Where To Take Photos with Santa in Reno, Sparks, and Beyond (Updating 2023)

Santa Claus is coming to town – which means it is time for photos with Santa in Reno, Sparks, Carson City, and beyond! When it comes to getting the kids ready for Santa, sometimes it can feel overwhelming.

Where is the best place to go, how much is it going to cost, and do I need to reserve a spot or can I be spontaneous and just bring the kids by when they are in a good mood?

Our team at Nevada Moms has been keeping an eye out for photos with Santa in Reno, Sparks, Carson City, and surrounding areas and we’re sharing all of the details. We are not including individual photographers doing sessions unless it is at a brick-and-mortar location or an annual experience.

Photos With Santa in Reno, Sparks, and Beyond

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Carson City

The Polar Express

Date: Nov. 17- Dec. 23, Trains depart at 5PM, 6:30PM and 8PM

Location: V&T Railway; 4650 Eastgate Siding Road Carson City, NV 89701

Reservations: Required for the train, but not required for just a picture with Santa at the Depot 

Cost: $60+ for the train | $25 for pictures with Santa at the depot

If you are just looking for a professional picture with a great Santa you can still head to the Depot for a picture!  Packages start at $25.

Starting Nov. 17, The Polar Express train rides commence! During the holiday season, characters, entertainment, and Santa bring the story to life, with a souvenir silver sleigh bell to remember the journey. Bring your cameras to capture a moment with Santa on the train. The one-hour-long rides are fun for the whole family.  

Winter Wonderland

Dates: Dec 16, 3pm

Location: Chocolate Nugget Candy Factory

Reservations: Make reservation here

Cost: Free

Meet Santa Claus himself! From 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM, Santa will be in town to spread holiday cheer and listen to all your festive wishes. Play the day away with a variety of games, sure to delight both the young and the young at heart. Savor the flavors of the season with a collection of food trucks, warm up your hands with delectable warm drinks, enjoy an outdoor inflatable movie theater, and creating memories under the night sky.

Gardnerville

Pictures with Santa

Dates: Nov 25 and Dec 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 22 select times for each day

Location: Cotton Candy Clouds, 1503 U.S. Hwy 395 N K, Gardnerville, NV 89410

Reservations: Limited spots available

Cost: $40/child $15/adult

Santa AND Mrs. Claus photos. We will provide a beautiful, whimsical scene, playful, super fun and magical! Storytime with The Elves, Ornament Making- Create a one of a kind ornament uniquely designed and created by your child. This will be one you’ll want to cherish forever, we promise!

Santa Photos

Dates: December 3rd from 11am-3pm

Location: Gardnerville Station

Reservations: Not required 

Cost: $30 for 3 edited photos, 1-week turnaround.  Cash or venmo only. 

Get your pictures with Santa before the Parade of Lights! 

Reno

Santa Photo Experience

Date: Nov. 17 – Dec. 24

Location: Meadowood Mall; 5000 Meadowood Mall Circle, Reno, NV 89502

Reservations: Required, book here

Cost: Packages start at $39.99

The ultimate holiday tradition awaits! Secure your spot today. *Receive a free phone call from Santa as our exclusive gift to you when you book online.

Holiday Kickoff

Date: Nov. 24 from 11am-4pm

Location: Junkee Clothe Exchange & Antiques, 299 E Plumb Lane #135A, Reno

Cost: Free

Join us on Friday, November 24th to kick off the holiday season! Bring your phone or camera for a free photo op with Funkee Junkee Santa! Photos are from 11-4 pm. First come first serve. We will assign you a number and you can shop while you wait!
*Junkee is now located inside Reno Public Market!

Cookies with Santa

Date: Nov. 24 & 25 from 12pm – 2pm

Location: Hand Craft Coffee, 300 S. Wells Ave # 5, Reno, NV.

Cost: $75

Bring your family for cookies with Santa! Just in time to send out your holiday cards. Included: 5 images, Online Gallery, Cookies with Santa.

Party America Santa Pictures

Date: Dec. 2 from 11am to 1pm

Location: Party America Reno, 5925 S Virginia St Reno, NV 89502

Cost: Free pictures or $10 for custom ornament

Holiday Party with Santa at the Library

Date: Dec. 6, 8, 9, 13, 23 

Location: Washoe County Libraries

Incline Village Library – Wednesday, December 6, 4 pm

Duncan/Traner Community Library – Friday, December 8, 3 pm

Sierra View Library – Saturday, December 9, 11 am

Northwest Reno Library – Wednesday, December 13, 10:30 am

Register here to see Santa at one of his special visits to the library!

Cocktails for a Cause

Date: Dec. 7 from 3pm – 7pm

Location: Grand Sierra Resort and Casino

Cost: $5/per child, $20/adult

Join the Junior League of Reno for an unforgettable evening of holiday enchantment, community spirit, and charitable giving with “Cocktails for a Cause, ” from 3pm – 7pm on December 7 at the Grand Sierra. Tickets are $20 for adults and $5 for children, which includes a Santa photo keepsake.

