Kids grow up so fast. Family and friends move away, so capture priceless memories this season with your loved ones! And one of the best ways is a holiday photo with Saint Nick! There are many places to get a photo with Santa near Olympia in 2025. Several take reservations too, so you can be sure to have a spot without waiting in line with the kids. Check out these places to get a picture with Santa in Thurston County.
Cabela’s Lacey
600 Gateway Boulevard NE, Lacey
Now through December 24
Head to the Lacey Cabela’s for photos with Santa in their Winter Wonderland! They have specific reservations for children with special needs.
You can choose from different photo packages and on weekdays, they give out free kids’ crafts. Tuesdays, they have Santa Tales, where Santa reads a story. Their Yuletide Breakfast event is on November 22.
Reservations required for photos. Reserve your timeslot on the Cabela’s website.
Joint Animal Services
November 15 – 16
9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (reservations)
4 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. (walk-ins)
3120 Martin Way E, Olympia
Joint Animal Services is having a weekend of Santa photos for your family and dogs! $30 fee includes five digital photos by Moore Art Photo. Every dollar goes to supporting the shelter animals. Reserve your spot online or come during walk-in hours.
Capital Mall
625 Black Lake Boulevard SW, Olympia
November 15 – December 24
Santa is arriving November 15 at the Capital Mall for beautiful photos while you do your Christmas shopping!
On November 26, December 3 and December 10, it’s Santa Paws! Bring your four-legged friend of a perfect holiday pup photo. (Dogs are welcome on other dates too, in case these don’t work for you)
November 30 and December 7 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. are Soothing Santa hours, for kids with special needs. Reservations are required for these time slots.
While reservations are not required for the other days, they are strongly recommended to avoid lines. Reserve online. Check out the other holiday characters and enjoy kids’ crafts too!
Dogwoods Canine Play and Stay
November 28-29, 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
5706 Keating Road NW, Olympia
Put those matching Christmas sweaters on you and your pup and head to Dogwoods for dog-friendly photos with Santa! The event is free, with no fees, even for the photos! But they do ask you to consider bringing donations for both people and pets. New, unopened, unexpired non-perishable foods are greatly appreciated.
Teddy Bear Tea Party
November 28, 2:30 p.m. – 4 p.m.
The Olympia Elks Lodge
1818 4th Avenue East, Olympia
The Rotary Club of Olympia invites you to their Teddy Bear Tea Party, where Santa John will be available for photos. The event is a fundraiser to assist youth homelessness and literacy efforts in Olympia and Thurston County. The event is for kids ages 2-7. Bring their favorite stuffed animal, enjoy crafts, snacks, music and more.
Holidays in the Northwest Market
November 28 – 29, 10 a.m. 4 p.m.
Thurston County Fairgrounds
3054 Carpenter Road SE, Lacey
At this holiday market in Lacey, you can get your photo with Santa too! Admission is free and you will be sure to find some fun gifts after talking to the big guy.
Pet Works Olympia
November 29, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
November 30, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Pet Works
407 4th Avenue E #201, Olympia
All Around Towne Photography will be doing pet Santa photos at Pet Works, November 29-30. Get a free photo ornament with purchase. Proceeds will be donated to Concern for Animals.
LoveOly Winterfest
November 30, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
5th Avenue and Washington Street, Olympia
Head to the LoveOly Winterfest and find Santa at the 222 Market (222 Capitol Way N). Take time before or after your photo with Santa in Olympia to enjoy the festivities, including a tree lighting, hot chocolate station, kids’ crafts and more.
City of Lacey
Huntamer Park
618 Woodland Square Loop SE, Lacey
December 1, 5 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Santa will be at Huntamer Park for Lacey Holiday Lights From 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Santa and Mrs. Claus will listen to your wishes and then pose for a priceless photo. Then enjoy the tree lightening, lighted vehicle, activity booths and more.
Signing Santa 2025
December 5, 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Chambers Elementary
6501 Virginia Street SE, Lacey
Signing Santa will be back on December 5 for children who are deaf or hard of hearing. It’s a wonderful time for the whole family! Presented by the nonprofit Signing Santa Organization and Lacey Parks, Culture & Recreation. No reservations needed. Please park in the west parking lot, adjacent to Ruddell Road.
Tenino High School
December 6
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Tenino High School
All Around Towne Photography will be taking photos of your kids or your whole family – even your pets – with Santa! Part of the proceeds will be donated to Tenino Food Bank. Photos printed on the spot.
Christmas in the Park
December 5-6
Yelm City Park
115 SE Mosman Avenue, Yelm
The City of Yelm is having their annual Christmas in the Park, which includes a tree lighting and photos with Santa on Friday, December 5.
Boy Scout Troop 48″ Annual Santa Breakfast
December 6, 7:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
First United Methodist Church
1224 Legion Way SE, Olympia
Take photos with Santa while enjoying a pancake breakfast with ham, scrambled eggs, coffee and juice. $10/person. Toys for Toys donations are encouraged. All proceeds go to Troop 48’s scouting program.
Sensory-Friendly Santa
December 7, 14, 21, 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
December 8, 3 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
December 19, 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Sensory Tool House
5831 Lacey Blvd SE Suite J, Lacey
For those whose children appreciate a quieter setting, Sensory Tool House has sensory-friendly Santa photos in December. Reservations will go live on December 1. Reservations are $45 and include a 15-minute timeslot with Santa, one reservation per family or group. Children get to choose how they interact with Santa: they can play, share cookies, cocoa or cider and get their picture taken. They have a professional backdrop and participants can take as many pictures as they would like on personal devices. Sensory Toolhouse will print one 4-inch by 6-inch photograph for participants to take home and can send digital copies of the images as well.
“We have two wonderful, real beard Santas that participate in this event,” shares Lauren Howard with Sensory Toolhouse. “They are both familiar with sensory regulation behaviors and strategies and will allow the participants to take the lead during their group time. Regulation tools will be available to all participants.”
Cascadia Christmas Village
December 19-21, 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Thurston County Fairgrounds
3054 Carpenter Road SE, Olympia
This fun event at the Thurston County Fairgrounds includes live music, decorations, s’mores, hot chocolate and coffee, a Christmas bazaar, Christmas movie showing, bounce houses and more! Get your free photo with Santa John at the Cascadia Christmas Village.
VFW Post 318 Auxiliary
December 20, 12 p.m. – 3 p.m.
2902 Martin Way E, Olympia
Get your photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the VFW Post 318 Auxiliary! They will have a hot cocoa bar to enjoy as well as tasty snacks for all ages. Dogs are welcome too!
Forza Coffee Company Holiday Bazaar
December 20, 12 p.m. – 3 p.m.
1800 Cooper Point RD SW Suite 13, Olympia
Tell Santa those last-minute wishes and pick up anything you may have forgotten at the Forza Coffee Company. Shop vendors and snap a pic with old Saint Nick!
Tractor Supply
December 21, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
4141 Martin Way E, Olympia
Part of the proceeds will be donated to Concern for Animals at this pet Santa photo event in Olympia. Kids are welcome too! Photos printed on the spot. Photography by All Around Towne Photography.
Have a “photo with Santa” event? Email us at submit@thurstontalk.com!
