The holiday season is upon us, and the search to find a place to take photos with Santa begins!
All of these are happening during or before the first week of December, so you will have plenty of time to use these pictures for your Christmas card (are we’re still doing Christmas cards?). Whether you are looking for a spot to snap a photo on your phone, or you would rather have a professional picture taken, these options will fit a range of preferences and budgets!
I did not include photos with Santa at the mall in this list, I’m assuming everyone that wants to take photos with the mall Santa already knows about that option! However, I do have all of the dates, times, and the link to make reservations listed on the Calendar of Events for subscribers to easily find!
If you are looking for more options for holiday photos or other kid-friendly events and activities around the Coachella Valley subscribe to the Calendar of Events for just $4/month! There are so many fun, festive events happening in November & December, let me help you find them!
I am so excited to be partnering with Magic of Lights this year to provide Calendar subscribers a discount code for $5 off! I will also be doing some ticket giveaways on my Instagram and Facebook pages, so make sure you’re following along for a chance at winning some free tickets!
Magic of Lights is a drive-through light experience ending with a Holiday Village including lots of spots to take photos (including photos with Santa), and places the kids can play!
Tuesday, December 1st - Wednesday, December 23rd
Santa available 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Empire Polo Club
81-800 51st Ave., Indio, CA 92201
Tickets
Cost: $27 - $30 per car - through 11/19
$39 per car beginning 11/20
Photos with Santa at the Palm Springs Library
Bring your own camera and take a photo with Santa and Ms. Claus at the Palm Springs Library! Palm Springs Library puts this on every year, and it is a great way to get photos with Santa if professional photos aren’t in the budget for your family this year!
Wednesday, December 2nd
4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Palm Springs Public Library (Rimrock Shopping Center)
4721 E Palm Canyon Dr. #A, Palm Springs, CA 92264
Cost: FREE
City of La Quinta Tree Lighting Ceremony
The City of La Quinta puts on a night of fun for the whole family for their annual tree lighting ceremony. Photos with Santa & Ms. Claus, snow, hot cocoa, live performances & activities.
Friday, December 4th
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
La Quinta Civic Center
78495 Calle Tampico, La Quinta, CA 92253
Cost: FREE
Santa Magic at the Gardens on El Paseo
Reserve your tickets for Photos with Santa! There will also be bounce houses, ball pits, and lawn games for all to enjoy! This one is extra special because 100% of the proceeds benefit Big Brother Big Sisters of the Desert’s one-to-one youth mentoring program.
All photos will be delivered digitally with the ability to access and download a full-resolution digital image at no additional cost. Photos will be available online after 5:00 pm Monday, December 7th.
This one is filling up quick! At the time of this posting there are about 10 spots left!
Saturday, December 5th
9:00 am - 2:00 pm
The Gardens on El Paseo
73545 El Paseo, Palm Desert, CA 92260
Tickets
Cost: $25 per photo session
Join Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert for their 5th Annual Jingle Bell Rock. Included in the price are pictures with Santa, musical performances and sing-alongs, cookie decorating, hot cocoa station, story time, and arts and crafts!
Santa photos will be taken by a photographer and printed out, 1 pose per family. Photos with Santa are NOT guaranteed, the photo line will have a strict cut off time to ensure everyone in line gets a photo by the 3 pm closing time.
This event takes place outside, museum galleries will be closed. Arrive early to allow plenty of time to check in.
Jingle Bell Rock typically sells out, get your tickets early!
Sunday, December 6th
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Children’s Museum of the Desert
71701 Gerald Ford Dr., Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
Tickets
Cost: $5 per person (Under 1 is FREE)
Just a friendly reminder from one parent to another. This time of year sometimes feels very stressful, trying to get the perfect picture, the perfect present, managing extended family, looser sleep schedules, and So. Much. Sugar.
One of my most humbling Santa photo memories is my child in tears screaming on Santa’s lap because he was so terrified. We could have just taken a family picture with Santa, but I really wanted the picture with just my kids, because that’s what a Santa picture was “supposed” to look like. I laugh about it now, but I felt horrible at the time.
A picture with Santa is just a memory of a moment in time, not a judgment of your parenting. Be kind to yourself and your kiddos as you navigate the season.
~ Melissa