Photos with Iron Man and Santa

Date: Dec. 9 from 5:30pm – 6:30pm

Location: 10440 Canyon Country Ct Reno, NV 89521

Cost: $15 donation

All you need to donate is $15 for this event and bring your phone! All proceeds go to Northern Nevada Children’s Cancer Foundation

Photos with Santa

Date: Dec. 10 from 11am-2pm

Location: RED Leasing Pavilion, 2072 Experience Way Reno, NV 89502

Save the date! Santa’s coming to town on December 10th from 11am – 2pm at the Reno Experience District, and we’ve got the perfect spot for your festive photos. 
To keep you warm while you wait we will have free hot cocoa and cider and don’t forget to bring your letters and Christmas lists for Santa. We hope to see you there!

Santa Stroll

Date: Sundays in December; Dec. 10, 17, 24 from 1pm – 3pm

Location: Shayden Summit, 13925 SOUTH VIRGINIA STREET SUITE 212, RENO, NV 89511

We are so excited to announce our Annual Santa Stroll starts this SUNDAY! Spot Santa strolling throughout Shayden Summit and be entered to win gift cards from around Shayden Summit!

The Garden Reno Pictures with Santa

Date: Dec. 2, from 1pm-4pm; Dec. 10 from 10am-2pm; Dec.16 from 8am-2pm

Location: The Garden Reno, 700 S Wells Ave Reno, NV 89502

Cost: Photos available for digital download at $25 per family, $5 for every additional image

Reno Public Market

Date: Nov. 25, 26 Dec 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, & 17

Location: Reno Public Market, 299 E Plumb Ln, Reno, NV 89502, USA

Cost: Free

Santa will be here from 12-4PM on Saturdays and Sundays.

 

Magical Holiday Lights at the Park

Date: Dec. 1, 2, 3-8, 9, 10-15, 16, 17, Friday and Saturday 5-9pm & Sunday 5-8pm

Location: Sierra Nevada Zoological Park, 10200 N Virginia St, Reno, NV 89506

Cost: Free

Santa Claus – Hot Chocolate – Hot Cider – Coffee – Craft Tent: Make your own ornament to take home

Photos With Santa 

Date: Dec. 9 & 10 from 11am – 4pm

Location: Spa Level at Kids Club @ Grand Sierra Resort and Casino

Cost: Free

Bring your children (or grandchildren!) and have them share their holiday wish with the big guy and snap a memory to cherish forever, all compliments of GSR.

Free Photo with Santa

Date: Dec. 9 from 11-2pm

Location: 1160 Damonte Ranch Pkwy, Reno, NV 89521

Reservations: None

Cost: Free Public Event by Palomino

Photo with Santa by AW Photography – Arts and Crafts – Build a Snowman – Pie Tasting – Hot Cocoa Bar – Daddy’s Tacos Food Truck – Letters to Santa – 2 Elf on the Shelf Raffles

Pictures with Santa 

Date: Dec 2, 9, & 16 from 11-3pm

Location: Toys N More; 4809 Kietzke Lane Suite C Reno, NV 89502

Reservations: Not required

Cost: $20 for 2 pictures

Letters to Santa station and pictures with Santa. Bring your child to Toys N More have them write their letter to Santa and personally deliver it to Santa himself.

Simply Song Santa Minis 

Date: Dec. 16-17, 23.  Reservation required. 

Location: Reno, NV

Cost: $120

Enjoy letter to Santa and coloring station and a treat/hot cocoa station. Quality time and pictures with Santa himself! 

Sparks

39 North Pole Village Santa Visits

Date: Nov 30-Dec 1 from 4-9pm, Dec. 2 from 11am-9pm

Location: 900 Victorian Ave, Sparks, NV

Reservations: Not Required

Cost: Free

This year, 39 North Pole Village will bring more vendors, double the amount of family activities, and the plaza will be saturated in holiday light displays and memories. Shop ‘til you drop in the heated vendor tent. Santa will be there for all to take free photos and to listen to Christmas wish lists.

Family First Christmas Market 

Date: Dec. 2 from 11am -2pm

Location: 2155 Green Vista Drive Suite 202 Sparks, NV 89431

Reservations: Not required 

Cost: Free

Come visit Santa! Photos with Santa, activities for the kids, Christmas mocktails, local vendors, and holiday cheer. Take a photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus, shop for locally-made holiday gifts to give to someone you love (or for yourself), and enjoy a family-fun afternoon. Event is free, suggested donation of new unwrapped toys, games, clothing and other family friendly items for the Washoe County Human Services Toy Drive.

Visits with Santa

Date: Dec. 2, 9, 16, 23 from 10:30am-5pm

Location: The Outlets at Legends, 1310 Scheels Drive, Sparks, NV 89434

Cost: Free, Please bring a personal camera to capture the moment.

The magic of Santa is HERE! Visit Santa on Saturday, December 2nd from 10:30am – 5pm located by the holiday tree between H&M and Express. Santa will take (1) 30 minute and (1) 15 minute break to feed his reindeer throughout the course of the day.

Meet Santa at Scheels

Dates: Dec. 7-8, 14-15, 20-21 from 11am – 3pm

Location: Scheels Reno-Sparks; 1200 Scheels Drive Sparks , NV 89434

Reservations: Not Required

Cost: Free

Each year, Scheels has been doing hosting a “Meet Santa” on select dates. Meet Santa for free, plus take your own pictures with him (bring your own camera). 

