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

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

We found 12 Santa outings for little kids in and around Charlotte with 2026 dates: 2 breakfasts and brunches and 9 photo spots and visits, plus one worth the drive. One is free. The first visits start Nov 6. Each listing has the time, price and a link to book.

12 outings2 breakfasts9 photo spotsFirst visits Nov 61 free

Last checked · How we choose

Start here

What kind of Santa visit?

Breakfast with Santa

2 breakfasts · Dec 5 – Dec 12

A quick photo

6 daytime spots · Nov 6 – Dec 30

After-dark Santa

3 evening spots · Nov 20 – Dec 24

Worth the drive

1 outing · Nov 6 – Dec 23

Nov 1 – 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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21Holiday Magic at Rea Farms
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Dec 1
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5Breakfast with Santa at…
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Inside a listing’s datesBreakfastAfter dark

Breakfast with Santa

2 breakfasts · Dec 5 – Dec 12

Breakfast with Santa at Rankin Lake

Rankin Lake Park Clubhouse (City of Gastonia Parks & Rec) · 1830 Rankin Lake Rd, Gastonia, NC 28052

BreakfastBook aheadBring your camera
When
Sat Dec 5, 2026 · 8–9 a.m.; free Santa at the Lake photos 10 a.m.–noon
Price
Ticket required per attendee (price on Eventeny); kids 16 and under get a small gift; register by Nov 15
  • Bring your own camera
  • About 30 minutes west
Book / details ↗

Checked Oct 18 · Gaston County tourism listing · Source

Report a problem

Breakfast with Santa at Living Saviour Lutheran

Living Saviour Lutheran Church · 6817 Carmel Road, Charlotte, NC 28226

Breakfast
When
Sat Dec 12, 2026 · 9–11 a.m.
Book / details ↗

Checked Oct 18 on the official page

Report a problem

Santa photos and visits

6 daytime spots · Nov 6 – Dec 30

Santa at WinterFest

Carowinds · Charlotte, NC

Photos
When
WinterFest days Nov 27 – Dec 30, 2026 · Noon–8 p.m. (Saturdays and Dec 26 to 9 p.m.)
Price
Included with park admission
  • Santa schedule is in the park app
Book / details ↗

Checked Oct 18 on the official page

Report a problem

Santa Photos at SouthPark Mall (NC)

SouthPark Mall (NC) · 4400 Sharon Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211-3531

PhotosWalk-upSensory-friendly
When
Nov 6–Dec 24, 2026 (closed Thanksgiving) · Most days 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; Dec 24 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; hours change by day, full schedule on the booking page
Price
See photo packages on the booking page
Sensory
Sensory-friendly session (Caring Santa): Sun Dec 6 8:30–10:30 a.m.; reduced lights and music, smaller crowds, advance registration required, no purchase required to book.
  • Walk-ups welcome
  • booking a 15-minute slot online is encouraged (a few families share each slot)
Book / details ↗

Checked Oct 19 on the official page

Report a problem

Santa Photos at Charlotte Premium Outlets

Charlotte Premium Outlets · 5404 New Fashion Way, Charlotte, NC 28278

PhotosWalk-up
When
Nov 27–Dec 24, 2026 · Most days 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; Dec 24 9 a.m.–5 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 2 evenings (Nov 29, Dec 6)
Book / details ↗

Checked Oct 19 on the official page

Report a problem

Santa Photos at Northlake Mall

Northlake Mall · 6801 Northlake Mall Drive, Charlotte, NC 28216

PhotosWalk-up
When
Nov 20–Dec 24, 2026 (closed Thanksgiving) · Most days 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; Dec 24 10 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)
Book / details ↗

Checked Oct 19 on the official page

Report a problem

Santa Photos at Carolina Place

Carolina Place · 11025 Carolina Place Pkwy, Pineville, NC 28134

PhotosWalk-upSensory-friendly
When
Nov 27–Dec 24, 2026 · 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
Sensory
Sensory-friendly session (Santa Cares): Sun Dec 6 9:30–10:30 a.m.; reduced lights and music, smaller crowds, advance registration required, no purchase required to book.
  • Walk-ups welcome
  • booking a 15-minute slot online is encouraged (a few families share each slot)
  • Pet photo nights on 6 evenings (Nov 30, Dec 1, Dec 7, Dec 8, Dec 14, Dec 15)
Book / details ↗

Checked Oct 19 on the official page

Report a problem

Santa Photos at Carolina Mall

Carolina Mall · 1480 Concord Pkwy North, Concord, NC 28025

PhotosWalk-up
When
Nov 27–Dec 24, 2026 · Most days 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; Dec 24 10 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)
Book / details ↗

