Pigeon Forge has many of the best places to take pictures with Santa Claus. Santa can be spotted all over the Smoky Mountains this season at different locations. Bring your children to visit and have a photo with Santa or bring your whole family for pictures with Santa. The choice is yours!
Pictures With Santa At Crave
Crave Golf Club's Christmas Celebration begins in December; the top mini golf course will be celebrating the season with nearly 100 trees, 30,000 holiday lights, and 20,000 ornaments. On select dates in December you can get pictures with Santa Claus amongst all the Christmas cheer. Click below for details.
Santa at Crave
The Island
The Island's kickoff tree lighting event will give kids the opportunity to take photos with Santa starting at 5:00 pm on November 18, 2023. There will also be select dates in December from 3:00 - 8:00 pm where you can visit Santa in his workshop. The choreographed Winterfest fountain show will play every night from November 18 through January 5, 2024.
Tree Lighting Photos With Santa
The Christmas Place
Throughout the holiday season you can visit The Incredible Christmas Place and find Santa's Haus in the main store. This is a beautifully set up location, great for family photos to use on holiday cards. Find dates and times and sign up online on the Santa's Haus website.
The Christmas Place
The Mountain Mile
Find Santa Claus roaming around the lawn at The Mountain Mile Tower & Shops on Teaster Lane on select dates in 2023: Dec 3, 10, and 17 from 1:00 - 3:00 pm. The Grinch will be there on Dec 2 & 16 (noon to 3:00 pm) and Dec 9 (11:00 am - 2:00 pm). Be sure to take advantage of the photo op in front of the jumbo ornament lights.
The Mountain Mile
Toy Box Mini Golf
Toy Box Mini Golf's Christmas Celebration begins in December. This kid-oriented mini golf course will be celebrating the season by inviting Santa and the Christmas Grouch to take pictures with all who join them. On December 9, 2023 you can take photos with Santa and the Christmas Grouch. Click below for details.
Santa at Toy Box
Breakfast With Santa at Anakeesta
Santa & Mrs. Claus will visit Anakeesta for breakfast on select dates in November & December. Purchase tickets in advance to receive early access to the park and start the day at Cliff Top with breakfast, Christmas caroling, and a professional photo with Santa Claus.
Breakfast With Santa
Lumberjack Feud
Jack up your holiday spirit with the woodsy decked out halls at Paula Deen's Lumberjack Feud Show. Their show gets a holiday twist during the winter season, and from November 27 - December 22, 2023 you can get free photos with Santa when you head into Lumberjack Square.
Santa at Lumberjack Feud
Beyond The Lens: Polar Express
From November through early January, you can experience a journey to the North Pole at Beyond The Lens's Flyride. Santa will be a part of the experience for one night only on December 14, 2023. Purchase tickets for the evening and receive a visit with Santa plus a printed photo, meet the conductor of The polar Express, and enjoy hot chocolate and dessert.
Polar Express Journey
Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies
Santa will arrive at Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies on November 3 and stay through December 23, 2023. Bring the family to meet good ol' Saint Nick while he's in Gatlinburg for a limited time to take gift requests and pose for holiday photos. You can even bring your pets on select dates to have photos with Santa; ten percent of the proceeds from pet photos will benefit Sevier County animal shelters.
Santa at the Aquarium
Gatlinburg SkyPark
During this attractions's Lights Over Gatlinburg event, the entire park is decked out in beautiful holiday lights and decor. This year on select dates you can enjoy the festivities and visit Santa Claus. Grab tickets to the Gatlinburg SkyPark on December 9 & 16, 2023 and visit between 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm to see the big man in red.
Lights Over Gatlinburg
The Inn At Christmas Place
It's Christmas all year long at The Incredible Christmas Place. Starting November 24, 2023 for registered guests, there will be special Santa events including photo ops, storytime, s'mores, a special Singing Santa concert, cookie and gingerbread house decorating, a character meet and greet, and more. Find their Thanksgiving and Christmas event schedule on their website.
Christmas Place
Polar Express Train Ride
If you're up for a Smoky Mountain trip slightly outside of East Tennessee, go for a ride on The Polar Express with the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad from Bryson City, NC. Trains set out on the excursion on select dates through the majority of November & December. Kids will be delighted upon arrival to the North Pole, where Santa boards the train to greet them.
Polar ExpressSet to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, guests on board will enjoy warm cocoa and a treat while listening and reading along with the magical story. Children’s faces show the magic of the season when the train arrives at the North Pole to find Santa Claus waiting.
GSMR
Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland
Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland has moved 8 miles south to its new home at Soaky Mountain Waterpark, and this year is sure to impress! You don't want to miss this beloved drive-through light show that has become a favorite family tradition for many. Plus, on select dates in November & December photos with Santa will be available from 6:00 – 9:00 pm.
Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland
Ober Mountain
Pictures with Santa are available on select dates in December at Ober Mountain's month-long Christmas event. Visiting this Gatlinburg theme park around Christmastime is great fun for all ages; the snow will be blowing and there will be all kinds of delicious seasonal treats. Grab tickets for their limited-time Cereal With Santa event or stop by for free photos on the dates he'll be visiting.
Christmas at Ober Mountain
Sky Pirates of Mermaid Bay
The all new Sky Pirates of Mermaid Bay mini golf course on the Pigeon Forge parkway is getting a visit from Santa and the Christmas Grouch just in time for their grand opening. Stop by on December 19, 2023 from 3:00 to 9:00 pm for free photos with both characters.
Sky Pirates Event
