There’s no need to check any lists – for families that celebrate Christmas, a visit (or two, three or four) with Santa Claus is a big highlight of the holidays. As with everything else, things are still a little different this year. Nevertheless, we are determined to find out where Santa will be in 2021. Find Santa Sightings here!
2021 Mall Santas
BassPro Shops OR Cabela’s
Enjoy a contact-less, safe visit with Santa Claus at BassPro Shops or Cabela’s! Make your free advanced reservation, enjoy a visit at his Wonderland, and get a free 4×6 photo (other photo packages and cards are available for purchase). Your kids will also enjoy free crafts and activities! To book your visit and for more info, visit the Bass Pro website or Cabela’s.
When: November 14 – December 24, 2021
Address: Bass Pro Shops: 261055 Crossiron Blvd, Rocky View, AB; Cabelas: 851 64 Ave NE, Calgary, AB
Website: www.basspro.com; www.cabelas.ca
Calgary Shrine Centre – Photos With Santa
Santa Photos Calgary is a special, safe place for your family to experience a little Christmas joy. Your children can enjoy some private time with the Man in Red, and you will take those sweet photo memories home with you. Family photos with Santa can be booked in two beautifully decorated Christmas themes: Read with Santa by the Fire or Visit Santa in his Sleigh. In the Fire theme, your children can read The Night Before Christmas book with Santa, decorate the tree, stand under a giant candy cane, or tell Santa all their secret wishes. A photo session in the Sleigh lets your family climb aboard Santa’s full-size sleigh in the forest and chat with him about Reindeers or anything else on their minds.
When: December 5, 11, 12, 18, and 19, 2021
Where: Calgary Shrine Centre
Address: 5225-101st Street NW, Calgary, AB
Website: SantaPhotosCalgary.ca
Chinook Centre
Santa arrives at Chinook Centre on November 19, 2021, and would love for you to stop by. Enjoy a magical and safe visit with Santa and capture the moment with a professional keepsake photo package from Cherry Hill. To keep everyone safe, visits with Santa are by reservation only and a $5 fee will apply to each booking. All proceeds will be donated to Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation and CF will be matching your donation! Don’t forget your mask – even Santa will be wearing one.
When: November 19 – December 24, 2021
Time: See schedule here
Address: 6455 Macleod Trail SW, Calgary, AB
Website: www.chinookcentre.com
The CORE
Santa will be visiting for a no-contact experience this year and can’t wait to wave and give a jolly “ho-ho-ho” in the back of the CORE’s holiday truck. No appointments are necessary. Santa photos are complimentary, however, you can make a donation to The Mustard Seed.
When: Weekends, November 26 – December 19, 2021
Time: See here for schedule
Where: The CORE Shopping Centre
Address: 324 8 Ave SW, Calgary, AB
Website: www.coreshopping.ca
Country Hills Village Shopping Centre Photos with Santa
Create warm holiday memories with Santa photos at Country Hills Village Shopping Centre on December 5, 2021. Book your photos, add a donation of $5, which will be donated in full to Calgary’s Women in Need Society (WINS), and enjoy in-store retailer promotions, giveaways, and snacks, all while you get your errands done!
When: December 5, 2021
Time: 11 am – 4 pm
Where: Country Hills Village Shopping Centre – West side of parking lot in event tent
Address: #240 5149 Country Hills Blvd NW (Formerly Music Makers), Calgary, AB
Website: www.familyfuncanada.com/calgary/country-hills-village-shopping-centre
Deerfoot City
Capture your socially-distanced moment with Santa on select days from November 27 to December 24, 2021, with a beautiful display at the Food Lodge. Your children will not be able to sit on Santa’s knee but are welcome to sit next to Santa on his oversize presents and everyone aged 2 and up must wear a mask. All photos are by appointment only – no walk-ups. Photo packages start at $25.
Note: ALL photo appointments are limited to a maximum of 6 people from the same household.
When: Select Days, November 27 – December 24, 2021
Where: Deerfoot City
Address: 901 64 Ave NE, Calgary, AB
Phone: 403-333-5121
Website: www.deerfootcity.com
Market Mall
Santa is excited to welcome visitors while he’s visiting Market Mall! Enjoy a magical and safe visit with Santa and capture the moment with a professional keepsake photo package from Cherry Hill. To keep everyone safe, visits with Santa are by reservation only and a $5 fee will apply to each booking. All booking fees will be donated to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alberta and CF will be matching your donation! Don’t forget your mask – even Santa will be wearing one.
