This FAMILY TO DO in CHARLOTTE series is sponsored by CEENTA.
Who doesn’t love photos with Santa? We love looking back at those early years, even when the photos are of crying faces and squirming. But when they’re just the right age, the wonder and excitement is pure magic. 🙂
If this is a tradition your family participates in, and you have not gotten yours done yet, there are several places you can snap a picture with Santa around Charlotte before Christmas Day.
One-Time Events with Santa
Phillips Place Holiday Celebration
6800 Phillips Place Ct
![](https://www.scoopcharlotte.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screen-Shot-2023-12-07-at-3.40.57-PM.png)
When: December 13th, 4PM — 7PM.
The Scoop: Grab a free picture with Santa and Mrs. Claus in the courtyard of Phillips Place. After your photo, enjoy complimentary carriage rides, a holiday market with local vendors, face painting, and balloon art.
Mini Truck Toy Drive at Triple C
2900 Griffith St
![](https://www.scoopcharlotte.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screen-Shot-2023-12-07-at-2.47.22-PM.png)
When: December 16th, 12PM — 2PM.
The Scoop: Drop off a new, unwrapped toy at Triple C’s toy drive and meet Santa. The big guy will be there taking photos from 12PM until 2PM, plus there will be vendors, fire pits, a bounce house, and more.
Olde Mecklenburg Christmas Market
4150 Yancey Road
![](https://www.scoopcharlotte.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screen-Shot-2023-12-07-at-2.53.08-PM.png)
When: December 16th, 2PM — 5PM.
The Scoop: Enjoy more than 140 vendors at Olde Mecklenburg’s Christmas market this year, and most importantly, snap a picture with Santa! After your photo, enjoy the festive music, holiday food and drinks, and light displays.
Santa at The Local Scoop
1600 E Woodlawn Road, #110
![](https://www.scoopcharlotte.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screen-Shot-2023-12-11-at-1.13.35-PM.png)
When: December 16th, 3:30PM — 5:30PM.
The Scoop: Snap a free picture with Santa then enjoy some delicious ice cream at The Local Scoop’s location in Parktowne Village.
Santa at Gibson Mill Market
305 McGill Ave NW Bldg. 200, Concord
![](https://www.scoopcharlotte.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screen-Shot-2023-12-07-at-4.18.57-PM.png)
When: December 16th, 12PM — 3PM.
The Scoop: Santa will be visiting Gibson Mill Market on December 16th and will be available for photos. Spend your afternoon snapping pictures with Santa, creating Christmas crafts, and trying some of the vendors at this locally sourced food hall. There will be no professional photographer present, but cell phone photography is allowed.
Metro Diner Brunch with Santa
8334 Pineville-Matthews Rd
![](https://www.scoopcharlotte.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screen-Shot-2023-12-07-at-2.59.11-PM.png)
When: December 20th, 10:45AM — 12:45PM.
The Scoop: On December 20th, Santa is having brunch at the Metro Diner and you’re invited. Share a meal with Santa (we heard his favorite is chicken & waffles) and then take a photo.
Metro Diner Dinner with Santa
10412 E Independence Blvd #400, Matthews, NC
![](https://www.scoopcharlotte.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screen-Shot-2023-12-07-at-2.59.11-PM.png)
When: December 20th, 5:30PM — 7:30PM.
The Scoop: If dinner is more your speed than brunch, the Metro Diner in Matthews is offering a dinner with Santa on December 20th. Sip hot chocolate, enjoy delicious holiday food, and even take advantage of gift card specials before getting a photo with Santa.
Daily Events with Santa
Kannapolis Celebration of Lights & Winterland Express
700 West C St, Kannapolis
![](https://www.scoopcharlotte.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screen-Shot-2023-12-07-at-3.39.10-PM.png)
When: Daily, 6PM — 9PM, through December 30th (closed Christmas Eve & Day).
The Scoop: Make your photo with Santa a family outing with a trip to Kannapolis. At the Kannapolis Celebration of Lights & Winterland Express, you can snap a photo with Santa, take in the light displays, make s’mores, and even see the Kannapolis singing bears perform.
Light the Knights
324 S Mint St
![](https://www.scoopcharlotte.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screen-Shot-2023-12-08-at-11.53.13-AM.png)
When: Daily, through December 25th (closed December 11th, 12th, 13th, 24th, and 25th).
The Scoop: Admission to get into the Light the Knights festival is $10, and Santa will be there everyday the festival is open through Christmas. After seeing Santa, you can enjoy the vendors, eat, drink, and ice skate or snow tube for an additional cost.
Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s
Various Locations
![](https://www.scoopcharlotte.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screen-Shot-2023-12-07-at-3.45.08-PM.png)
When: Daily, through December 24th.
The Scoop: Bass Pro Shop and Cabela’s are putting on a Winter Wonderland in their stores, complete with free photos with Santa. Simply reserve your time here, and get a free 4×6 photo with Santa, along with a complimentary shareable video.
SouthPark Mall
4400 Sharon Rd
![](https://www.scoopcharlotte.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Screen-Shot-2023-12-07-at-3.49.45-PM.png)
When: Daily, through December 24th.
The Scoop: Get your holiday shopping and photos with Santa done in one trip to the SouthPark mall. Make your reservation here, and receive a free phone call from Santa, powered by Portable North Pole. Photos must be purchased.
![](https://www.scoopcharlotte.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/CEENTA_Blue-800x197.png)
Charlotte Eye Ear Nose & Throat Associates, P.A. (CEENTA) has nearly 140 providers in almost 20 locations bringing specialty care to the community. CEENTA provides comprehensive pediatric and adult eye, ear, nose and throat care, and highly specialized care, too.
These services include but are not limited to: audiology, allergy treatment, cataract surgery, cochlear implants, cornea diseases, diabetic eye care, glaucoma treatment, head and neck cancer, neuro-ophthalmology, oculoplastics, optical and contact lenses, pediatric airway care, sleep medicine, thyroid treatment, and voice and swallowing care.
To schedule an appointment with any of CEENTA’s board-certified physicians, please call 704-295-3000.