So many of us love Santa Claus; (Kris Kringle, Saint Nicholas, Sinnterklaas, Père Noël, Father Christmas, Papai Noel — whichever name your family uses) this white-haired old man patron saint who is famous for giving generous gifts to the poor and for protecting children. His name lives on as a symbol of Christmas. Kindness, generosity, caring for others that are less fortunate than ourselves — LOVE. I respect others’ ideas and methods of celebrating the winter holidays, but the depiction of Santa is everywhere. Use that to teach our children to be kind to others, not just for Christmas but all year long.
With that said, here is Orlando Mom’s 25 days of Christmas Santa sightings list (in no particular order). Some are free, some with a fee, many need reservations, some are selling out fast, some are festivals, some are just a meet and greet, some are private, some offer times for special needs, some are for pets, and one is hosted by your truly!
Each of these wonderful Santa’s helpers is doing their part to help keep that magic of Christmas alive. Enjoy the upcoming holidays with your family and friends and remember to treat others as you would want to be treated.
25 days of Christmas Santa Sightings
1. Orlando Mom Collective: Snacks with Santa
When: Saturday, December 16th, 2023 from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Where: 1 Citrus Bowl PL
What: Enjoy a morning of good ole holiday family fun AND make a difference in our community!
Bring a NEW blanket for the Coalition for the Homeless!
There will be a:
- Cookie decorating station
- Ornament making station
- Dear Santa letter station
- Snow dance party area
- Photo booth area for a family photo with Santa
- Snack area for kids
Admission: $35 per child, $15 per adult
*** Tickets will NOT be sold at the door!***
Ticket sales end December 13th at 11:59 pm
2. The Florida Mall
When: November 16th – December 24th, 2023
Where: The Florida Mall
What: Take a pic with St. Nick at the Florida Mall. Reservations Encouraged. Walk-up guests welcome! Picture packages start at $39.99.
Private sessions are available with Caring Santa, a special, sensory-friendly experience for children with special needs and their families on December 3rd. Reservations are required for this private photo experience.
You can also book a session for your pets on December 10. Reservations are required.
3. Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro
When: November 4 – December 24, 2023
Where: Any Bass Pro Shop
What: Enjoy a FREE 4×6 studio-quality print photo with Santa. During your visit, families can mail their letters to Santa and receive free giveaways while supplies last. Advance reservations are required.
4. Santa at Avalon Aglow – Avalon Park, Orlando
When: December 2nd, 2023 from 3:00 pm – 9:00 pm.
Where: 13401 Tanja King Blvd. Orlando, FL 32828
What: Watch as Avalon Park transforms into a winter wonderland with real snow, train rides, and even an appearance by Santa Claus. After enjoying the festivities, make sure to grab a bite to eat from one of the many vendors and watch the holiday parade or even one of the local live performances. Finish off the night at Avalon Lake to enjoy Orlando’s premier fireworks show! Grab some chairs and blankets to sit back with your family and friends to finish off the night with a bang. This event is free for everyone to enjoy.
5. Milk and Cookies with Santa – Avalon Park, Orlando
When: December 9th from 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Where: 13013 Founders Square Dr, Orlando, FL
What: Join us in Founders Square at the Avalon Park Arts & Culture Center for Milk and Cookies. Santa will choose 1 child to read their story to the group at the event, the winner will also receive a special prize. Stay and get your picture taken with Santa!
Event is free! Registration is required, spaces are limited.
6. Mall at Millenia Santa Experience
When: November 11th – December 24th
Where: 4200 Conroy Rd, Orlando, FL 32839
What: Picture packages start at $29.95. Must make a reservation in advance and online. We welcome those visiting Santa and not purchasing photos, a reservation is still required and we request a $10 donation to Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children.
7. Gaylord Palms
When: November 17th – December 24th
Where: 6000 W Osceola Pkwy, Kissimmee, FL 34746
What: Mailing a letter to the North Pole is great, but nothing can beat a personal visit with Santa Claus to let him know what you want for Christmas and make sure you’re on his nice list. Capture the moment with a keepsake photo.
