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

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

We found 7 Santa outings for little kids in and around Tampa with 2026 dates: 1 breakfast or brunch and 6 photo spots and visits. One is free. The first visits start Nov 6. Each listing has the time, price and a link to book.

7 outings1 breakfast6 photo spotsFirst visits Nov 61 free

Last checked · How we choose

Start here

What kind of Santa visit?

Breakfast with Santa

1 breakfast · Dec 11 – Dec 13

A quick photo

4 daytime spots · Nov 6 – Dec 24

After-dark Santa

2 evening spots · Nov 20 – Dec 24

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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Inside a listing’s datesPhotos and visits

Breakfast with Santa

1 breakfast · Dec 11 – Dec 13

Tea with Santa at Oxford Exchange

Oxford Exchange · Oxford Exchange, Tampa, FL

BreakfastBook ahead
When
Dec 11–13, 2026 · Times on the RSVP page
Price
Ticketed; RSVP through Oxford Exchange
Ages
Kids
Strollers
Not stated
  • A yearly holiday tea at the downtown bookstore, restaurant and shop
  • Seatings and prices are posted with the RSVP
Book / details ↗

Checked Oct 19 on the official page

Report a problem

Santa photos and visits

4 daytime spots · Nov 6 – Dec 24

Santa Fest & Tree Lighting

Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park · Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, Tampa, FL

PhotosFree
When
Sat, Dec 5, 2026 · Parade at 1pm; tree lighting in the evening
Price
Free, including photos with Santa
  • A parade through downtown, make-and-take crafts, reindeer games, free photos with Santa and a free holiday movie after the trees light up
Book / details ↗

Checked Oct 18 on the official page

Report a problem

Santa Photos at International Plaza

International Plaza · 2223 N West Shore Blvd, Tampa, FL 33607

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 9–10:30 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 1 evening (Dec 13)
Book / details ↗

Checked Oct 19 on the official page

Report a problem

Santa Photos at Citrus Park

Citrus Park · 8021 Citrus Park Town Center, Tampa, FL 33625

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 The Shops at Wiregrass

The Shops at Wiregrass · 28211 Paseo Drive, Wesley Chapel, FL 33543-2524

PhotosWalk-upSensory-friendly
When
Nov 14–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 (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 5 evenings (Nov 16, Nov 23, Nov 30, Dec 7, Dec 14)
  • Some days feature a cowboy-themed Santa (Cowboy Claus)
  • see the event schedule
Book / details ↗

Checked Oct 19 on the official page

Report a problem

After-dark Santa

2 evening spots · Nov 20 – Dec 24

Santa Photos at WestShore Plaza

WestShore Plaza · 250 Westshore Plaza, Tampa, FL 33609

After darkWalk-up
When
Nov 25–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
  • 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 Tyrone Square

Tyrone Square · 6901 22nd Ave North, Saint Petersburg, FL 33710

After darkWalk-upSensory-friendly
When
Nov 20–Dec 24, 2026 (not every day in the first weeks; 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 9–10:30 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 1 evening (Dec 13)
Book / details ↗

Checked Oct 19 on the official page

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 the light display in and around Tampa with 2026 dates, sorted for little kids, with early start times.

Christmas lights in Tampa →
Good questions

Santa in Tampa: questions parents ask

Where can we see Santa for free in Tampa?

One of this year’s Santa listings is free: Santa Fest & Tree Lighting. 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 Photos at International Plaza, Santa Photos at WestShore Plaza and Santa Photos at Citrus Park. 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?

Three listings start in the morning, including Santa Photos at International Plaza, Santa Photos at Citrus Park and Santa Photos at The Shops at Wiregrass. Two are evening visits (5 p.m. or later), which work best on a late-nap day.

Is there a sensory-friendly Santa in Tampa?

Santa Photos at International Plaza: Sensory-friendly session (Caring Santa): Sun Dec 6 9–10:30 a.m.; reduced lights and music, smaller crowds, advance registration required, no purchase required to book. Santa Photos at The Shops at Wiregrass: 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 Tyrone Square: Sensory-friendly session (Caring Santa): Sun Dec 6 9–10:30 a.m.; reduced lights and music, smaller crowds, advance registration required, no purchase required to book.

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 Tampa · Tampa city guide · Visiting Tampa

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