Best Places in DFW for Photos with Santa in 2021
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Jay Marks
Jay has been selling real estate since 1993 and has had the opportunity to help several thousand clients buy and sell real estate over those 30-plus y...
Jay has been selling real estate since 1993 and has had the opportunity to help several thousand clients buy and sell real estate over those 30-plus y...
Whether your kid smiles perfectly for the camera or screams through the whole visit, there's just something special about having those memories and photos of visiting Santa Claus.
Santa can be found at fantastic locations all over Dallas-Fort Worth. Here are some of our favorites.
Dallas County
Santaland at the Dallas Galleria
When: Friday, November 19-Friday, December 24, 2021
Where: Dallas Galleria, Level 1 Near Banana Republic
Cost: Digital Photo Package for $44; See website for other pricing details
Get on board the Santaland Express, a multi-sensory, immersive train experience that takes you on a journey through an enchanted forest with photo ops along the way before you finally arrive at Santa's chalet hideaway.
Our favorite think about the Galleria's Santa experience this year is that Santa will know every child's name and a gift they'd like for Christmas before they arrive to make the experience even more personal.
When making your reservation, you can book a combo ticket to also visit SNOWDAY, which features unique photo opportunities including a mirror maze of lights and a 1970's RV.
Holiday at the Arboretum
When: Select days through Friday, December 24, 2021
Where: Dallas Arboretum
Cost: Included with admission
Holiday at the Arboretum has become an annual tradition for so many families over the year. In addition to visiting the Victorian-style gazebos decorated like the 12 Days of Christmas, you can also visit with Santa and take a photo to commemorate the occasion. If you'd like a keepsake photo, they're available with a donation to the Volunteer Advisory Board.
Northpark Center
When: Friday, November 26-Thursday, December 23, 2021
Where: Virtual
Cost: Donations to Children's Health beginning at $25
We know that Northpark's Santa is one of the most beloved in the area, so while he may not be available for in-person visits again this year, you can still schedule a time to chat with him virtually! Appointment time slots will be released online in weekly increments on Sundays at 12PM. And the link to book for the first week will be posted on their website on Sunday, November 21.
Each visit will include a private conversation with Santa from his cozy living room at the North Pole along with a shareable photo and video so you can involve remote family members in the fun too!
And in case you were worried, Northpark is continuing their tradition of The Trains at NorthPark™ and also has beautiful Christmas displays throughout the mall.
Collin County
The Shops at Willow Bend
When: Through Friday December 24, 2021
Where: The Shops at Willow Bend, Macy's Court near Crayola Experience
Cost: Photo Packages Available Ranging from $39.99-$49.99
The Shops at Willow Bend are encouraging you to make reservations for your visit with Santa this year, but they will be accepting walk-ups as space permits. Only walk-ups will be available on December 22, 23, and 24.
You can also bring your pets to get their photos taken with Santa on November 29, December 6, December 13, and December 20.
Santa at The Star
When: Friday, November 26-Friday, December 24, 2021
Where: The Star, Across from Ascension
Cost: Packages starting at $40; Save $5 if you book before December 3
We all know by now that Santa is a huge Cowboys fan. So, he's once again set up his Cowboys Cottage at The Star and is available for photos. Reservations are required and are in 3-minute increments (meant for a family of up to 4 children).
Everyone will receive a 5x7 photo and an exclusive Cowboys gift for each child.
Santa at Watters Creek
When: Friday, November 26-Friday, December 24, 2021
Where: Watters Creek, Allen
Cost: $20
Santa has set up a very special Bavarian Village at Watters Creek in Allen where you can enjoy a perfectly safe visit with Santa. Reservations are encouraged, but walk-ups will be accommodated as they can. On November 29 and December 6 and 13, you can bring your pets for a visit. If you have children who need special accommodations for sensory issues, come visit Santa on December 8 for a sensory-friendly morning. And later that day, Santa's hosting a Pajama Party with sweet treats, a balloon elf, free goodie bag and more!