Reservation required. Photo packages starting at $40.
8. The Paper Store
When: Saturday, December 9th from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Where: 479 N Alafaya Trail, Orlando, FL 32828
What: Free! Take your picture with Santa, write him a letter and listen to Santa read Night Before Christmas during the last 15 minutes of his visit.
9. Disney Springs
When: November 10th – December 24th, 2023
What: A virtual queue will be in place to meet Santa Claus at Once Upon A Toy. There will be multiple opportunities to enter the virtual queue throughout the day at:
- 9:00 AM
- 11:30 AM
- 2:00 PM
- 4:30 PM
- 7:00 PM
Important Information: Guests must be at Disney Springs in order to enter the virtual queue.
10. Icon Park’s Santa Workshop Experience
When: November 10th – December 24th
What: Icon Park will be transformed into a winter wonderland, come and see the new Santa Workshop Experience! Free covered parking, complimentary valet after 4pm and a free ride on the Wheel in a festive capsule for kids with photo purchase, plus discounted rates for additional riders.
Reservations needed, photo packages start at $30.95
11. Now Snowing – Celebration Town Center
When: November 25th – December 24th
Where: 610 Sycamore St Suite 220, Celebration, FL 34747
What: Now Snowing is a month-long Winter Wonderland Spectacular featuring strolling Charles Dickens-style Carolers, photos with Santa, horse-drawn carriage rides, train rides, ice skating, and nightly snowfall at 6:00, 7:00, 8:00, and 9:00 pm. It’s a true throwback to the traditional family-style holiday.
Pictures with Santa are offered Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm.
Prices start at $29.95
For more information: 407-512-0662 or on the web at www.towncenterphotos.com
12. Santa’s Cottage Lake Nona Town Center
When: December 8th – 23rd
Where: Lake Nona Town Center
What: Visit Santa and Mrs. Claus for story time and a sing-along experience, then meet and greet St. Nick and his sweetheart and take the perfect holiday photo with them. Santa has a busy schedule between now and Christmas, so please make a reservation before you come by to visit.
Ticket admission starts at $35 per person.
13. Santa’s Enchanted Workshop Orlando
When: Now until Christmas Day
Where: 15757 State Road 535 Orlando, FL 32821(321) 775-4001
What: You’re invited to a magical place where childhood dreams come to life. Enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime experience with your little ones during your family’s one-hour private visit with Santa in his workshop. Our artists will then craft hand-finished art pieces for your family to cherish this memory for generations to come.
14. Altamonte Mall – Magic of the Season
When: Now until December 24th
Where: 451 E Altamonte Dr Suite 2165
What: Magic of the Season at Altamonte Mall will be offering three events:
- Pictures with Santa: Don’t miss out on taking memorable pics with the Big Guy
- Santa Pet Pictures: Get your furry friends together to capture paw-fect pics with St. Nick!
- Santa Cares Day: Join us for a sensory-friendly visit and photos with Santa!
Reservations are required.
15. Oviedo Mall – Pictures with Santa
The Oviedo Mall will be hosting three different types of photo sessions you can choose from. Please pay attention to the dates and times for each one. Also, reservations ARe required. Picture packages start at $39.99
- Pictures with Santa: November 24th – December 24th
- Sensory Friendly Santa: December 3rd 10:30 am – 11:30 am | December 10th 10:30 am – 11:30 am | December 17th 10:30 am – 11:30 am
- Pet Photos With Santa: November 25th 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm | December 2nd 11:00 am – 3:00 pm | December 11th 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm | December 18th 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
16. Magic Illumination Christmas Parade
When: December 8th, at 6:00 pm
Where: Main Street Bartow
What: Main Street Bartown will be hosting a local parade with a light show and the arrival of Santa.
If you would like to participate in the event, click here for more information.
