Top 15+ places to take a photo with Santa this Christmas in Louisville

Santa Claus is coming to town. From traditional pictures at area malls to sharing meals and take-your-own photos with St. Nick, we've rounded up a list of places where you can see Santa this holiday season around Louisville.

Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's transform their stores into festive Christmas villages. Families who visit Santa receive a free 4-inch-by-6-inch studio-quality photo and a free sharable video

Did we miss something? Drop us a note and we'll add your event to our list.

Merry Christmas!

Jefferson Mall Santa Pictures

WHAT: Pictures with Santa for kids and pets at Santa's Workshop. Fill out your Dear Santa Letter and put it in Santa's mailbox. Visits are free, and photo packages are available for purchase.

• Pet Photos. Enjoy pet photos on Mondays (Dec. 1, 8 and 15). Pets must be on a leash or in a carrier.
• Santa's $2,000 Nice List Giveaway. Enter Santa’s Nice List Giveaway every week for a chance to win a gift card to one of Santa’s favorite stores in the mall. Only one entry per email per week will be valid. Must be 18 or older to enter. $350 gift card to Victoria's Secret (Nov. 28 to Dec. 4); $400 gift card to H&M (Dec. 5-11); $500 gift card to Rally House (Dec. 12–22).

WHERE: Jefferson Mall Center Court, 4801Outer Loop

WHEN: Nov. 28 through Dec. 24. Hours vary. Pet photos Mondays.

COST: Photo packages start at $30

Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's Santa Wonderland Santa pictures

WHAT: Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's transform their stores into festive Christmas villages. Families who visit Santa receive a free 4-inch-by-6-inch studio-quality photo and a free sharable video. Additional photo packages are available for purchase.

• Santa’s Wonderland. Feature games, toy stations and crafts, creating the perfect holiday outing for the whole family. Drop off a letter for Santa in his mailbox, and those who include an email address with their letter will receive a note back from Santa.
• Visitors will enjoy a variety of holiday giveaways during weekday visits, with special gifts (while supplies last). Colorable frames, now through Dec. 5. Shrink Art, Dec. 8 through Dec. 24.
• Christmas Tales with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Tuesdays, 5 p.m., now through Dec. 23. Santa (or Mrs. Claus) will read Christmas stories to families. Santa will take a photo with all participating families following story time. Separate reservations are required.

WHERE: Cabelas, 5100 Norton Healthcare Boulevard; Bass Bass Pro Shop, 951 E. Lewis and Clark Parkway, Clarksville, Indiana

WHEN: Now through Dec. 24

COST: $20 for digital download, $25 Jingle Bells Package and Christmas Card Package.

Christmas at Kentucky Kingdom

WHAT: Kentucky Kingdom is transformed to a winter wonderland with a dazzling display of over 1.5 million lights, more than 300 Christmas trees, and holiday decor, go tubing on the largest snow tubing hill in Kentucky, racing down a 175-foot-long hill covered in real snow and more. Stop by Santa's Village and meet Santa and take photos at three unique photo opportunities including the Countdown to Christmas Clock, in front of oversized holiday decor and Santa's Sleigh.

WHERE: Kentucky Kingdom, 937 Phillips Lane

WHEN: now through Jan. 3

COST: Tickets start at $29.99

MORE INFORMATION: Water rides and select other attractions will not be available during Christmas at Kentucky Kingdom. Check the website for dates and times. kentuckykingdom.com.

Oxmoor Center Pictures with Santa

WHAT: Oxmoor Center hosts photos with Santa and Pets Nights with Santa.

WHERE: Oxmoor Center, near Dick's Sporting Goods, 7900 Shelbyville Road

WHEN:  Now through Dec. 24. Nov. 28, Dec. 1-5, 8-12, 2-7 p.m.; Nov. 29, Dec. 6-7, 13-19, 21, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Nov. 30, noon to 6 p.m.; Dec. 20, 22-23,10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Dec. 24, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Pet Nights: Dec. 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 4-7 p.m.

COST: Photo packages start at $39.99

MORE INFORMATION: Reservations are suggested but walk-ins are available as space permits. Select a date and time from the calendar on the website. oxmoorcenter.com.

Paristown Fête De Noël

WHAT: Personal photo session with Santa inside his house located on Brent Street at the Paristown Fête De Noël. Price includes up to six people.

WHERE: Christy's Garden at Paristown, 720 Brent St.

WHEN: Nov. 28-30, Dec. 6, 7, 13, 14, 20-23, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Dec. 24, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

COST: $12.60 including admission for up to six people

Gardens Aglimmer at Waterfront Botanical Garden

WHAT: Enjoy a stroll through the holiday lights display of swans, snowflakes, deer, Moravian stars, oversized flowers, light bursts, candles, and a multicolor tunnel of lights. Wander the new Beargrass Creek Pathway under icicle arches and a waterfall stream aglow.

WHERE: Waterfront Botanical Gardens, 1435 Frankfort Ave.

