- November 24, 2016

Where to Find Santa in Austin This Holiday Season

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Santa Claus is coming to town! Here’s where you can go in Austin to enjoy breakfast with Santa, free photos, holiday crafts and more.

Santa

Free Visits with Santa

Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops (Round Rock)
November 12 – December 24   |  Bass Pro Shops, 200 Bass Pro Drive, Round Rock
Visit Santa and get a FREE photo! Hours vary.

Santa on the Terrace
November 25 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.  |  The Long Center, 701 W Riverside Dr, Austin
Bring the kids for a FREE photo with Santa overlooking the best view in  Austin! Pictures are on a first-come first-served basis. Being in line is no guarantee of getting your picture taken.

Photos with Santa & Mrs. Claus
November 25 & 26 from 12-4 p.m.  |  The Arboretum at Great Hills, 10000 Research Blvd, Austin
Spend your Black Friday at The Arboretum and be sure to get your FREE picture taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus! A photographer will snap a pic on your phone or camera for you! Santa will be there both days from 12-4 p.m., by the Fireplace near Amy’s Ice Creams.

Tree Lighting and Santa’s Arrival
November 25 from 6-9 p.m. |  Hill Country Galleria, 12700 Hill Country Blvd, Austin
See Santa and help light the synchronized holiday tree! The fun starts at 6:00 p.m. with the first look of the all new Central Plaza and face painting for the kids. The program will begin at 7:00 p.m. with dance performances, Santa, the holiday tree lighting, fireworks and live music by Andy Grammer! FREE!

Meet & Greet With Santa
November 26 – December 24; hours  |  Hill Country Galleria, 12700 Hill Country Blvd, Austin
Meet Santa and tell him what you want for the holidays! Kids of all ages are welcome, pets are welcome too! Bring your own camera and take fun holiday photos! FREE!

Chuy’s Giving to Children Parade
November 26 at 11 a.m.  |  the State Capitol at 11th and Congress, Austin
Benefiting Operation Blue Santa so bring new, unwrapped toys to donate! At a designated time during the Parade Procession, all units will stop to collect the toys. Santa’s Helpers will line the parade route and help spectators give their toy. All toys will be distributed by the Operation Blue Santa Program to another child just in time for the holidays. Giant inflatable balloons, festive holiday floats, famous children’s characters, spectacular marching bands, cool classic cars and Santa! (No photos with Santa available at this event.)

Sheraton Georgetown Texas Hotel Presents Tree Lighting Celebration  (Georgetown)
November 26 from 6-6:30 p.m. |  1101 Woodlawn Ave, Georgetown
Celebrate the beginning of the holiday season with complimentary drinks, holiday music and a visit from Santa Claus at Sheraton Georgetown Texas Hotel’s Tree Lighting celebration. Throughout this free event, attendees are invited to sip on festive drink specials available for purchase at Jack’s Lounge, the hotel’s lobby lounge. The night will culminate with the lighting of Sheraton Georgetown Texas Hotel’s majestic Christmas tree, making this a day of merriment for the entire family.
FREE!

Gingerbread Village Open Houses
November 28 & 29 from 5-6 p.m. | Four Seasons, 98 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin
Enjoy complimentary hot apple cider and festive cookies as you ooh and aah over the details of the “Classic Fairy Tales”-themed Gingerbread Village in the Lobby. The talented pastry chefs—along with special guest, Santa—will also be on hand for photo opportunities and to answer questions about the houses, which will be on display from November 21 through December 25, 2016. FREE!

Christmas Stroll (Georgetown)
December 2 from 5-9 p.m. and December 3 from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. |   Downtown Georgetown
The Magic of the Stroll is real and will bring memories on this 36th Annual Celebration. The Georgetown Square will be transformed into a genuine Christmas card come to life. It’s a magical setting of a multitude of trees outlined with twinkling white lights , old fashioned lamp poles, Santa in the Christmas tree farm waiting to hear from both naughty & nice. It’s the place to journey back in time as you wonder through Bethlehem Village. You can also find the Grinch and his characters in Whoo-Village. FREE!