Heritage Farmstead Museum
When: Friday, November 26-Friday, December 24, 2021
Where: Heritage Farmstead Museum, Plano
Cost: Online: $10/Adult & $5/Child | At the Farm: $15/Adult & $10/Child; Photos with Santa an additional $10
The Heritage Farmstead Museum in Plano is lighting up this holiday season with Lights on the Farm which will feature over one million lights in festive yuletide displays. Take a stroll down Candycane Lane and then visit Santa in his farmshop. While you wait, you can write Santa a letter. Be sure to also check out the 20-foot Christmas tree and then end your journey through the illuminated tunnel of lights.
Tarrant County
Santa's Wonderland at Bass Pro Shop & Cabela's
When: Through Friday December 24, 2021
Where: Bass Pro Shop - Grapevine & Garland | Cabela's - Forth Worth & Allen
Cost: FREE; Additional photo packages available
The Santa's Wonderland experience at Bass Pro Shop and Cabela's is another very popular destination to meet Santa, probably largely because it's free! Reservations are free and include a 4x6 photo and a digital greeting card to share on social media.
During your visit, you can also mail your letter to Santa and visit the amazing aquariums and wildlife displays found in all their stores.
Main Street Santa
When: Friday, November 26-Friday, December 24, 2021
Where: Grapevine Christmas Village - The Founders Building, 701 S. Main St.
Cost: Photo Packages Available from $50
Grapevine isn't called the Christmas Capitol of Texas for nothing! Bring the family to explore Grapevine's Christmas Village where you can shop around the General Store, join a Cookie Cutter Making Class or take home other handmade projects.
You can bring your pets or your kids to have their photo with Santa and there are also a limited number of spots available for Story Time with Santa.
Gaylord Texan
When: Through Friday December 24, 2021
Where: Gaylord Texan Resort, Yellow Rose Pavilion
Cost: Photo Packages Starting at $30
The Gaylord Texan may just be one of our favorite spots to visit at Christmas - there's always so much going on! Come visit Santa in his festive setting at the Gaylord Texan and tell him what's on your list this year. Reservations to visit with Santa are required!
Other Christmas activities at the Gaylord this year include Mission: Save Christmas featuring Elf™, Cirque Winter Wonderland, snow tubing, Breakfast with Charlie Brown & Friends™, and a Holiday Heist Escape Room.
The Shops at Clearfork
When: Friday, November 26-Friday, December 24, 2021
Where: The Shops at Clearfork
Cost: Options available from $10
Come and visit Santa in a very special holiday snowglobe at The Shops at Clearfork in Fort Worth. You can pay a $10 donation to walk up for a photo with Santa on your own device, or you can make a reservation online for a larger fee. If the weather is wet, Santa will be located inside the parking garage foyer closest to his original location. Look for him there!
Santa's Village in Southlake
When: Sunday, November 21-Friday, December 24, 2021
Where: Outdoor Pavilion at Rustin Park
Cost: FREE
Visit Southlake's Santa's Village for a safe visit with the big guy in red. You'll check in at the Elf Station next to the village and will be on the reservation list for that day only. This year they have a paging system in place and you'll receive a text 10 minutes prior to your group's turn. So, feel free to do some shopping at Southlake's Town Square while you wait!
Denton County
Santa at Music City Mall
When: Saturday, November 20-Friday, December 24, 2021
Where: The Parks Mall at Arlington - Arlington, Lower Level Center Court
Cost: Photo Packages available from $14.99
Santa is arriving in style to Music City Mall on Saturday, November 20! Visit the Santa landing watching area outside of Entry 3 to see Santa arrive by helicopter! After Santa arrives that day, there will be a full day of festivities including a snow glob selfie area, Olaf and Elf on the Shelf meet and greet, and Storytime with Mrs. Claus.
Santa will be at the mall for pictures all through the holiday season. Reservations are available, but walk-ups are accepted as well. And they'll have both socially-distanced and close contact opportunities available this year.
Images courtesy of Unsplash
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