The Best Places to See Santa around RVA

Ready to meet Santa Claus in Richmond? I've rounded up the best spots around RVA to snap a picture with Santa in 2024.

From paid experiences at our RVA shopping malls and restaurants to locations with free Santa meet-and-greets, my guide has something that will work for every family! Some of these locations even offer brunch or treat time with Santa, and, at the time of making this guide, all restaurants still had availability.

Follow @thewestendmom on Instagram for more things to do with kids in Richmond, Virginia!

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The best places around Richmond to see Santa in Richmond, Virginia:

Art Factory Play Place: Located in Brandermill, Art Factory is a play space for kids ages 0-5. It’s open Monday through Friday from 9-3 and Saturday 9-12. The cafe sells hot & cold beverages, baked goods and snacks. They also host Music Storytime for toddlers, and Little Explorers, a class for preschoolers filled with sensory play, crafts, songs and more.

The Art Factory is hosting 2 ways to visit Santa in 2024. You can either sign up for pictures with Santa on December 22 and 23, or you can do the Santa Experience on December 20 and 23.

Photos with Santa is on December 22 and December 23 from 9am-10:30am. This costs $40 per family, and it includes up to 6 members. 3 high res pictures are also given!

The Santa Experience is on December 20 and 23 from 5:30-7pm. During this special event, children can interact with both Santa and Mrs. Claus, listen to them tell stories, sign songs and chat about the North Pole. It will have a 30 minute interactive show, non-messy activities for kids, and 3 digitail photos. Tickets cost $45 per child (ages 6 months and older), and each adult costs $10. For ticket information, visit The Art Factory's website.

*Check here for my full review.

Bass Pro: Located in Ashland, Bass Pro is a fishing, hunting & outdoor store. We love to visit it because the entire store is themed for the outdoors: there a giant tree, a massive aquarium, a stream, pretend animals & an old fashion store. It reminds me of Walt Disney's Wilderness Lodge, too.

Santa's Winter Wonderland is open from November 2 – December 24, 2024, and it's free to visit. Your free visit with Santa also includes a free picture with Santa. You have the opportunity to purchase digitals or more pictures if you want. Sign up on Bass Pro's website here. We visited on a week night, and we signed up on the spot. My littles got to spend at least 10 minutes with Santa because there was no one else there, too. This was a great experience for us!

*Check here for my full review.

Brambly Park's Santa in the Park: Located in Scott's Addition, this urban winery hosts Santa each year, and this year's event is TBA. Tickets should go on sale next week (November 4, 2024). In 2023, this event cost $25 for one digital image by the resident photographer Mike Guyer, and children can bring notes to place in Santa's bag, too!

Tickets are usually ready for purchase the first week of November, but no specifics have been announced yet! You can make Santa Brunch reservations online, or you can call (804)406-5611 and note "Santa Brunch" when making reservations.

*Check here for my full review.

The Bunny Hive: This social club is for children 4 & younger and their grownups. The Bunny Hive is specifically designed for families with little kids, and it immediately connects you to other families who are in a similar stage of life. With over 7 different classes, there’s plenty of options for experimental learning & playtime!

During the holiday season, The Bunny Hive hosts a couple festive events: Pictures with Santa, The Holiday Party and Storytime with Santa. Only the 2024 dates for Pictures with Santa have been announced.

You can register now for the November 16 meet and greet with Santa. This event is from 9am to noon, and tickets cost $70 for non-members, $50 for members. Families can also participate in crafts and free play during this time.

*Check here for my review.

Cabelas: This is one of our favorite spots to greet Santa - this was our third year! Cabela's Santa’s Wonderland has free visits & pictures with Santa until December 24. My little ones enjoyed being able to look at Santa before going to meet him, they didn’t mind the separation from Santa on the bench, and they loved playing with the linking logs! We always visit the giant fish tank, and check out the "animals," the ATVs and boats around the store when we visit, too.

Similar to Bass Pro, Cabela's Winter Wonderland is open from November 2– December 24, 2024, and it's free to visit. Your free visit with Santa also includes a free picture with Santa. You have the opportunity to purchase digitals or more pictures if you want. Sign up on Cabela's website here.

*Check here for my full review.

Coco and Hazel: This locally owned treat spot serves over the top milkshakes and loaded hot chocolate, as well as breakfast options!

"Coco + Santa" is on Saturday, November 30 and Sunday, December 1 at different time slots throughout the day. It costs $90 per family (+$5.40 tax & $2.39 service fee), and you can enjoy hot cocoa, coffee, take a cookie kit home, and have ice cream with Santa!

