In this Guide, you will find a list of local Santa Sightings in and around the East Atlanta area. Make sure to bookmark this page as this guide will be updated regularly throughout the holiday season. Are you or your organization hosting an event that you would like included in this guide? Submit your event HERE.
Santa Arrives on the Train
Southeastern Railway Museum, Duluth GA
November 17
Cost Included with Museum Admission ($7-$10) & Train Rides $3-$5
Santa's been called - he'll be arriving at the Southeastern Railway Museum on Saturday, November 17 at 1:00 PM! Refreshments and entertainment begin at 11. Santa will be welcomed by the Jingle Bell Dancers from Miss Cindy's Dance Studio!
There will be refreshments (cookies and cocoa), lunch, entertainment, letter writing to Santa, and an opportunity to take pictures with Santa in a historic setting for your Christmas cards. (Refreshments and entertainment start at 11:00 am. Santa will arrive at 1:00 pm.) Please be aware that the admissions gatehouse is very busy right before Santa's arrival, so we suggest arriving early to enjoy the museum! Letting-writing will last until 4 pm.
Cookies, cocoa, and lunch are sponsored by The Local Pantry Your Fresh Kitchen in Duluth. Food and refreshments will wrap up at 2:00 pm.
The Duluth Festival of Trees also opens at the museum on November 17!
Photos with Santa are included in admission and begin after he arrives. Photos will wrap up at about 3 pm.
Also included in admission: cookies, cocoa, Santa letter-writing, entertainment, the museum's three exhibit buildings, and the Festival of Trees
Additional cost: train rides (full-size train and miniature train), lunch. https://www.train-museum.org/
Holidays at the Battery Santa Visits
The Battery Atlanta, Atlanta GA
November 23rd- December 24th
FREE
Santa will arrive at the SunTrust onUp Experience on Friday, November 23 and after Thanksgiving, he will be in there Thursdays through Sundays and Christmas Eve. There will be some special sessions planned, including low sensory Santa experiences for families with special needs on December 2, 9, and 16 from 10 a.m. – noon and Santa Paws Night for four-legged family members on December 16. All visits with Santa will include free digital and printed photos. Low sensory Santa experiences will require an appointment by calling the SunTrust onUp Experience at 470-308-3200. All the holiday events listed are free and open to the public. Free parking is available in the Red, Green and Purple Decks for four hours on non-event days at The Coca-Cola Roxy. http://batteryatl.com/
Santa and Grinch at the Ponce City Market
Ponce City Market, Atlanta GA
November 23rd-December 24th
FREE
Bring Your Own Camera!
Following his initial grand entrance on Black Friday, The Grinch will make his way back to Ponce City Market with great fanfare, taking up residency on the 2nd Floor of The Food Hall between Elk Head & Cobbler Union each and every Saturday and Sunday through December 16th. Starting at 11am, The Grinch parades into his lair & will be there until 6pm.
Santa will hold court for iPhone photos and wish lists, and a stage will host a rotating roster of choirs, musicians, and other festive weekend entertainers. Hot cocoa, holiday popsicle flavors, and more will be available from King of Pops to enjoy around cozy fire pits at The Tree Elves Holiday Forest each and every Saturday and Sunday through December 24th.
A new addition to this year's Santa & Grinch photo opportunities at Ponce City Market will be a digital line! Both Santa & the Grinch will exclusively use digital lines this year, so NO waiting in a physical line for hours! It's quick and easy to sign up onsite. Staff will be at each line to sign you up and you'll get a confirmation text with the number of guests "in line" in front of you. We will text you 15 min before Santa or the Grinch are ready for you, and meanwhile you can wander PCM to grab a bite to eat or do some Holiday shopping. Please note, you will not be able to sign up in the digital line until you are on the premises.
Grinch Hours:
Nov. 23: 1pm to 6pm
Nov. 24 & 25; Dec. 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16: 11am to 6pm (Grinch out for lunch from 1pm to 2pm)
Santa Hours:
Nov. 23: 1pm to 6pm
Nov. 24 & 25; Dec. 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 24: 11am to 6pm (Santa out for lunch from 1pm to 2pm)
Photos with Santa
Lenox Square, Atlanta GA
November 26th- December 24th
Photo Packages Prices Vary
Families are invited to Macy’s Court to capture special holiday moments with the jolliest man in town – Santa Claus! For hours and Santa’s full schedule, please visit simon.com/lenoxsquare Save time, avoid the line with Santa’s Fast Pass! Now you can reserve your magical moment with Santa online at simonsanta.com
Tea With Santa
St Regis, Atlanta GA
November 30th-December 24th (Select Dates and Times)
Under 3 FREE, Ages 4-12 $52, Adults $78
Visitors to The St. Regis Atlanta are welcome to take part in the special St. Regis tradition of the hotel’s Tea with Santa on the weekends of November 23 – 25, November 30 – December 2, December 7 – 9, and throughout December 14 – 24 from 1:45 – 4:30 p.m. Santa will roam through Astor Court and sit with children at their table. Menu highlights include Pistachio and Raspberry Financier, Double Chocolate and Peppermint Gateaux, and a s’mores station for children. Reservations and tickets for this event can be made at this LINK.
