If your kids want to meet Santa and you want a nice photo, you can get both for FREE in the Twin Cities!
This is the first time I’ve put this list together because I was amazed at all the free opportunities I kept hearing about. And there are some really cool extras at some of them – like free gifts and kids’ activities galore. I even included a few opportunities that aren’t free but are worth considering.
Also be sure to check what your city or local community center is offering! Many community centers have holiday events where you can get a photo with Santa for free.
Santa’s going to be busy in Minnesota this month!!! 🙂
Free Opps with Santa!
Ongoing
Cabela’s. At Cabela’s, you can get your photo taken with Santa for free, and they have freebies and activities too! Your child can color a wood elf, get a free penguin plush, and write a letter to Santa. Each location has different hours for Santa. There are locations in Rogers, Woodbury and Owatonna.
Saturday, December 8th
Santa & His Reindeer Visit the Village of Blaine. 9:00am – 11:00am. The Village of Blaine Shopping Center. 4335 Pheasant Ridge Dr NE, Blaine. Meet Santa and his reindeer! (Near Caribou Coffee) There will be FREE apple cider and opportunity for you to take photos with Santa (bring your cameras). Also a Toy Drive – all toys donated during the event will benefit Alexandra House.
Free Soda Tasting and Santa Day! 10:00am – 8:00pm. Blue Sun Soda Shop, 1625 County Highway 10, Spring Lake Park. Blue Sun Soda Shop will be serving Free soda samples all day long while Santa stops in for a visit from 12-4! Take all the free pictures with Santa you would like! Sample a huge selection of Holiday soda flavors for free all day long. Wear an ugly christmas sweater and the person with the worst sweater, voted on by the staff, will get a case of soda for FREE.
Read with Santa. 10:00am – 12:00pm. Bobby and Steve’s Auto World 5801 Nicollet Avenue S. Minneapolis. Join us at Bobby & Steve’s Auto World on Nicollet Avenue in South Minneapolis for FREE books, stockings, pictures with Santa, snacks, and more! Children of all ages and their families are invited!
Santa’s Workshop. 10:00am – Noon. Saint John School, 2621 McMenemy St, Little Canada. Kick off the Christmas season and join us for a morning of holiday fun including pictures with Santa, Christmas crafts, games, carols, and more!
Cookies with Santa. 11:00am – 2:00pm. Maplewood Mall, 3001 White Bear Avenue Lower Level JCPenney Court. Stop in the Reindeer Lodge for FREE cookies! Available to all kiddos visiting Santa every Saturday starting November 17-December 22. Kids must RSVP and show their ticket to claim sweet treats and a holiday craft activity. NOTE: Santa breaks from 1-2pm but cookies and crafts will still be available for kiddos to enjoy while they wait for him to return. THIS EVENT OCCURS ON THREE DATES: DECEMBER 8TH, 15TH & 22ND.
Winter Wonderland at The Shoppes at Arbor Lakes. 11:00am – 2:00pm. The Shoppes at Arbor Lakes, 12459 Elm Creek Blvd N, Maple Grove. Don’t miss live reindeer and Santa in Arbor Park from 11am-2pm! Take home your very own plush reindeer toy, courtesy of Minneapolis Northwest Tourism! One toy per child, while supplies last.
Santa Claus is Coming to Town. 11:00am – 3:00pm. Anoka, MN. Find Santa Claus strolling the streets and shops in downtown Anoka. Snap a photo and share your holiday wish list. Candy canes provided by Two Scoops. THIS EVENT ALSO OCCURS ON DECEMBER 15th.
Holiday Open House. 12:00 – 3:00pm. Twin City Staffing. 2108 W 98th St, Minneapolis. Join us at our Bloomington location for a Holiday Open House! Dec. 8th, 2018. Noon-3:00pm. Santa Clause found his dream job through us many years ago, but he will be joining in on the festivities. Come hungry because we will have delicious pizza.
