The 12 most unique places to meet Santa this holiday season
From train rides to animal parks, here are some of the most unique places Virginians can meet Santa this holiday season.
While going to the mall for a photo-op with Santa Claus can be a fun experience, you can make your child’s holiday even more special by meeting Santa at one of the many unique places he’ll be visiting this year. Families can spend time with Santa while taking a festive train ride, petting live animals, roaming a museum, and roasting marshmallows.
Here are 12 of the most unique places to meet Santa this holiday season in Virginia.
1. Santa’s Workshop at Mosaic
Dates: Friday, Nov. 28, Saturday, Nov. 29, Sunday, Nov. 30, Saturday, Dec. 20, Sunday, Dec. 21, Monday, Dec. 22, Tuesday, Dec. 23, Wednesday, Dec. 24
Location: 2911 District Ave., Fairfax, VA 22031
Santa is setting up his workshop in the lobby of Angelika Film Center in the Mosaic District. He will arrive in the district on a firetruck during the Annual Merry Mosaic Tree Lighting + Parade on Friday, Nov. 28, at 6:30 p.m. Santa’s Workshop at Mosaic will open that day at 7 p.m., and will remain open through Christmas Eve.
Free photos with Santa are on a first-come, first-served basis.
2. The Santa Express
Dates: Saturday, Nov. 29-Sunday, Dec. 28
Locations: 103 Church Ave., Louisa, VA 23093 and 415 Bridge St., Staunton, VA 24401
There’s no better way to get into the holiday spirit than to take a ride on The Santa Express. Operated by the Virginia Scenic Railway, the express features a festively decorated train, holiday music, seasonal treats, and a jolly Santa Claus.
The 60-minute ride costs between $51 and $76 per person. Passengers are encouraged to wear festive attire. Make sure you get one of the souvenir Santa coins.
3. Winterfest
Date: Thursday, Dec. 4-Saturday, Dec. 6
Location: 1575 Brown’s Chapel Rd., Reston, VA 20190
Winterfest, a three-day event with thousands of holiday lights, serves as Reston’s kickoff event for the holiday season. Organizers promise it will be bigger and brighter than the previous year’s Winterfest. Importantly, Santa will be available for free photos with children. After having your photo taken with Santa, enjoy some life music while making s’mores around one of the fire pits, strolling through the Enchanted Forest expanded light display, or shopping in the Vendor Village.
The event is free for Reston Association members.
4. A Night at the Museum with Santa
Date: Friday, Dec. 5
Location: 21 Starling Ave., Martinsville, VA 24112
The Virginia Museum of Natural History is hosting A Night at the Museum with Santa from 5 to 7:30 p.m. The Polar Express-themed event will also feature holiday crafts, hot chocolate and cookies, and free gifts from elves.
The museum is encouraging attendees to check out the Museum Store for unique gifts. The free event is open to children of all ages, but ticket reservations are required.
5. Christmas Village at Leesburg Animal Park
Dates: Friday, Dec. 5-Tuesday, Dec. 23
Location: 19246 James Monroe Hwy., Leesburg, VA 20175
The Christmas Village at Leesburg Animal Park is where Santa will be stations for photos from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The Grinch will also visit the village on several of the dates. Visitors to the village should expect giant illuminated hill slides, a Christmas craft room, indoor kid’s play zone, miniature Christmas train rides, pony rides, animal petting and feeding in the illuminated barn, holiday photos with live animals, and a bonfire where marshmallows will be roasted.
Tickets are $16.95 per person, with those 2 and under free.
6. Holiday Pet Photos with Santa
Date: Saturday, Dec. 6
Location: 2900 Mountain Rd., Henrico, VA 23060
Christmas isn’t just for humans, so take your furry friend to Virginia Cliffe Inn for its Holiday Pet Photos with Santa event. The family-friendly event, which runs from 1 to 4 p.m., will benefit the Friends of Kat Simons Foundation.
After having your pet’s photo taken with Santa, go next door to the Glen Allen Cultural Center for Christmas tree displays, sing-alongs, and Santa’s grand arrival and tree lighting at 5 p.m.
7. A Visit with Soul Santa
Date: Saturday Dec. 6
Location: 122 West Leigh St., Richmond, VA 23220
Check out the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia for A Visit with Soul Santa from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The museum’s signature event invites families to visit with Soul Santa, listen to Christmas music, engage in arts and crafts, and receive a special treat. Attendees of the free event will get to pose with Soul Santa and will receive a printed copy of the photo. Registration is required.
8. Celebration of Lights
Date: Sunday, Dec. 7
Location: Great Falls Village Field, Great Falls, VA 22066
Participate in the Celebration of Lights, which will serve as the community’s kickoff to the holiday season with the annual Christmas tree lighting. Santa and Mrs. Clause will arrive at the celebration by firetruck to light the tree at 5 p.m. Following the lighting, children will be able to share their Christmas wishes with Santa.
The celebration will also include a live nativity, performances by local school groups, and hot cocoa and cookies.
9. Storytime with Santa at Merrifield Garden Center
Dates: Wednesday, Dec. 10, Friday, Dec. 12, Wednesday, Dec. 17, Friday, Dec. 19
Location: 12101 Route 29, Fairfax, VA 22030
Storytime with Santa at Merrifield Garden Center goes far beyond the simple telling of a story, rather it includes Santa telling Christmas stories, singing songs, and even holding a press conference where children can pose questions to him. The one-hour event also allows children to pose for a picture with Santa. Ticket sales benefit Children Life Services at Inova L.J. Murphy Children’s Hospital.
10. Pictures with Santa at the Train Station
Date: Saturday, Dec. 13
Location: 200 N. 21st St., Purcellville, VA 20132
Don’t miss the Pictures with Santa at the Train Station event from 2 to 5 p.m. Visitors are encouraged to bring their camera so that they can snap pictures with the big man while he visits the Purcellville Train Station.
11. Santa at the Mill
Date: Saturday, Dec. 13
Location: 10017 Colvin Run Rd., Great Falls, VA 22066
Santa at the Mill offers an old-fashioned holiday experience at Colvin Run Mill. Guests will get to visit with Santa, tour the Miller’s House that’s decked out in holiday décor, roast marshmallows, and sip cocoa. The event will also feature festive music and children’s crafts.
Tickets are $10. The event starts at 3 p.m.
12. Cookies with Santa at Merrifield Garden Center
Dates: Saturday, Dec. 20
Location: 6895 Wellington Rd., Gainsville, VA 20156
The Merrifield Garden Center is also hosting a Cookies with Santa event, which allows families to decorate Christmas cookies and spend time with and pose for photos with Santa. One photo is needed per child with ticket sales benefiting Child Life Services at Inova L.J. Murphy Children’s Hospital.
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