Santa Photos in the DC Area

Tag Archives: Santa Photos in the DC Area

December 10, 2025 · 9:30 am

Where to Encounter Santa Around DC During the Rest of the Holiday Season

Ride the Polar Express with Santa

A visit or photo with Santa is the thing to make many a kid’s holiday season. If you’re looking for jolly old Saint Nick around DC, you can find him at many places — often along with extra fun and treats. Here’s where he’ll be this season, from free gatherings to special brunches to holiday shows to train rides to classic photo stops at the mall.

Christmas at Gaylord National
Where: Gaylord National Resort | National Harbor, MD
When: Through December 24
Admission: Varies by activity
The Gaylord National Hotel at National Harbor goes all out during the holidays, offering all kinds of activities for families, including photos with Santa. You have to sign up for a time and purchase a package. Plan to enjoy more activities while you’re there, like Christmas light shows, ice tubing, gingerbread decorating, and ICE! (Note that most cost extra.) Read more about Christmas at the Gaylord in this post from a few years ago.

Light Yards Express
Where: The Yards | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: December 10, 5:30-7:30pm
Admission: Free
Join The Yards for a family friendly festive event to celebrate the kick-off of Light Yards and the holiday season! Hop aboard a holiday-themed train for a magical ride through the enchanting Light Yards wonderland. Add some sparkle to your holiday outfit with dazzling glitter tattoos and dance the night away to merry tunes spun by a DJ. Enjoy fun holiday giveaways like bells, reindeer ears, and light-up necklaces while supplies last. Don’t forget to bring your wish lists and share your dreams with the jolly man himself—SANTA!

The B&O Polar Express
Where: B&O Railroad Museum | Baltimore, MD
When: December 13-14, 19-23
Admission: Starts at $50/child, $60/adult
Climb aboard The Polar Express for a Christmas memory you’ll cherish forever! Bring the kids dressed in pajamas and kick off this two-hour immersive experience with a live performance of the Hot Chocolate song and dance, and receive the First Gift of Christmas, a silver sleigh bell, from Santa. Upon your arrival at the North Pole, his helpers will greet you and invite you to enjoy crafts, make s’mores, shop for themed goodies, and have your picture taken with Santa.

Holly Trolley Fest
Where: National Capitol Trolley Museum | Colesville, MD
When: Through December 21, weekends
Admission: $12.75
Explore a unique DC area museum this holiday season. Visit with Santa down a mile-long woodland railroad, featuring a holiday ride on our historic street cars. In addition, enjoy a holiday model railroad display in collaboration with the Washington, Virginia, & Maryland Garden Railway Society, crafts for children, photo opportunities, and more. Reservations required.

Photos with Santa (& Maybe a Step Show, Too!)
Where: Arena Stage | Southwest DC
When: December 13, 3:30-7pm
Admission: Free
Celebrate the magic of the season at Arena Stage with free photos with Santa! Dress in your holiday best with family and friends and let Arena capture the perfect festive memory. Then, seal the fun-filled afternoon with the 7pm performance of Step Afrika!’s Magical Musical Holiday Step Show — with promo code FOURPACK, families can get four tickets for just $179, up to 40% off! (Tickets to the show are not required for photos with Santa.)

Brunch with Santa
Where: Pinstripes | Georgetown, DC
When: December 13-14 & 20-21
Admission: Cost of your meal
We took the kids to this when they were little, and they loved the brunch buffet almost as much as they loved meeting Santa and getting photos with him. It includes lot of yummy options that will delight the whole family, and parents can make it extra fun with a little toast to the season! There is no photographer, but guests are encouraged to take pics when the man of the hour stops by.

Photos with Santa Paws
Where: Capital Wheel | National Harbor, MD
When: Saturdays through December 20, 12-2pm
Admission: $18/adult, $14.50/child
Bring furry fiends for a ride on the Capital Wheel — and for all of you to meet Santa! Bring the fam on Saturdays for a howl-iday ride high above National Harbor and snap the paw-fect holiday photo with Santa Paws himself. Dogs ride FREE with a paying adult (up to 2 pups per adult ticket).

Teddy Bear Tea
Where: Four Seasons | Georgetown, DC
When: December 13, 14, 20, & 21
Admission: $85-135
Guests and locals are invited to partake in a special holiday high tea featuring elevated tea sandwiches, scones, petits fours, and a choice of tea, hot chocolate, apple cider or sparkling wine, with a curated candy station for dessert. Each tea service will also feature festive live entertainment including a special appearance by Santa and other guest performers, with a percentage of proceeds benefiting Children’s National Hospital. Book online here.

