Santa Sightings in Huntsville and North Alabama

If you’re trying to catch a glimpse of the jolly white headed man in the red suit, rumor has it he and his friends will be at these events. No more searching all over to figure out where to find Santa in Huntsville and North Alabama! Many of these events are the perfect setting to get a picture with Santa and we recommend hitting up a couple in case your little ones aren’t cooperative on the first attempt. It happens.

For more holiday fun including all the places to hear holiday music, watch holiday plays, cavort with holiday cheerfulness and just plain get in the holiday spirit visit the main page of our comprehensive 2020 Holiday Happenings Guide sponsored by the Galaxy of Lights at Huntsville Botanical Garden.

ON THE GO? Keep all of our Holiday Guides and our full Event Calendar at your fingertips with our free Explore Huntsville app. It’s available on iTunes & Google Play and will help make your spirit bright!

Where to Find Santa in November

Virtual Visits with Santa from the North Pole

Keep things socially distanced and safe this year with a virtual visit with the Huntsville Santa! Visits will be fully customized, and require Zoom software and an account so Santa can contact you. Visits are 15 – 20 minutes and available on the hour and half hour. Visits with Santa alone, or make it a combination Zoom with Queen Elsa!

Date/Time: Various dates, November-December (see full schedule)
Location: Virtual via Zoom
Cost: $50, or $100 when combined with Queen Elsa
More Info: Website

Santa’s Wonderland at Cabela’s

By popular demand, Cabela’s will continue the tradition in a safe and responsible way. Santa will be in the store for photos nearly every day until Christmas! It’s free to see Santa and get a 4×6 photo and free digital download to share on social media, while other photo packages are available for purchase. Advance reservations are required in all locations and can go quickly, but reserving your spot online is easy and free. Temperature screenings, contactless visits with Santa, face coverings, and physical distancing will be required. During your visit, families can mail their letter to Santa and bring home free holiday craft activity kits while supplies last. Families can also enjoy the amazing aquariums and wildlife displays

Date/Time: Nov. 7 – Dec. 24
Location: Cabela’s (map)
Cost: FREE
More Info: Website

“Host of Christmas Past” in Fayetteville

Celebrating a tradition that began nearly 50 years ago, the Host of Christmas Past takes place each year on the second weekend in November. On this weekend, downtown Fayetteville becomes the setting for a magical holiday experience. With an array of music, food, exhibits, shops, candlelight and Christmas spirit the entire community joins together to promote qualities of our town. Safe, socially-distant photos with Santa will be available on Saturday, Nov. 14 from 9AM-12PM at the Fayetteville-Lincoln County Arts Center.

Date/Time: Nov. 13 Shopping & Dining | Nov. 14th Festival 9AM-6PM
Location: Downtown Fayetteville, TN (map)
Cost: FREE to attend; photos for a fee which benefit Fayetteville Main Street
More Info: Website | Facebook

Santa at the Mall

Great news: The big guy WILL be coming to Parkway Place Mall for the 2020 holiday season! Santa will arrive on Black Friday, November 27 and remain through Christmas Eve to hear Christmas wishes and take socially distanced pictures with children. Additionally, each Saturday in November and December will feature live holiday music from local musicians in the food court from 12-4PM to enhance your holiday spirit!

Dates: Nov. 27 – Christmas Eve, Closed Nov. 30 and Dec. 7
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 11AM-8PM, Sun. 12-6PM | Dec. 24 9AM-5PM (Break 1-2PM)
Breaks: Mon.-Sat. 3:30-4:30PM, with two 15 minute spot breaks for Santa; Sun. 2-2:30PM
Location: Parkway Place Mall (map)
Cost: Photo packages vary
More Info: Website | Facebook

Santa at Bridge Street

Up on the rooftop click, click, click! Visit jolly Old Saint Nick at Bridge Street Town Centre! Santa will be at Bridge Street throughout the season spreading holiday magic and taking photos in our open-air environment, near the giant Christmas tree. While visits will look a little different this year, the magic of the Santa experience will remain the same. Physical interaction with Santa is not permitted, visitors must remain six feet apart from Santa at all times. Visitors are required to wear a mask at all times during Santa visit; only permitted to remove mask when “saying cheese” for the photo. (Masks not required for children 2 & under).

