Where to See Santa In & Around Jacksonville {Dining & Photos}

Where to see Santa

Jacksonville offers many opportunities to see Santa, whether for a timeless holiday photo or for a special meal or storybook tea. Special events feature Santa all around the First Coast this holiday season, so be sure to make a visit to the jolly old elf this season!


{Featured Events}

Enchanted Christmas Village
November 25 – December 31
The Enchanted Christmas Village is a magical and delightful experience that brings Christmas to life. Bringing families together in a fun and safe environment is the Village’s first goal. Guests will be surrounded by over one million Christmas lights that will illuminate the magic of the season for all to enjoy! An animated Christmas Tree performs every half hour in the evenings. The beauty of the Village will be set in the most beautiful backdrop of lush acres of land, complete with lakefront views and country Christmas atmosphere!

Jacksonville Moms Blog’s Breakfast with Santa at Glen Kernan {SOLD OUT}
December 10, various times
Come and dine with JMB at the exclusive Glen Kernan Country Club right before Christmas! Enjoy a hot breakfast buffet and one on one time with Santa. This is a great opportunity to dress up and have a relaxing visit with Santa! Be sure to bring your camera! 

Jax Moms Blog's 2nd Annual Breakfast with Santa


Santa’s Arrival at the Avenues Mall
November 4 :: 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Have you heard the good news? Santa Claus is coming to town!
Join us as we celebrate the 6th Annual Santa’s Arrival at The Avenues. Children and families will spread the Christmas cheer with Santa’s grand arrival by helicopter, fun games, crafts, activities and more!


Santa’s Wonderland Dinner
November 23 :: 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. Join Santa along with his elves for a new wonderland experience including the appearances by an Ice Princess and Jack Frost.  After dinner capture a family photo with Mr. & Mrs. Claus. Reservations requested.


Santa’s Storybook Tea
November 26, December 3, 10, & 17 ::12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
A Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island tradition; a fireside holiday storybook read by Santa, an afternoon tea with a fantasy buffet of sweet treats including pastries, candy, cakes, cookies, finger sandwiches and a picture with Mr. & Mrs. Claus. This year’s collection of Gingerbread Houses adds a touch of magic to the masterful display. Reservation recommended.


Santa Breakfast at the Ritz-Carlton
November 26, December 3, 10, 17 :: 8:30 am – 10 am 

A new event at the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. Children will delight whispering Santa their holiday wishes and parents will cherish the keepsake picture. Indulge in lavish, buffet adorned with magical gingerbread houses and decorations. Feast on breakfast favorites including a pancake station with fun toppings, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, breakfast breads, ham and cheese croissants, an array of delectable breakfast pastries and holiday cookie station. Price: $40 per person ages 6 and up | $25 children 5 and younger.


Breakfast with Santa at Blackfinn
December 3 :: 9:00 am – 11:00 am
Santa is coming to town and making a stop at Blackfinn on his way back to the North Pole to get ready for Christmas! Tickets include a brunch buffet, a complimentary photo with Santa and cookie decorating at your table for the kids!


Beaches Town Center Holiday Celebrations
December 3 :: 3:00 pm – 9:00 pm
The festivities will begin with a bike parade and everyone is invited to decorate their bikes and join in the fun.  There will be many family-friendly activities to keep the little ones busy including music, dance performances, face painting, arts and crafts tables, hayrides and much more throughout the Town Center area.  All activities are free to the public.  The Mayors of both cities will light the community tree and Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive by sleigh at 6 pm to visit with the kids. Consider bringing a canned food donation to help support those in need during the holiday season.


Photos in the Courtyard at 200 First Street
December 3, 10, 17 :: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Beaches Town Center along with Deanne Dunlop Photography once again will be offering photos wiht Santa in the courtyard in Neptune Beach. Get you picture taken and support a good cause!


