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Pictures with Santa Claus in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia

Take pictures with Santa and enjoy loads of other holiday activities at Gaylord National Resort. Photo courtesy of Gaylord National
Take pictures with Santa and enjoy loads of other holiday activities at Gaylord National Resort. Photo courtesy of Gaylord National
11/26/23 - By Jennifer Swope

The holiday season is full of festive photo ops, including the most important photos of all: pictures with Santa. There are so many places for families to meet Santa Claus and take Santa photos throughout DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. You can take pictures with Santa at the mall, visit him at fun events, and even see him on the rails at the National Capital Trolley Museum.

Many visits with Santa are free with the option to purchase photo packages, but there are even some places where you can get free pictures with Santa. Don't forget to secure a reservation ahead of time at most of these places—Santa is very busy this time of year.

Read on for our list of places to take Santa pictures near DC. Then check out our Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for DC Kids, which includes our roundups of must-do Christmas events and holiday activities in DC, where to have breakfast with Santa in the DC area, and more. Happy holidays!

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Spend a Family Fun Day with Santa! Photo courtesy of Publick Playhouse
Spend a Family Fun Day with Santa! Photo courtesy of Publick Playhouse

Pictures with Santa at Fun Events in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia

Maryland Christmas Show (at Frederick Co. Fairgrounds)

Frederick, MD
Fridays - Sundays, November 17-26, 2023
The annual Maryland Christmas Show includes seven buildings of local artists and craftspeople offering fine art, pottery, furniture, jewelry, clothing, wreaths and garlands, toys, and Christmas ornaments. There is also a food pavilion with lots of holiday goodies, and Santa is there to visit and take pictures with kids. READ MORE

Photos with Santa at Gaylord National

National Harbor, MD
Daily, November 19 - December 24, 2023
Visit with Santa and capture the moment with a keepsake photo. Various photo packages are available for pre-purchase online. READ MORE

Enchant Christmas: Reindeer Games

Washington, DC
Daily, November 24 - December 31, 2023
Enchant Christmas includes a giant light maze, a magical ice skating trail, a kids' play place, live music, and a Christmas market and eatery. Kids can also have professional photos taken with Santa and enjoy storytime with Mrs. Claus. READ MORE

Santa at Mosaic

Fairfax, VA
Various dates, November 24 - December 24, 2023
Santa returns to Mosaic this year. Come and get family photos with him. READ MORE

Maggiano's Chevy Chase Breakfast with Santa

Washington, DC
Sunday, November 26, 2023
Join Santa and Mrs. Claus for a delicious breakfast buffet and holiday-themed crafts. Kids can also write letters to Santa and make their own "magic reindeer food" with the help of Santa's elves. Pictures with Santa are encouraged, so bring your cameras. READ MORE

Winterfest (in Reston, VA)

Reston, VA
Thursday - Saturday, November 30 - December 2, 2023
Reston Association's Winterfest includes a 0.41-mile lighted trail walk through the Enchanted Forest and a visit to the Vendor Village with luminaries, fire pits, musical performances, food, drinks, and keepsakes. Kids also have an opportunity to meet and write a letter to Santa and do a craft as part of the Santa Experience. Bring a camera to capture a photo with Santa.  READ MORE

Santa's Suite at Fairmont Georgetown

Washington, DC
Saturdays & Sundays, December 2-17, 2023
Santa and his elves are heading to the Santa Suite at the Fairmont Washington, DC, Georgetown. This year's Suite is a whimsical winter wonderland set up for Santa and his special guests, including Garfield, Winnie the Pooh, Elsa, Skye, Peppa Pig, Sponge Bob, Mickey Mouse, and Harry Potter are just a few of his friends. Families can enjoy 15-minute visits of up to 10 people to the Suite, where they can eat gingerbread treats and write letters to Santa.  READ MORE

Holly Trolley Fest

Colesville, MD
Saturdays & Sundays, December 2-23, 2023
The National Trolley Museum presents its annual Holly Trolley Fest. Families can ride the street cars, visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, enjoy a holiday model railroad display, do crafts, and more.  READ MORE

Santa's Farm Fest at Green Meadows Farm

Ijamsville, MD
Saturdays & Sundays, December 2-10, 2023
Santa is coming to Green Meadows Farm. Visitors can meet Santa, take pictures with the Grinch and his sleigh, see the animal barn, warm up in the heated stables and around firepits (s'mores kits are available for purchase), enjoy a Frozen-themed snow globe with Elsa and Olaf, take a holiday hayride, and purchase food. READ MORE