WHEN: Nov. 28, 29, Dec. 4-7, 5, 11-23, 26-30. Gardens Aglimmer is a timed event, starting at 5:45 p.m. Lights are turned off at 9 p.m.

COST: $17, $10 for ages 3-12; members, $12, $8 for ages 3-12; free for ages 2 and younger (children must be accompanied by an adult)

MORE INFORMATION: No pets, smoking, outside food or drink allowed on grounds. Reservation must be made online in advance. waterfrontgardens.org/gardens-aglimmer

Cookies with Captain Santa

WHAT: The Mary M. Miller riverboat transforms into a winter wonderland. This family-friendly event includes a meet-and-greet with Santa and Mrs. Claus, cookies and hot cocoa, and plenty of festive activities.

WHERE: Mary M. Miller, 131 W. River Road

WHEN: Dec. 6, 13, 20. Board at 11:30 a.m.; cruise from noon-1:30 p.m.

COST: Tickets are $39.99 for ages 13-64; $37.99 for ages 65 and older; $24.99 for ages 3-12; and free for ages 2 and younger.

20th Annual Nature of Christmas in Goshen

WHAT: Pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus (beginning at 1:30 p.m.), silent auction, booths, crafts, face painting, and free food (chili, hot dogs, s'mores, hot chocolate, and dessert).

WHERE: Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve, 12501 Harmony Landing Road, Goshen, Kentucky

WHEN: Dec. 6, noon to 3 p.m.

COST: Free, donations encouraged.

Blackacre Country Christmas

WHAT: Blackacre State Nature Preserve & Historic Homestead Old Time Christmas includes hayrides, a visit (and photo) with Santa, tours of the holiday house and 60-piece Thomas Kinkade 1930s village with train exhibit, nature craft, carolers, a story with Miss Prim, wood chopping demonstration, cocoa, cookies, and the giving shop. Donations received help with conservation, preservation, and education programs.

WHERE: Blackacre Conservancy, 3200 Tucker Station Road

WHEN: Dec. 6, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

COST: $20 per car includes a digital photo with Santa

Breakfast with Santa at Louisville Slugger Field

WHAT: Join Santa in the Louisville Bat Clubhouse for a special holiday breakfast buffet catered by Outback Steakhouse, plus get a family photo with Santa, and take part in cookie decorating and ornament crafting. Presented and catered by Outback. Breakfast is scrambled eggs, pancakes with maple syrup, bacon, orange juice, milk, coffee, hot chocolate and water.

WHEN: Dec. 6, 9-10 a.m. or 10:30-11:30 a.m.

MORE INFORMATION: Photo with Santa is delivered digitally after the event. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Attendees are asked to arrive no later than 15 minutes prior to the start of their scheduled breakfast time. Food provided by Outback Steakhouse and Heine Brothers Coffee. Parking is free at the Louisville Slugger Field lot. Tickets start at $30, $28 for children, free for ages 2 and younger with a ticketed adult. milb.com/louisville.

Winter Wonderland: Pictures with Santa

WHAT: Step into the magic of the season at Winter Wonderland: Pictures with Santa with professional photos with Santa, hot cocoa, seasonal snacks, crafts, activities and music.

WHERE: OneWest, 4303 W. Broadway

WHEN: Dec. 6 and 13, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

COST: Free

Norton Commons Holiday Open House

WHAT: Celebrate the most festive time of the year at Norton Commons. Neighborhood businesses will have specials and holiday promotions all day. Bring a toy to donate Toys for Tots and receive a complimentary photo with Santa from 4-6 p.m. or a carriage ride from 5-7 p.m. (one experience per donation).

WHERE: Norton Commons, 10712 Meeting St., Prospect

WHEN: Dec. 6, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

COST: Free

37th Annual Christmas Gift & Decor Show

WHAT: The show features more than 750 booths with Christmas decor, crafts, jewelry, handmade items, electronics and more. Bring your camera or phone for pictures with Santa.

WHERE: Kentucky Exposition Center, 937 Phillips Lane

WHEN: Dec. 12, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Dec. 13, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Dec. 14, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

COST: Admission is free. Parking is $12.

Treats from Santa at Vintage Fire Museum

WHAT: Visit with Santa on a vintage fire truck and enjoy treats.

WHEN: Vintage Fire Museum and Safety Education Center, 706 Spring St., Jeffersonville, Indiana

WHEN: Dec. 13, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

COST: $6, $3 for ages 3-15; free for ages 2 and younger children

Walker's Exchange Breakfast with Santa

WHAT: Visit Santa and enjoy a breakfast buffet with French toast, breakfast casserole, scrambled eggs, country ham, cinnamon rolls, and more. The holiday train will be set up.

WHEN: Dec. 14 and 21, 9 a.m. to noon

MORE INFORMATION: $32.50, $13 for ages 6-12 and free for ages 5 and younger. Visit opentable.com/r/walkers-exchange-louisville for details and tickets.

Reach features news clerk Gege Reed at [email protected].