17. Cookie Crawl and Tree Lighting – Cocoa Beach
When: December 7th, from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Where: Downtown Cocoa Beach
What: Enjoy visiting the downtown shops while nibbling on yummy cookies. Take advantage of some last-minute shopping and unique gift ideas. Surfing Santa on-site for pics.
The lighting of our big 20’ Christmas Tree at Coconuts on the Beach finishes the night with a Kids Choir caroling. And there is talk of snow flurries!
18. Annual Tree Lighting (Winter Garden & Clermont)
When: December 1st starting at 6:00 pm
Where: Downtown Winter Garden OR Downtown Clermont
What: Join us downtown for our annual tree lighting at City Hall in either Downtown Winter Garden or Downtown Clermont. There will be live music, food trucks, DJ, music, carolers, a photo opportunity with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and more!
19. Holiday Parade & Winterfest
When: December 2nd starting at 4:00 pm
Where: Baldwin Park
What: This family-friendly event begins with a holiday festival featuring live holiday performances, artists, vendors, food, shopping, stilt walkers, balloon artists, and photos with Santa. In the evening, there will be an illuminated parade along with the annual lighting of the holiday tree.
20. Amber Brook Farms (Eustis)
When: Saturdays and Sundays from December 9th to December 17th.
Where: 36111 County Rd 44A, Eustis, FL 32736
What: We love to help you bring the holidays to life for a farm winter wonderland full of sweet strawberries, Christmas spirit, and seasonal treats!
Tickets are $15 (plus tax and processing) online & $18 at the gate.
Seasonal Offerings:
- Free photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus (11:00 am – 4:00 pm) plus Christmas photo-ops
- Hot chocolate, fire pits & s’mores, and strawberry U-Pick.
21. Santa Tuesday at Cranes Roost
When: December 19th from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Where: 274 Cranes Roost Blvd. Altamonte Springs, FL 32701
What: The City of Altamonte Springs is excited to offer Santa Tuesday. Bring your camera and wish list to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Cranes Roost Park tower. Pets are not permitted.
22. Wall Crawl Orlando
When: Select days in November & December
Where: 1016 W Church St, Orlando, FL 32805
What: With our designated Santa Sessions, you’ll enjoy a one-hour semi-private experience with Santa -including stories, songs, and of course – photos! This is especially great for kids who are unsure about Santa. It gives them ample time to get comfortable Santa.
During the hour, you can take as many photos with your own cameras and phones as you would like. You can upgrade your experience by adding a photo package with one of our pro photographers. When you purchase a photo package, we will email you a proof gallery so you select which pictures you want from the comfort of your home. We edit the ones you select and those digital files are yours to keep!
Prices start at $30 per child and $40 per adult.
23. Wekiva Island’s Winter Wonderland
When: Select nights in December, starting on December 1st.
Where: 1014 Miami Springs Drive, Longwood, FL 32779
What: Wekiva Island’s long-awaited Winter Wonderland is back again, and we’re excited to celebrate the festive season all December long. In addition to our well-loved activities like daily “snow” flurries, the Christmas tree forest and our 24-ft tall tree, and visits from your favorite Christmas characters, Santa is inviting all the good boys and girls for the first time ever to his Workshop, right here at Wekiva Island.
24. Cookies with Santa with the Homes to Sell Team
When: December 4th from 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Where: 200 West New England Avenue Winter Park, FL 32789
What: Ho, ho, ho! Join Dan Grieb & The Keller Williams Home to Sell team, for a jolly good time at Cookies with Santa!.
Bring your little ones along to meet the man in the red suit himself, Santa Claus! They’ll have a chance to share their Christmas wishes, take memorable photos, and enjoy delicious cookies. It’s the perfect opportunity to get into the holiday spirit!
25. The Florida Santa – Fazolis Clermont
When: December 2nd from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Where: 1913 S Hwy 27, Clermont, FL 34711
What: Meet and Greet Dine-In Experience. Mark your calendars for a memorable family-friendly event! Selfies with Santa and family are encouraged.
First published 11/12/22, updated 11/27/23
