Where to See Santa in San Antonio

Many families in the San Antonio area enjoy a visit with Santa Claus during the holiday season, but how do you know which Santa will offer some one-on-one conversation with your little one? We’ve compiled a list of where to see Santa in San Antonio to share with you, our readers, to help you find the perfect man in red to spend some quality time with your child. Don’t see your favorite on our list? Leave the info about your go-to St. Nick in the comments below!

Where to See Santa in San Antonio

Santa’s Railroad Wonderland

  • Where: Texas Transportation Museum, 11731 Wetmore Road, San Antonio, TX 78247 | (210) 490-3554
  • When: December 5–6, 12–13, 19–20, and 26, 6:00–9:00 P.M.
  • Cost: Adults: $10, children (2–12): $7, and children under 2: FREE. Family Special (two adults and up to five children under 12): $30. FREE for annual pass holders. Military discounts available.
  • Santa’s Railroad Wonderland is an extravaganza of Christmas activities at the Texas Transportation Museum. Every part of the 40-acre site is decorated, including the historic depot, the trains, the garden railroad, and three other scale model railroad layouts. Train rides and hayrides are offered, and Choo Choo Claus makes a special visit!

Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shop

  • Where: Bass Pro Shop, 17907 IH-10 West, San Antonio, TX 78257 | (210) 253-8800
  • When: November 15–December 6, 10:00 A.M.–8:00 P.M. (Sundays and Thanksgiving Day, 10:00 A.M.–5:00 P.M.)
  • Cost: Free
  • You can visit Santa any day of the week at Bass Pro Shop! A trip to Santa’s Wonderland includes a FREE 4″×6″ photo as well as games, activities, and free crafts for the kids. You can find a full list of events and times here.

Santa Photos at The Shops at La Cantera

  • Where: The Shops at La Cantera, 15900 La Cantera Pkwy., Suite 6698, San Antonio, TX 78256 (located in Center Court by BRIO and P.F. Chang’s) | (210) 582-6255
  • When: November 20–December 24 (View full calendar of times here.)
  • Cost: Free with option to purchase pictures.
  • Don’t want to wait in a long line to see Santa? Reserve your time with the man in red at The Shops at La Cantera. You are required to pre-purchase a photo package ($34.99 or $49.99, with a $5 off special on some dates) to secure a specific time to visit Santa, but you can simply show up and get one-on-one time for free. Pets are welcome to visit Santa on Monday evenings, November 23–December 14, 6:00–8:00 P.M.

Santa Photos at North Star Mall

  • Where: North Star Mall (in Macy’s Court), 7400 San Pedro, San Antonio, TX 78216 | (210) 340-6627
  • When: November 13–December 24, Monday–Saturday, 10:00 A.M.–9:00 P.M. and Sunday, 12:00–6:00 P.M.
  • Cost: Free with option to purchase pictures.
  • The Santa experience at North Star Mall can also be reserved online. You are required to pre-purchase a photo package ($34.99 or $49.99, with a $5 off special on some dates) to secure a specific time to visit Santa, but you can simply show up and get one-on-one time for free. Pets are welcome to visit Santa on Monday evenings, November 16–December 14, from 6:00–8:00 P.M.

Santa Photos at Ingram Park Mall

  • Where: Ingram Park Mall, 6301 NW Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78238 | (210) 684-9570
  • When: 10:15 A.M.–7:20 P.M. most days of the week (View full calendar of times here.)
  • Cost: $10 non-refundable deposit (that may be applied to the purchase of a photo package) to reserve a time with Santa
  • The Santa experience at Ingram Park Mall can be reserved online. You are not required to pre-purchase a photo package; however, you must pay a $10 non-refundable deposit that later can be applied to your photo package. There is a special offer on a photo CD if you visit St. Nick before Black Friday.

Santa Photos at Quarry Village

  • Where: Alamo Quarry Village, 255 E. Basse Road, San Antonio, TX 78209 | (210) 824-8885
  • When: View the full schedule of times here.
  • Cost: Photo packages start at $12.95.
  • Santa’s Workshop at Quarry Village is located right near the movie theater (Regal Cinemas). Besides getting some time with the man in red, you can donate a toy or book to the Family Service Association’s Toy and Book Drive and have your gifts wrapped at Amy’s Hallmark.

Caring Santa at Rolling Oaks Mall

  • Where: Rolling Oaks Mall (in the Macy’s wing), 6909 N. Loop 1604 E, San Antonio, TX 78247 | (210) 651-5513
  • When: Sunday, December 6, 9:00–11:00 A.M.
  • Cost: Free
  • Make a reservation to see a Santa who has experience with children who have special needs. This Santa is great for children who might have anxiety around strangers. Tickets go fast, so get yours soon. Photos from your visit will be available for purchase.
  • Where: Traders Village, 9333 SW Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78242 | (210) 623-8383
  • When: Saturdays and Sundays from November 28–December 19, 12:30–4:30 P.M.
  • Cost: Free with suggestion to make a donation
  • Get your family’s Santa pictures taken and contribute to a good cause by visiting the Holiday Market at Traders Village. You can also get a little holiday shopping in by browsing the many vendors selling gifts!

