20 Places to see Santa in Birmingham in 2026

Christmas is just around the corner, which means your time to get pictures with Santa Claus is now. Fortunately, Birmingham has tons of places that snagged a spot on the big guy’s busy schedule (so hard to do this time of year!), so you’ve got plenty of options to claim your spot on the nice list and let him know exactly what you want for Christmas. Read on to see where you can meet him (and maybe snap a few pics for the memories) this year!

Look for these symbols to denote special Santa experiences:

• Pet-friendly: 🐶
• Sensory-friendly: 🖐️
• Black Santas: 🎅🏿
• Larger events + unique experiences: ⭐

Free events with Santa in Birmingham in 2026

🖐️Bass Pro Shops

• When: Now through Dec. 24, 2026
• Where: 5000 Bass Pro Blvd., Leeds, AL 35094
• What to know: You can once again find Santa stationed at Bass Pro Shops this year, and snag a free 4×6-inch photo with him along with a shareable video of the experience.

⭐Vestavia City Center

• When: Friday, November 20, 2026 | 6PM-8PM
• Where: 700 Montgomery Hwy., Vestavia Hills, AL 35216
• What to know: Kick off the holiday season with free cocoa and cokes, popcorn and movie viewing, along with a chance to tell St. Nick what’s on your Christmas list this year.

⭐Chick-fil-A Hoover

• When: Tuesday, November 24, 2026 | 5PM-7PM
• Where: 1609 Montgomery Hwy., Hoover, AL 35216
• What to know: Light up the iconic Chick-fil-A Hoover drive thru with the help of Santa and grab a few pictures with the big guy while he’s there.

⭐Downtown Trussville caroling + tree lighting ceremony

• When: Sunday, November 29, 2026 | 4PM-6PM
• Where: 400 Parkway Dr., Trussville, AL 35173
• What to know: Celebrate the start of the Christmas season by joining in on Christmas carols, sipping cocoa and nibbling on cookies, lighting the city’s massive tree and, of course, meeting the big man himself.

⭐Irondale Christmas parade + tree lighting

• When: Friday, December 4, 2026 | 6PM-8PM
• Where: Irondale City Hall,  101 20th St S, Irondale, AL 35210
• What to know: Irondale is kicking off Christmas with the Santa making an appearance at their annual parade and tree lighting. Snag a picture with Santa along with some free cocoa, Christmas treats and tons of holiday fun.

Indian Springs Church breakfast with Santa

• When: Saturday, December 5, 2026 | 9AM-11AM
• Where: 3375 Cahaba Valley Rd., Indian Springs Village, AL 35124
• What to know: Get your pictures and pancakes with Santa at this breakfast celebration!

🖐️The Shops of Grand River

• When:
  • Saturdays, December 5, 12 and 19, 2026 | 12PM-4PM
  • Sunday, December 6, 2026 | 9-11AM (sensory friendly)
• Where: 6200 Grand River Blvd. E, Leeds, AL 35094
• What to know: Every Saturday in December leading up to Christmas Day, The Shops of Grand River is hosting Santa for free photos with families, including a special sensory-friendly event on Sunday, December 6 that will feature a quieter, calmer atmosphere.

Once Upon a Time

• When: Saturday, December 5, 2026 | 2PM-4PM
• Where: 2844 18th St. S, Homewood, AL 35209
• What to know: Santa is making a special stop by one of our favorite children’s shops offering complimentary photos, donuts and coffee, a candy bar, face paint and more holiday fun.

🎅🏿Woodlawn Christmas tree lighting

• When: Saturday, December 5, 2026 | 4:30PM-6:30PM
• Where: 5613 1st Ave. N, Birmingham, AL 35212
• What to know: You can once again find Santa at the Woodlawn Christmas tree lighting this year, where families can also enjoy face painting, grab some dinner and create holiday memories that will last forever.

First Methodist Church Trussville

• When: Saturday, December 5, 2026 | 5PM-7PM
• Where: 120 N Chalkville Rd., Trussville, AL 35173
• What to know: Grab a few pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus and enjoy some Christmas treats and crafts while you’re there.

