santa claus in Tampa Bay

Where to Take Pictures with Santa in Tampa Bay in 2024

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It’s that time again to answer the question…where can I take pictures with Santa in Tampa Bay? Lucky you for calling Tampa Bay home because the jolly old elf is making his rounds throughout the area, so there’s no shortage of ways to experience the magic of Santa. (Can you blame him? Tampa Bay is AWESOME!)

Each year, we put together a list of our favorite places to see Santa in Tampa Bay, and each year, the list grows!

Patel Conservatory dancers perform as baby mice in Next Generation Ballet's production of Nutcracker.

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Keep in mind that it may take some extra planning as reservations are strongly recommended or even required at some places. We’ll continue to update this page as new dates and visits are added. Dates and events are subject to change.

Photos with Santa in Tampa Bay: Featured Favorites 

Santa's House at Busch Gardens Christmas Town elves
The kids loved chatting with Santa’s elves at Busch Gardens while we waited our turn to visit the jolly old elf!

Santa at Busch Gardens Christmas Town

  • Dates: November 15, 2024 through January 5, 2025
  • Santa’s North Pole Experience: Wander through the sparkling lights around the park as you make your way to the North Pole for this sweet Santa experience! Jolly elves will guide guests to visit Santa in his workshop as he prepares for the holiday season. It’s one of the sweetest ways to visit with Santa and his elves!

Santa’s Flight Academy at International Plaza 

  • Dates: Now through December 24, 2024.
  • Santa’s Flight Academy, presented by Morgan Automotive Group, is a state-of-the-art, immersive Santa experience for kids and kids-at-heart. The 3,000 sq. ft. experience is a personalized holiday adventure featuring a 22’ tall sleigh. Each visiting cadet receives a flight crew badge then, as an elite member of Santa’s flight crew, is fitted with a virtual flight suit. The visit culminates with a snowfall dance party and, of course, time with Santa. Check times HERE and make reservations in advance.

Santa at Bass Pro Shops in Tampa

  • Dates: Now through December 24, 2024
  • FREE reservations are strongly suggested at all locations to secure your spot. Reservations may be made within a 7-day timeframe. Reserve your Santa visit time slot.
  • Santa is back at Bass Pro Shop’s FREE Santa’s Wonderland experience! There will also be games and events for the whole family, carousel rides, and holiday craft gift bags to take home.

Tampa Bay’s Festival of Lights and Santa’s Village at the Hillsborough County Fairgrounds

  • Dates: Now through December 29, 2024.
  • Tampa Bay’s Festival of Lights & Santa’s Village immerses everyone in holiday fun with family favorites and new attractions, making it bigger and better than ever! The fairgrounds are enveloped in 1 million lights with a 2-mile drive-thru of elaborate displays. The expanded Santa’s Village will feature an Arctic Plunge Inflatable Snow Tube, holiday-themed rides, a self-guided walking tour of Hometown Hillsborough Historical Village, visits with Santa, camel rides, holiday movies, tasty treats, and more!
  • Visit hillsboroughcountyfair.com/festival-of-lights for details on hours and ticket prices.

Santa at ZooTampa’s Christmas in the Wild

  • Dates: Now -December 23, 2024 on select nights
  • Christmas in the Wild: Be sure to make your way to Twinkle Town Marketplace to meet Santa and take a photo with him in front of his sleigh.

LEGO Santa at LEGOLAND Florida Resort

  • Dates: Now-December 31, 2024. Select dates during Holidays at LEGOLAND Florida
  • Meet LEGO Santa and more LEGO characters during this beloved holiday-themed event!

Santa at The Florida Aquarium: Yuletides event

  • Dates: Select dates Now – January 5, 2025 
  • A Sensory-Friendly Yuletides event with Santa will be held on Saturday, December 8, from 8 am to 9:30 am.

