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

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

We found 9 Santa outings for little kids in and around Columbus with 2026 dates: 3 breakfasts and brunches and 5 photo spots and visits, plus one worth the drive. 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.

9 outings3 breakfasts5 photo spotsFirst visits Nov 20

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

Start here

What kind of Santa visit?

Breakfast with Santa

3 breakfasts · Dec 5 – Dec 20

A quick photo

4 daytime spots · Nov 20 – Dec 24

After-dark Santa

1 evening spot · Nov 20 – Dec 23

Worth the drive

1 outing · Dec 3 – Dec 13

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). Dots mark set dates, like breakfasts and one-day visits.

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Dec 1
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5Photos With Santa & His…Breakfast with Santa at…
6Sensory-Friendly Santa…
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Inside a listing’s datesBreakfastPhotos and visits

Breakfast with Santa

3 breakfasts · Dec 5 – Dec 20

Breakfast with Santa at Franklin Park Conservatory

Franklin Park Conservatory, The Wells Barn · Columbus, OH

BreakfastBook ahead
When
Sat Dec 19 & Sun Dec 20, 2026 · 8 a.m.–noon (timed arrival; arrive within 15 minutes)
Price
Non-members $26 adult, $18 child 3–12; members $24 / $16; 2 and under free (still need a reservation); Conservatory admission not included
Family of 4: about $88 for 2 adults and 2 kids at the posted prices
  • Chris Cakes flips all-you-can-eat pancakes for kids to catch
  • visit with Santa
  • Reservations open Mon Oct 26 at 11 a.m
  • popular times sell out quickly
Book / details ↗

Checked Oct 18 on the official page

Report a problem

Breakfast with Santa at The Joseph

Le Méridien Columbus, The Joseph (Short North) · Columbus, OH

Breakfast
When
Sun Dec 13, 2026 · 10 a.m.–noon
Price
See Eventbrite (ticket sales close Dec 6)
  • Pancake and waffle station, cocoa bar, time with Santa
  • limited seating
  • refunds up to 7 days before
Book / details ↗

Checked Oct 18 on the official page

Report a problem

Breakfast with Santa at Camp Lazarus

Camp Lazarus (Simon Kenton Council, Scouting America) · 4422 Columbus Pike Rd, Delaware, OH 43015

Breakfast
When
Sat Dec 5, 2026 · 8 a.m.–noon
Price
See pricing on registration page; registration closes Dec 2
  • Breakfast with Santa, games with Rudolph, photo with Santa, cookie decorating with Mrs
  • Claus, Scout skills
Book / details ↗

Checked Oct 18 on the official page

Report a problem

Santa photos and visits

4 daytime spots · Nov 20 – Dec 24

Sensory-Friendly Santa Experience

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium · Powell, OH

PhotosBook aheadSensory-friendly
When
Sun Dec 6, 2026 · Noon–4 p.m.
Price
$5 per group reservation fee; zoo admission not included; advance reservation required
Sensory
Calm, comfortable setting for guests with sensory needs
  • Open to all guests
Book / details ↗

Checked Oct 18 on the official page

Report a problem

Photos With Santa & His Merry Goats

Easton Farmers' Market · Easton, Columbus, OH

Photos
When
Sat Dec 5, 2026 · 10 a.m.–noon
Price
See market
Book / details ↗

Checked Oct 18 on the official page

Report a problem

Santa Photos at The Mall at Tuttle Crossing

The Mall at Tuttle Crossing · 5043 Tuttle Crossing Blvd, Dublin, OH 43016

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

Checked Oct 19 on the official page

Report a problem

Santa at Oakland Nursery

Oakland Nursery (Columbus, Dublin, Delaware and New Albany) · 1156 Oakland Park Ave, Columbus, OH 43224 (and other stores)

PhotosBook ahead
When
Sat & Sun Nov 28–Dec 13 · Noon–3:30pm
Price
No charge listed
Ages
All ages
Strollers
Garden center grounds
  • Horse-drawn carriage rides weekends noon–4pm at the Columbus store (noon–3pm in Dublin), weather permitting, and a camel visits Columbus on Nov 28 from noon to 3pm
  • New Albany adds a free Breakfast with Santa on Sat Dec 19, 9–11am, with no reservation needed
Book / details ↗

Checked Oct 19 on the official page

Report a problem

After-dark Santa

1 evening spot · Nov 20 – Dec 23

Santa at Wildlights

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium · Powell, OH

After dark
When
Wildlights nights from Nov 20 through Dec 23, 2026 · During Wildlights (Sun–Thu noon–9 p.m., Fri–Sat noon–10 p.m.)
Price
Included with zoo admission
  • No Santa photos after Dec 23
Book / details ↗

Checked Oct 18 on the official page

Report a problem

Worth the drive from Columbus

1 outing · Dec 3 – Dec 13 · the drive time is on each card

THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride

Dennison Railroad Depot Museum · Dennison, OH

Worth the driveAbout 1 hour 45 minutes (Dennison, OH)
When
Dec 3–6 and Dec 10–13, 2026 · Thu–Fri 6 & 8 p.m.; Sat–Sun 2, 4, 6 & 8 p.m.
Price
Downtime $55–$75; Standard $60–$80; Prime Time $65–$85 (Coach/Deluxe/First); private compartments $595; +$4 fee per ticket
Ages
Everyone 1 year and up needs a seat
  • Santa visits each child with a jingle bell. on sale since Aug 4
Book / details ↗

Checked Oct 18 on the official page

Report a problem
On a budget

Ways to keep Santa cheap

1Santa at Wildlights
Included with zoo admission2Sensory-Friendly Santa Experience
$5 per group reservation fee; zoo admission not included; advance reservation required3Breakfast with Santa at Franklin Park Conservatory
Non-members $26 adult, $18 child 3–12; members $24 / $16; 2 and under free (still need a reservation); Conservatory admission not included
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 5 light displays in and around Columbus with 2026 dates, sorted for little kids, with early start times.

Christmas lights in Columbus →
Good questions

Santa in Columbus: questions parents ask

Is there a free Santa visit in Columbus?

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

What’s the cheapest breakfast with Santa in Columbus?

Of the breakfasts and brunches with posted 2026 prices, the lowest is Breakfast with Santa at Franklin Park Conservatory (Non-members $26 adult, $18 child 3–12; members $24 / $16; 2 and under free (still need a reservation); Conservatory admission not included). 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 Franklin Park Conservatory (2 and under free). To skip a long line with a toddler, look at reserved or timed visits: Breakfast with Santa at Franklin Park Conservatory and Santa Photos at The Mall at Tuttle Crossing. 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?

Five listings start in the morning, including Breakfast with Santa at Franklin Park Conservatory, Breakfast with Santa at The Joseph and Photos With Santa & His Merry Goats. Two are evening visits (5 p.m. or later), which work best on a late-nap day.

Is there a sensory-friendly Santa in Columbus?

Sensory-Friendly Santa Experience: Calm, comfortable setting for guests with sensory needs.

Is there a Polar Express or Santa train near Columbus?

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 Columbus · Columbus city guide · Visiting Columbus

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