Coco and Hazel will also host a Gingerbread House Workshop and Christmas Cooking Decorating in December!

To register for Coco & Santa, click here.

*Check here for my review.

Children's Museum of Richmond: This museum has been a favorite of families in Richmond since 1981. The Children's Museum is designed for children 0-8 & it has exhibits for interactive & imaginative play, learning & creating. Children can play in the dairy barn, a service station, ride a carousel & more.

Tickets for nonmembers go on sale Friday, November 1 at 9AM. Prices range from $35 per family to $70 per family.

Legendary Santa Chimney Time Tickets: Families get to watch Santa come down the chimney LIVE! You need to make reservations ahead of time. Tickets cost $70 per family (up to 6 individuals and one emailed photo). Dates start after Thanksgiving.

Legendary Santa will be at the museum Friday, November 29 to Sunday, December 24. You need to make your reservations ahead of time, and it costs $35 for a family of up to 6. The ticket includes a digital photo, with additional photo package purchases available. Tickets do not include a visit to the museum.

Sensitive Legendary Santa is usually at CMoR for three dates - December 4, 6 and 12 at 9am. This event is for families with sensory or other special needs. Registrations opens November 4 at 9am.

*Check here for my review.

The Great Big Green House: This locally owned nursery is in Huguenot Village Shopping Center. We love Great Big Green House because they are so family-family & host many events throughout the year.

2024 Santa dates have not been released yet, but last year Santa was available on 9 dates (Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays). As soon as The Great Big Greenhouse releases this year's schedule, I'll update my guide. Bring your own camera to take pictures! This is a free activity. No reservations or tickets required. Pets are welcome too!

River City 3 Railers sets up an elaborate model train display, and the trains will be there the first weekend of December. Usually, you can watch it in operation from 4-7pm during the week and 11-2 on weekends (these times sometimes change).

*Check here for my review.

Hardywood West Creek's Smile With Santa: This family friendly brewery has 24 acres next to the peaceful Tuckahoe Creek, and the outdoor space has a lawn, a large concrete patio, a natural play area with swings, a see saw and hammocks, plus there are two regulation-sized bocce courts!

Santa usually comes to Hardywood Richmond and Hardywood West Creek in the beginning of December. In past years, The tickets cost around $30. Tickets include two drink tickets (you can get nonalcoholic too), the chance to sit and talk with Santa, and a digital picture with Santa. There will also be food trucks on property too!

Check here for Hardywood's upcoming events!

Santa Brunch & Santa Dinner at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden: While Lewis Ginter is best known for GardenFest each winter, it also hosts Santa Brunch and Santa Dinner. These meals are served family-style and on a buffet. Bring your camera to snap pictures with Santa!

The breakfast experiences are on Saturdays and Sundays in December: 12/8. 12/14, 12/21, and 12/22. Seatings are at 10am and 12 pm. On December 21 and 22, there will be 3 reservation times: 9am, 11am, 1pm. Brunch costs $53 per person, $40 for children (3-12), and children 2 & under eat free.

The dinner experiences are on December 22 and 23 at 5pm and 7pm. Dinner costs $70 per person, $42 for children (3-12), and children 2 & under eat free. This price includes admission to the garden, and dinner reservations include Garden Fest.

*Check here for my review.

The Santa Spot RVA: Located in Gayton Crossing, this interactive holiday experience costs ~$225 per family — and it’s filled with holiday cheer, not crowds! Each reservation time has a limited number of guests, so each family gets special time with Santa without waiting in a line. This experience starts on November 23, and it's available on weekends.

*The North Pole* wonderland is filled with festive decorations for photo ops, giant Legos for building & an art wall for coloring. Santa (with a real beard!) mingles with families throughout the whole experience - everyone gets a chance to “warm up” to Santa!

Families get to create magical memories in *The North Pole* with interactive activities: decorating cookies in Mrs. Claus’ Bakeshop, decorating ornaments in Santa’s Workshop, writing Christmas letters to send to the North Pole, one-on-one time & photos with Santa, and story time with Santa.

On Thursday, December 12, Black Santa will be at The Santa Spot. There are two reservation times: 2pm and 3:15pm. Click here to book your appointment!

*Check here for my review.

Short Pump Mall: Every year this local mall decorates for Christmas with a 60 foot walk-through tree. The annual tree lighting is scheduled for November 15 this year.

