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.
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.
- Subscribe to Columbus on the Cheap's email list
- Free and cheap events this weekend in Columbus
- Your Guide to Christmas and Holiday Events in Columbus
- Over 40 Holiday Art and Craft Festivals
- Turkey Trots and Holiday Races
- Christmas Tree Farms and Lots in Columbus
- Christmas Theater and Concerts in Columbus
- Breakfasts with Santa
- Photos with Santa
- Locations of Mailboxes for Letters to Santa
- Community Tree Lightings and Holiday Celebrations in Columbus
- Holiday Train Rides in Ohio: Santa Trains and Polar Express
- Free and Cheap Activities for Winter Break in Columbus
- Columbus Happy Hours
On-going Pictures with Santa through the Season
Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium: November 15 – December 23, 2019. Sunday-Thursday: 5:00PM-9:00PM Friday-Saturday: 5:00PM-10:00PM. In Battelle Ice Bear Outpost (through Dec. 23) kids can take a photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Cost in 2018 was reported to be $15-$20.
Photos with Santa at Easton: November 22 – December 24, 2019. Your first 5×7 is just $5, or take a candid pic with your own camera for FREE. Monday-Saturdays: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM (Breaks: 1:00 PM-1:45 PM and 4:45 PM-5:30 PM) and Sundays: 11:00 AM-7:00 PM (Break: 3:00 PM-4:00 PM). Christmas Eve: 9 AM – 5 PM. Reserve a spot so you don’t have to stand and wait.
Oakland Nursery: Saturdays & Sundays only, November 30 – December 15, 2019 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.
Christmas Ranch in Morrow, Ohio: Friday, November 22 through December 23, 2019. Photos with Santa from 5-9 pm 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.
Polaris Mall Santa Pictures
Polaris Mall: Get photos with Santa from November 15 through December 23. Very real looking Santa. No personal photos allowed, but visits with Santa are free without photo. Packages start at $29.99 for a 5×7, 3×5, and 2 wallets and a shutterfly promo card. Make reservations to skip the general line with Santa’s Fast Pass. Click here for details.
Santa’s Holiday Kickoff Parade: Santa’s Holiday Kickoff parade will begin at 1 p.m. on November 17 with the grand arrival of Santa and company. Welcome Santa as he marches in with the Worthington Kilbourne marking band and all your favorite costume characters through the mall from the Food Hall to the Santa Set.
Paws & Claus Pet Photos with Santa: Sunday, November 24 from 6 pm – 8 pm. 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.
Sensitive Santa at Polaris Mall: December 1 from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. and December 8 from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. 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.
Tuttle Mall Santa Pictures
Tuttle Mall: November 8 through December 24. Sundays are 11 am – 6 pm, Monday – Fridays hours are 11 am – 8 pm, Saturday hours are 10 am – 8 pm (hours are extended in December). 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.
Pet Photos with Santa at Tuttle Mall: November 24 from 6-8 pm. Dogs and cats are only permitted in the mall during Pet Photo Nights (with the exception of assistance dogs).
Caring Santa at Tuttle Mall: December 1 from 7am-10am. Caring Santa provides a subdued and welcoming environment for children with special needs and their families to visit Santa. RSVP here.
Heath Indian Mound Mall Santa events
Santa Photos at Indian Mound Mall: November 15 – December 24 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 through the FastPass reservation system.
Paws and Claus at Indian Mound Mall: Sunday, November 24 from 6 – 7:30 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 Arrival at Indian Mound Mall: Friday, November 30 at 6:30 pm. Santa will arrive on a fire truck at the A entrance near Massey’s Pizza. Newark Catholic Cheerleaders will escort Santa inside where we will be asking Santa what he has been up to this past year. This family friendly event will include hot chocolate, cookies, carolers, craft and balloon animals and a free community outreach performance of the Nutcracker by the Central Ohio Youth Ballet from 7 – 8 pm. Come early for the Market at the Mall with accessories, food, home decor, crafts, pet items, clothing, jewelry, and more, all day.
