Cartoon Santa in a big red chair beside a Christmas tree, with kids waving and a sleigh flying past the window
Santa 2026 · Boise

Breakfast with Santa and Santa photos in Boise, with prices.

We found 9 Santa outings for little kids in and around Boise with 2026 dates: 4 breakfasts and brunches and 5 photo spots and visits. One is free. The first visits start Nov 14. One more ran last season but hasn’t posted 2026 dates yet. Each listing has the time, price and a link to book.

9 outings4 breakfasts5 photo spotsFirst visits Nov 141 free

Last checked · How we choose

Start here

What kind of Santa visit?

Nov 8 – Dec 26

The Santa calendar

Shaded days fall inside at least one listing’s dates (check each card for days off and hours). Dots mark set dates, like breakfasts and one-day visits.

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Inside a listing’s datesBreakfastAfter dark

Breakfast with Santa

4 breakfasts · Nov 28 – Dec 12

Breakfast with Santa at Zoo Boise

Zoo Boise · 355 Julia Davis Dr, Boise, ID 83702

BreakfastBook ahead
When
Sun Dec 6, 2026 · 8:30–10:45 a.m.
Price
Youth 3–11 $20 members / $25 non-members; general $35 / $40; 2 and under free but need a reservation
Ages
At least one paid adult must attend with children; 2 and under free
  • Buffet breakfast, personal time with Santa, kids' crafts, animal experience and photos with Santa, then the rest of the day at the zoo
  • Registration required (opens soon as of Oct 18)
  • space limited

Checked Oct 18 on the official page

Report a problem

Breakfast with Santa at Zoo Boise (Saturday)

Zoo Boise · 355 Julia Davis Dr, Boise, ID 83702

BreakfastBook ahead
When
Sat Dec 5, 2026 · 8:30–10:45 a.m.
Price
Youth 3–11 $20 members / $25 non-members; general $35 / $40; 2 and under free but need a reservation
Ages
At least one paid adult must attend with children; 2 and under free
  • Buffet breakfast, personal time with Santa, kids' crafts, an animal experience and photos with Santa, then the rest of the day at the zoo
  • Registration required (opens soon as of Oct 19)
  • space limited
  • A second breakfast runs Sunday, Dec 6

Checked Oct 19 on the official page

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Breakfast with Santa at Chick-fil-A Village at Meridian

Chick-fil-A Village at Meridian · 2012 N Eagle Rd, Meridian, ID 83646

Breakfast
When
Sat Dec 12, 2026 · 8–9:30 a.m.
Price
$20 per person; 2 and under free
Ages
Everyone over 2 needs a ticket
  • Breakfast, cookies and cocoa with Mrs
  • Claus, pictures with Santa and a holiday plush cow
  • Ticket sales for the Dec 5 breakfast have stopped
  • Dec 12 tickets were on sale Oct 19
  • Refunds up to 7 days before

Checked Oct 19 on the official page

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Breakfast with Santa at the Canyon County Festival of Trees

Ford Idaho Sports Complex (Horse Park Arena) · 16200 N Idaho Center Blvd, Nampa, ID 83687

Breakfast
When
Sat Nov 28, 2026 · 8–10 a.m. (the arena's page says 8–9:30 a.m.)
Price
$30; includes festival entry, breakfast and 1 photo with Santa
  • Breakfast with Santa and Christmas characters at the festival that benefits Canyon County Meals on Wheels
  • Festival general admission is $15 adults, $10 kids 4–12, 3 and under free
  • Santa photos aren't included in general admission

Checked Oct 19 on the official page · Source

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Santa photos and visits

2 daytime spots · Nov 14 – Dec 24

Santa at the Boise Christmas Show

Expo Idaho · 5610 N Glenwood St, Boise, ID 83714

Photos
When
Dec 4–6, 2026 · Fri & Sat 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Price
Show admission adults $5, seniors 62+ $4, kids 12 and under free; Santa photo packages a la carte
  • Holiday gift show with 225+ vendors
  • visit with Santa & Mrs
  • Claus

Checked Oct 18 on the official page

Report a problem

Santa Photos at Boise Towne Square

Boise Towne Square · 350 North Milwaukee, Boise, ID 83704

PhotosWalk-up
When
Nov 14–Dec 24, 2026 (not every day in the first weeks; closed Thanksgiving) · Most days 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; Dec 24 9 a.m.–6 p.m.; hours change by day, full schedule on the booking page
Price
See photo packages on the booking page
  • Walk-ups welcome
  • booking a 15-minute slot online is encouraged (a few families share each slot)
  • Pet photo nights on 8 evenings (Nov 23, Nov 24, Nov 30, Dec 1, Dec 7, Dec 8…)