Brunch with Santa
Where: Hank’s Old Town | Alexandria, VA
When: December 13, 14, 20, 21 | 11am – 1pm
Admission: $35/child, $55/adult
Join Hank’s for a festive holiday gathering with special Brunch with Santa! Enjoy a delightful brunch buffet, live entertainment for kids, and a memorable visit from Santa. Held on our Second Floor, this family-friendly event is the perfect way to celebrate the season.

Brunch with Santa
Where: District E | Penn Quarter, DC
When: December 14, 10am & 12:30pm
Admission: $33.60
Join District E, the sports entertainment venue in the heart of Penn Quarter, for a magical holiday experience at this brunch with Santa. Along with a buffet featuring eggs, bacon, waffles, toast, and more, each reservation includes guaranteed time and photos with Santa, story time sessions, and a festive, family-friendly atmosphere straight out of a holiday movie.

Photos with Santa
Where: Tingey Square | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: December 14, 12-3pm
Admission: Free
Get a festive portrait taken of the family, including pets, with Santat and have it handed to you immediately! Enjoy carolers and stick around for a special guest who might crash a portrait or two. Plan to browse the Tingey Plaza Holiday Market, too!

A Family Christmas
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: December 20 & 24
Tickets: $20-59
Bring the kids to experience the magic of the holidays as the Choral Arts Chorus fills the concert hall with holiday classics just for them! We’ll take you on a merry tour of Christmas favorites that will have your family singing all the way home. Expect a special visit from Santa! This one hour concert is perfect for children ages 5+.

Jingle Jump
Where: Flight Adventure Park | Springfield, VA
When: December 20, 10am – 12pm
Admission: Starts at $14
Flight is hosting a morning of fun to celebrate the season. Jump for joy and experience festive craft stations and treats, and even meet Santa and his elves! The park also features trampolines, Lunar dodgeball, climbing structures, Airslam basketball, arcades, and more. Read more about Flight here.

Brunch with Santa
Where: Estuary | CityCenter, DC
When: December 21, 11am – 2pm
Admission: Cost of your meal
Families can enjoy thi shighly anticipated Brunch with Santa right before Christmas. Jolly Ol’ St. Nick will be on site to greet families, take photos, and share in the joy of the holidays while guests enjoy a festive and flavorful brunch. Reserve here!

Photos at the Mall
Where: Malls around the DC area
When: Throughout the holiday season
Admission: Varies by place
If you just want to get the classic photo with Santa at a shopping mall, here’s where you can find him:
Pentagon City
Tysons Corner Center
Westfield Montgomery Mall
Westfield Wheaton Mall
Springfield Mall
Prince George’s Mall

Fun Places to Encounter Santa During the Rest of the Holiday Season

So, not all Santa pics go as planned…

A visit or photo with Santa is the thing to make many a kid’s holiday season. If you’re still looking for the red-robed, white-bearded guy around DC, you can find him at many places — often along with extra fun and treats. Here’s where he’ll be for the rest of the season, from free gatherings to special brunches to holiday shows to train rides to classic photo stops at the mall.

Enchant
Where: Nationals Park | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: Through December 31
Admission: $32+/adult, $24+/age 3-17
The 90,000-square foot Christmas light maze as Nationals Park offers more than just the dazzling lights show on the field. Along the concourse above it all, there is live entertainment, food and drink, a Play Place just for little ones, a Christmas market, and photo ops with Santa and Mrs. Claus. View scenes from last year’s event and read a KFDC review (from the first season it was here in 2019) of this newer-to-DC holiday attraction.

Christmas at Gaylord National
Where: Gaylord National Resort | National Harbor, MD
When: Through December 24
Admission: Starts at $40
The Gaylord National Hotel at National Harbor goes all out during the holidays, offering all kinds of activities for families, including photos with Santa. You have to sign up for a time and purchase for a package. Plan to enjoy more activities while you’re there, like Christmas light shows, ice tubing, gingerbread decorating, and ICE! (Note that most cost extra.) Read more about Christmas at the Gaylord e in this KFDC post from last year by Emily Moise.

Holiday Tree Lighting
Where: Canal Park Ice Rink | Capitol Riverfront, DC
When: December 14, 6-9pm
Admission: Free (but skating require admission fee)
The holiday party will include the tree lighting, ice skating, live entertainment photo ops and a special appearance by Washington Capitals mascot Slapshot and a certain other white bearded guests. There will also be a cozy Holiday Lounge above the rink with mulled wine for adults along with a Hot Chocolate Bar and S’mores Station for all ages (while supplies last). Plus, the first 150 attendees to arrive can get free skate rentals at the ice rink and the first 100 will receive an exclusive Capitol Riverfront mug & hot cocoa kit giveaway.