Photos & Fun with Santa at Coastal Therapy
December 10 :: 9:00am – 1:00pm
We are excited to provide a sensory-friendly environment for children with speech & language, sensory processing and physical limitations to meet jolly old St. Nicholas himself! Come by to have your child’s photo taken in a family friendly environment with no lines and lots of holiday crafts! Our center will be set up with activities for kids to enjoy before they meet Santa one-on-one in a calm and comfortable setting. Our friendly therapists and staff will be onsite to help parents get that perfect picture and make it a fun holiday experience for the whole family!


Breakfast with Santa at Applebee’s
December 10 :: 8:30am  10:30am
Applebee’s annual Breakfast with Santa fundraiser will take place on Saturday, December 10 from 8:30 – 10:30 AM. The fundraiser will support the efforts of the U.S. Marines Corps Toys for Tots program, currently in its 68th year, which distributes new toys to underprivileged children to brighten the holidays, unify local communities and deliver a message of hope. Guests can enjoy breakfast compliments of Applebee’s along with goodies, raffle tickets for door prizes and the opportunity to take a photo with Santa Claus. Tickets to Breakfast with Santa, which can be purchased by calling or visiting a local Applebee’s, are $10 each, and advanced reservations are required as seating is limited. Children under the age of 2 are admitted free of charge.


Cookies & Cocoa with Santa at Topgolf
December 17 :: 9:00am – 11:00am
Santa Claus is coming to town, and this time he’s bringing his own cookies … and cocoa. Bring the little ones to get a complimentary photo taken with Santa, and receive a FREE holiday-themed gift and, of course, cookies and cocoa. {Available for the first 200 kids playing Topgolf.}


Brunch with Santa at HOBNOB
December 18 :: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Bring the kids out to Unity Plaza for a morning with Santa. Visit with Santa and stay for a special holiday brunch with the kids, in the plaza. Visiting with Santa is free and open to the public. Free holiday pancakes for the kids, with regular menu purchase for the adults. Brunch is by reservation only at HOBNOB. When making reservations, be sure to notate you are coming for the brunch.


Orange Park Mall
November 11:: 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Join the OP Mall for an evening of free, fun family festivities as we welcome Santa to Orange Park Mall!  Fun begins at 4pm and it will be a magical evening as we predict snow at Orange Park Mall when Santa arrives! Free gift from Santa for the first 100 children in line! The most convenient entrance to the Santa Photo Experience is the AMC entrance or through Dillard’s.


Santa at My Gym!
December 2:: 4:oo p.m. – 5:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Santa is coming all the way from the North Pole just to see you! Join us on Friday, December 2 for a wonderful evening full of games, activities, goodies, treats, and of course saying hello to Mr. Claus himself.


St. Johns Town Center
November 13 – December 22
Santa will be available for a visit and photos in the new Nordstrom wing. By appointment only!


YMCA Breakfast with Santa
December 10, Various Locations
Gather the whole family and join us for a magical morning at Breakfast with Santa, hot cocoa included! Be sure to bring your camera to capture these special memories – you won’t want to miss the look on the kids’ faces as they meet Ol’ Saint Nick!


Jolly Jump & Santa
TBD
Don’t wait in a long line to see Santa! Head to Pump It Up for Jolly Jump & Santa where you can bounce and snap as many photos with Santa as you want!

JMB's Ultimate Guide to Holiday Events in Jacksonville

Meg Sacks
Meg is a working mom of four and an avid community volunteer. She has worked in corporate communications and media relations for more than 18 years, for a Fortune 500 company as well as a non-profit. She took some time off to enjoy life as a stay at home mom after the birth of her first child in 2008. Her sweet, introverted daughter, was excited to welcome her baby brother in 2013, and then boy/girl twins joined the family in 2016. Meg finds being an “office mama” a constant balancing act and never-ending challenge but enjoys the opportunities it offers her for personal growth. A Virginia girl at heart, she loves Florida’s warm weather, the great quality of life Jacksonville offers her family.

3 COMMENTS

  1. Don’t forget Holiday Magic and Festival of LIghts 5K on December 10th at 6:00 PM in San Marco Square! Santa Clause will be there for pictures along with Christmas music, horse drawn hay rides,
    a petting zoo, children’s bounce games, Christmas Tree lighting and the Little Train That Could!

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