santa and the jpegs from your session. Registration required.
SANTA'S WONDERLAND AT BASS PRO SHOP AND CABELA'S
DATES: Nov. 5-Dec. 24, 2022
Bass Pro Shops / Cabela’s is continuing the beloved tradition of visiting Santa Claus in-person this holiday season at Santa’s Wonderland experience. Pics with Santa are FREE.
Online reservation recommended.
Read More: SANTA’S WONDERLAND AT BASS PRO SHOPS / CABELA’S ATLANTA (FREE)
SANTA AT AVALON
DATES: Nov. 21-Dec. 24, 2022
Santa will be at Avalon in Alpharetta throughout the season spreading holiday magic and taking photos at our North Pole-inspired cottage in Palmer Plaza for festive photo ops to cherish for a lifetime.
To guarantee your special time with Santa, please book an appointment. Walk-ups will be accepted only if time allows.
SANTA ON THE SQUARE IN DECATUR
DATE: Nov. 26, 2022
Kids of all ages -- bring your camera and take a photo with Santa during Decatur's Santa On The Square event from 10am-2pm. Then enjoy make and take crafts, holiday music, hot cocoa, warm cookies and other fun surprises!
The fun continues throughout the day at local businesses for Shop "Small" Saturday. (They'll have free gift wrap on the square for all your locally bought gifts.) And a kid-friendly Holiday PJs Dance Party starts at 6 pm!
HENDERSON FARMS IN GORDON COUNTY
Come out and celebrate Henderson Farms' 3rd Annual Christmas on the Farm! They will have premium Christmas trees for sale, local vendors, bounce houses, petting zoo, a DJ and...you can VISIT SANTA and more!
Entry fee is $25 per car. They will also have food for sale from local vendors.
REINDEER FLIGHT SCHOOL IN MILLEDGEVILLE
DATES: TBD
Reindeer Flight School in Milledgeville hosts Christmas lights in Middle Georgia for all ages. Visit to see the lights and Santa. Have your photo taken with Santa in his sleigh for FREE.
ALPHARETTA SEASON OF CELEBRATION
DATES: December 2, 9, 16, 2022, 5pm-9pm
Come together to create special memories throughout the season with your family at this multi-day extravaganza in Alpharetta called Season of Celebration! Enjoy children’s activities, gift-wrapping booth, holiday movie on the Town Green, photos with Santa and watch as 10,000 bulbs light up the city! Free admission.
THE BATTERY ATLANTA
DATES: Weekends Nov. 25-Dec. 24, 2022
Santa Claus is coming to town! The Man in the Red Suit will make his annual appearance at The Battery Atlanta to accept children’s letters and pose for pictures.
Santa will set up shop every Friday through Sunday in the Community Corner presented by Truist, located at the corner of Power Alley and Battery Avenue. Families are invited to bring their handwritten letters to Santa – postage not required – in person at his official Atlanta outpost. Santa’s helpers will take care of the rest!
Instead of a professional photographer, this free opportunity allows parents / guardians to take their own photos of their children interacting with Santa as he listens to their wish lists.
AT THE MALL
- Arbor Place
- Cumberland Mall
- Sugarloaf Mills
- Lenox Square
- Mall of Georgia
- North Georgia Premium Outlets
- Northpoint Mall
- Perimeter Mall
- Town Center at Cobb
MORE ATLANTA HOLIDAY FUN:
- CHRISTMAS TRAIN RIDES: 23 Spectacular Train Rides in Georgia and the Southeast
- HOLIDAY LIGHTS: 25 Sparkling Christmas Light Displays Near Atlanta
- CHRISTMAS TREES: 20+ Unforgettable Christmas Tree Farms in Atlanta You'll Adore
- CALLAWAY CHRISTMAS: Callaway Gardens Christmas: Tips To Beat the Boring Lines
- GARDEN LIGHTS: Atlanta Botanical Garden Lights: Memorable Holiday Fun
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She relishes the discovery of obscure, offbeat and unwonted places, and she will chat up any willing stranger to uncover a new secret locale. If she’s not exploring in the RV, she’s either hiking the trails or checking out the whiskey scene at their current location.
Lesli lives and travels with her two kiddos -Cooper and Elliot- and her soul mate, husband and business partner, Dan. They call Colorado home, at least for the moment.