Breakfast with Santa at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa

  • Where: Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa (in the Springhouse Cafe), 9800 Hyatt Resort Drive, San Antonio, TX 78251 | (210) 520-4000
  • When: Saturdays from November 28–December 19, 9:00 A.M.–12:00 P.M.
  • Cost: $21.95 for adults and $6.95 for children 12 and under; children 5 and under eat for free. Breakfast is served on a first-come, first-served basis, and reservations are recommended. Call (210) 520-4000 or visit OpenTable.com for reservations.
  • There’s no better place than the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa to kick off the holiday season, so take a break and come to Springhouse Café to indulge in a hearty breakfast with holiday crafts and an exclusive meet-and-greet with St. Nick. Starting November 28th, Santa Claus will be waiting on the porch, ready for a family picture and to hear your children whisper their secret Christmas wishes while you all enjoy a fabulous breakfast in Springhouse Café.

Santa at SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration

  • Where: SeaWorld San Antonio, 10500 SeaWorld Drive, San Antonio, TX 78251 | (210) 523-3000
  • When: Select operating days from Saturday, November 21–Thursday, December 31, 2:00–9:00 P.M. (See the full schedule here.)
  • Cost: Included with admission
  • SeaWorld San Antonio goes all out for its Christmas Celebration! Make a day out of visiting Santa and enjoy special attractions at one of San Antonio’s favorite theme parks.

Santa at Six Flags Holiday in the Park

  • Where: Six Flags Fiesta Texas, 17000 IH-10 West, San Antonio, TX 78257 | (210) 697-5050
  • When: Weekends and select days from November 21–December 13, and then daily from December 18–January 3. Times vary with park hours. Check schedule for details on days and times. The park will be closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
  • Cost: Included with admission
  • Six Flags Fiesta Texas’ Holiday in the Park is a great way to see Santa and get in the spirit of the season. Take a ride on the Holiday Express train, have a cookie with Mrs. Claus, and enjoy a performance by the acapella group The Tinseltones while you are there. Santa is located in Santa’s Castle, and you have the option to purchase photos.

Carriage Rides with Santa at the Village at Stone Oak

  • Where: The Village at Stone Oak Shopping Center (in front of Aspen Leaf Yogurt), 22610 U.S. 281 N, San Antonio, TX 78258 | (877) 225-5337
  • When: November 27–28 and December 5–6, 12–13, and 19–20, 1:00–5:00 P.M.
  • Cost: Free
  • Enjoy a Chyldesdale-drawn carriage ride with Santa around the Village at Stone Oak shopping center parking lot. Rides last about five to ten minutes and offer some special one-on-one time with ol’ St. Nick. Carriage boards on the south side of Aspen Leaf Yogurt.

Pictures with Santa at A Wonderland Christmas 

  • Where: Morgan’s Wonderland, 5223 David Edwards, San Antonio, TX 78233 | (210) 495-5888
  • When: November 27–28, December 4–5, 11–12, and 18–23, 5:30–8:30 P.M.
  • Cost: Visit included with admission; $5 for 5″x7″ unframed photo
  • A Wonderland Christmas features a nightly tree lighting, live entertainment, a puppet show, visits with Santa, and more. Morgan’s Wonderland was founded by a parent who has a child with special needs and offers attractions that appeal to children of all ages. This would be a great activity for children who might be overwhelmed by sitting on Santa’s lap in a crowded mall.

Breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the JW Marriott

Santa at the JW Marriott Hill Country

  • Where: JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa (in 18 Oaks), 23808 Resort Pkwy., San Antonio, TX 78261 | (210) 276.2500
  • When: Saturday mornings starting after Thanksgiving, 8:00–11:00 A.M.
  • Cost: $35 per adult and $25 per child
  • Enjoy a visit with a fantastic Santa and have a delicious, holiday-themed brunch at 18 Oaks at the JW Marriott Hill Country Resort and Spa. There are many other fun holiday events happening at this gorgeous resort. Call ahead for reservations and specials.[hr]

Check out our Guide to Holiday Events for more fun happenings and family activities in San Antonio!

 

 

Lindsay
Lindsay is the co-founder of Alamo City Moms Blog. A native New Orleanian, Lindsay found her way to the Alamo City via her husband, Steven, who is a born and raised San Antonian. She is a mom to three young children. Lindsay earned her B.A. in Psychology from Rhodes College and her M.A. in Early Childhood Education from UTSA. She was a preschool and first-grade teacher for 10 years and is now a Reading Specialist and Dyslexia Therapist.

7 COMMENTS

  1. Children of all ages are welcome to stop by Alamo City Harley-Davidson (I-35 & Weidner)for a visit and photo with Santa on Saturday, December 12th, from 11 AM- 3 PM. This a free of charge!! Mom and Dad can join in on the reindeer games while they are here and we will have hot food and cold drinks in our kitchen and beverage bar!
    Call for additional details 210-646-0499

  2. ENJOY “COOKIES WITH SANTA” AT FROST!

    Santa Claus, St. Nick, Kris Kringle, Papa Noel – no matter what moniker you prefer to use for this holiday season’s head honcho, Frost invites families to jingle on over to the closest participating Frost Financial Center for a chance to enjoy a sweet treat with the big guy in red. Guests can nosh on holiday cookies and coffee next to the tree as they await their chance to cozy up next to jolly St. Nick during “Cookies With Santa” at Frost. Families are encouraged to bring their own cameras to capture this special holiday moment.

    Saturday, December 5th from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

    SW Military Financial Center
    2703 SW Military at Mallard
    San Antonio, Texas 78224

    Schertz Financial Center
    16895 IH 35 N
    Schertz, Texas 78154

    All events are free and open to the public.

    • My little girl is the one pictured in the Santa picture in the post. That was taken at the JW Marriott, and he is an AMAZING Santa. I believe he is also the Santa featured at Quarry Village as well. Hope that helps a little. 🙂

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