# Breakfast with Santa and Santa photos in Minneapolis–St. Paul, 2026

> We found 9 Santa outings for little kids in and around Minneapolis–St. Paul with 2026 dates: 3 breakfasts and brunches, 5 photo spots and visits and 1 Santa train. None are free. The first visits start Nov 15. Each listing has the time, price and a link to book.

- Last checked: 2026-10-19
- 9 listings with 2026 dates; 0 without posted dates
- Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/twin-cities/santa/
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## Breakfast and brunch with Santa

- **Breakfast with Santa (Maple Grove)** at Maple Grove Community Organization (served by Maple Grove Lions), 12951 Weaver Lake Road, Maple Grove, MN 55369. When: Sat Dec 5, 2026. Time: 8:30–10:30 a.m. (Lunch with Santa 11 a.m.–1 p.m.). Price: $5 adult, $5 child 2+, $2 under 2 (lunch $7 / $7 / $3); registration opens Nov 1, no walk-ups. Games, crafts, visit with Santa; bring food-shelf donations. Official page: https://mgco.org/our-events/breakfast-with-santa/
- **Breakfast with Santa at The Saint Paul Hotel** at The Saint Paul Hotel, 350 Market Street, Saint Paul, MN 55102. When: Sat Dec 5, 2026. Time: 9 a.m. Price: $120 per ticket (tax and gratuity included; non-refundable). Buffet with pancakes, Santa photo op, holiday coloring. Official page: https://secure.saintpaulhotel.com/system/?a=events&eventid=136
- **Breakfast with Santa (City of Blaine)** at Blaine City Hall, Blaine, MN 55449. When: Sat Dec 19, 2026. Time: Seatings 9, 10, 11 a.m. or noon. Price: Register online (price on registration). Official page: https://blainemn.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=13170

## Santa photos and visits

- **The Santa Experience at Mall of America** at Mall of America, Bloomington, MN. When: Nov 15 – Dec 24, 2026. Time: See booking site. Price: Photos/merch for purchase; tickets on sale Oct 29. Intimate setting with Santa movies and photos. MOA posts sensory-friendly resources. Official page: https://www.thesantaexperiencemn.com/
- **Santa Photos at Southdale Center** at Southdale Center, 10 Southdale Center, Edina, MN 55435. When: Nov 20–Dec 24, 2026 (closed Thanksgiving). Time: Most days 10 a.m.–9 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). Pet photo nights on 2 evenings (Dec 6, Dec 13). Official page: https://whereissanta.com/mall/0997
- **Santa Photos at Ridgedale Center** at Ridgedale Center, 12401 Wayzata Boulevard, Minnetonka, MN 55305. When: Nov 20–Dec 24, 2026 (not every day in the first weeks; closed Thanksgiving). Time: 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 7 evenings (Nov 23, Nov 24, Dec 1, Dec 7, Dec 8, Dec 14…). Official page: https://whereissanta.com/mall/0966
- **Santa Photos at Maplewood Mall** at Maplewood Mall, 3001 White Bear Ave N, Saint Paul, MN 55109. When: Nov 20–Dec 24, 2026 (closed Thanksgiving). Time: Most days 10 a.m.–8 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). Official page: https://whereissanta.com/mall/0507
- **Santa Photos at Burnsville Center** at Burnsville Center, 1178 Burnsville Center, Burnsville, MN 55306-6218. When: Nov 27–Dec 24, 2026. Time: 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). Official page: https://whereissanta.com/mall/0476

## Santa trains and the Polar Express

- **North Pole Express** at St. Paul Union Depot (Friends of the 261), St. Paul Union Depot, Saint Paul, MN. When: Dec 4–6 & 10–13, 2026. Time: See ticket page. Price: See ticket page (on sale now). Vintage train to the 'North Pole'; kids write letters on board; Santa walks through to meet each child; treat afterward. Official page: https://261.com/npe/

## About this list
- Published by Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/). Free weekly lists for kids ages 0–6, city by city.
- How we choose and check listings, and how to send a correction: https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/ (corrections: hello@littlesweekly.com).
- Sponsored spots are labeled on the HTML pages and are not part of this editorial list.
- How to cite: “According to Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/…), …” and link the page you quote.

## FAQ

### Is there a free Santa visit in Minneapolis–St. Paul?
None of the 2026 visits we found is free on its own. We add free visits as soon as their dates are posted.

### What’s the cheapest breakfast with Santa in Minneapolis–St. Paul?
Of the breakfasts and brunches with posted 2026 prices, the lowest are Breakfast with Santa (Maple Grove) ($5 adult, $5 child 2+, $2 under 2 (lunch $7 / $7 / $3); registration opens Nov 1, no walk-ups); Breakfast with Santa at The Saint Paul Hotel ($120 per ticket (tax and gratuity included; non-refundable)). Prices are from each venue’s own page.

### 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 Southdale Center, Santa Photos at Ridgedale Center and Santa Photos at Maplewood Mall. 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 (Maple Grove), Breakfast with Santa at The Saint Paul Hotel and Breakfast with Santa (City of Blaine).

### Is there a sensory-friendly Santa in Minneapolis–St. Paul?
Santa Photos at Southdale Center: 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 Minneapolis–St. Paul?
Yes. North Pole Express runs in 2026. Check each card for departure times and pick one that fits nap.

### 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](https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/).