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 2021.

Some photos with Santa may be different this year due to health and safety measures, and there are plenty of no-contact opportunities to get pictures with Santa Claus. 

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 6 – December 24, 2021
Reservations are required for 2021. The Santa visits will be contactless. There will be a a glare-free plexiglass barrier between your children and Santa. Families will get a free 4×6 studio-quality photo, as well as a free digital greeting card to share on social media. 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.

Polaris Mall Santa Pictures

Pictures with Santa at Polaris Mall: Get photos with Santa from November 12 through December 24, 2021. Very real looking Santa. No personal photos allowed, but visits with Santa are free without photo. Packages start at $34.99. Make reservations to skip the general line with Santa’s Fast Pass.

Sensitive Santa at Polaris Mall: Sundays, December 5 and December 12 from 9-10:30am. 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 18 through December 24. Sundays are 12 pm – 6 pm, Monday – Fridays hours are 11 am – 7 pm, Saturday hours are 10 am – 8 pm. Very real looking Santa. No personal photos without minimum package purchase. Multiple packages are available, starting at $29.99. 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 from 4pm – 6pm: Pet night with Santa

Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

November 19 – December 23, 2021. Details tba for 2021. Sunday-Thursday: 5:00PM-9:00PM Friday-Saturday: 5:00PM-10:00PM. In Battelle Ice Bear Outpost. Kids can take a photo with Santa and  Mrs. Claus. 

Christmas Ranch in Morrow, Ohio

November 19 – December 23, 2021. Photos with Santa from 5-9 pm (10 pm on Friday/Saturday) through December 23 (closed on Thanksgiving). Admission is $20 per car; it is a walk-through attraction with lots of holiday fun. Photos start at $20. 

Photos with Santa at Easton

November 20 – December 24, 2021. Your first 5×7 is just $5, or take a candid pic with your own camera for FREE. Monday-Saturdays: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM (Breaks: 1:00 PM-1:45 PM and 4:45 PM-5:30 PM) and Sundays: 11:00 AM-6:00 PM (Break: 2:00-3:00 PM). Christmas Eve: 9 AM – 5 PM. Reserve a spot so you don’t have to stand and wait.

Santa’s House at Cross Creek Campground

Each night November 20 through December 23 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 $10, or use Santa’s photographer and pay $10 for 2 emailed photos, or $20 to have a 4×6 mailed to you. Proceeds from the photos benefit Recreation Unlimited.  

Oakland Nursery

Saturdays & Sundays, November 27 – December 12, 2021 from noon to 3:30 p.m. at all Oakland Nursery locations. Take pictures with your own camera. Well-behaved, leashed pets are welcome at the Dublin location. Each store has different holiday events through the season.

Heath Indian Mound Mall Santa events

Santa Arrival at Indian Mound Mall: Saturday, November 27 at 11 am. Santa will arrive on a fire truck at the A entrance near Massey’s Pizza. Wave to Santa as he arrives on a cool vehicle, and then walk him down to his new Santa Set next to Dunkin’s Diamonds and Gold. Stay after for the Market at the Mall with accessories, food, home decor, crafts, pet items, clothing, jewelry, and more, all day.

Santa Photos at Indian Mound Mall: November 26 – December 23 from 12:00 PM – 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 through the FastPass reservation system. 

Sensitive Santa and AMC Sensory Friendly Film at Indian Mound Mall: Sunday, December 12 from 9 – 10:30 am
A thoughtful and sensory-friendly Santa experience for children and their families for those living with sensory challenges. Take part in specially curated activities in a calm holiday environment before the hustle and bustle of regular property hours. Register is required; details here. 

Paws and Claus at Indian Mound Mall: Monday, December 13 from 6 – 8 pm. Take your cat or dog to Indian Mound Mall for a dose of holiday cuteness at Paws & Claus! Mix and mingle with other pet lovers while your furry friend takes a paw-satively adorable photo with Santa. A variety of photo packages are available for purchase. The Santa set is located n front of JCPenney, lease use A entrance for event.

Santa in Delaware

Fridays and Saturdays, December 3-18, 2021 at the Delaware Welcome Center. Friday hours feature Horse-drawn carriage rides. Photos are $10.00, which includes 1 print and digital copy of photograph, from For His Glory Photography. Book appointments now!

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 are confirmed for 2021 – let us know if you see a sign in store.

Santa in Marysville

Uptown Marysville Christmas Walk & Tree Lighting: Santa makes his first appearance in Marysville on November 29 from 5-8 pm

Visit with Santa Claus at Partners Park

Monday, November 29th (5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, during Christmas Walk)
Thursday, December 2nd (5:00 pm to 7:00 pm)
Thursday, December 9th (5:00 pm to 7:00 pm)
Saturday, December 11th (12:00 pm to 4:00 pm)
Thursday, December 16th (5:00 pm to 7:00 pm)
Saturday, December 18th (10:00 am to 2:00 pm)
Thursday, December 23rd (5:00 pm to 7:00 pm)

Holiday Open House W/Santa & Mrs. Claus: Saturday, December 4, 2021 from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus from 10 am – noon for a free photo op! Sip coffee or hot cocoa from Shaded City. There will be activities for the kids! Details here.  Dutch Mill Greenhouse, 18443 OH-4, Marysville, OH 43040

Pictures and Donuts with Santa at The Marysville Art League: Saturday, December 4, 2021 at 11:00 am – 1 pm. Families are welcome to stop by the Houston House for pictures with Santa Claus! Enjoy FREE donuts, cookies, snacks, and crafts for children!  264 West Fifth Street

One-time events and festivals with Santa Photo Ops

Swim with Santa at Westerville Community Center

Sunday, November 28, 2021 from 6-7:15 pm. Get your photo taken with Santa as he swims in the pool with the lifeguard elves! Photo and Santa time is included in this fun annual event for ages 0-11 and parents. Parents with children under 6 years old must be in the water with their children. Please include your email address when registering, all photos will be emailed. Pre-registration required. $7.50 to swim, $5 for residents, parents are free.