Meet Santa every weekend in December leading up to Christmas from 11am-3pm!

Santa Visit

Dates: Dec. 16 from 12pm-8pm & Dec. 17 from 12pm -6pm

Location: Galaxy Theatres Legends IMAX, Sparks; 1170 Scheels Drive, Sparks, NV 89434

Reservations: Not Required

Take your picture with the man himself on Saturday, December 16th and Sunday, December 17th.

Verdi

Cabela’s Santa Wonderland

Dates: Nov. 4 – Dec. 24

Location: Cabela’s Verdi; 8650 Boomtown Garson Road Verdi, NV 89439

Reservations: Required 

Cost: Free

Santa has arrived! You can take a free photo with him with a reservation. Families who visit Santa receive a free 4×6 studio-quality photo! Additional photo packages are also available for purchase and print instantly at the store. You can also take your own pictures so you have one without Cabela’s label on it! 

Tahoe

Fire & Ice

Dates: Dec 2, 9, 16, 23 from 8-10am

Location: 4100 Lake Tahoe Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150

Reservations: Required

Cost: Kids $20, Adults $30

Limited Seating is available. Photos and access to Mrs. Claus and Santa are included with the purchase of an interactive breakfast at Fire and Ice Restaurant, located in the Heavenly Village. Seeing is believing! Bring the whole family to mingle with Santa, take photos, and enjoy one of the heartiest breakfasts the village has to offer! Access to Santa and Mrs. Claus is included with the purchase.

Virginia City

Santa Returns

Dates: Dec 14 from 5:30pm – 7:30pm

Location: The Great Room at the Gold Hill Hotel, 1540 Main Street Virginia City, Nevada 89440

Cost: $20 per child

The Great Room will be converted to Santa’s work shop for one night only.  Children will be invited to design sugar cookies, roast a marshmallow, drink hot chocolate, make a holiday ornament and meet Santa!

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Photos with Santa in Reno Area Not Confirmed or Returning 2023

Summit Santa Stroll – Not Confirmed 2023

Date: Nov. 25 – Dec. 23, select days (see below), from 12-2pm

Location: The Summit Reno; 13925 S Virginia St UNIT 212, Reno, NV 89511

Reservations: Not required

Cost: Free

Santa is coming to The Summit! Join us this holiday season for a stroll with Santa as he visits the shops & restaurants at The Summit! Enjoy shopping for gifts & spot Santa strolling along full of holiday cheer during these dates:

• Nov. 25, 12-2pm
• Dec. 3, 12-2pm
• Dec. 9, 12-2pm
• Dec.  17, 12-2pm
• Dec. 23, 12-2pm

Note: It is unclear if Santa will be taking photos at a specific spot this year. Instead, The Summit has announced he will be strolling around The Summit at various shops/stores so if you spot him, you can run up and take a photo. We are including it on this list, just in case your family is near the area during the following dates.

Santa Claus is Coming to The Garden – Not Confirmed 2023

Date: Dec. 11 from 10am-4pm 

Location: The Garden, 700 S Wells Ave, Reno, NV. 

Cost: $25

Bring the kids, or just your friends, and have professional photos taken with the Big Man in Red. No appointment is needed. Photos taken by RikkiJPhotography will be available for digital download, for $25 per family, and $5 for every additional image. Contact Rikki at rikkijm@yahoo.com with any questions.

Valhalla Holiday Faire & Winter Wanderland – Not Confirmed 2023

Dates: Nov. 17-18

Location:Tallac Historic Site, South Lake Tahoe, CA

Reservations: Not Required

Cost: Free

Take free photos with Santa at the Holiday Faire and Winter Wanderland! Santa will be there on the 19th and 20th from 10am-3pm.

Stories With Santa – Not Confirmed 2023

Dates: Dec. 20 

Location: The Summit Reno

Reservations: No, first come first serve 

Cost: Free

Join the Summit and United Federal Credit Union for Stories with Santa! There will be hot cocoa and cookies galore! Santa will be reading some Christmas favorites and chatting with the kids! While he is doing that you can learn about setting you a savings account with United Federal Credit Union. The first 25 accounts opened to get a piggy bank. Every new account gets $5 deposited as well.

Lights Up at The Summit – Not Confirmed 2023

Dates: November 27th from 5-7pm

Location: The Summit Reno

Reservations: Not Required

Cost: FREE

Join us November 27, 5-7 pm for Lights Up, featuring a laser light show, live music and Santa at The Center Plaza near Ulta and Vans! This event is free and open to the public!

Where is Santa?

There you have it! Photos with Santa in Reno, Sparks, and beyond just got easier (we hope!). Are we missing your favorite Santa location? We may have missed a couple here or there, because hey – we’re human and not all Santa photo locations have been released to the public.

In any case, if we did miss one, write us a comment below! We are happy to include it on our list. If you are a business or photographer and would like to partner with us, please email us as well.

Happy Holidays and enjoy your photos with Santa in Reno and surrounding areas this year!