Reli Title in Ross Bridge

• When: Sunday, December 6, 2026 | 3PM-5PM
• Where: 2301 Grand Ave., Ste. 101, Hoover, AL 35226
• What to know: Santa is stopping by Ross Bridge early this year to hear your Christmas wishes and snap a few pictures before the big day. You don’t even need to bring a camera—the Reli team has you covered! This event is free, but toy donations to support Oak Tree Ministries’ Christmas in the Village are welcome.

Library in the Forest

• When: Tuesday, December 8, 2026 | 6:30PM-7:30PM
• Where: 1221 Montgomery Hwy., Vestavia Hills, AL 35216
• What to know: Stop by the Vestavia library to see Santa after dark and snap a few family pictures with him.

Center Point Library

• When: Friday, December 11, 2026 | 3PM-5PM
• Where: 533 Sunhill Rd. NW, Center Point, AL 35215
• What to know: Celebrate the cozy Icelandic tradition of Jólabókaflóð, a Christmas book flood, at the Center Point Library, where kids can meet and get pictures with Santa, sip hot chocolate and get a free book.

Vestavia Hills Civic Center

• When: Saturday, December 12, 2026 | 8AM
• Where: 1090 Montgomery Hwy., Vestavia Hills, AL 35216
• What to know: Enjoy free pancakes and pictures with Santa, along with appearances by the Vestavia High School Rockettes and the Vestavia Belles. No registration required.

🎅🏿⭐Protective Stadium

• When: Saturday, December 12, 2026 | 10AM-2PM
• Where: 1001 22nd St. N, Birmingham, AL 35203
• What to know: Shop some of Birmingham’s local non-profits at the Gifts for Good holiday market, and don’t miss a special photo opportunity with Santa while you’re there!

🎅🏿Tabernacle Baptist Church

• When: Saturday, December 12, 2026 | 12-2PM
• Where: 600 Center St. N, Birmingham, AL 35204
• What to know: Santa is visiting the Smithfield community—and he’s bringing free toys for children under 12 with him!

Paid events with Santa in Birmingham in 2026

🖐️The Summit

• When: Now through December 24, 2026 | 11AM-8PM Monday-Saturday, 12PM-6PM Sundays + Christmas Eve
• Where: 117 Summit Blvd., Birmingham, AL 35243
• What to know: The Summit is one of the easiest spots to see Santa this holiday season, with 10-minute photo ops offered throughout the day, every day of the week. They even offer calmer, quieter, sensory-friendly sessions and a special 15-minute Santa experience that includes all digital photos, milk and cookies, wish-list time and a story with Santa.
• Cost: Registration is free for everything except the Santa experience, which costs $150 upfront. Photo packages may be purchased at the event.

🐶Riverchase Galleria

• When: Now through December 24, 2026
  • 11AM-7PM Monday-Saturday + 12PM-6PM on Sunday | now through Friday, December 4, 2026
  • 11AM-7PM Sunday-Friday + 10AM-9PM on Saturday | December 5-December 13, 2026
  • 10AM-9PM Monday-Saturday + 11AM-7PM on Sunday | December 14-December 23, 2026
  • 9AM-6PM Christmas Eve
• Where: 3000 Riverchase Galleria, Hoover, AL 35244
• What to know: Seeing Santa at the Galleria is a time-honored tradition for so many Birmingham families and this year is no exception. Even Fido can get in on the fun with special pet party nights! You can book a 15-minute session in advance, but walk-ups are also welcome everyday until closing time.
• Cost: Registration is free, photo packages may be purchased at the event.

⭐UAB Alumni House

• When: Saturday, December 5, 2026 | 10AM-12PM
• Where: 1301 10th Ave. S, Birmingham, AL 35205
• What to know: Blazer Claus is back and is bringing tons of festive fun with him, like crafts, hot cocoa, games and other activities for UAB fans.
• Cost: $10 for adults, $5 for children

🎅🏿Boutwell Auditorium

• When: Sunday, December 6, 2026 | 3PM
• Where: 1930 Reverend Abraham Woods Jr. Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35203
• What to know: Enjoy a pajama brunch with Santa with a delicious meal catered by In the Kitchen with Britt.
• Cost: $50-$200

Find your Santa event

Share your Santa photos with us by tagging @bhamnow.