Pictures with Santa at AgPro New Albany

Saturday, December 4, 2021 from 9:30 am – noon. Stop by to grab a photo with Santa! Do some holiday shopping while you’re there!

Photos with Santa with Pearlescent Luxury Portraits

Saturday, December 4, 2021 from 2-4 pm
Come to the studio in Uptown Westerville and meet Santa. Get a 4×6″ souvenir print with Santa too! 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

Free Pictures with Santa at Newark Township Fire Department

Sunday, December 5, 2021 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

Monday, December 13, 2021 from 6 pm – 8 pm. Get your picture taken with Santa and enjoy some frozen treats, all and everyone is welcome.

Santa and Mrs. Claus in Uptown Westerville

Saturday, December 18, 2021 from 12:00pm-3:00pm
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!

Pet Photos with Santa

Pet Photos with Santa at Tuttle Mall

November 28, 2021 from 6-8 pm. Dogs and cats are only permitted in the mall during Pet Photo Nights (with the exception of assistance dogs). Closest Entrance is by Red Robin and down the escalator or elevator by Macy’s Court.

Pet Photos with Santa at Captivating Canines

Saturday, December 4, 2021. Bring you pet to Captivating Canines for a photo with Santa (call to reserve a spot)! 12 East Main Street, Westerville, OH 43081

Mutts & Makers Holiday Market

WHEN: Saturday, December 4, 2021 from noon to 5pm
WHERE: Caddy’s Delight in Grandview, 1158 W 3rd Ave Suite B Columbus, OH 43212
WHAT: This is a market for the dogs, with some people pleasures sprinkled in as well. The event is a fundraiser for New Albany Pet Rescue by offering pictures with Santa Paws for donation & raffles, as well as local handmade goodies. Caddy’s offers food & beverages for people, plus one vendors will be offering a dog safe “hot Pawcolate” for furry friends. There will also be a tiny tree farm for your pet to pick their own tree filled with plenty of tasty treats.

PetSmart Santa Pictures

December 4-5, 1-12, and 18-19, 2021. Santa is coming to town & the stores for a FREE photo op! 

Paws and Claus at Indian Mound Mall

Monday, December 13 from 6 – 8 pm. Take your cat or dog to Indian Mound Mall for a dose of holiday cuteness at Paws & Claus! Mix and mingle with other pet lovers while your furry friend takes a paw-satively adorable photo with Santa. A variety of photo packages are available for purchase. The Santa set is located n front of JCPenney, lease use A entrance for event.

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 4 and 11, 2021 from 6-8 pm. Where your matching holiday outfits or pajamas and take a family photo fit for your Christmas card.

Other opportunities for Photos with Santa

Details TBA for 2021

The Shops at Worthington Place

Sparkle Night at The Shops at Worthington Place: TBA for 2021. Fun, 

music, and parade and celebration with the Tree Lighting at 6:30pm.  Kids can visit and have photos taken with Santa. There’s also an Elf Hunt, Gingerbread House Making Workshop, Crafts and activities, hot cocoa bar, and more!

Photos with Santa at The Shops at Worthington Place: TBA for 2021 For more information, email drbgroupllc@drbgroupllc.com. This is a highly recommended location for pictures with Santa, as it’s not as busy as other mall sets. 

IKEA Columbus

FREE Pictures with Santa! Santa is joining us for the Holidays and is in the mood for pictures! IKEA FAMILY members will receive a free 3×5 picture. Santa will be with us on the following dates: 

Details for 2021 are TBA for Santa’s arrival to IKEA Columbus! The Delaware County Library will read a seasonal story, sing songs and host a craft to welcome Santa here for the season! Festivities will be held in the Restaurant Activity Area. Space is limited. RSVP today!

Ohio Herb Education Center in Gahanna (110 Mill St.): Pictures, shopping, and homemade gift-making.  For more information contact 614-342-4250.

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

Santa at Grandview Heights Library: tba for 2021 Photos with Santa and holiday activities. Tickets are required, but are free and must be picked up beginning 11/30; first come, first served.

Santa in the Caboose: tba in 2021 Get your photo taken with 1800s Santa in red caboose, free hot chocolate and doughnuts, wagon rides, petting zoo, tours of the historic village, live entertainment and more at Historical Village at Weaver Park.

Party at the North Pole: tba in 2021 at Worthington Community Center. Annual Holiday Party with family friendly DJ, crafts, games and a visit from Santa.

Howliday Bazaar and Pet Photos with Santa: TBA for 2021 at Franklin County Dog Shelter.

Paws & Claus Pet Photos with Santa at Polaris Fashion Place: TBA for 2021 Bring your WHOLE family and visit Santa Sunday, December 16th after the mall closes. Enjoy doggie games, treats, crafts and more. Visits are free, but photo package prices vary.

Oakland Nursery Dublin: TBA for 2021 on Saturdays & Sundays. Take pictures with your own camera. Well-behaved, leashed pets are welcome at the Dublin location. Call for details.

Petco Photos with Santa: TBA for 2021 Get a digital photo of your pet with Santa for a $9.95 donation. Every donation helps save the lives of animals in need!