Photos create priceless memories you can cherish forever. And what is more quintessential at Christmas than photos with Santa? Whether you want to remember a baby’s first Christmas, capture your entire family or get a photo with your four-legged best friend, you have plenty of local opportunities throughout the holiday season. Here is a guide to 2024 Santa Photos near Olympia and throughout Thurston County.
Cabela’s Lacey
600 Gateway Boulevard NE, Lacey
Now through December 24
Cabela’a pulls out all the stops during November and December, creating Santa’s Wonderland right inside the store! Get a free 4×6 photo with Santa and then take time to explore the kid’s activities. Your child can even write and post their letter to Santa. Reserve your timeslot on the Cabela’s website.
Capital Mall
625 Black Lake Boulevard SW, Olympia
November 16 – December 24
Head to the Capital Mall for some Christmas shopping and photos with Santa! Reservations are strongly recommended, but walk-ins are taking as time allows. Check out this article to learn all about Santa’s Arrival Party!
Bring your pet to the dog-friendly Capital Mall on November 27, December 4and aa for Santa Paws.
Soothing Santa photos for those who want a sensory-friendly experience will be on December 1 and 8 for 2024.
Make your reservations for photos with Santa at the Capital Mall online.
Smoky Mountain Christmas
Thurston County Fairgrounds
3054 Carpenter Road SE, Lacey
November 16, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Attend the 7th annual Smoky Mountain Christmas event to get photos with Santa, elves and special guest Olaf! Admission, parking and phots are all free! Door prizes to first 100 customers. There will be vendors, food, crafts, raffles and more!
Pet Santa Photos
Fluffy and FLoyd’s Pet Shop
5211 Capitol Boulevard SE, Tumwater
November 23, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Head to Fluffy and Floyd’s Pet Shop for pet photos with Santa! Appointments are preferred but walk-ins are taken. Free paw photo ornament or photo mousepad with purchase. Part of the proceeds donated to Concern for Animals. Call 360.584.9500.
Pet Santa Photos
Pet Works
407 4th Avenue E, Olympia
November 30, December 1, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Get your pet photos with Santa at Pet Works on two dates! Call 360.489.0134 to make a reservation, though walk-ins are taken. Sitting fee is $5. Photo packages are available and photos are printed on the spot. Free photo ornament with purchase. Part of the proceeds donated to Concern for Animals.
Sensory-Friendly Santa
Sensory Tool House
5831 Lacey Blvd SE Suite J, Lacey
November 24, 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
December 1, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
December 3, 2:30 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.
December 7, 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
December 8, 15 and 22, 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
December 9, 3 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
The Sensory Tool House is once again having Santa for photos! Your child will get 15 minutes with Santa in low sensory environment, with regulation tools available, cookies, cider and hot chocolate provided. Each child receives a small gift from Santa. Families can take as many pictures as they like and Sensory Tool House will take a print one for them. Reservations are $45 per 15-minute time slot. Call Sensory Tool House for more information 360.915.9457.
LoveOly WinterFest
5th Avenue and Washington Street, Olympia
December 1, 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
The Olympia Downtown Alliance is once again holding the LoveOly WinterFest the weekend of Thanksgiving! Visit Santa Sweeng and Santa Pat with Mrs. Claus throughout the day. No reservations are necessary – photos are free along with a special event photo frame! Then stay and enjoy all the WinterFest activities, including storytelling, holiday crafts, live entertainment and free horse-drawn carriage rides at State Avenue and Columbia. For more information, visit the Olympia Downtown Alliance website.
City of Lacey
Huntamer Park
618 Woodland Square Loop SE, Lacey
December 2, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Santa will be at Huntamer Park for Lacey Holiday Lights with a brand new set up this year! From 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Santa and Mrs. Clause – along with other special guests – will be ready to snap a picture with you. Then, take a moment to enjoy the lights, activities and games at Huntamer Park.
Signing Santa
Chambers Elementary
6501 Virginia Street SE, Lacey
December 6, 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Brought to you by the City of Lacey, Signing Santa will be returning to Chambers Elementary on December 6, 2023. Those with hearing impairments can tell Santa their wish and talk to him in ASL. For more information visit the Signing Santa website.
Christmas in the Park
Yelm City Park
December 6-7
The City of Yelm is having their annual Christmas in the Park, which includes a tree lighting and photos with Santa on Friday, December 6.
Winterfest
Tenino High School
500 W 2nd, Tenino
December 7, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Head to Winterfest and get your Santa photos in Tenino! Lots of fun at the event after you get your picture, including food, music and vendors selling gifts and decorations. Free admission and parking. The event supports the Tenino Food Bank Plus.
Pictures with Santa
Sandstone Distillery
842 Wright Road SE, Tenino
December 7, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Sandstone Distillery is hosting free Santa photos on December 7. Just bring your camera and snap your holiday picture.
Santa Paws
Coastal Farm & Ranch
5500 Martin Way E, Lacey
December 8, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Bring your pets for photos with Santa in Lacey at Coastal! They will have photo gifts, Christmas cards, and lab-printed photos. Get a free paw print ornament with purchase. Thirty percent of proceeds go to Caring Hearts 4 Paws nonprofit.
Breakfast with Santa
Indian Summer Golf & Country Club
5900 Troon Lane SE, Olympia
December 8, 9:30 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Adults: $27.95
Seniors (60 yrs+): $23.95
Kids (4-12 yrs+): $15.95
Kids 3 and under eat for free!
A magical morning at Indian Summer Golf & Country Club with Santa and Mrs. Claus awaits kids of all ages! They will delight children by reading “T’was the Night Before Christmas” and the whole family can enjoy a wonderful meal. There are two seating times, 9:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. RSVP by emailing danm@indiansummergolf.com.
Photos with Santa
Dogwoods Canine Play and Stay
5706 Keating Road NW, Olympia
December 13, 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
December 14, 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Dogwoods is hosting photos with Santa, so bring your pup and snap a photo full of Christmas cheer! No cost for the photos, they just ask that you bring in a donation of food – human or pup – or a cash donation for the food banks.
Photos with Santa
Saint Martin’s University
5000 Abbey Way SE, Lacey
December 14, 9 a.m
State Farm Agent Kevin Hayward is hosting this free Photos with Santa event for their customers and their guests.
Breakfast with Santa
West Thurston Fire Station
10828 Littlerock Road SW, Olympia
December 14, 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Have breakfast with Santa at the West Thurston Regional Fire Authority! Tickets are $6 and include breakfast and a photo with Santa. Proceeds support the community. There will be raffles, photos, a crafts table and more fun! Cash or check only, pay at the door.
Pet Santa Photos
Tractor Supply
4141 Martin Way, Olympia
December 21-22, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Bring your kids and pets to Tractor supply for fun photos with Santa in Olympia! Part of the proceeds donated to Concern for Animals. Photo ornaments and gifts available and photos are printed on the spot.
Know of another Santa photo op? Email us at submit@thurstontalk.com!
