Portland Santa Sightings

Santa Claus is coming to town. In fact, there are rumors he’s already been spotted in some nearby malls. Have your kids get their wishlist together, and head out for a photo op with Santa at one of these spots.

As always, confirm with the organizer’s website before heading out for event details, including any possible changes to dates, times or format.

REDISCOVER BRIDGEPORT VILLAGE. This post is generously sponsored by Bridgeport Village. Don’t miss their holiday happenings, including visits with live music, celebrations, and more! Bridgeport Village is busy putting the finishing touches on an extensive refresh, leaving no detail to chance as the successful shopping and lifestyle center prepares for the busy holiday season. Radiating from a new, park-like Village Green, a well-curated assortment of retailers, family-friendly restaurants and entertainment options stand ready to impress guests of all ages. Bridgeport Village is a reimagined four-season destination, artfully blending shopping, dining, and discovery.

Bridgeport Village

Visit Santa at the newly refreshed Bridgeport Village. Check the website for special events, including pet photos with Santa on November 28, December 5, and 12. Silent Santa will be available for children with special sensitivities and needs on November 26, and December 3, 10 and 17. Don’s miss Santa’s Arrival Celebration on November 25, to kick off the season!
When: November 24-December 24, 2023. Schedule your magical time with Santa here.
Where: Bridgeport Village, 7455 SW Bridgeport Rd., Tigard
Cost: $20 to reserve an appointment, can be used as credit towards any digital photo purchase.

Santa at Washington Square Mall 

Photo courtesy Washington Square

Tis the season! The big guy in red returns to Santa Headquarters, at Washington Square, for a new photo experience and festive holiday events. They offer a sensory Santa on December 3, and don’t miss their Ms. Claus story times and pet photo nights. Make a reservation to avoid wait times, and get a FREE personalized from Santa himself. Keep an eye on their events page, to be the first to know about special character appearances.
When: November 9-December 24, 2023, closed November 23.
Where: 9585 SW Washington Square Rd., Portland, Summit Court
Cost: A visit with Santa is always free. Photo packages are available for purchase.

Black Santa

Courtesy of Black Santa

Black Santa will be making his way through Portland throughout the holiday season. See a list of events at his website or follow Black Santa on Facebook or on Instagram to know where to find him.

Santa at Clackamas Town Center

Courtesy of Clackamas Town Center

Take your picture with Santa at Clackamas Town Center! Sensory-friendly visits available on December 3, and pet nights available on November 20-21, 27-28, and December 4-5.
When: November 16-December 24, 2023. Closed for Thanksgiving. Hours vary, reservation recommended.
Where: Clackamas Town Center, 12000 SE 82nd Ave., Happy Valley
Cost: Photo packages are available for purchase.

Santa at the Vancouver Mall

Courtesy of Vancouver Mall

Children will be able to talk with Santa to share their wish lists, or place a letter in Santa’s mailbox for him to read later. To make this holiday season both a magical and safe experience, they strongly encourage guests to make a reservation for photos. Sensory friendly visits on December 3, and pet visits on November 27, December 4, 11.
When: November 11-December 24, 2023
Where: Vancouver Mall, lower level near H&M.
Cost: Free, photos available for purchase.

Santa’s Wonderland at Cabela’s

Courtesy of Cabela’s

Reservations are recommended to meet Santa at Cabela’s.  Families can also mail their letter to Santa and bring home a free giveaway while supplies last.
When: November 5-December 24, 2023
Where: Cabela’s Tualatin, 7555 Southwest Nyberg Street
Cost: Receive a FREE 4×6 photo when you provide your email address. Photo packages available for purchase.

The Holiday Express

Courtesy of ORHF

Take a slow train ride aboard a real steam engine! Santa will be on each train to celebrate the season. For more experiences like this, check out our roundup of Holiday Trains and Ships.
When: November 24-December 17, 2023
Where: Departs from Oregon Rail Heritage Center located at 2250 SE Water Ave. Portland, OR 97214.
Cost: $25 for children 12 and under (age 2 and under free); $31 for adults. Family and group packages available.

