Would you like your child to get a chance to meet Santa without having to pay for an expensive photo package? Here are a few opportunities in the Charlotte area for the 2018 Christmas season. Make sure to bring your camera. At most of these, you take your own pictures.
Read on for a short list of a few places to get free pictures with Santa, followed by a huge day-by-day list. The day-by-day list includes events not on the short list, and also includes events with multiple dates, to help with planning.
Know of other free photo ops with Santa? Email me at jody@charlotteonthecheap.com and let me know. This list will be growing!
You might also be interested in:
- Free things to do this week
- Most spectacular Christmas light displays
- Charlotte restaurants open on Thanksgiving
- Big list of free things to do with friends and family Thanksgiving Weekend
- Tree Lighting Celebrations in the Charlotte area
- Hanukkah celebrations in the Charlotte area
- Day by day list of holiday events
- Charlotte area holiday markets
- Free Christmas and holiday concerts
- Self-guided walking tour of Uptown Charlotte Christmas lights and attractions (check back soon for 2018 updates)
Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s: Every day through December 24th, visit Santa and get a free 4×6 print of your child with Santa. There are also free crafts, games and activities. Follow the above link to get the schedule.
Kannapolis Celebration of Lights
November 24th to December 30th, with the exception of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Families can walk through the light display, ride the Winterland Express Train ($2), enjoy carolers and animatronic singing bears, make s’mores, and much more. Parents can take pictures of their kids with Santa.
Arboretum Holiday Magic Jubilee: Saturday, December 15th, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Also trackless train, horse-drawn carriage rides and face painting.
Santa Saturdays at Black Lion: Shop for something special and get a free photo of your child with Santa. Santa will be at the store on Park Road every Saturday from November 24th to December 22nd, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Bring your camera! There will also be special “new moms and babies” Santa sessions on select Thursday mornings.
Charlotte Christmas Village: Santa will be visiting Charlotte Christmas Village at 7th and Tryon Streets, and parents can take as many pictures as they want. Charlotte Christmas Village will be going on through Christmas Eve. Santa will be there:
Thanksgiving Day: 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Friday, November 23rd: 12:30 pm. to 2:30 p.m.
Friday, December 21st: 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Every Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Every Sunday, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Christmas Eve: 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Coalition for Cultural Compassion Santa Event: Free event Saturday, December 8th, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Grove Presbyterian Church at 5735 E WT Harris Blvd. A professional photo will take pictures of your child with Santa and email you the digital image. There will also be music, crafts, performances, hot cocoa and more.
Olde Mecklenburg Brewery: Santa will be at OMB’s Weihnachtsmarkt Friday, November 30th, 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday, December 15th, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Bring your camera.
Charlotte on the Cheap is a member of 
