Updated for 2019 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.)
Nov. 22, 4-6:30 pm The Chase Park Plaza (main lobby) • 212 Kingshighway Blvd, St. Louis FREE. Check out an awesome St. Louis Gingerbread Village (complete with 6 foot gingerbread 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.
Nov. 23 & 30, Dec. 7 & 14 Gateway Arch Riverboat Cruise 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 with his Reindeer at the Train Museum
Nov. 29, Dec. 14, Dec. 21. 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.
Nov. 29 & 30, Dec. 1, Dec 7 & 8, Dec. 14 & 15, Dec. 21 & 22. National Museum of Transportation • 2933 Barrett Station Road, Kirkwood Included with regular admission. Santa visits with kids. BYO Camera. Check website for times.
Santa in a Helicopter
Nov. 30 10am-3pm National Museum of Transportation • 2933 Barrett Station Road, Kirkwood Included with regular admission. Santa flies in for a visit with the kids at 10am, then visits with kids at the Lindburg Automobile Center. BYO Camera.
Santa Claus at Urban Fort
Dec. 6-7, 4 -7pm Urban Fort Play Cafe. 1854 Russell Blvd $8 per kid. Santa sits down for story time, then takes time for pro photos. Plus kids get a snack, hot chocolate and crafts. Happy Hour drink prices for parents. Tickets include one photo.
Cookies with Claus
Dec. 7, 9am-Noon. Des Peres Lodge • 1050 Des Peres Road FREE. Meet with Santa, kids will get a holiday cookie. BYO Camera.
Christmas in Old Town
TBA 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.
TBA 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.
New Town Tree Lighting
TBA 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.
TBA 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.
TBA Frisco Park Caboose • Becket Memorial Dr., Valley Park FREE. Children can bring a letter for Santa, or write one on the spot. BYO Camera; Reindeer will be on hand Sunday.
Fun Places to Get a Santa Photo (that’s not the mall)
Santa at Bass Pro
Nov. 16 – 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.
Nov. 29-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.
Nov. 29, 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.
Nov. 29 @7:45 to 9:15am, then Every Sat. Until Christmas @7:45 to 9:15am. St. Charles Harley-Davidson • 3808 West Clay Street, St. Charles FREE. Santa swaps his reindeer for a Harley! Free photos.
TBA 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.
Dec. 5 & 12 @5-7pm; Dec. 13 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 12th. BYO Camera.
Photos with Mall Santa
Santa at Plaza Frontenac
Nov. 9-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. 16-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.
Nov. 9-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.
Nov. 9-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.