Cookies with Santa. 1:00 – 3:00pm. City of Little Canada, 515 Little Canada Road East, Little Canada. Join us for Cookies with Santa! Enjoy… cookies, hot cocoa, and lemonade! There will also be face painters and a balloon artist! This FREE event will be held at the Little Canada City Center on Saturday, December 8, 2018, from 1 – 3 PM. Make sure you bring your camera to take photos of the kids with Santa… or why not take a selfie?!
Sunday, December 9th
Santa and his Reindeer. 9:00am – 11:00am. Brooklyn Park Hy-Vee, 9409 Zane Ave North, Brooklyn Park. SANTA IS COMING! SANTA IS COMING! SANTA IS COMING! Come see Santa and his Reindeer on Sunday December 9th from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. here at your Brooklyn Park Hy-Vee!
Santa Claus Is Coming To Pizza Luce Downtown. 10:00am – 2:00pm. 119 N. 4th St., Minneapolis. Come join Pizza Luce in Downtown Minneapolis at our 4th street location to get your photo taken with Santa. He will be visiting us on December 9th and December 22nd from 10AM to 2PM. Santa will be giving out stockings to the kids. They will also be able to personalize their stockings at our fantastic decorating station. There will also be free face painting as well as a coloring contest in which one lucky kid will win a private pizza party in our banquet room valued at $150. Come join us to celebrate the Holiday Season! Remember, it’s Season for Cheezin!
Photos with Santa. 11:00am – 3:00pm. Pet Evolution (Arden Hills), 3845 Lexington Avenue N, Arden Hills. Santa is coming to the NEW Pet Evolution store NOW open in Arden Hills! Bring your pet along with the whole family to this awesome photo with Santa event Dec. 9th, 11-3pm! Minimum donation of $15 will include one instant photo to download and one digital print of a professional photo with Santa. All donations will go to local non-profit Basic Animal Rescue Training. (Not free but money goes to a good cause.)
Sundays at Landmark. 1:00 – 3:00pm. Landmark Center, 75 5th St W, Saint Paul. Crafts, animals, games, holiday cheer and of course, Santa! Free, family friendly holiday fun. Spread the holiday cheer, and bring a donation for Joseph’s Coat (please bring new or gently used items–good condition, stain free)
Friday, December 14th
Photos with Santa Claus. 5:00 – 7:00pm. Mariah Grant, Farm Bureau Financial Services, 2475 15th street Suite A, New Brighton. Professional photos with Santa, cookies and hot cocoa.
Saturday, December 15th
Free Portrait with Santa. 9:30am – 12:00pm. The Home Depot, 99 Northtown Drive, Blaine. Join us at the Northtown Home Depot Saturday December 15th, for your Free 5×7 Portrait with Santa printed onsite and a holiday themed Kid’s Workshop. This community event is sponsored by The Northtown Home Depot.
Santa Social. 10:00am. Southtown Shopping Center, Bloomington. Annual Holiday Santa photo opportunity with a professional photographer. There will be a DJ, face painting, crafts, hayrides and more! Celebrate the season with the family at Southtown.
Cookies with Santa. 11:00am – 2:00pm. Maplewood Mall, 3001 White Bear Avenue Lower Level JCPenney Court. Stop in the Reindeer Lodge for FREE cookies! Available to all kiddos visiting Santa every Saturday starting November 17-December 22. Kids must RSVP and show their ticket to claim sweet treats and a holiday craft activity. NOTE: Santa breaks from 1-2pm but cookies and crafts will still be available for kiddos to enjoy while they wait for him to return. THIS EVENT OCCURS ON THREE DATES: DECEMBER 8TH, 15TH & 22ND.
Santa Claus is Coming to Town. 11:00am – 3:00pm. Anoka, MN. Find Santa Claus strolling the streets and shops in downtown Anoka. Snap a photo and share your holiday wish list. Candy canes provided by Two Scoops. THIS EVENT ALSO OCCURS ON DECEMBER 15th.
Santa Is Coming To Big Frog of Bloomington! 1:00 – 4:00pm. Big Frog Custom T-Shirts & More, 8415 Lyndale Ave S, Bloomington. Bring your child in to get a picture with Santa, and we’ll print it on a t-shirt for your child, for FREE!