Santa at MOSI: Santa’s Scientific Workshop

  • December 14, 2024, from 5:30 pm-8:30 pm
  • Join MOSI and the jolly old elf for a scientific sleigh ride into the world of discovery! Feel free to take your own picture with Santa, join in the hands-on activities, and even mail your letter to the North Pole to make sure Santa doesn’t forget those special requests! Santa’s Workshop is included with MOSI admission.

Santa at Dinosaur World Florida

  • Now-January 5, 2025
  • Dinosaur World is upping its holiday game by adding holiday lights and fun holiday-themed activities, including a meet and greet with Santa!

Santa at Hyde Park Village in South Tampa 

  • Dates: Now-December 22, 2024 on select days
  • Santa will be popping in at Hyde Park Village for visits and photos at various shops throughout the village. Each shop will host Santa on their designated day, so check here for updates: hydeparkvillage.com 

Breakfast with Santa at Clearwater Marine Aquarium

  • Date: December 21, 9:30 am-12:00 pm
  • Meet Santa under the sea! Tickets include a gourmet breakfast buffet in the enchanting aquarium, Holiday crafts, a hot chocolate and mimosa bar, and a Picture with Santa, who makes a special underwater appearance! Access to the aquarium for one hour before regular guest admission is also included.

Santa Photos at Tampa Bay Area Shopping Centers

Santa’s visit at several Tampa Bay Area malls and shopping centers is being orchestrated by Cherry Hill Productions to ensure memorable photos with Santa! Advanced reservations are strongly encouraged.

Santa arrives at the following locations in November at various dates, and will visit daily through Christmas Eve–there are some days off and varying hours, so check with each location when you make your online reservation.

Santa at International Plaza in Tampa.
Santa at International Plaza in Tampa.

Santa at International Plaza: Arrives November 7, 2024

Santa at Westshore Plaza: Arrives November 27, 2024

Santa at Westfield Brandon: Arrives November 14, 2024

Santa at The Shops at Wiregrass: Arrives November 9, 2024

Santa at Tyrone Square: Arrives November 22, 2024

Santa at Gulf View Square: Arrives November 27, 2024

Santa at Lakeland Square: Arrives November 21, 2024

MORE Special Events Featuring Santa Claus in Tampa Bay

Gallagher’s Pumpkins and Christmas Trees in St. Petersburg  

  • Opens November 20, 2024
  • Head to the Insta-worthy Gallagher’s in St. Pete to pick up your Christmas Tree and experience more holiday fun like the snow machine, visits with Santa on select dates and times, apple cider with donuts, poinsettias, and more!

Wonderland of Christmas Lights & Santa’s Christmas Village in Auburndale

  • Dates: Now- December 29, 2024
  • This is a drive-through Christmas lights event in Tampa!  First, you and your family will drive through Christmas lights for a mile to experience spectacular lights, and next, if you choose, after seeing the drive-through Christmas lights you can make a visit to Santa’s Village at the end of the drive-through Christmas lights!  Santa’s Village features rides, entertainment, a visit with Santa, and Holiday activities for children and adults of all ages! The International Market World, 1052 US-92 in Auburndale.

Santa at Chick-Fil-A on Waters Avenue 

    • Select dates Now – January 4, 2024
    • Visit the most festive Chick-Fil-A in Tampa Bay and check out their annual Christmas lights display! Santa will be there on select dates so be sure to stop by and say hello.

Raprager Family Farms Winter Festival and Christmas Extravaganza

  • Dates: Now – December 22, 2024, select dates and times.
  • Raprager Family Farm is exploding with Christmas cheer! Lights and decorations blanket the farm. Hear stories from Mrs. Claus and then pay a visit to Santa and take pictures with him at his workshop.

Christmas Lane in Plant City

  • Dates: Select nights Now – December 24, 2024
  • The Florida Strawberry Festival fairgrounds is transformed into an enchanting winter wonderland with 1.5 million lights that adorn 200 Christmas trees from 4 to 40 feet. They will have rides, food, live entertainment, and a kids’ zone. Santa, Mrs. Claus, and Rudolph will be there to celebrate and take festive photos with guests.