Date/Time: Nov. 27 – Dec. 24, Various dates and times (see complete schedule)
Location: Bridge Street Town Centre (map)
Cost: FREE
More Info: Website

Santa in the Park

For four consecutive weekends, and in conjunction with Christmas in the Park, there’s a man by the name of Santa in the Park, too. Visitors come from near and far to stroll through Santa’s Village, an over-the-top display of merriment and holiday splendor. You’ll meet Mr. Claus himself, so don’t forget your camera… there are photo ops everywhere you look. Decorate cookies, sip a cup of fresh hot cocoa, and pick up reindeer food for Christmas Eve.

Date/Time: Fridays & Saturdays, Nov. 27-Dec. 19
Location: Arab City Park & Historic Village (map)
Cost: $6, Children under 2 are FREE
More Info: Facebook

Where to Find Santa in December

North Star Limited

The North Star Limited is a special nighttime holiday ride along the rails, featuring snacks and special treats for all our guests. Santa will visit each child at the seat during these rides. Each child will receive a gift from Santa. All riders will receive a drink and cookie, riders in coach 2006 will receive a hot drink, warm cookie, and souvenir mug.

Date/Time: Fridays & Saturdays Dec. 4-19 | 6PM
Location: North Alabama Railroad Museum (map)
Cost: $35 each
More Info: Website | Facebook

Guntersville’s Night Before Christmas

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Visit Downtown Lake Guntersville to ring in the holiday season! This family-friendly event features carriage and train rides, cookie decorating and ice skating. Enjoy face painting and music, plus a visit from Santa!

Dates/Times: Dec. 5 from 4-8PM
Location: Downtown Guntersville (map)
Cost: FREE
More Info: Facebook

Santa Train

The North Alabama Railroad Museum’s Santa Train is a Huntsville holiday tradition! Santa will visit each child at the seat during these rides, and each child will receive a gift. All riders on coach 4679 and 2006 will receive a drink and cookie.

Date/Time: Sat. Dec. 5 & 12 at 12PM & 3PM | Sun. Dec. 6 & 13 at 3PM
Location: North Alabama Railroad Museum (map)
Cost: $20-$30 each
More Info: Website | Facebook

Dinner with Santa at Urban Cookhouse

Join us at Urban Cookhouse to greet our very own Santa Claus for our 2nd annual Dinner with Santa! Santa will be here to spread joy and cheer to all of our dinner guests. Take selfies, drop off your list, and have a one on one chat with the big guy in red. This is sure to be a magical evening. Tables are first come first serve.

Date/Time: Dec. 19 from 5:30-7:30PM
Location: Urban Cookhouse, Bridge Street (map)
Cost: No admission fee
More Info: Facebook

Ten Nights of Santa at Earlyworks Children’s Museum

Amidst the uncertainty of the Covid-19 pandemic, Santa’s Village is taking a break. But Earlyworks has a creative and safe solution for families who want a socially distant Santa experience in 2020- Ten Nights of Santa! The event will be held indoors and the new location will allow organizers to uphold safe capacity limits, social distancing and sanitizing protocols. The reimagined program will offer several “safety inspired” twists, including photos with Santa while he is being protected by “Santa’s Magic Snow Globe.” Due to an accidental spill of “magic elf dust” at the North Pole, Santa has been confined in a “magic snow globe.” However, the jolly old elf is determined that his confinement will not impact his ability and desire to meet with children and spread Christmas cheer. Tickets are limited and available online.

Date/Time: Dec. 13-23, 2020
Location: Earlyworks Children’s Museum (map)
Cost: $10 per person, kids under 2 free
More Info: More Info | Buy Tickets

Where is YOUR favorite place to see Santa in Huntsville? Leave a comment below to help out other North Alabama families!

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Rocket City Mom is a website about raising children in and around Huntsville, Alabama. Started in late 2010 by a local mom and newcomer to Huntsville, Rocket City Mom has grown into a thriving community of local parents and now boasts a staff of four, thirteen regular contributors, and tens of thousands of Tennessee Valley readers making it the #1 Parenting Resource in North Alabama.