Santa at Kalli’s Popcorn Shop. 1:00 – 3:00pm. 7535 148th St W, Apple Valley. Santa is coming to Kalli’s. Take a picture with Santa and enjoy some free hot apple cider and treats while you tell him what you want for Christmas this year.
The Candy Cane Hunt. 1:00 – 4:00pm. Three Rivers Park District, Silverwood Park, 2500 County Road E W, Saint Anthony. The Candy Cane Hunt. Search for candy canes hidden by Santa’s elves, find 3 and get a prize. Look for canes with golden ribbons for larger prizes. Enjoy warm treats, arts, winter games, and photos with Santa. Hunts for children ages 0-4 begin at 1:30 PM and 2:30 PM; hunts for children ages 5+ begin at 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM.
Saturday, December 22nd
Cookies with Santa. 11:00am – 2:00pm. Maplewood Mall, 3001 White Bear Avenue Lower Level JCPenney Court. Stop in the Reindeer Lodge for FREE cookies! Available to all kiddos visiting Santa every Saturday starting November 17-December 22. Kids must RSVP and show their ticket to claim sweet treats and a holiday craft activity. NOTE: Santa breaks from 1-2pm but cookies and crafts will still be available for kiddos to enjoy while they wait for him to return. THIS EVENT OCCURS ON THREE DATES: DECEMBER 8TH, 15TH & 22ND.
Paid (Not Free) Opps with Santa
Ongoing
Photos with Santa. Mall of America, Bloomington. Ho, Ho, Ho – Santa Claus is at Mall of America®! Mall of America has the perfect place to pose for photos with Santa and to share your holiday wish list. So pack up the little ones and head on out to Mall of America to share all the joy of the holidays. Visit Santa at your convenience. No appointment necessary! Share your holiday wishes with Santa and purchase great photo packages and other holiday merchandise. Packages are $30 – 65
Photos with Santa. Ridgedale Center, Minnetonka. Packages are $39 – 49.
Winter Castle. Rosedale Center, Roseville. There is no fee to visit Santa but pictures can be purchased. We visited last year and it was such a neat experience!
Photos with Santa. Burnsville Center.
Saturday, December 8th
St. Louis Park Lion’s Breakfast with Santa. 8:00am – 12:00pm. St. Louis Park Rec Center, ROC, Aquatic Park, 3700 Monterey Drive, Saint Louis Park. St. Louis Park Lions Club Presents: Breakfast with Santa. Photos with Santa, Kids Vision Screening (Ages 6M to 6YR), Vendor Boutique. Adults (ages 11 yrs and up): $5. Kids (ages 4-10 yrs): $4. Kids 3 yrs and under: Free. Also accepting toy donations for S.T.E.P.
Sunday, December 9th
Mingle with Santa. 5:00 – 7:00pm. Rock Elm Tavern – Plymouth, 16605 County Rd 24, Suite 211, Plymouth. Santa will be making a stop at Rock Elm Tavern in Plymouth before his Christmas journey! Bring the kids for photos, sweet treats and half-off kids meals. Kids crafts stations will be set up too! Decorate cookies, make reindeer candy canes and show off those coloring skills.
Saturday, December 15th
The Candy Cane Hunt. Three Rivers Park District – Silverwood Park, 2500 County Road E W, Saint Anthony. Search for candy canes hidden by Santa’s elves, find 3 and get a prize. Look for canes with golden ribbons for larger prizes. Enjoy warm treats, arts, winter games, and photos with Santa. Hunts for children ages 0-4 begin at 1:30 PM and 2:30 PM; hunts for children ages 5+ begin at 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM.
Sunday, December 16th
Very Merry Santa Day! 11:00am – 1:00pm. Jerry’s Foods – Eden Prairie, 9625 Anderson Lakes Pkwy, Eden Prairie. Cookie decorating, Face painting, Christmas crafts, Take your photo with Santa, Put your Christmas letter in the mailbox to the North Pole!
More events?
Do you know of any events to add to this list? Is your business having an event? Please contact me so I can add it! Leave a message in the comments or email me at twincitiesfrugalmom @ gmail.com.