Christmas Family Night (Round Rock)
December 2 at 6:30 p.m. |  Main Street, downtown Round Rock
This FREE event includes activities for the entire family including live music, dancers, candle making, game booths, Frosty the Snowman, Santa Claus and more. Children should bring their “wish lists” for Santa Claus and parents are encouraged to bring their own cameras for pictures with Santa. Plus, enjoy free hot dogs, popcorn, hot chocolate, and other refreshments, activities and snacks.

First Annual Old Town Christmas Festival (Leander)
December 2 at 6:30 p.m. |  100 N. Brushy Street, Leander
Old Town Leander comes alive to spread Christmas joy throughout the community. This event includes a activities for the kids, pictures with Santa, local school performances and entertainment, food court, local vendors, and more. FREE!

Breakfast with Santa at Dittmar Recreation Center
December 3 from 9-11 a.m. |  Dittmar Recreation Center, 1009 W. Dittmar Rd, Austin
The weather may be chilly outside, but the weather is always warm & welcoming at Dittmar Recreation Center! Come Hang out with us for a light breakfast, sing-a-long songs, crafts and don’t forget to bring your cameras for pictures with Santa! FREE!

German Christmas Market
December 3 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.  |   German Free School of Austin, 507 E 10th St, Austin
The German-Texan Heritage Society offers shoppers hand-made, imported crafts including plenty of Christmas themed decorations such as nutcrackers and ornaments. It is a festival atmosphere with traditional German Christmas music, tables full of handcrafted items direct from the Erzgebirge region of Germany, a visit by both our historic American Santa Claus and the traditional German Sankt Nikolas with gifts for the children, a hospitality serving of Glühwein (hot spiced wine), coffee, apple cider/juice and gingerbread cookies and plenty of German style baked goodies for purchase. Lunch served by Frank-Purveyors of Artisan Sausage. All purchases are Sales Tax Free on this special day. FREE!

Holiday in the Park and Craft Fair  (Round Rock)
December 3 from 12-3 p.m. |  Cat Hollow Park, 8600 O’Connor Dr., Round Rock
Enjoy a FREE fun-filled Family Holiday Festival and Craft Fair.  There will be tons of fun and activities for all ages. Santa arrives by fire truck at noon.

Pajama Party with the Elves
December 3 from 9-11 a.m. |  Barton Creek Square (entrance by The Cheesecake Factory), 2901 S Capital of Texas Hwy, Austin
Music, dancing, activities, and snacks from Chick-fil-A and Great American Cookie. Dress your little one in their favorite pajamas and enjoy a fun-filled morning you won’t forget. Beginning at 10 a.m., take a photo with Santa to capture the memories at our brand new Santa set located near The Cheesecake Factory. Photo packages available for purchase. FREE! RSVP here.

Pfestival of Lights and Christmas Parade (Pflugerville)
December 3 from 5-8 p.m.  |   Main Street & 1st St, Pflugerville
FREE arts and crafts, hot chocolate, cookies, photos with Santa (you bring the camera), and more.

Cookies with Santa (Cedar Park)
December 4 from 6-8 p.m. | Knowles Elementary, 2101 Cougar Country Drive, Cedar Park
Pictures with Santa, cookie decorating, crafts and vendor booths! This is a FREE event but please bring money to shop!

Holiday Tree Lighting and Santa’s Workshop (Cedar Park)
December 9 from 6:30-9 p.m. | Heritage Oak Park, 875 Quest Parkway, Cedar Park
Enjoy the lighting of the tree, live music, carriage rides, games & prizes, inflatables, photos with Santa (bring your own camera), and arts & crafts projects. Admission is FREE.

Breakfast with Santa (Cedar Park)
December 10 from 8 a.m. – noon  |   YMCA Camp Twin Lakes, 204 E. Little Elm Trail, Cedar Park
Enjoy a delicious North Pole breakfast while Santa gives personal attention to all while making his list!