Checked Oct 19 on the official page

Report a problem

After-dark Santa

3 evening spots · Nov 20 – Dec 24

Santa at Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular

Ballantyne's Backyard · Ballantyne, Charlotte, NC

After darkBring your camera
When
Every open night through Dec 23, 2026 · 5:30–9:30 p.m. select nights
Price
Free photos with any light-show ticket (from $10); bring your own camera
  • Santa's Castle / Santa's Private Workshop
Book / details ↗

Checked Oct 18 on the official page

Report a problem

Santa Photos at Concord Mills

Concord Mills · 8111 Concord Mills Blvd, Concord, NC 28027

After darkWalk-upSensory-friendly
When
Nov 20–Dec 24, 2026 (closed Thanksgiving) · Most days 2–7 p.m.; Dec 24 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; hours change by day, full schedule on the booking page
Price
See photo packages on the booking page
Sensory
Sensory-friendly session (Caring Santa): Sun Dec 6 9:30–10:30 a.m.; reduced lights and music, smaller crowds, advance registration required, no purchase required to book.
  • Walk-ups welcome
  • booking a 15-minute slot online is encouraged (a few families share each slot)
Book / details ↗

Checked Oct 19 on the official page

Report a problem

Holiday Magic at Rea Farms

Rea Farms · 9855 Sandy Rock Pl, Charlotte, NC 28277

After darkFree
When
Sat Nov 21, 2026 · 4–8pm (tree lighting at 7pm)
Price
Free (free photos with Santa)
Ages
All ages
Strollers
Not stated
  • Free Santa photos and characters from Mickey and Minnie to Frozen
  • Also cookie decorating, cocoa, face painting, train and carriage rides, a Buddy and Jovie story time, and man-made snow
Book / details ↗

Checked Oct 19 on the official page

Report a problem

Worth the drive from Charlotte

1 outing · Nov 6 – Dec 23 · the drive time is on each card

THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride

N.C. Transportation Museum · 1 Samuel Spencer Drive, Spencer, NC

Worth the driveBook aheadSensory-friendlyAbout 45 minutes north (Spencer, NC)
When
Nov 6–8, 13–15, 20–22, 27–29 and Dec 4–6, 10–23, 2026 · Train A and Train B departures (see availability)
Price
Standard Coach, Deluxe Coach, First Class and Parlor Class (prices at booking)
Strollers
ADA/wheelchair seating: review FAQ before buying
Sensory
Museum posts Polar Express sensory-friendly materials
  • Santa gives each child a silver sleigh bell
  • Call center 704-469-5231
Book / details ↗

Checked Oct 18 on the official page

Report a problem
On a budget

Ways to keep Santa cheap

1Holiday Magic at Rea Farms
Free (free photos with Santa)2Santa at WinterFest
Included with park admission3Santa at Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular
Free photos with any light-show ticket (from $10); bring your own camera
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 4 light displays in and around Charlotte with 2026 dates, sorted for little kids, with early start times.

Christmas lights in Charlotte →
Good questions

Santa in Charlotte: questions parents ask

Where can we see Santa for free in Charlotte?

One of this year’s Santa listings is free: Holiday Magic at Rea Farms. A few others come with admission you may already have. Bring your own camera where the listing says so.

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

To skip a long line with a toddler, look at reserved or timed visits: Santa at Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular, Santa Photos at SouthPark Mall (NC) and Santa Photos at Charlotte Premium Outlets. 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?

Seven listings start in the morning, including Breakfast with Santa at Rankin Lake, Breakfast with Santa at Living Saviour Lutheran and Santa Photos at SouthPark Mall (NC). Three are evening visits (5 p.m. or later), which work best on a late-nap day.

Is there a sensory-friendly Santa in Charlotte?

THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride: Museum posts Polar Express sensory-friendly materials. Santa Photos at SouthPark Mall (NC): Sensory-friendly session (Caring Santa): Sun Dec 6 8:30–10:30 a.m.; reduced lights and music, smaller crowds, advance registration required, no purchase required to book. Santa Photos at Carolina Place: Sensory-friendly session (Santa Cares): Sun Dec 6 9:30–10:30 a.m.; reduced lights and music, smaller crowds, advance registration required, no purchase required to book. Santa Photos at Concord Mills: Sensory-friendly session (Caring Santa): Sun Dec 6 9:30–10:30 a.m.; reduced lights and music, smaller crowds, advance registration required, no purchase required to book.

Is there a Polar Express or Santa train near Charlotte?

Yes. THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride runs in 2026. Check each card for departure times and pick one that fits nap. A few are out of town; the drive time is on each card.

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.

Keep planning: This week in Charlotte · Charlotte city guide · Visiting Charlotte

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