The B&O Polar Express
Where: B&O Railroad Museum | Baltimore, MD
When: December 15-19
Admission: $47-67
Climb aboard The Polar Express to create a Christmas memory that you and your family will cherish forever! Come in your pajamas as a family to watch the live performance of The Polar Express. Once on the train, the classic Christmas tale will be performed and little ones will have the opportunity to meet Santa and receive their first gift of Christmas! Santa’s helpers will greet you upon arrival to the North Pole, where you can take pictures with Santa and have lots of holiday fun.

Brunch with Santa
Where: Pinstripes | Georgetown, DC
When: December 16 & 17
Admission: Cost of your meal
We took the kids to this wehen they were little, and they loved the brunch buffet almost as much as they loved meeting Santa and getting photos with him. It includes a waffle station, an omelet station, and sweets table, plus maple glazed ham, shrimp cocktail, herb roasted Chicken, a chocolate fountain, and more! Champagne will be flowing with Bottomless Mimosas and Aperol Spritzes for Mom and Dad. There is no photographer, but guests are encouraged to take pics when the man of the hour stops by.

Holly Trolley Fest
Where: National Capitol Trolley Museum | Colesville, MD
When: December 16, 17, & 23
Admission: $10/adults, $8/ages 2-17 (includes unlimited rides)
Explore a unique DC area museum this holiday season. Visit with Santa down our mile-long woodland railroad, featuring a holiday ride on our historic street cars. In addition, enjoy a holiday model railroad display in collaboration with the Washington, Virginia & Maryland Garden Railway Society, crafts for children, photo opportunities, and more.

A Family Christmas
Where: Kennedy Center | Foggy Bottom, DC
When: December 16 & 24
Tickets: $20-45
This holiday concert by the Choral Arts Chorus is targeted to kids as they perform holiday classics just for them. A visit from Santa, Frosty, and Rudolph is promised, too!

Frosted
Where: Franklin Park | Downtown DC
When: Through December 17
Admission: Free
Santa and other characters will be making appearances at this winter pop-up at Franklin Park. Other holiday festivities include Ice Sculpture Island, Holiday Lane, the Frosted Maker’s Market, a larger than life Snow Globe Main Stage, and more! Most of them occur on the weekends — see the website for the schedule.

Mount Pleasant Holiday Market
Where: Mount Pleasant St & Lamont Plaza | Mount Pleasant, DC
When: December 17, 11am – 5pm
Admission: Free
The Mt. Pleasant neighborhood will become the DC’s Holiday Village in the City on Sunday. More than four dozen local artisans will line Mount Pleasant Street and Lamont Plaza, selling home décor, paintings, pottery, candles, vintage goods and other items. The event also includes a special visit from Santa — he’ll be be available for pictures and to hand out free toys to children. While you’re there, stop to create a free card with We Are Artistic, a group of local high school kids hosting a card-making table for Cards For Hospitalized Kids.

Tea, Cookies, and Magic with Santa
Where: Hank’s Old Town | Alexandria, VA
When: December 17 & 23, 11am – 1pm
Admission: $65
Parents and children can gather for a memorable performance by either the hilarious renowned entertainer the Great Zucchini. Santa Claus himself will make a grand entrance to greet the little ones and spread holiday cheer. After the show, guests will enjoy a holiday spread of tea sandwiches and sweets. Reserve your spot!

Santa Brunch
Where: Surfside | Tenleytown, DC
When: December 23, 11am – 3pm
Admission: Cost of your meal
The Mexican fast casual spot that’s great for a family meal is having a special brunch time with Santa the Saturday before he sets out on his big night. They’ll have hot coco and candy canes for kiddos, and a photographer will be on site to take photos with Santa. Doesn’t hurt to make reservations.

Christmas Market
Where: Schlagel Farm | Waldorf, MD
When: December 23, 9:30-11:30am
Admission: Free
Head to the farm for a visit with Santa and Mrs. They’ll be available for pictures during the Christmas Market, where you cab stock up on all the veggies and centerpieces (rib roasts, briskets, hams, and lamb cuts) you need for a holiday feast. Jams/jellies/ciders will be 10% off to stuff your stockings, too. The market is 9am – 2pm, but Santa will only be there from 9:30-11:30am.