Where to Find Santa in Atlanta

My boys with Santa Claus at Stone Mountain

What: Santa Claus’ Arrival
Where: Atlanta Area Malls and Attractions
When: Starting Friday, Nov. 4, 2012
Cost: Most visits with Santa are FREE, pictures are additional (Stone Mtn. Christmas has an entrance fee, but visits with Santa are included in admission)

As soon as Halloween is over, Santa Claus begins arriving at local area malls. Here’s a round up of where to see the jolly man in red (or green). If you’re looking for an African American Santa, we have those listed too. Unless otherwise noted, there are no fees to visit with Santa, but professional pictures are additional.



You won’t be able to sit on Santa’s lap, but at the LEGOLAND Discovery Center at Phipps Plaza, on Dec. 1, Santa invades MINILAND for a holiday seek and find.

Town Center at Cobb
Santa Arrives: Nov. 2. Santa’s home for the holidays is at Center Court.

Mall of Georgia
Santa Arrives: Nov. 7. Santa’s holiday home for daily photos is the lower level Nordstrom Wing.

Northlake Mall

Santa Arrives: Nov. 19 at 12 pm. Welcome Santa to his workshop on the lower level of Northlake Mall’s Center Court.

Caring Santa
December 2: Caring Santa is an opportunity for children with special needs and their families to experience a holiday tradition in an extraordinary way. The event is held from 8-10 a.m., prior to mall opening so accommodations can be made to support the sensory, physical and other developmental needs of all guests. Caring Santa will be at Mall of Georgia, Northlake and Towne Center.

Lenox Square
 Santa 
Santa Arrives: Nov. 9. He will be available daily in the Macy’s Court, mall level. While you are here, ride The Pink Pig, an Atlanta tradition. Rides are $3 for one ride; $5.50 for two rides and $7.50 for three rides. Proceeds benefit Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

Stone Mountain Christmas
Santa Arrives: Nov. 11. Each evening Santa makes his grand entrance during the 6 pm parade and greets children until the Snowfall Celebration begins. There is a fee to enter Stone Mountain Christmas, but no additional fee to see Santa (although pictures are extra).  Nov 23-24 & Dec 1, 8, 15, 20-23 
6:15 – 9:45 and Nov 11, 25 & Dec 2, 9, 16 
6:15 – 8:45.

We visit the Santa at Lenox Mall each year.

Sugarloaf Mills
Santa Arrives: Nov. 8. Santa’s holiday home is at the AMC Theatre Court.

Phipps Plaza
You can see Santa from a far. Phipps Plaza is the only mall that takes reservations for your visit. If you haven’t made your reservations yet, don’t bother, they are already sold out (pre-registration is in July and August!). You can register to be on the waiting list which will ensure you get on the email list for next year and know when they start taking reservations.

Atlantic Station
 Santa
Arrives: Nov. 17 during the lighting of the Atlantic Station Christmas Tree. Times vary by date, so check the website or with Atlantic Station to be sure when Santa will be around.

African American Santa in Atlanta
Field Trips with Sue was asked by a reader about where to find an African American Santa in Atlanta. Since we didn’t know, we turned to the Field Trips with Sue community on Facebook and they did not disappoint. Here are several places readers suggested to see an African American Santa in Atlanta.

South DeKalb Mall (according to Michael Wilcox, this is the real deal!)
Santa Arrives: Nov. 17.

Greenbriar Mall

Santa Arrives: Nov. 17

Stonecrest Mall
Santa Arrives: Nov. 17, The mall has both a Caucasian and African American Santa. According to customer service, the Caucasian Santa arrives at 10 am and the African American Santa takes over at 5 pm.

West End Mall
Santa Arrives: Nov. 23