Wake Up Santa at Indian Mound Mall: Friday, December 6 at 10:30 am. Bring your kids to the Play Area in their pajamas and join LEADS Head Start for story time for preschoolers Friday, Dec. 6th morning at 10:30 am. They will dance, snack, craft and hear stories about Santa! Afterwards, go on a scavenger hunt around the mall to find Santa and wake him up! He might be asleep in the bounce house, AMC theater seats, or in a comfy chair somewhere…come along with us to look for him.
Breakfast with Santa at Indian Mound Mall: Saturday, December 7 from 9:30 – 11 am. Join us for a fun morning of crafts, games, balloon artist, caricature artist, Christmas bingo, costumed characters, door prizes and a yummy breakfast! Santa will be greeting children while they are eating, but no photos will be taken. He will be available for photos afterwards at his Santa set near JCPenney (fees apply). A special coupon will be handed out that morning to be used for your photos.
We will be collecting new socks for Vertical 196 (a non-profit organization helping homeless people in our community). The breakfast will be located inside the space of the Church in the Mall, near Big Sandy.
Sensitive Santa at Indian Mound Mall: Sunday, December 8 from 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM. Take part in specially curated activities in a calm holiday environment before the hustle and bustle of regular property hours. Register to meet Sensitive Santa and create magical moments for the whole family. Crafts, snacks, games and a visit with Santa are complimentary, but photo packages will be available for those interested in taking home a memento of this special event. Please use A entrance, next to Massey’s Pizza.
Cabela’s at Polaris
Santa arrives at Cabela’s on November 16 at 5 pm! Enjoy the magical tree lighting, unveiling of Santa’s Wonderland®, FREE cookies and hot chocolate, and decorate a stocking. Santa will be giving away a $25 Bass Pro Shops® Gift Card or blanket to 1 lucky winner every half hour! 5:30–7PM.
Santa Photos at Cabela’s: Santa will be available for free photos from November 17 – December 24; hours vary based on day. There are free crafts everyday, giveaways for the first 100 kids on Mon-Thurs from 5-7 pm, and you can write a letter to Santa and receive an email from Santa. A 4×6 studio quality photo with Santa is free (package options are available), and the set and Santa are authentic and festive!
The Shops at Worthington Place
Sparkle Night at The Shops at Worthington Place: Saturday, November 24 from 12-7 pm. 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: November 29 – December 24 (check here for schedule when released). 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:
Head to IKEA on December 3, from 6:00-7:00 PM, 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!
- Saturday, December 7: 2pm – 6pm
- Saturday, December 14: 2pm – 6pm
- Saturday, December 21: 2pm – 6pm
Lowes stores: Dates vary, so contact your local store. (pets may be welcome; varies per store). Sawmill location had a nice setup with Santa and Mrs. Claus last year. Take your own photos.
Santa in Marysville
Uptown Marysville Christmas Walk & Tree Lighting: Santa makes his first appearance in Marysville on December 2 from 5-8 pm.
Santa and Sweets at Raymond @ Marysville Public Library-Raymond Branch: December 3
Santa Claus at Partner’s Park in Marysville on Thursdays, December 5 – December 19 (5-7 pm), and Saturdays, December 7 – December 21 (10 am-12 pm) at Partners Park in Marysville. Free coloring and crafts are available during the hours. Bring your camera!
Pictures with Santa Claus at The Houston House: December 7 time tba. Visit with Santa at the Marysville Art League Houston House (246 West Fifth Street) and enjoy crafts, donuts and chocolate milk starting at 10:30 a.m.
Sensitive Santa at the Marysville Public Library: December 10 from 6:00 – 7:30 PM (Appointment Only). Join us for a special visit with Santa on December 10. Sensitive Santa is a private event designed for children and young adults with special needs and their families to have an opportunity to visit with and have their photo taken with Santa. Marysville Public Library is making necessary adjustments to support the sensory, physical, and other developmental needs of children of all abilities for this special event. We will be making reservations in 10 minute intervals, please call 937-642-1876 ext. 25 for more information. Registration will be available beginning November 25.
Merrysville at Marysville Public Library: December 14 at 10:00 am – 12:00 pm. Bring the family for a whole lot of holiday fun! Join us for crafts, games, cookie decorating, and a chance to win prizes!
