Where to find Santa Pictures around Columbus

Santa makes his appearance all over Columbus for the holiday season, so get out your festive clothing for Santa Pictures!

This list isn’t anywhere near all-inclusive, as he’s hard to keep track of, but here are some options for photos with Santa around Columbus for 2022.

Don’t miss the section at the bottom for pet photos with Santa! Please leave a comment or email info@columbusonthecheap.com if you know of other photo opportunities.

Be sure to check out the pages with Holiday Events around Columbus and Cookies and Breakfast with Santa around Columbus.

Dining with Santa events typically offer opportunities for photos with Santa, including candid and posed photos.

On-going Pictures with Santa through the Season

Santa’s Wonderland at Cabela’s Polaris

November 5 – December 24, 2022
Reservations are required for Santa’s Wonderland at Cabela’s Polaris. Families will get a free 4×6 studio-quality photo. Additional photo packages are also available for purchase and print instantly at the store.

While you’re there, kids can mail their letter to Santa and take home free holiday craft activity kits. Families can also enjoy the amazing aquariums and wildlife displays found in every Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s store.

Santa at Cabela’s

Columbus Zoo Wildlights Santa Experience at Polar Frontier

November 17 – December 23, 2022 

Guests can talk with Santa and get a photo with Santa at the Columbus Zoo. It is free to visit with Santa, and you may purchase photos taken at the end of your experience. 

Reservations are requested and can be made on the Zoo website under “tickets/special events”. 10 guests per group, maximum. Walk-ins may be accommodated if space allows, but unlikely available on most nights.

Polaris Mall Santa Pictures

Pictures with Santa at Polaris Mall: Get photos with Santa from November 11 through December 24, 2022. Very real looking Santa. No personal photos allowed, but visits with Santa are free without photo. Packages start at $39.99. Make reservations to skip the general line with Santa’s Fast Pass.

Sensitive Santa at Polaris Mall: Sundays, December 4 and December 11, 2022 from 10-11:30am. Sensitive Santa is an opportunity for families that have children with autism, children on the autism spectrum and children with other special needs to enjoy a special visit with Santa. Lower lighting and quieter. No reservations needed. Event is free and photo package prices vary.

There are lots of other fun activities for the holidays at Polaris. See more details here. 

Tuttle Mall Santa Pictures

November 17 through December 24, 2022. Sundays are 12 pm – 6 pm, Monday – Saturdays hours are 11 am – 7 pm. Details here.

Very real looking Santa. No personal photos without minimum package purchase. Multiple packages are available, starting at $39.99. You can schedule your appointment online to skip the line. Scheduling requires a $10 non-refundable deposit, which will be applied to your photo package.

November 28 and December 12, 2022 from 5pm – 7pm: Pet night with Santa

December 4, 2022 from 9 AM- 10:30 AM: Santa Cares Sensory-friendly Santa Photos

Christmas Ranch in Morrow, Ohio

November 18 – December 23, 2022. Photos with Santa from 5-9 pm (10 pm on Friday/Saturday) through December 23 (closed on Thanksgiving). Admission is $22 per car. Christmas Ranch is a walk-through attraction with lots of holiday fun. Photos start at $20. 

Photos with Santa at Easton

November 19 – December 24, 2022. The Easton Santa experience is a favorite! Your first 5×7 is just $5, or take a candid pic with your own camera for FREE. See schedule here. Reserve a spot so you don’t have to stand and wait.

Santa’s House at Cross Creek Campground

Each night November 18 -December 23, 2022 Santa’s House is a Cross Creek Campground just up the road from Butch Bando’s Fantasy of Light at Alum Creek – just follow the signs. during the drive-through light show at Butch Bando’s Holiday Fantasy of Lights (admission per vehicle required for the light show).

Take a few photos of your own for $15, or use Santa’s photographer and pay $15 for a printed 4×6, or $20 to take your own and have one printed. Proceeds from the photos benefit Recreation Unlimited.  

