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

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

We found 3 Santa outings for little kids in and around Columbia with 2026 dates: all photo spots and visits. None are free on their own, though some come with admission you may already have. The first visits start Nov 20. Each listing has the time, price and a link to book.

3 outings3 photo spotsFirst visits Nov 20

Last checked · none is free on its own · How we choose

Start here

What kind of Santa visit?

A quick photo

1 daytime spot · Nov 21 – Dec 24

After-dark Santa

2 evening spots · Nov 20 – Dec 23

Nov 15 – Dec 26

The Santa calendar

Shaded days fall inside at least one listing’s dates (check each card for days off and hours).

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Inside a listing’s dates

Santa photos and visits

1 daytime spot · Nov 21 – Dec 24

Santa Photos at Columbiana Centre

Columbiana Centre · 100 Columbiana Circle, Columbia, SC 29212

PhotosWalk-up
When
Nov 21–Dec 24, 2026 (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…)
Book / details ↗

Checked Oct 19 on the official page

Report a problem

After-dark Santa

2 evening spots · Nov 20 – Dec 23

Visits with Santa at Fireflies Holiday Lights

Segra Park · Segra Park, Columbia, SC

After dark
When
Nightly Nov 20–Dec 23, 2026 · 6–9pm
Price
Included with Fireflies Holiday Lights
Book / details ↗

Checked Oct 18 on the official page

Report a problem

Santa at Wild Lights

Riverbanks Zoo & Garden · Columbia, SC

After dark
When
Select nights Nov 20–Dec 23, 2026 (Wild Lights runs to Jan 10) · 5–9 p.m.
Price
Wild Lights ticket (on sale Nov 2)
  • Lantern and light safari with nightly snowfall
  • visits with Santa through Dec 23
  • Buy tickets ahead
Book / details ↗

Checked Oct 19 on the official page · Source

Report a problem
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 2 light displays in and around Columbia with 2026 dates, sorted for little kids, with early start times.

Christmas lights in Columbia →
Good questions

Santa in Columbia: questions parents ask

Is there a free Santa visit in Columbia?

None of the 2026 visits we found is free on its own. Visits with Santa at Fireflies Holiday Lights is included with Fireflies Holiday Lights, so it costs nothing extra if you’re going anyway. We add free visits as soon as their dates are posted.

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 Photos at Columbiana Centre. 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?

One listings start in the morning, including Santa Photos at Columbiana Centre. Two 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.

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

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