Cookies With Santa
Zoo Atlanta, Atlanta GA
December 1st & 2nd
Tickets: Members All Ages $12, Non-Members Ages 0-2 $17, Ages 3+ $33 (includes admission to Zoo Atlanta and Cookies with Santa)
Be here when Santa makes his first stop – Zoo Atlanta! Bring the little ones for a personal visit with Santa and a professional photo. Warm up with hot chocolate and cookies, and start the holiday season with festive crafts, costume characters, animal encounters, music and a holiday movie. And of course, you’ll go home with a bag of reindeer chow for when Santa and his helpers make their visit to your home!
Reservations are available in one of three time slots on Saturday and Sunday:
- 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. (Members Only)*,
- 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
- 2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Annual Lighting of the Tree with Santa
Glenwood Park, Atlanta GA
December 1st
Tis the Season to be Merry....
Let's all watch for Santa to arrive in Brasfield Square and light the tree! The Fire Department will be there for tours of the truck. Bring family, friends, neighbors...as this event is magical for all ages!
5:30-6:30: The amazing Yes Ma'Am trio will be performing holiday music live.
5:45: Santa arrives!
Until 6:30: Share the holiday spirit with SANTA and our fabulous firefighters and police.
To complete your evening...make sure to visit our local restaurants and coffee shops after the event! Streets will be blocked around the square.
Breakfast with Santa
Callawolde Fine Arts Center, Atlanta GA
December 1st & 8th
Tickets are $35, online purchase only
This event features a kid-friendly breakfast by Zest Atlanta Catering, sponsored by LEGOLAND Discovery Center Atlanta. General Admission to tour the decorated estate, as well as picture-perfect moments with Santa when children share their secret wish lists are included with the purchase of a ticket.
Tickets to this event are available by advance online purchase only! This event may sell out. All guests taking a seat (parents and children) must have a ticket.
Know Before You Go:
- Parking is free and on-site.
- Children taking a seat are charged full price admission.
- Doors open at 8:30 AM
East Atlanta Santa
East Atlanta Santa Fest, Atlanta GA
December 1st & 2nd
Photos are $20 per session
Santa and his elves are returning to East Atlanta for their 12th annual visit with all the nice and the naughty residents of EAV! Photos are $20 per session and are delivered via souvenir thumb drive. This event is 100% volunteer staffed and made possible only by the generous donations of the space, time, and work of our wonderful volunteers. All proceeds go directly to Neighbor In Need East Atlanta and East Atlanta Kids Club. Contact us at eavsanta@gmail.com to reserve an appointment for a visit and photos with Santa.
Caring Santa- Sensory Friendly Photo Experience
Lenox Square, Atlanta GA & Town Center at Cobb, Kennesaw GA
December 2nd
Photo Package Prices Vary
Children will have the opportunity to visit with Santa and have their photo taken with him. Simon Malls will make necessary adjustments to the environment to support the sensory, physical and other developmental needs of children of all abilities for this special event.
Lenox Square appointments can be made HERE
Town Center at Cobb: Reserve your appointment here for Sunday, December 2, from 9am - 11am!
Sips with Santa and Christmas at Callanwolde
Callawolde Fine Arts Center, Atlanta GA
December 7th
Children 3 and under FREE, all others $20
Christmas at Callanwolde (Sips With Santa: 6 - 8 PM)
Stick around for Sips With Santa! Join us for a night filled with drinks, music, and even the chance to take photos with Santa Clause himself! This fun night is perfect for groups of friends or dates on a night out, guests are welcome to explore the historic estate as part of this holiday tradition!
The joy of the holiday season begins at Callanwolde Fine Arts Center with The Christmas at Callanwolde Designer Show House– an Atlanta holiday tradition for 40 years! Visitors of all ages will enjoy touring the 27,000 square-foot historic mansion elaborately decorated by Atlanta’s top interior and floral designers, as well as professional holiday displays, an expansive artists’ market, and themed events for all ages. Every room inspires and captures the spirit of the season. Callanwolde holds something for every member of the family.
Tickets are available for $20 online/at the door. Parking is free and on-site, with overflow parking available off-site as needed.
Know Before You Go:
This event will be held rain or shine.
Tickets are valid only for date purchased.
Tickets are non-refundable.
Children 3 years and under are admitted free.
Callanwolde is handicapped accessible.
Winter Wonderland
St Paul United Methodist Church, Atlanta GA
December 8th
FREE Event
The holidays are quickly approaching which means Winter Wonderland is right around the corner! Held in conjunction with the 2018 Grant Park Candlelight Tour of Homes, this FREE event is specifically for the kids – and takes place on the first night of the tour, Saturday, December 8th from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Winter Wonderland is an afternoon filled with holiday entertainment! Santa has promised to stop by for photos. Since this is his busiest time of year, he will only be able to meet with a LIMITED number of families. Be sure to arrive on time if you wish to see Santa. Visits with Santa are on a first-come, first served basis and slots go quickly!
PJ Party with Santa
Town Center at Cobb, Kennesaw GA
December 8th
FREE
Join us for our annual PJ Party with Santa on Saturday, December 8 from 1-3pm in the Upper Level JCPenney Wing (note different event location). We'll have goody bags for the first 150 Town Center at Cobb Family Club members that show their card or sign up (it's free!). We'll have the prize wheel, holiday crafts/activities, and more. Santa will make a special appearance to read to the children, and lead them in a couple of songs.
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