Santa’s House, 2019

Santa at Oakland Nursery

Saturdays & Sundays, November 27 – December 11, 2022 from noon to 3:30 p.m. at all Oakland Nursery locations. Take pictures with your own camera.

Each store has different holiday events through the season. Well-behaved, leashed pets are typically welcome at the Dublin location (call before going). 

Photos with Santa in Downtown Delaware

Fridays and Saturdays, December 2-17, 2022. Appointments are available for visits with Santa at the Delaware Welcome Center (20 E. William Street). Photos are $10.00, which includes 1 print and digital copy of photograph, from For His Glory Photography. Book appointments now!

Pictures with Santa Hours

Friday, December 2 from 7-9 pm. Walk-ins only!
Fridays, December 9 & 16 from 5-6 pm. Walk-ins welcome!
Fridays, December 9 & 16 from 6-8 pm. By appointment only
Saturdays, December 3, 10, and 17 from 12-1 pm. Walk-ins welcome!
Saturdays, December 3, 10, and 17 from 1-3 pm. By appointment only

Santa Photos at Indian Mound Mall

December 1-24, 2022 from 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM. Visits with Santa are complimentary and photo packages are available for purchase. Simplify your Santa experience, reserve a date and time to visit with Santa at Indian Mound Mall.

Lowes stores

Dates vary, so contact your local store. (pets may be welcome; varies per store). Sawmill location typically has nice setup with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Take your own photos for free. These aren’t confirmed for 2022 – let us know if you see a sign in store.

Santa in Marysville

Visit with Santa Claus at Partners Park

Monday, November 28 (5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, during Christmas Walk)
Thursday, December 1 (5:00 pm to 7:00 pm)
Thursday, December 8 (5:00 pm to 7:00 pm)
Saturday, December 10 (12:00 pm to 4:00 pm)
Thursday, December 15 (5:00 pm to 7:00 pm)
Saturday, December 17 (12:00 pm to 2:00 pm)
Thursday, December 22 (5:00 pm to 7:00 pm)
Saturday, December 24 (12:00 pm to 2:00 pm)

Pictures and Cookies with Santa at The Marysville Art League: Saturday, December 3, 2022 at 11:00 am – 1 pm. Pictures with Santa 11am to 1pm. Cookies & Punch served 10am to 1pm. Kids make and take craft area 10am to 1pm

One-time events and festivals with Santa Photo Ops

Santa at the Lazarus Building in Downtown Columbus

Saturday, December 3, 2022 from 1-5 pm.

This event may be one of the most anticipated events for Christmas in Downtown Columbus. If you grew up in Columbus, you probably remember visiting Santa at The Lazarus Building.

Take photos with Santa in the original sleigh from the former Lazarus building, do crafts with OSU Urban Arts Space, and check out Orange Line Holiday Train in The Center for Architecture and Design. There is tons of holiday family fun scheduled for the day. Read more here.

Head to Columbus Commons for free carousel rides, hot chocolate, holiday music and more. Holiday lights come on in the park at 5 pm.

Pictures with Santa at AgPro London

Saturday, December 3, 2022 from 10 am – noon. Stop by to grab a photo with Santa! Do some holiday shopping while you’re there! 1660 US-42 NE, London, OH Details here. 

Santa and Mrs. Claus in Uptown

Saturday, December 10, 2022 from 11:00am-1:00pm
Uptown Westerville
Santa and Mrs. Clause are shopping local! Find them throughout Uptown to let Santa know what you this year for Christmas and take a picture with Santa and Mrs. Claus! Details.

21 South State Street, Westerville, Ohio 43081

Santa in the Train Station

Sunday, December 11, 2022 from 2 PM – 5 PM, at the Historical Village train station.

Children can share their Christmas list with Santa at the Historical Village train station, horse drawn wagon rides, music in the chapel and hot chocolate & donuts available, FREE admission (donations welcome)

Gahanna Union Bank Christmas Event

Saturday, December 17, 2022 from 10:00am – 12:00pm
Join Santa to celebrate the holiday season at Union Bank! This family-friendly event features a photo station for children to take pictures with Santa and his real reindeer.