Checked Oct 19 on the official page

Report a problem

After-dark Santa

3 evening spots · Nov 20 – Jan 2

Santa Meet & Greet at Lost in Christmas

Shindig Farms · ID-45 & Scism Rd, Nampa, ID

After dark
When
Fri–Sat in November from Nov 20; Thu–Sat in December plus added days, through Jan 2, 2027 (closed Christmas Day) · 5–10 p.m.
Price
Included with admission ($11–$13 by date, plus tax)
Ages
3 and under free with a paying adult

Checked Oct 18 on the official page

Report a problem

Santa & Mrs. Claus at Winter Wonderland Festival

Indian Creek Plaza · 120 S Kimball Ave, Caldwell, ID

After darkFree
When
Nov 20–22, 2026 · 6–9 p.m. (winter market Sat–Sun from 3 p.m.)
Price
Free festival
  • Santa listed among festival features

Checked Oct 18 on the official page

Report a problem

Cookies with Santa at the Canyon County Festival of Trees

Ford Idaho Sports Complex (Horse Park Arena) · 16200 N Idaho Center Blvd, Nampa, ID 83687

After darkBook ahead
When
Fri Nov 27, 2026 · 7–8:30 p.m. (the arena's page says 6:30–8:30 p.m.)
Price
$20; under 1 free with a ticketed adult; includes entry, 1 photo with Santa, cookies and drinks
  • Come in pajamas with a blanket for Christmas stories read by Santa
  • Reservations required
  • not sold at the door

Checked Oct 19 on the official page · Source

Report a problem
Dates not posted yet
  • Santa at Winter Garden aGlow · Idaho Botanical Garden Dates not posted yet — check the official page (idahobotanicalgarden.org).

It ran last season. We’ll add it when 2026 dates go up.

On a budget

Ways to keep Santa cheap

For babies and toddlers

Making the visit go well

1Go right after napPick a slot when they’re fed and rested, not at the end of a long day out.
2Talk about Santa firstLook at photos together so the beard and the big red suit aren’t a surprise.
3A parent can hold themLap photos with a grown-up still count, and they’re cute.
4Tears are OKSnap the photo anyway. Crying-Santa pictures are a holiday tradition.
Also this season

Make it a Santa-and-lights night

See all 3 light displays in and around Boise with 2026 dates, sorted for little kids, with early start times.

Christmas lights in Boise →
Good questions

Santa in Boise: questions parents ask

Where can we see Santa for free in Boise?

One of this year’s Santa listings is free: Santa & Mrs. Claus at Winter Wonderland Festival. A few others come with admission you may already have. Bring your own camera where the listing says so.

What’s the cheapest breakfast with Santa in Boise?

Of the breakfasts and brunches with posted 2026 prices, the lowest are Breakfast with Santa at Zoo Boise (Youth 3–11 $20 members / $25 non-members; general $35 / $40; 2 and under free but need a reservation); Breakfast with Santa at Zoo Boise (Saturday) (Youth 3–11 $20 members / $25 non-members; general $35 / $40; 2 and under free but need a reservation); Breakfast with Santa at Chick-fil-A Village at Meridian ($20 per person; 2 and under free). Prices are from each venue’s own page.

Which Santa visits are best for babies and kids under 3?

Babies and young toddlers get in free at Breakfast with Santa at Zoo Boise (2 and under free but need a reservation); Santa Meet & Greet at Lost in Christmas (3 and under free with a paying adult); Breakfast with Santa at Zoo Boise (Saturday) (2 and under free but need a reservation); Breakfast with Santa at Chick-fil-A Village at Meridian (2 and under free). To skip a long line with a toddler, look at reserved or timed visits: Santa Photos at Boise Towne Square and Cookies with Santa at the Canyon County Festival of Trees. A morning visit before nap usually goes better than an evening one.

When is the best time to see Santa with a toddler who goes to bed early?

Six listings start in the morning, including Breakfast with Santa at Zoo Boise, Santa at the Boise Christmas Show and Santa Photos at Boise Towne Square. Three are evening visits (5 p.m. or later), which work best on a late-nap day.

How do you check these Santa listings?

Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page, and links to it. We list dates, times and prices only when that page shows them for 2026; anything without posted dates goes in “Dates not posted yet” instead. These were last checked Oct 19, 2026, and we recheck them in early November and again in early December. How we choose and check.

Get the weekend plan, holiday dates included.

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