Story Time with Santa (Round Rock)
December 10 from 3-4 p.m.   |    Round Rock Premium Outlets, 4401 N Interstate 35, Round Rock
Join Round Rock Premium Outlets for Story Time with Santa in the Food Court. Children can snack on milk and cookies while Santa reads a special story and leads a sing-along! FREE! Photo packages available for purchase. 

Austin Trail of Lights
December 10-23 from 7-10 p.m. |  Zilker Park, Austin
FREE from December 10-16. From December 17-23, general admission is $3 for guests age 12 and up. Tickets available here. Children 11 and under are free every night! Parking passes and shuttle tickets are also available online. Photos with Santa are FREE, on a first come, first served basis.

Breakfast with Santa (Round Rock)
December 11 from 9-11 a.m.  |   Round Rock Premium Outlets, 4401 N Interstate 35, Round Rock
Kids under 15 can enjoy a complimentary breakfast (with coffee for the adults!) while Santa strolls around the Food Court to spend quality time with each family. FREE! Photo packages available for purchase.

Pastries with Santa
December 17 from 9-11 a.m.  |   Oswaldo A.B. Cantu / Pan American Recreation Center, 2100 East 3rd St., Austin
Enjoy hot chocolate, crafts, giveaways, and pastries with Santa. FREE!

More Santa Visits and Photo Ops ($)

Barton Creek Holiday Photos with Santa
November 3 – December 24 | 2901 S Capital of Texas Hwy, Austin
It’s time for holiday photos with Santa. Visit Santa on the lower level near The Cheesecake Factory. Click here to schedule an appointment. A $10 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your appointment. This $10 will be put towards your purchase of a Santa photo package during your visit with Santa.

Lakeline Mall Holiday Photos with Santa (Cedar Park)
November 3 – December 24  |   11200 Lakeline Mall Dr, Cedar Park
It’s time for holiday photos with Santa. Click here to schedule an appointment. A $10 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your appointment. This $10 will be put towards your purchase of a Santa photo package during your visit with Santa.

The Domain Holiday Photos with Santa
November 11 – December 24 | 11410 Century Oaks Terrace, Austin
It’s time for holiday photos with Santa. Click here to schedule an appointment. A $10 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your appointment. This $10 will be put towards your purchase of a Santa photo package during your visit with Santa.

Teddy Bear Teas
November 26 & 27; December 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, & 18 at noon & 3 p.m.  |  Four Seasons, 98 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin
Guests of all ages are invited to this Four Seasons Hotel Austin tradition, featuring tea service, holiday caroling and a fireside reading of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas by Santa himself! Those attending are asked to bring a new, unwrapped teddy bear, which will be donated to the Dell Children’s Hospital. Reservations are required and may be made by calling TRIO at +1 (512) 685-8300. $45 plus tax and 18% gratuity for adults; $30 plus tax and 18% gratuity for children 11 and under.

Milk and Cookies with Santa (Kyle)
November 26 and December 3 & 10; hours  |  Cross Plants and Produce, 705 N Old Highway 81, Kyle
Santa will be there on three different dates: November 26 from noon to 1 p.m.; December 3 from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.; December 10 from noon to 1 p.m. Santa Photos: $5 per family. You use your own camera. Cookies and Milk: priced individually at the milk and cookies booth. They will also have kid entrepreneur booths! Please visit them and do business with them before or after you visit Santa. They’ll have bakers, inventors, artists, musicians, crafters, life advice, life hacks, hot chocolate, nerf shooting gallery and more! It might be a good idea to bring cash. Come ready to shop at the daily farm market and to find your perfect, fresh cut Christmas tree! Business hours are Tuesday-Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. It is free to take photos at the Christmas Tree Forest which is open during business hours.

