Calgary 
Santa’s schedule gets busier and busier every year. Despite his hectic schedule, he has time for multiple visits and photo ops within Calgary.
Credit: Southcentre Mall
Photos with Santa, a timeless tradition, are still available at each of Calgary’s malls. There are some extra places offering this tradition, too. Gather the family, or in some cases, pets, to get your next card photo, to introduce younger kids, or simply for great memories.
Santa is available for sensory-sensitive visits at select locations, too.
Southcentre Mall
Peace of Mind visits with Santa gives children and families living with autism, sensory sensitivities and other disabilities an opportunity to participate in the holiday tradition.
Where: Southcentre Mall (beside Ardene) 100 Anderson Rd SE
When: Until December 24, 2023
Registration and booking info: book and pay online only
CF Chinook Centre
Chinook’s Santa Claus is a mighty popular one. While the weekend photo ops with Santa at Chinook are fully booked, aside from December 23rd, he has many timeslots available during the week still. The mall has transformed part of itself into a CF Winterville with a grand holiday tree, fully lit up, and other fun holiday surprises.
Where: CF Chinook Centre (in front of the Bay) 6455 Macleod Trail
When: Until December 24, 2023
Registration and booking info: book and pay online only
How much: $15
CF Market Mall
CF Winterville is popping up this Christmas at all Cadillac Fairview locations. Find Santa at CF Market Mall’s Winterville this season for photos and a chat about gift options. The fee includes five different digital photos to take home. These spots are booking up fast!
Where: CF Market Mall (beside H&M), 3625 Shaganappi Trail NW
When: Until December 24, 2023
Registration and booking info: book and pay online only
$15
Deerfoot City
Where: Deerfoot City (beside La Vie En Rose) 901 64 Ave. NE
When: Until December 24, 2023
Registration and booking info: book and pay online only
How much: $25-$40
Sunridge Mall
The Sunridge Mall in northeast Calgary welcomes Santa this coming weekend. Santa will be at Sunridge up until Christmas Eve for photo opportunities. Drop-in visits are welcome; but, if you pre-register for photos then Santa delivers a special phone call to the kids before the visit. Sensory friendly Santa photos are also available on December 3rd.
Where: Sunridge Mall 2525 36 St. NE
When: Until December 24, 2023
Registration and booking info: registrations and walk-ins welcome, Those who pre-register receive a phone call from Santa prior to their visit
How much: $29.99-$44.99
Glow Gardens
Where: Nutrien Western Event Centre, 1800 Stampede Trail SE
When: December 7-31, 2023
Registration and booking info: included with Glow admission
How much: $22.99-$34.99
CORE
Santa Claus isn’t the only famous holiday character showing up at CORE for the holiday season. This December the downtown Calgary mall offers the choice between photos with Santa, or the Grinch! The free visits include a chance to take your own photos or videos for ease of sharing afterwards. If you do want a free print as well, simply share your Santa pics with the hashtag #FindYourselfDowntown.
Where: 324 8 Ave. SW
When: December 2-December 17, 2023
Registration and booking info: walk-ins only
How much: Free
Country Hills Village
Santa photos return at Country Hills Village This one day event offers digital photos with Santa, in-store retailer promotions, and giveaways at Musicworks Canada. Photos will be directly emailed to participants.
Where: 5149 Country Hills Blvd NW, Calgary
When: Sunday, December 3, from 11 am to 2 pm.
Booking and registration info: pay and book online only
How much: Minimum $5 donation per family to AARCS
Spruce it Up Garden Centre
This December, the Spruce it Up Garden Centre have photos with Santa to offer, and then some! For these visits, Santa is bringing his sleigh and reindeer who may also appear in the photos. The tickets include a professional photograph emailed to you. The Garden Centre may also have a ton of great gift ideas to view on your visit.
Where: 159 210 Ave. SW
When: December 9-10, 2023
Booking and registration info: pay and book online only
How much: $43.93
Calgary Farmers’ Market West & South
Take advantage of these two locations with Santa visits this Christmas season, and two different photo ops. Both the Calgary Famers’ Market West, and South, will host Santa Claus for two weekends in a row. He’ll be at the market ready for kids’ requests and family photos. Plus, the south location will have Santa’s reindeer on site for November 24-26. These tickets include a print copy and digital copy of one photo.
Where: 510 77th Avenue SE or 25 Greenbriar Dr. NW
When: November 24-26, December 1-3, 2023
How much: Booking and registration info: pay and book online only
$20
Bass Pro Shop at Cross Iron Mills
Step inside Santa’s Winter Wonderland this season at cross Iron Mills north of Calgary. The large mall has a large Bass Pro Shop which is where you’ll find Santa and his Wonderland. These photo sessions are totally free, but you can still book in advance to save yourself from waiting in line.
Where: 261055 CrossIron Boulevard #112, Rocky View
When: Until December 24, 2023
How much: Free
Booking and registration info: book online only
