Denise is a mom on a mission to share all the fun things you can do with kids in St. Louis...and beyond! Looking for Santa this Christmas season for a cute holiday photo with your kiddo or a nice meet and greet over some cookies? Here’s a few of the BEST places to find the Jolly Old Elf himself! (Not sure you want a Santa photo? Here’s tips on getting a good holiday photo without the head elf.)
Special Photo Worthy Events with Santa
Santa in a Helicopter
Nov. 23 @Noon
Joey B’s • 189 Concord Plaza, St. Louis
FREE. Santa flies in for a visit and hands out candy canes. BYO Camera.
Santa in another Helicopter
Nov. 24 10am-2pm
National Museum of Transportation • 2933 Barrett Station Road, Kirkwood
Included with regular admission. Santa flies in for a visit with the kids. BYO Camera.
Santa with his Reindeer at the Train Museum
Nov. 23, Dec. 8, Dec. 22.
National Museum of Transportation • 2933 Barrett Station Road, Kirkwood
Included with regular admission. Santa hangs out at the train museum with a couple cute reindeer you can pet. (Check website for times.) BYO Camera.
Gingerbread Village Party
Nov. 30, 4-7 pm
The Chase Park Plaza (main lobby) • 212 Kingshighway Blvd, St. Louis
FREE. Check out an awesome St. Louis Gingerbread Village (complete with 5 foot chocolate Arch) while chatting with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Listen to carolers while sipping champagne (for the adults!) or hot cocoa and snacking on fresh cookies. BYO Camera.
PJs and Pancakes with Santa Clausa
Dec. 1 & 15, 9am-11:30am
Put on your PJs and enjoy a breakfast buffet with Santa! Kids can do holiday themed activities while you watch the St. Louis skyline from the cozy cabin of the Becky Thatcher riverboat. $38, kids under 3 are free.
Santa at the Caboose
Dec. 1-2, 2 to 4pm
Frisco Park Caboose • Becket Memorial Dr., Valley Park
FREE. Children can bring a letter for Santa, or write one on the spot. BYO Camera; Reindeers will be on hand Sunday.
Santa at the Train Museum
Dec. 1, Dec. 15., 10am-2pm
National Museum of Transportation • 2933 Barrett Station Road, Kirkwood
Included with regular admission. Santa visits with kids. BYO Camera.
Christmas in Old Town
Dec. 1, 2-4:30pm.
Old Town Florissant • Rue St. Francois, Florissant
FREE. Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, crafts, cookies, hot cocoa, balloon animals, face painting and a tree lighting ceremony. Buy a photo or BYO Camera.
Westport Holiday with Santa
Dec. 1, 10am-Noon
Westport Plaza • Indoor Pavilion • 111 West Port Plaza Drive
Free (toy donation requested). Visit with Santa and get a free photo. There will be balloon animals, face painting and a goodie bag for kids. Must be in line before noon.
Cookies with Claus
Dec. 1, 9am-Noon.
Des Peres Lodge • 1050 Des Peres Road
FREE. Meet with Santa, kids will get a holiday cookie. BYO Camera.
New Town Tree Lighting
Dec. 1, 4pm
New Town Hall • 3420 Civic Circle, St Charles
FREE. Visit with Santa, make a craft and enjoy cookies & hot cocoa. Tree lighting at nightfall. BYO Camera.
Country Christmas
Dec 15, 5-10pm; Dec. 16 10am-3pm.
Brookdale Farm • 8004 Twin River Rd, Eureka
$10 in advance, $15 at the door. New event! Held in Brookdale’s heated barn, includes holiday hayride, carriage ride, cow train for the kids, live music, crafts for kids and adults, food, cash bar and photo ops with Santa.
Fun Places to Get a Santa Photo (that’s not the mall)
Santa at Bass Pro
Nov. 10 – Dec. 24 (see website for times)
Bass Pro Shop • 1365 S 5th St, St Charles
FREE. Get a free photo with Santa, play some games and do a free craft. Kids can write a letter to Santa and get an email back.
Santa at Cabela’s
Nov. 10 – Dec. 24 (see website for times)
Cabela’s • 5555 St.Louis Mills Blvd Suite 167, Hazelwood
FREE. Get a free photo with Santa. Free crafts, and kids can write a letter to Santa and get an email back
Santa’s House
Nov. 23-Dec. 24 (see website for times)
Public Square • Downtown Belleville, Il.
Photos start at $8, cash or check only. A tradition since 1963, operated by the Optimists Club of Belleville.
Santa at Christmas Traditions
Nov. 23, Weekends in December (see website for times)
KATY Depot • Frontier Park, St. Charles
Get a snap with Santa in his cottage while visiting Historic Main Street during the month long Christmas celebration. Packages start at $20.
Santa at Harley-Davidson
Nov. 23 @11:45 to 4pm, Every Sat. Until Christmas @11am-2pm.
St. Charles Harley-Davidson • 3808 West Clay Street, St. Charles
FREE. Santa swaps his reindeer for a Harley! Free photos.
Santa House at Oakland House
Dec. 1-2, 5-7, 8-9; RSVP needed on Weekdays. (see website for times)
Oakland House • 7801 Genesta, Afton
$4. Story time, puppet show and home baked cookies from Mrs. Claus. Great for little ones. Santa arrives in a firetruck! BYO Camera.
Santa & Reindeer at Buchheit
Dec. 1-2, 1-7pm.
Buchheit • Dec 1 in Herculaneum, Dec 2 in House Springs
FREE. Santa and one of his reindeer will visit with kids. Photos are $20.
Photos with Santa: Kirkwood
Dec. 6 & 13 @5-7pm; Dec. 14 11am-1pm
Kirkwood Train Station • 110 W. Argonne Drive, Kirkwood
FREE. Visit with Santa at the decked out train station. Santa will bring real reindeer on the 14. BYO Camera.
Photos with Mall Santa
Santa at Plaza Frontenac
Nov. 11-Dec. 24 (see website for times)
Plaza Frontenac • 1701 South Lindbergh Boulevard
Packages start at $39.99, RSVP available online. Free video with premium package See Pet photos and theme days here.
Santa at Saint Louis Galleria
Nov. 11-Dec. 24 (see website for times)
Saint Louis Galleria • 1155 Saint Louis Galleria
Packages start at $34.99, RSVP available online. Free video with premium package. Pet nights on Mondays, other theme nights here.
Santa at South County Center
Nov. 11-Dec. 24 (see website for times)
South County Center • 18 S. County Center Way
Packages start at $29.99, FastPass available online. Free phone call from Santa with every purchase.
Santa at West County Center
Nov. 11-Dec. 24 (see website for times)
West County Center • 80 West County Center
Packages start at $29.99, FastPass available online. Free phone call from Santa with every purchase. Pet nights on Mondays.