North Pole Express at Florida Railroad Museum

  • Dates: Select nights Now through December 22, 2024
  • Climb aboard the North Pole Express and ride to the North Pole station, where Santa awaits your visit! He even has a special gift to give each child before they leave. There will be thousands of Christmas lights, hot cocoa, and activities as well. This popular event sells out quickly, but there are a few more open spaces available.

DK Farm’s Christmas at The Farm

  • Dates: Select nights December 6-27, 2024, from 5 pm- 9 pm
  • Enjoy the farm in a whole new perspective! There will be tons of entertainment designed for all ages. There will be photo ops with Santa (weekends only), campfires, hayrides, a bounce house, a snow machine, and more. Tickets can be purchased online in advance.

Santa Fest and Tampa’s Christmas Parade

  • Date: December 7, 2024
  • Cheer on the sights and sounds of the holiday season at this mile-long parade boasting brightly colored floats, bands, drum lines, characters, and more! Watch Santa and his elves as they arrive in Tampa Bay. Head to Curtis Hixon Park after the parade for holiday entertainment, games, and activities, and get your picture taken with Santa.

Santa and Mrs. Claus at Armature Works 

  • Dates: December 7, 14, and 21, 2024  from 1 pm-4 pm
  • Kids can visit with Santa on the South Lawn near the Armature Works Christmas Tree. Don’t forget to bring an unwrapped toy to donate for the Toys for Tots toy drive.

Santa in the Park at North Straub Park in St Pete

    • Dates: December 14-23, 2024, from 6-9 pm
    • Be sure to bring your own camera.

PJ’s, Popcorn, and Pictures with Santa at The Woodson

  • December 21, 2024, from 10 am-1 pm
  • Location: Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum, 2240 9th Avenue S, St. Pete
  • Registration required. To register, email woodsonmuseum@gmail.com.

Write a Letter to Santa

Write a letter to Santa via the USPS’s “Greetings from the North Pole”

Your child can write a letter to Santa and send it directly to the North Pole and even receive a letter back from the jolly old elf with a North Pole postmark! You’ll want to get the letter in the mail by December 1, 2024 and it’ll take a few extra steps on your end as the parent, but well worth the effort!

Breakfast with Santa

Breakfast with Santa is a great way to let your kids see the big guy up close and personal. Fill the season with holiday cheer with one of these great breakfast with Santa options.

Breakfast with Santa at Clearwater Marine Aquarium

When: Saturday, December 21, 2024
Price: $65

Bring the whole family to celebrate the holiday season at Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s Breakfast with Santa! Enjoy a memorable morning filled with holiday spirit, delicious food, festive crafts, and a chance to meet Santa himself! Whether you’re crafting ornaments, sipping hot cocoa, or taking photos with Santa, there’s holiday cheer for everyone. Join us to make lasting memories in this enchanting holiday setting! Price:  $65

Santa Brunch Cruise With Yacht StarShip

When: December 15 & 22, 2024, 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Price: Tickets start at $59.95 for adults and $44.95 for kids 2-12

Santa is soaking up a little sunshine with brunch on Yacht StarShip. Cruisers get a chance to snap a special photo with Santa at boarding, followed by tasty brunch and great views from the deck.

The whole ship will be decked out with holiday cheer. Yacht StarShip promises enchanted surprises during the two-hour cruise.

Santa poses on the Yacht StarShip for Breakfast with Santa in Tampa Bay - Image from Yacht StarShip
Breakfast with Santa in Tampa Bay – Image from Yacht StarShip

Breakfast with Santa at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park

  • 2024 TBA
  • Breakfast with Santa is back at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park! This is a chance to join the jolly old elf at the beloved state park for a morning of pancakes, eggs, and more! There will be plenty of photo opps with Santa, the elves, and of course…the mermaids!

 

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