Family Fun Day with Santa at Publick Playhouse

Cheverly, MD
Sunday, December 10, 2023
Get in the community holiday spirit at Publick Playhouse's annual December Family Fun Day. Enjoy a classic holiday film, a sweet treat, and a chance to visit with a special someone from the North Pole. READ MORE
Visit Santa's Winter Wonderland at Tysons Corner Center. Photo courtesy of Tysons Corner
Visit Santa's Winter Wonderland at Tysons Corner Center. Photo courtesy of Tysons Corner

Pictures with Santa at the Mall in Northern Virginia and Maryland

Santa's Flight Academy

Fairfax, VA Daily, November 9 - December 24, 2023 (except November 23)
Head to Fair Oaks Mall to attend Santa's Flight Academy. Kids receive a personalized badge, then make their way through interactive stations including a Flight Suit Visualizer, a Flight Navigation Station, and a snow and light show. At the end, they can meet and take pictures with Santa. READ MORE

The Magic of Santa at Tysons Corner

Tysons, VA
Daily, November 9 - December 24, 2023 (except November 23)
Visit Santa's winter wonderland and tell Santa your Christmas wish. A visit with Santa is always free and photo packages are available for purchase. December 3 from 9:30-10:30am is a sensory-sensitive visit with Santa. READ MORE

Photos with Santa at Springfield Town Center

Springfield, VA
Daily, November 11 - December 24, 2023 (except November 23)
Have a professional photo taken with Santa at Springfield Town Center. On Mondays from November 11 - December 18, pets can also take a photo with Santa from 11am-8pm. Online reservations are strongly recommended. READ MORE

Pictures with Santa at Pentagon City Mall

Arlington, VA
Daily, November 17 - December 24, 2023
Santa is at Fashion Centre at Pentagon City. Beat the rush and lock in the day and time for a visit as reservations fill up quickly. READ MORE

Pictures with Black Santa at PG Mall

Hyattsville, MD
Daily, November 18 - December 24, 2023 (except November 23)
Visit Black Santa in Center Court to capture holiday memories. Reservations are strongly recommended. Digital photo packages are available with options to purchase prints.  READ MORE

Photos with Santa at Ellsworth Place

Silver Spring, MD
Various dates, November 19 - December 24, 2023
Ho, ho, ho! 'Tis the season for Santa and smiles. Children can meet Santa, tell him their wishes, and take a photo.  READ MORE
Santa's Wonderland is the perfect place to meet the man himself. Photo courtesy of Bass Pro Shops
Santa's Wonderland is the perfect place to meet the man himself. Photo courtesy of Bass Pro Shops

Free Pictures with Santa in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia

Santa's Wonderland at Cabela's

Gainesville, VA
Daily through Sunday, December 24, 2023
Visit Santa at his wonderland in Cabela's and get a free 4x6 photo with him. Kids can also mail their letters to Santa and receive free giveaways. READ MORE

Santa's Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops

Hanover, MD
Daily through Sunday, December 24, 2023
Get a free 4x6 photo with Santa Claus at Santa's Wonderland in Bass Pro Shops. Kids can also mail their letters to Santa and receive free giveaways. READ MORE

The District's Holiday Boat Parade

Washington, DC
Saturday, December 2, 2023
More than 60 beautifully decorated boats pass by the Wharf at this iconic annual DC holiday event. Other activities include ornament decorating, s'mores, family photos with Santa, and live music under the Wharf's Christmas tree. READ MORE

Bethesda Winter Wonderland

Bethesda, MD
Saturday, December 2, 2023
Celebrate the holiday season with Santa at the Norfolk Avenue Streetery in downtown Bethesda. Enjoy live ice sculpting, live music, and more. READ MORE

Fairfax City Holiday Market

Fairfax, VA
Sunday, December 3, 2023
Shop for holiday gifts from local artisans and small businesses at the Fairfax City Holiday Market. On Sunday, December 8, bring a camera to take a free photo with Santa.  READ MORE

Visit with Santa at the National Museum of the Marine Corps

Triangle, VA
Saturday, December 9, 2023
Ho, ho, ho! Celebrate the joy and excitement of the holiday season during one of Santa's two visits to the National Museum of the Marine Corps. Enjoy holiday-themed activities and crafts while waiting to meet the jolly old elf. Bring your own camera to take a photo with Santa.  READ MORE

Breakfast with Santa at Courtyard by Marriott Silver Spring Downtown

Silver Spring, MD
Saturday, December 9, 2023
Families can enjoy a delicious breakfast and take pictures with Santa free of cost. However, the hotel requests that each guest donate three canned goods for the local shelter. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center
Brown's Chapel Recreation Area
Fairmont Washington, DC, Georgetown
Courtyard by Marriott Silver Spring Downtown