North Carolina

Here are the 15+ places in the Charlotte area where kids can get free photos with Santa

Here’s where you can get pictures with Santa in the Charlotte area this year.
Here’s where you can get pictures with Santa in the Charlotte area this year. Jingle Bowl at Ballantyne

Christmas is still weeks away, but Santa’s sleigh has already arrived in the Queen City.

Santa and his helpers from the North Pole will be busy this year, making appearances at many places around Charlotte to take pictures and read letters from children who made the “nice” list.

There are a few opportunities for your four-legged friends to pose for a photo with Saint Nick, too.

We’ll update this list throughout December, so bookmark it online and check back often. If there’s anything we missed, let us know by emailing charlottefive@charlottefive.com.

Here’s where you can get pictures with Santa in the Charlotte area.

Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s

Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s are hosting Santa’s Wonderland events where kids can get free pictures through Christmas Eve.

Charlotte Premium Outlets

Photos with Santa will be available daily inside the Market Hall food court, but reservations are encouraged. There’s also a Crafts with Santa event on Saturday, Dec. 7 from noon-3 p.m.

Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens

Santa will be at Holidays at the Garden on Saturdays and Sundays until Sunday, Dec. 22. The event also includes rides on the holiday train and an adults-only speakeasy with exclusive holiday cocktails.

  • Location: 6500 S. New Hope Rd. in Belmont
  • When: Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 22, 5-10 p.m.
  • Price: Ticket prices range from $18-$24 and children under two get free admission. Tickets can purchased at the door or online.

Kannapolis Celebration of Lights and Winterland Express

Get a photo with Santa, make holiday crafts, roast s’mores around a fire pit and more at this celebration in Kannapolis.

  • Location: Village Park, 700 W. C St., Kannapolis, NC 28081
  • When: Through Monday, Dec. 30, 6-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 6-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays (closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day).
  • Price: Free

Northlake Mall

Santa will be at Northlake Mall until Christmas Eve, leaving plenty of time for him to take pictures with every kid.

Titus Hopper poses for a portrait dressed in his Santa Claus costume at his home in Kings Mountain, N.C., on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. Hopper graduated from the Northern Lights Santa Academy and has done many community events as well as private parties for celebrities like Nick Cannon.
Titus Hopper poses for a portrait dressed in his Santa Claus costume at his home in Kings Mountain, N.C., on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. Hopper graduated from the Northern Lights Santa Academy and has done many community events as well as private parties for celebrities like Nick Cannon. Khadejeh Nikouyeh Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com

SouthPark

You can book a slot for your kids to take a photo with Santa at SouthPark, through Christmas Eve. Caring Santa, an event designed for children in need of a sensory-friendly holiday environment, will take place Sunday, Dec. 8, 9-10:30 a.m.

Speedway Christmas

Speedway Christmas includes nearly 5 million lights across a four-mile course with hundreds of creative displays and lights synchronized to holiday tunes. The infield Christmas Village is open Thursday-Sunday nights, with attractions including photos with Santa, merchandise vendors, food and beverages, fire pits for roasting s’mores and more.

  • Location: Charlotte Motor Speedway, 5555 Concord Pkwy S. in Concord
  • When: Through Sunday Jan. 5, 6-10 p.m., rain or shine. (Closed Christmas Eve)
  • Price: Tickets for a car pass start at $35 Monday-Wednesday and $45 Thursday-Sunday with a maximum of 15 passengers. For $75, guests can skip the line and use the Express Lane at Entrance P off of Morehead Road. Buy online.

Coca-Cola Caravan

The Coca-Cola Carvan is making eight stops in the Charlotte area this year, where you can get a printed or digital photo with Santa, free Coke beverages and shop for branded merch.

  • Huntersville Lowe’s: Wednesday, Dec. 4 (12-2:30 p.m.) at 16830 Statesville Rd.
  • Concord Walmart: Wednesday, Dec. 4 (6-8:30 p.m.) at 5825 Thunder Rd. NW
  • Concord Harris Teeter: Thursday, Dec. 5 (12-2:30 p.m.) at 9900 Poplar Tent Rd.
  • Charlotte Harris Teeter: Thursday, Dec. 5 (6-8:30 p.m.) at 15007 John J Delaney Dr.
  • Charlotte Uptown Holiday Christmas Market: Saturday, Dec. 7 (1-4 p.m.) at 324 S Mint St.
  • Belmont McDonald’s: Saturday, Dec. 7 (7-9:30 p.m.) at 505 N Main St.
  • Forest City Walmart: Sunday, Dec. 8 (12-2:30 p.m.) at 197 Plaza Dr. Ext
  • Shelby Walmart: Sunday, Dec. 8 (6-8:30 p.m.) at 705 E Dixon Blvd.

Phillips Place Holiday Celebration

Get photos with Santa & Mrs. Claus, enjoy face-painting and balloon art, and listen to traveling Christmas carolers and other musical performances. Stores will also offer shopping offers, in-store experiences and seasonal treats and beverages.

Christmas in Davidson

Guests can enjoy photos with Santa, a Holiday light show, roving entertainment, live nativity scenes, bubble snowflakes, gifts from the artisan village and a children’s craft area.

  • Location: Downtown Davidson
  • When: Thursday, Dec. 5 to Saturday, Dec. 7, 6-9 p.m. daily
  • Price: Free

Jingle Bowl at Ballantyne

Celebrate the holidays with free selfies with Santa, a s’mores station, a hot cocoa bar and cookie decorating. A live DJ and characters from Disney’s Frozen will be on hand, and you can visit the Christmas Market at OMB to shop for gifts.

Huntersville Holiday Market

Head to downtown Huntersville for the town’s annual holiday market on Saturday, Dec. 7 to for a photo with Santa, free children’s rides, artisan ice sculptures, holiday performances and more.

  • Location: Downtown Huntersville, Main Street from Huntersville-Concord Road to Bigham Street and Maxwell Avenue from Huntersville-Concord Road to Huntersville ARP Church
  • When: Dec. 7, 3-8 p.m.
  • Price: Free

Winter Wonderlights

Enjoy face painters, holiday crafts, caricature artists, Curley the Clown balloon twisting and more before Santa makes an appearance for photos.

Santa at Cotswold Village

Snap a photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus and some free tasty treats from The Butler’s Pantry. The couple will begin their journey at The Courtyard, next to Panera Bread.

Classic Christmas in Mooresville

Pose for a picture with Santa, strap on your skates and hit the ice, take a ride on the carousel and enjoy performances from Christmas carolers in the heart of downtown Mooresville.

Santa will ride through downtown during the Kannapolis Christmas Parade.
Santa will ride through downtown during the Kannapolis Christmas Parade. Explore Cabarrus

Letters to Santa at The Arboretum

Kids can meet Santa and take a picture with him, drop their letters into Santa’s mailbox and enjoy face painting, live entertainment and holiday giveaways.

Merry Midtown at Metropolitan

Take your kids to get a free digital picture with Santa, cookies, photo-ops with the Grinch, face painting and more. The event is first come, first serve and will be located by the greenway entrance between Dressler’s and Clean Your Dirty Face.

PetSmart

Bring your furry friend and take a picture with Santa, and enjoy deals on toys just in time for the holidays.

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This story was originally published December 3, 2024 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Here are the 15+ places in the Charlotte area where kids can get free photos with Santa."

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Evan Moore
The Charlotte Observer
Evan Moore is a service journalism reporter for the Charlotte Observer. He grew up in Denver, North Carolina, where he previously worked as a reporter for the Denver Citizen, and is a UNC Charlotte graduate.
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