Santa will also be giving out treats to the children; hot chocolate and more will be available to enjoy. Details here.

Santa at Union Bank

Photos with Santa with Pearlescent Luxury Portraits

Saturday, December 17, 2022 from 10 am – 12 pm
Come to Pearlescent Luxury Portraits in Uptown Westerville and meet Santa. Get a 4×6″ souvenir print with Santa too for $18. Cookies and hot cocoa. Extra 4×6″ photos are only $6, so Grandmas can have their own copies too! Register here.
Pearlescent Portraits, 14 North State Street, Westerville

Pet Photos with Santa

Howliday Bazaar and Pet Photos with Santa

November 19, 2022 at Franklin County Dog Shelter. The Bazaar will feature holiday decorations, dog-themed ornaments, baked goods, and handmade crafts. 

Choose one scene for only $25 or both for $35! 

Oakland Nursery Dublin

Saturdays & Sundays, November 26 – December 11, 2022 from 12 noon – 3:30 pm.

Take pictures with your own camera. Well-behaved, leashed pets are typically welcome at the Dublin Oakland Nursery location. Call for details. 

Pet Photos with Santa at Tuttle Mall

November 28 and December 12, 2022 from 5pm – 7pm

Pet night with Santa. Dogs and cats are only permitted in the mall during Pet Photo Nights (with the exception of assistance dogs). Schedule visit online.

Union County Pet Photos with Santa

December 3 & 4, 2022 from 12:00 – 4:00 PM. Pet Photos with Santa is back. All proceeds benefit the Union County Humane Society. Cost is $10 per photo. Honda Marysville, 600 Coleman’s Xing Blvd. Details here.

TownHall Short North Santa Paws – Pictures With Santa

Saturday, December 4, 2022 from 4-6 pm

Bring your pets to TownHall Short North, 792 North High, for free pics with Santa! Reserve a spot here.

Pet Photos with Santa Paws

Saturday, December 10, 2022
Bring you pet to Captivating Canines for a photo with Santa (call to reserve a spot)! Get 20 edited photos via email for $20. Details here.

12 East Main Street, Westerville, OH 43081. 

PetSmart Santa Pictures

• December 10th and 11th, 2022
• December 17th and 18th, 2022

Santa is coming to town & the stores for a FREE photo op! Details and registration here.

Non-Santa Photos

Free Family Holiday Photos at Easton Central Park Fountain

Receive a complimentary professional photo at the Central Park Fountain this holiday season on Saturdays, December 3 and 10, 2022 from 5-7 pm. Where your matching holiday outfits or pajamas and take a family photo fit for your Christmas card.

Day by Day list of Photos with Santa in Columbus

Check out all of the opportunities in Columbus for photos with Santa, including community gatherings, tree lighting events, and more.

Tuesday, November 29, 2022

Wednesday, November 30, 2022

Thursday, December 1, 2022

Friday, December 2, 2022

Saturday, December 3, 2022

Sunday, December 4, 2022

Monday, December 5, 2022

Tuesday, December 6, 2022

Wednesday, December 7, 2022

Thursday, December 8, 2022

Friday, December 9, 2022

Saturday, December 10, 2022

Sunday, December 11, 2022

Monday, December 12, 2022

Tuesday, December 13, 2022

Wednesday, December 14, 2022

Thursday, December 15, 2022

Friday, December 16, 2022

Saturday, December 17, 2022

Sunday, December 18, 2022

Details TBA for 2022

Petco Photos with Santa: TBA for 2022 Get a digital photo of your pet with Santa for a $9.95 donation. Every donation helps save the lives of animals in need!

Free Pictures with Santa at Newark Township Fire Department

tba 2022 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Santa is stopping by the fire station to get photos with kids!  

Visit with Santa at OH-YO & MORE – Grove City

tba 2022 from 6 pm – 8 pm. Get your picture taken with Santa and enjoy some frozen treats, all and everyone is welcome.