When: Select days, November 19 – December 24, 2021
Time: See schedule here
Address: 3625 Shaganappi Trail NW, Calgary, AB
Website: www.marketmall.ca
Southcentre Mall
This year, explore a fresh take on Southcentre’s Enchanted Forest Santa-scape in Centre Court. Families can visit Santa by appointment from November 13 to December 24, 2021, to take a safe, socially-distanced photo with the big guy. A special North Pole mailbox will also be available for children to send their holiday wish lists and letters to Mr. Claus.
The Enchanted Forest will also feature enhanced sanitization protocols between each visit, one-way traffic flow, designated entrance and exit points, clearly marked waiting zones, minimal touchpoints, temperature checks, and mandatory hand sanitization upon entry. All staff will be fully vaccinated and individual transparent masks will be available for optional purchase, with money being donated to Meals on Wheels. Details about what to expect during a visit with Santa will be available online so guests can feel as comfortable and prepared as possible.
Children with sensory sensitivities and mobility issues can also enjoy a special time with Santa, so all families can experience this quintessential holiday tradition. Plan a date to visit Santa in a sensory-friendly environment, with appointments available every morning, 9 – 9:30 am, from November 13 to December 20, 2021. More than 50 families will be able to attend weekly, more than any other year.
Pet owners will also be able to book appointments to bring in their furry friends to experience ‘Paws with Claus’ photo opportunities every night, 8 – 9 pm, from November 13 to 27, 2021.
When: November 13 – December 24, 2021
Address: 100 Anderson Road SE, Calgary, AB
Website: www.southcentremall.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/southcentremall
Sunridge Mall
Santa’s Sleigh will be arriving on December 4, 2021, at 1 pm in the West Parking Lot beside Fit4Less, ready for kids to tell their secrets to Santa, with a safe socially-distanced visit, of course! Every Saturday and Sunday from December 4 – 19, 2021, you can visit Santa from 1 – 5 pm. Santa’s special sleigh is approved by AHS to provide an in-person visit with Santa, all while being COVID safe.
It might be a little chilly out, but don’t worry about waiting in the cold. Sunridge will have a special photo booth inside where you can capture your family photo while you wait for your turn to see Santa. While you wait, the kids can also interact with the Grinch and Olaf from Frozen, as well. In lieu of payment for photos, please bring a cash or non-perishable food donation to The Calgary Food Bank.
Each child that visits Santa will receive a Sunridge goodie bag filled with fun activities and retailer coupons for Mom and Dad. (Quantities are limited and while supplies last.) Spend the day at Sunridge shopping for everyone on your list and finally seeing Santa again in person! The kids will love it and parents will be happy to get some errands done, too.
When: Saturdays and Sundays, December 4 – 19, 2021
Time: 1 – 5 pm
Where: Sunridge Shopping Centre
Address: 2525 – 36 Street NE, Calgary, AB
Website: www.sunridgeshopping.com
WestHills Towne Centre Photos with Santa
Create warm holiday memories with Santa photos at WestHills Towne Centre on December 4, 2021. Book your photos, add a donation of $5, which will be donated in full to Calgary’s Women in Need Society (WINS), and enjoy in-store retailer promotions, giveaways, and snacks, all while you get your errands done!
When: December 4, 2021
Time: 11 am – 3 pm
Where: WestHills Towne Centre – Centre of the parking lot, by the playground
Address: Stewart Green SW, Calgary, AB
Website: www.familyfuncanada.com/calgary/westhills-towne-centre
Outside of Calgary
Sheep River Health Trust Photos with Santa
The Sheep River Health Trust is bringing Jolly Old St. Nick himself back to town for their Annual Photos with Santa. What child doesn’t want to share their secret wishes with Santa? What parent doesn’t want to capture the memory of innocence & belief? Avoid those long lineups at the mall and pre-book a time with the Sheep River Health Trust. All COVID-19 protocols will be followed and your booking helps support Health & Wellness Initiatives throughout the Foothills Region.
When: Dates available between November 20 & December 14, 2021; See here for the schedule.
Where: Best Western Plus, Okotoks
Address: 100 Southbank Road, Okotoks, AB
Website: www.sheepriverhealthtrust.ca