Silverton Christmas Market

See our reel on Instagram!

At this annual light display, you can visit Santa, plus check out the holiday market, live music, fire pits, a snowless tubing track and more.
When: November 17-December 31, 2023
Where: 879 W Main St., Silverton
Cost: Guests are welcome to visit and take their own photos with Santa. Ticket prices to enter the Christmas Market range from $5 to $20 per person, depending on the day and age of guest. Children 5 and under free. Parking is an additional $12. Snowless tubing is an additional charge.

Santa at the Lloyd Center

Courtesy of the Lloyd Center

Guests will be able to take photos with Santa with their own cameras for a $15 donation which will benefit The Salvation Army. Reservations will be available on their website beginning the week of Thanksgiving.
When: Santa will be at the Lloyd Center December 9-10, 16-24. The Grinch and Cindy Lou Who will be there on November 25, and Jack and Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas on December 3. You can take holiday photos with the Grinch on December 2.
Where: First level near the ice rink.
Cost: $10 donation



Santa at Goldendale Reindeer Farm

Courtesy of Goldendale Reindeer Farm, credit @modifieddollphotographer

What’s better than meeting Santa AND his real live reindeer? Head to Goldendale Reindeer Farm for photos, treats, lawn games, and a chance to gather round the fire and enjoy the season.
When: Weekends in December
Where: Goldendale Reindeer Farm in Goldendale, Washington
Cost: $25/person, under 2 $5. Book early, this event sells out quickly!

Gresham Station Shopping Center

Enjoy a free photo op with Santa and Mrs. Claus at Gresham Station this season!
When: TBD 2023
Where: 1064 Norman Ave., Gresham
Cost: Free!

The Santa Experience

Courtesy of The Santa Experience

Create breathtaking works of art with your young ones at their visit with Santa. Professional photography in an astonishingly whimsical setting will capture this moment in your child’s life to cherish forever. This enchanting experience includes milk and cookies, a Nice List (don’t worry, your kids’ names will be on it) and a magical gift from St. Nick.
When: Session space limited.
Where: Haugen’s Galleri, 275 Main St. E. Monmouth
Cost: $399/session fee plus the cost of prints.

Holidays at the Hangar: Indoor Winter Lights Festival

Courtesy of Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum

The Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum hosts an annual indoor winter lights festival. Santa will even arrived on a helicopter on select days!
When: December 15-30, closed 24-25. Santa will be there on December 15-17, 22-23, at 4:45 p.m. He will arrive by helicopter on select nights based on helicopter availability.
Where: 500 Northeast Captain Michael King Smith Way, McMinnville.
Cost: Free with admission. $22/adults, $12/youth, $18/veterans and seniors, children under 5 free.

Santa at Indoor Play Spaces

Courtesy of PILEA Play

PILEA Play in Multnomah Village is hosting a visit from Asian-American Santa on December 9, at 9:00 a.m. or 10:45 a.m. The $40 package includes an hour of play at the indoor play space, guaranteed one-on-one time with Santa and digital photos with Santa. Plus, PILEA Play will be donating to the Bradley Angle domestic violence center.

LEKA Playland is also hosting a Santa experience, but they sold out before you even finished eating your Halloween candy. Join the waitlist here.

Santa at U-Cut Tree Farms

Courtesy of Lauren Wylie

You can often meet Santa when picking out your holiday tree at a U-Cut Tree Farm.

Pro Santa Jeff

Courtesy of Pro Santa Jeff

Pro Santa Jeff is an experienced, local Santa offering virtual and in-person visits.


For more holiday fun, check out our holiday highlights event guide and our cheat sheet to the area’s light displays. Can’t get enough Santa? Check out Santa Sightings on our popular Kids Calendar.

Santa will not be visiting Pioneer Place this year.

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