North Pole Flyer (Cedar Park)
November 26 – December 18 on Saturdays and Sundays (times vary) |   401 E. Whitestone Blvd., Ste C-100, Cedar Park
Holiday joy is in store on the North Pole Flyer train ride! This special 2.5 hour excursion on a real train features a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, all-you-can-drink hot cocoa and a locally baked holiday cookie. Each car is decorated for the season where passengers enjoy a live reading of the North Pole Flyer book. Santa will spend time in each car to “check your list twice” and pose for photographs before handing out a gift to each child to remember this special ride! All cars on this ride are pulled by 1960 diesel locomotive. This ride is 2.5 hours round trip with no layover. On each date, the train departs at 10:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Arrive 30-45 minutes prior to your departure time to get parked, boarded, and seated. If you miss your departure, they may not be able to reschedule you on this sold out ride. $38-43 per ticket.

Breakfast with Santa (Cedar Creek)
November 27 from 9 a.m. – noon  |   Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort, 575 Hyatt Lost Pines Rd, Cedar Creek
For the little “sugar plums”, enjoy arts and crafts, a jumpy house, holiday sing-a-longs and much, much more. Plus visits with Santa, his elves and photo ops to capture the fun! $16-32; children 5 and under are free with a paying adult.

Sights and Sounds of Christmas (San Marcos)
November 30 – December 3  |  401 E. Hopkins St., San Marcos
Light show on Santa’s House. Ice skating rink. Carnival. Live performances. Santa’s Gift Shop filled with holiday vendors. Free Petting Zoo. Free Candle Making in Bethlehem. Free Santa Photos for the kids. Free arts & craft making for the kids. Nightly admission is $5; kids 12 and under are free.

Breakfast with Santa (Round Rock)
December 3 from 8-11 a.m. |  Gattis Elementary School, 2920 Round Rock Ranch Blvd., Round Rock
Come have breakfast! Take your family photo with Santa! Enjoy story time! Make a holiday craft! Plus holiday shop with our vendors and silent auction! $5 per ticket.

Breakfast with Santa (Round Rock)
December 3 from 9-11 a.m. |  Santa’s Jingle House, 4414 Sam Bass Rd, Round Rock
Breakfast with Santa will be served in the red barn in front of Santa’s Jingle House. The breakfast buffet will include pancakes, waffles, muffins, sausages, fresh fruits and more. Of course there is plenty of time to take your picture with Santa​ and to meet his helpers. A group of elementary school girls from the “Singer’s Company” will perform during this event. $8-12, tickets here.

Santa in the Garden
December 3 from 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.  |   Zilker Botanical Garden, 2220 Barton Springs Rd, Austin
Skip the lines at the mall and bring the family to meet Santa & Mrs. Claus. Tasty treats and fun crafts. Bring your own camera to capture this special event! Free with admission to the garden, which is $1-3.

Photos with Santa
December 4 from 2-4 p.m. |  North by Northwest, 5701 W Slaughter, Bldg. D, Austin
Photos with Santa for a donation to Without Regrets! Bring your kids and/or dogs and get your Santa pics taken care of early and without all the stress of the mall.

Downtown Christmas Fair (Hutto)
December 10 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.  |   401 W. Front Street, Hutto
The Children’s Area wristband will be $5 and includes all activities: snow, snow slide, bouncy houses, train, and games. There will also be photos with Santa.

Pet Photos with Santa at Lakeline Mall (Cedar Park)
December 11 from 7-8 p.m.  |   Dillard’s Women’s Court, 11200 Lakeline Mall Dr, Cedar Park
Bring your furry friends to have their photo taken with Santa Claus himself. The event will take place after mall hours so bring the whole family out for this special photo opportunity. Register here.

Photos with Cowboy Kringle (New Braunfels)
December 17 & 18 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.  |   Gruene Historic District, 1281 Gruene Rd, New Braunfels
Gruene’s own brand of Santa will be featured for photos with the kids. Pictures will be taken on Saturday and Sunday in the breezeway between Gruene General Store and The Grapevine. Packages available. For information call (830) 629-5077.