Santa will be at the mall for pictures from November 15 to December 24. Children will also have the opportunity to have their picture taken with Santa - there is also a sensory sensitive experience available! Santa will be in the Pal's Clubhouse, next to LL Bean. Reservations are strongly encouraged.

*Check here for my review.

Spa Tacular Kids Spa and Party Boutique: The cutest spa in Richmond is hosting its 8th annual Holiday Event Mini Mani’s & the Hot Cocoa Bar . This special holiday event takes place all day the weekend before Christmas -- December 21 and 22, 2024. While the special holiday event is for two days, Santa will make a special appearance on December 21st only.

This holiday event is Spa Tacular's most popular special event, so make sure to call as soon as you know you can make it to reserve your spot! Call (804) 516-4411 for reservations.

*This Santa experience is best for children 4 years old and older!

*Check here for my full review of Spa Tacular!

Stony Point Fashion Park: This local mall decks its halls every year for Christmas, and the annual tree lighting event is on Saturday, November 23 from 5-7pm. During this event you can also take pictures with Santa, children can have their face painted, watch a snow show, and more!

Saturday, November 23 to Monday, January 1, Stony Point will have a pop-up ice skating rink. Some special activities and events will include snow falling during the week, horse drawn carriage rides, and falling snow!

Santa is typically at the mall from November through December 24. Registration links aren't available yet!

*Check here for my 2020 review.

Tablespoon Bakery: Located in Westover Hills, this local bakery serves a *good cause,* makes yummy treats & has a playground! Tablespoon Bakery a vocational culinary training program for students with diverse abilities. They are on a mission to provide employment opportunities to all. This bakery & cafe serves coffee, tea & an assortment of baked good. Tablespoon Bakery also offers a *cookie club* + *children’s baking workshops*!

Tablespoon Bakery has not announced the date of it's annual Santa experience yet! Last year it was from 10am-12pm, and it was a sensory-friendly experience with Black Santa. No reservations necessary - this is a free experience!

*Check here for my full review.

Toddling Around: Chesterfield's new indoor play space for babies to 6 year olds! Little kids can climb, slide & hop on equipment. They can use their imagination in the playhouse, with the trains & giant, soft bricks. I love that the play space is completely open — if you have a baby & a toddler, y’all can enjoy the same play area at the same time!

Toddling Around with Santa Claus is on December 14 with two times to sign up: 9am-11am and noon to 2pm. During this special Christmas event, your family can take pictures with Santa, play in sensory bins or explore the play room. There will also be Christmas crafts, yummy treats and a hot cocoa bar! Tickets start at $25 per child.

*Check here for my full review of Toddling Around.

The Red Barn Farm's Cookies with Santa: Located in Dinwiddie, this local farm hosts Cookies with Santa on November 30-December 1, and December 7, 8, 14, 15, 21 and 22. 10am-3pm each day. The general admission days cost $15 per person (2 years and older). Animal feed buckets cost $3. T

Children can see the real Santa in his workshop, decorate their own cookies and feed the animals. The Gingerbread Man, Abominable Snowman, and the Grinch will also make appearances.

The Red Barn Farm also hosts a Live Nativity: Walk Through Bethlehem. This event is on December 7 & 14 from 4-8pm, and December 8 & 15 from 2-6pm. The nativity is hosted in collaboration with First Baptist Church of Hopewell.

Call (804)536-6879 to reserve a spot. Bring your camera to take pictures.

*Check here for my full review.

Tom Leonard's: This locally owned farmer's market hosts Santa each year in their Christmas Shoppe. While Tom Leonard's hasn't released the dates of Santa's visits this year, he is usually at the store on Saturdays and Sundays in December from 10am to 2pm. They also sell Christmas trees outside the market in the same area that Friday Night at the Pumpkin Patch is hosted.

*Check here for our visit at Halloween.

Upper Shirley's Santa Brunch: Upper Shirley Vineyard usually hosts a Santa Brunch on the two weekends prior to Christmas. While the 2024 dates haven't been released yet, last year the event was on December 7, 8, 14, and 15 from 10am to 3:30pm. Just to give you an idea!

Children get to sit on Santa's lap, and you can get unlimited pictures with him with no extra costs (bring your own camera!). Call (804)829-9463 to make your reservations for brunch and make sure you reserve a time between 10am & 2pm.

*Check here for my review of Upper Shirley.

Some of the most popular Santa experiences fill up prior to November. Save these activities for next year: Crozet Trolley's The North Pole Express, The Jefferson's Santa Brunch and Santa Tea!

*For more details on these fun, festive spots and more Richmond adventures, follow our family on @thewestendmom on Instagram!