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. 14- Dec. 23, 2025 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. 15, 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 – Details to Come!
Dates: Dec 16, 2024 12pm-6pm
Location: Chocolate Nugget Candy Factory
Cost: Free
Meet Santa Claus himself! Santa will be in town to spread holiday cheer and listen to all your festive wishes. Special appearances by the Grinch, the Gingerbread Man, and other characters are also planned.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
Reno
Santa Photo Experience
Date: Nov. 14 – Dec. 24, 2025 closed on Thanksgiving
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.
Sunday, December 7 from 9:30am – 10:30am Sensory-friendly experience – exclusively for children with special needs and their families.
Party America Santa Pictures
Date: Dec. 7 from 11am to 4pm
Location: Party America Reno, 5925 S Virginia St Reno, NV 89502
Cost: $5/person or $10/family
Come support young entrepreneurs at The Venue Reno (next to Party America) on Saturday December 7th and get a free picture with Santa!
Santa Meet & Greet
Date: Dec. 6, 13 & 20, 2025 from 2pm – 5pm
Location: Shayden Summit Property Management Office #212
Cost: Free
Hold onto your sleigh bells, because the jolliest man of all has added three stops at Shayden Summit with lots of exciting activities and surprises this year! 🎄✨
Get ready for belly laughs, twinkling eyes, and a whole lot of holiday cheer. Keep an eye on our socials for updates and additional details over the next few weeks!
Cocktails for a Cause
Date: Dec. 4 from 10am – 3pm
Location: Grand Sierra Resort and Casino
Cost: $5/per child, $20/adult
You’re invited to join us for Poinsettia 2025 on Thursday, December 4 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Grand Sierra Resort. This beloved holiday tradition supports the Junior League of Reno’s mission to empower women and strengthen Northern Nevada through community impact projects and community grants..
Tickets are going fast—secure yours from a Junior League of Reno member today! Already a member? Tickets are available on the Member Essentials platform’s News & Events section.
Reno Public Market
Date: Nov. 28, 29, 30 & Dec 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, & 21
Location: Reno Public Market, 299 E Plumb Ln, Reno, NV 89502, USA
Cost: Free
Santa will be here from 11-5PM on Saturdays and Sundays.
Photos With Santa
Date: Dec. 6 & 7 2025
Location: Kids Club on Spa Level @ Grand Sierra Resort and Casino
Cost: Free
Bring the kids to meet Santa and capture a memorable moment, courtesy of GSR. Enjoy hot cocoa, cider, and cookies to add to the festive cheer.
Free Pictures with Santa
Date: December 21 from 3 – 6pm
Location: Potter’s House Christian Church North Reno, 1975 Selmi Dr. #113 Reno, NV 89512
Hot cocoa, kids crafts, face painting, and photos!
Pictures with Santa
Date: Dec. 13 from 10:30am – 1pm
Location: Cafe Whitney
Cost: Food Donation
Get into the Christmas spirit with Cafe Whitney! We’ve partnered with The Salvation Army so you can give back to your community while making memories with your little ones. Bring whatever non-expired, non-perishable food you can spare and receive:
One 4×6 printout photo with Santa Claus
Complementary hot cocoa & cookies
Complimentary valet parking
After your family takes their photos. We invite you to stay and have a holiday brunch with us! Grab the entire family, coordinate your best holiday apparel, and come make some memories with us!
Simply Song Santa Minis
Date: Dec. 14, 2025
Location: Reno, NV
Cost: $120 + tax, Reservations required
It’s our 5th Annual Santa Session, and the magic is back! The studio will be transformed into a festive holiday wonderland filled with twinkling lights, cozy décor, and just the right touch of North Pole charm.
These 10-minute sessions are designed to be fun, stress-free, and full of joy. Kids can share their wish lists with Santa, families can gather for a holiday portrait, and even pets are welcome to join in the cheer. To make the experience even sweeter, I’ll have light snacks on hand to keep little ones happy and smiling.
- A 10 minute indoor session with Santa in a magical holiday setting
- 10+ fully edited, high-resolution images
- An online gallery you can download and share with ease
Spots are limited every year and always go quickly, so don’t miss out. Celebrate our 5th annual tradition and let’s capture the sparkle of the season with Santa by your side.
Christmas Market – Details to Come!
Date: December 7, 2024
Location: Family First Chiropractic, 2155 Green Vista Drive, Suite #202, Sparks, Nevada 89431
Hey friends and family! Mark your calendars for December 7th because the Christmas Market is coming to town! Starting at 11am, come ready to shop for all kinds of unique gifts, cozy treats, and festive decor to get in the holiday spirit. And, of course, Santa himself will be there to hear your Christmas wishes! Don’t miss out on the holiday magic—let’s make it a day to remember! Can’t wait to see you all there!
Sparks
39 North Pole Village Santa Visits
Date: Dec 4-5, 2025 from 4-9pm and Dec 6, 2025 from 11am-9pm
Location: 900 Victorian Ave, Sparks, NV
Reservations: Not Required
Cost: Free
Downtown Sparks will become a giant holiday wonderland as 39 North Downtown hosts the 10th Annual 39 North Pole Village. This unique holiday festival features interactive art, nonstop live entertainment and hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights, a giant heated vendor tent, food trucks, Hot Chocolate Cottage playland, free train rides, free Santa photos & and endless amounts of holiday cheer.
Visits with Santa – Details to Come!
Date: Nov. 30 & Dec. 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 2024 from 11am – 4pm
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 coming to Outlets at Legends! Visit Santa on Saturdays and Sundays from November 30th through December 22nd 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.
Enjoy musical performances from Reno Philharmonic Youth Orchestra and Vocal Motion Musicals.
Meet Santa at Scheels – Details to Come!
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).
Santa Visit – Details to Come!
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: Now – Dec. 24, 2025
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
Breakfast with Santa
Dates: Dec 6, 13, 20, 2025 from 8-9am
Location: 4100 Lake Tahoe Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
Reservations: Required
Cost: Kids $20, Adults $30
Bring your family and friends to enjoy a scrumptious breakfast while being surrounded by the magical atmosphere of the holiday season. Indulge in a variety of delicious food options that will satisfy your taste buds and leave you feeling in the holiday spirit.
But, that’s not all! The highlight of the event is the chance to meet and greet Santa and Mrs Claus themselves. Watch your little ones’ eyes light up with joy as they share their Christmas wishes with the jolly old man. Don’t forget to bring your cameras to capture these precious moments!
Virginia City
Santa Returns – Details to Come!
Dates: Dec 15, 2024 from 10am – 12pm
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 morning only. Children will be invited to design sugar cookies, roast a marshmallow, drink hot chocolate, make a holiday ornament and meet Santa!
$20 entry per child with proceeds going to Virginia City Middle School Student Leadership.
Not Confirmed for 2025
Santa Photos (Not Confirmed for 2025)
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!
Photos with Santa (Not Confirmed for 2025)
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!
The Garden Reno Pictures with Santa (Not Confirmed for 2025)
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
Black Friday and Photos with Santa – Not Confirmed for 2025
Date: Nov. 29, 2024 from 11am-7pm
Location: Junkee Clothing Exchange & Antiques, 299 E Plumb Lane #135A, Reno
Cost: Free
It’s Black Friday at Junkee! We will be offering 10% off the whole store as well as free photos with Santa from 12-4pm! Open regular hours 11 am – 7 pm. Thank you for shopping local!
*Junkee is now located inside Reno Public Market!
Pictures with Santa (Not Confirmed for 2024)
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.
Where is Santa?
Happy Holidays and enjoy your photos with Santa in Reno and surrounding areas this year!