Make your pictures with Santa in St. Louis part of an evening at Santa’s Magical Kingdom in Eureka. Meet our real-bearded Santa inside Kringle’s General Store, then spend time together among the Christmas lights.
There is more to plan around your photo, too. Explore the displays from your car, choose a train or wagon ride, or stop for cookies and hot cocoa. A personalized ornament gives you something to bring home with the picture.
Meet Our Real-Bearded Santa
Santa visits inside Kringle’s General Store every night from November 20 through December 23. Our professional Santa photos are delivered digitally by text to your phone, so you can download and save the images. Printed photos are not available.
If you plan to use the image for Christmas cards, leave time after your visit to choose your favorite and arrange your own printing. Save the original digital file as well as any copy you share with family.
What You Can Enjoy at the Kingdom
Build the evening around the activities your family wants to do. Rides have their own schedules, and Santa’s appearances end before the light-show season finishes.
| Experience | What to expect | Details |
| Santa photos | A real-bearded Santa inside Kringle’s General Store; digital photos sent by text | Santa photo information |
| Drive-through Christmas lights | Illuminated scenes and tunnels viewed from your vehicle | Explore the Kingdom |
| Train and wagon rides | Santa Express Train, shared holiday wagons and private wagon options | Ride schedules and booking |
| Kringle’s General Store | Gifts, toys, holiday decor and handwritten personalized ornaments | Browse the store details |
| Snack shack | Cookies, hot cocoa and other refreshments | See available treats |
| North Pole mailbox | A place to drop off your child’s letter to Santa along the drive | See the display highlights |
| Personalized letters from Santa | A separate letter you order using details about your child | Create a Santa letter |
Photo purchases, shopping and refreshments are separate choices. Check the relevant page for prices before deciding what to include.
Drive Through the Christmas Lights
Our drive-through display gives the family plenty to look for beyond Santa’s chair. The Kingdom includes millions of lights, Elfland and the Tunnel of Dancing Lights. Candyland has a life-size gingerbread house, while Toy Land features oversized three-dimensional toys.
Look for the illuminated waterfall and our version of the St. Louis Gateway Arch. The display also includes a Nativity scene.
Let each child choose one scene to spot along the route. Keep phones put away while driving and enjoy the displays from the vehicle. You can talk about everyone’s favorite part on the way home.
Explore the Christmas Light Displays
Add a Train or Wagon Ride
Choose the Santa Express Train, an open-air Old Fashioned Holiday Wagon, or a private wagon from our ride options.
The price is $18 per person for the train or shared wagon. A private wagon is $75 for the first two people, plus $18 for each additional person. Children 2 and under ride free on an adult’s lap.
When you book a train or wagon ride for two or more people, your vehicle admission fee is waived. Ride guests can also drive back through the Kingdom afterward to see the additional display section.
Check available dates before booking. The train runs on a more limited schedule, and wagons have excluded dates. Follow the arrival instructions for your departure and dress for an outdoor ride.
Check Train and Wagon Ride Availability
Choose a Personalized Ornament at Kringle’s
Visit Kringle’s General Store for gifts and holiday shopping while you’re at the Kingdom. The shelves include toys, apparel and Christmas decor.
Our handwritten personalized ornaments are listed at $18.95 each. Choose a style for your family or a gift for someone else, then have it personalized during your visit.
An ornament and a Santa photo make an easy annual tradition. Keep the digital picture in a dated album and bring the ornament out when you decorate the tree next year.
Kringle’s is for Santa’s Magical Kingdom guests; it does not have a separate entrance.
Stop for Cookies and Hot Cocoa
Our snack shack serves freshly baked chocolate chip cookies each evening, along with hot cocoa and coffee. Pretzels, popcorn and hot dogs are also listed on the menu.
Leave a little room in the evening for a snack, especially if you’re combining Santa photos with a ride. Choose what suits your family rather than trying to fit every stop into one visit.
Bring a Letter for the North Pole Mailbox
Before leaving home, help your child write or draw a letter to Santa. Bring it along to drop into the North Pole mailbox as you drive through the Kingdom.
A young child can draw a wish instead of writing it. An older child might include something they enjoyed this year alongside their Christmas wishes. Take a picture of the letter at home if you want to keep a copy.
The mailbox is part of the display. A personalized letter from Santa is a separate product that a parent or guardian can order.
Order a Personalized Letter From Santa
Our personalized Santa letters are designed to feel like they came from him. You provide your child’s name and details about their year, including their wishes and something they are proud of.
Use those details to make the letter specific to your child. Check the available format and delivery options when ordering.
You can save the letter alongside the Santa photo as a record of this Christmas. Ordering a letter is separate from the in-person visit and the North Pole mailbox.
Help Your Child Feel Comfortable for the Photo
Try to plan around a nap and a snack. Give a nervous toddler a chance to watch from a comfortable distance before approaching Santa.
If your child does not want to sit on his lap, ask the photographer about a pose with you nearby. Follow their guidance and let your child stay where they feel comfortable. There is no need to force the picture.
What to Wear for Santa Pictures
Choose comfortable clothes your child can sit and move in. Solid colors or a simple plaid are easy to coordinate with Santa’s suit.
Dress in layers for the different parts of the evening. You may want to remove a coat indoors for photos and put it back on for a wagon ride. Bring a spare shirt for a baby.
For more ways to keep the year’s photos and keepsakes together, read our Christmas memory ideas for young children.
Plan Your Visit to Eureka
Santa’s Magical Kingdom is off I-44 at Exit 261 in Eureka, near Six Flags. Use our hours and directions to plan your route.
The light-show season runs November 20 through January 3. Hours are 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. through December 24, then 5:30 to 10 p.m. from December 25 through January 3. Santa’s listed appearances end December 23.
Family-vehicle admission is $35 Sunday through Friday and $40 on Saturday, including tax. The ticket booth accepts cash only. Eligible ride bookings waive vehicle admission as described above.
Early-season weekdays are our recommended choice for a quieter outing. Allow enough time for the activities you choose, especially if you have a scheduled ride.
Plan Your Night at Santa’s Magical Kingdom
Questions About Santa Photos and Your Visit
Where can I get pictures with Santa in St. Louis and see Christmas lights?
At Santa’s Magical Kingdom in Eureka, you can combine a Santa photo visit with our drive-through lights. Train and wagon rides, shopping and refreshments offer additional ways to spend the evening.
Does your Santa have a real beard?
Yes. Our Santa has a real beard and meets families inside Kringle’s General Store.
How will I receive my Santa photos?
Your finished photos are texted to your phone as digital files. Printed photos are not available, and personal photography is not permitted during the Santa visit.
Is Santa there for the entire light-show season?
No. Santa’s last listed appearance is December 23; the lights continue through January 3.
Can we book a private wagon for our family?
Yes. Private wagons seat up to 12 people. Check the ride page for availability.
Does dropping off a letter mean my child will receive a reply?
The North Pole mailbox is a place to leave your child’s letter during the drive. To receive our personalized letter from Santa, a parent or guardian places a separate order and supplies the details.
Make Your Santa Photo Part of a Family Night Out
Start with the Santa picture, then choose what your family will enjoy around it. See the lights, book a ride or pick out an ornament to bring home. Leave time for the stops that matter to you.
