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Visiting with Santa

He’s making his list, and he’s checking it twice.

Santa Claus is most definitely coming to town! Visits with Santa will be available at the festival and during the day at the appointment-only Mingle with Kringle and Inclusive Visit with Santa. Santa has many helpers, and we are proud to have Santas at the festival who embody the spirit of the season. 

 
At the Festival

A visit with Santa is at the top of the list for many visitors to the Holiday Festival of Lights. Visiting with Santa at the festival is free; digital photos are available for an additional fee.

Once you arrive at the festival, sign in with one of Santa’s elves to be added to our virtual queue. Families will be able to take advantage of all the event has to offer while waiting in the virtual queue. Guests will receive a notification on their mobile phone when their time to see Santa is approaching.

Santa's Schedule

  • November 13 - December 23
  • 6 p.m.- closing

Photos with Santa

Visiting with Santa at the festival is free. Digital photos from Coleman Photography are available for an additional fee.

 
Mingle with Kringle

Book a private visit with the big elf himself outside of festival hours! When you Mingle with Kringle, you and your group of up to 5 people will have a chance to tell Santa Claus your Christmas wishes and receive a digital download of your photos from our professional photographer.

  • Dates and registration to be announced. 

If you have more than 5 people in your group, you can book multiple spots. Also included in the package is a Gift Pass to visit the Holiday Festival of Lights on another evening of your choosing. Advance registration is required and closes on the Friday before each event date.

No personal photography will be allowed. A maximum of 6 families will be able to register for the one-hour time slot, and each visit with Santa will be on a first-come, first-served basis during that time slot.

Santa's Attic Gift Shop, the Incredible Gift Shop, and Santa's Sweet Shop will be open during the event hours. Registered participants will receive a complimentary pass to come back and enjoy the Holiday Festival of Lights at night (1 pass per registered group).

 
Inclusive Visit with Santa

People with disabilities and their families are invited to a photo session with Santa at James Island County Park. Join us to experience the time-honored tradition of a visit with Santa Claus during dedicated hours in a calming, subdued environment. While you’re chatting with jolly old St. Nick, our professional photographer will take photos of your group of up to five people with Santa. You'll receive a full digital package of all images of your visit. Gift shops and Santa’s Sweet Shoppe will be open during the event hours.

  • Dates: Sunday, December 6 and 13
  • Time: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
  • Location: James Island County Park, upstairs in terrace area (accessible via outdoor ramp)
  • Cost: $40. Registration includes a full digital package of all images of your visit and one Gift Pass per registered group to visit the Holiday Festival of Lights on another evening of your choosing.

If your group has more than five people, please book multiple spots. A maximum of six families will be able to register for each 30-minute time slot. Each visit with Santa will be on a first-come, first-served basis during that time slot. Santa is fluent in ASL (American Sign Language). No personal photography is allowed.