Santa’s House in Downtown Delaware
Santa’s House in Delaware: Fridays and Saturdays, December 6-21 at the Strand Theatre. Fridays from 6 – 8 p.m., Saturdays from 1 – 3 p.m. Friday hours feature Horse-drawn carriage rides. Visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus are free, and you can take your own photo. Professional photography will be available as well; rates will be announced. Children will receive a treat from Santa to enjoy.
First Friday and the Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday, December 6 from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Music, Santa and live reindeer, and enjoy a horse drawn carriage ride
Santa’s House during Fantasy of Lights at Alum Creek: Each night November 15 through December 23 during the drive through light show at Butch Bando’s Holiday Fantasy of Lights (admission per vehicle required). Take your own photos for $5, or pay $5 to have one taken and emailed, or $10 to have a 4×6 printed before you leave.
One-time events and festivals with Santa Photo Ops
Swim with Santa at Westerville Community Center: Sunday, November 24, 2019 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.
Ohio Herb Education Center in Gahanna (110 Mill St.): December 7 and 14, 2019 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Pictures, shopping, and homemade gift-making. For more information contact 614-342-4250.
Pictures with Santa at AgPro New Albany: Saturday, December 7 from 10 am – noon. Stop by to grab a photo with Santa! Do some holiday shopping while you’re there!
Santa at the Lazarus department store in Downtown Columbus: Saturday, December 7, 2019 from 12-6 pm. 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 in the Park: Head to Bridge Park in Dublin on December 7, 14 and 21 to hang out with Santa from 2-6 PM. Once you drop off your letter and snap your festive photo, make sure to warm up with the holiday specials featured in Bridge Park bars and restaurants.
Santa at Grandview Heights Library: Saturday, December 7 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Photos with Santa and holiday activities. Tickets are required, but are free and must be picked up beginning 11/30; first come, first served.
Free Pictures with Santa at Newark Township Fire Department: Saturday, December 7 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Please join us welcoming Santa and his helpers on December 7th from 11-2. Please come and enjoy some refreshments, and have your picture taken with Santa.
Photos with Santa at Uptown Westerville Family Fun Day: Saturday, December 7 from 2 – 4 p.m. We will be offering complimentary hot cocoa, coffee, cookies and candy canes to enjoy while you enjoy visit Santa. Advance ticket purchases will be $8 for the first photo and $6 for additional copies. Advanced ticket purchases will go to the front of the line as well. Non-prepay photos will be $10 each.
Santa in the Caboose: Sunday, December 8 from 3-6 pm. 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: December 13 from 6:30 – 8:30 pm at Worthington Community Center. Annual Holiday Party with family friendly DJ, crafts, games and a visit from Santa.
Pet Photos with Santa
Howliday Bazaar and Pet Photos with Santa: Saturday, November 23 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Franklin County Dog Shelter.
Paws & Claus Pet Photos with Santa at Polaris Fashion Place: Sunday, November 24 from 6 pm – 8 pm. 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.
Pet Photos with Santa at Tuttle Mall: November 24 from 6-8 pm. Dogs and cats are only permitted in the mall during Pet Photo Nights (with the exception of assistance dogs).
Oakland Nursery Dublin: November 30 – December 21 from noon to 3:30 p.m. 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: December 7, 14 & 15. Get a digital photo of your pet with Santa for a $9.95 donation. Every donation helps save the lives of animals in need!
PetSmart Santa Pictures: December 14-15 and 21-22. Santa is coming to town & the stores for a FREE photo op!
Non-Santa Photos
Free Family Holiday Photos at Easton: December 7 and December 14 from 5-8 pm at Central Park Fountain
Other opportunities for Photos with Santa
Monday, December 9, 2019
Tuesday, December 10, 2019
Wednesday, December 11, 2019
Thursday, December 12, 2019
Friday, December 13, 2019
Saturday, December 14, 2019
Sunday, December 15, 2019
Monday, December 16, 2019
Tuesday, December 17, 2019
Wednesday, December 18, 2019
Thursday, December 19, 2019
Friday, December 20, 2019
Saturday, December 21, 2019
Sunday, December 22, 2019
Monday, December 23, 2019
Tuesday, December 24, 2019
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