Santa Sightings In Knoxville And East Tennessee

Ho! Ho! Ho! Santa Claus is making a special trip from the North Pole to visit good girls and boys in East Tennessee!

There are LOTS of chances for your children to talk to the jolly old elf this year. Many events require advance registration, so be sure to keep that in mind. Wishing you and your little ones tear-free Santa pictures you’ll cherish for years to come!

2023 Santa Sightings in Knoxville and East Tennessee

Santa at West Town Mall
Knoxville, TN
11/10/23-12/24/23

It’s time for holiday photos with Santa! Now you can save time and avoid the line by reserving online your magical moment with Santa here.

Santa Pajama Party at West Town Mall
Knoxville, TN
11/12/23 5:00pm-7:00pm

A certain jolly toymaker will be stopping by various Knox County libraries this month! Snap a photo with your little one completely free, just bring a phone or camera to take the photo with! Here is the list:

11/30/23 Corryton Branch Library 3:30PM-4:30PM
12/4/23 Howard Pinkston Branch Library 10:30AM-11:30AM
12/4/23 Farragut Branch Library 1:00PM-2:30PM
12/5/23 Carter Branch Library 1:30PM-2:30PM
12/6/23 Powell Branch Library 3:30PM-4:30PM
12/7/23 Cedar Bluff Branch Library 11:00AM-12:30PM
12/12/23 Burlington Branch Library 11:00AM-12:00PM
12/12/23 North Knoxville Branch Library 1:00PM-2:00PM
12/13/23 Lawson McGhee Children’s Room 10:30AM-11:30AM
12/14/23 Karns Branch Library 10:30AM-11:30AM
12/14/23 Halls Branch Library 1:30PM-2:30PM
12/12/22 Sequoyah Branch Library 5:00PM-6:00PM
12/18/23 Bearden Branch Library 11:00AM-12:00PM
12/18/23 Norwood Branch Library 3:00PM-4:00PM
12/20/23 Fountain City Branch Library 11:00AM-12:00PM
12/21/23 Sequoyah Branch Library 10:30AM-11:30AM
12/21/23 South Knoxville Branch Library 4:00PM-5:00PM

Cook N Craft Academy Tea Party with Santa
Loudon, TN
418 Wharf Street
12/16/23 2:00PM-4:00PM
Tickets: $25.00 + Tax

Make some madeleines and then enjoy afternoon tea with delicious pastries, hot tea, ice cream tea and more! 

Anakeesta Breakfast with Santa
Gatlinburg, TN
576 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
12/2/23, 12/9/23, 12/16/23, 12/23/23
7:45AM-9:30AM
General Admission: $87.99 (4-11), $97.99 (Seniors 60+) & $104.99 (Adults 12-59). 

Santa Claus is coming to town! Join us at Anakeesta for a delightfully enchanted breakfast this winter season with a very special guest, Santa Claus himself!  Guests will receive early access to Anakeesta for a day of festive fun, a delicious breakfast at Cliff Top restaurant, sing-along with the Anakeesta carolers, a photo with Santa and a special souvenir for children.  Please note that tickets are available exclusively online, and it’s advisable to secure them early, as availability is limited and they tend to sell out quickly.

Anakeesta Santa Photos
Gatlinburg, TN
576 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738
11/25/22, 12/2/22, 12/9/22, 12/16/22, 12/22/22
11:00am-3:00pm
General Admission: $84.99 (4-11), $91.99 (Seniors 60+) & $98.99 (Adults 12-59). Santa photo opportunity included in General Admission.

Visit with Santa Claus at Anakeesta!  You’ll have a chance to take a picture with the jolly old elf, too.

Schulz Brau Christkindlesmarkt 
Knoxville, TN
126 Bernard Avenue
11/25/23-12/24/23
Saturday 11:00AM-1:00AM, Sunday 11:00AM-12:00AM

Schulz Bräu Brewing is hosting its annual Christkindlsmarkt! Enjoy live music and a traditional German-style Christmas market featuring hand crafted goods and German specialty items. In addition to German beers, German treats will also be available for purchase. Santa Claus will also be paying Christkindlesmarkt a visit along with Krampus (He punishes naughty children!). For details on when to see Santa and more, visit the Schulz Brau website.

Volunteer Princess Cookies with Santa
Knoxville, TN
956 Volunteer Landing
12/10/23 12:30pm-1:30pm & 2:30pm-3:30pm
Admission: $30.00 Adults, $20.00 Children

Come see Santa as he makes his first stop of the year on the Volunteer Princess during this cheerful one-hour cruise.  Decorate cookies and visit Ole Saint Nick!  Photos with Santa will be available for purchase.  See website for more details.

Helping Mamas Knoxville & Bradley’s Visit with Santa
Knoxville, TN
141 North Peters Road
12/1/23 5:00PM-7:00PM

In the spirit of the holidays, attendees are invited to participate in our “Gift of a Change” initiative. Guests can either make a monetary donation or choose to take home a “Gift of a Change Bag” to fill with essential items for families in need.  For more information, click here.

Horse Haven Breakfast in the Barn
Lenoir City, TN
2477 Ford Road
12/19/23 9:00AM-11:00AM
Admission: $15 per person, Children three and under free

Your admission price includes an ornament to take home, breakfast and a family photo with Santa! Spaces are limited so be sure to register in advance. See website for more details.

f/32 Pictures with Santa
Knoxville, TN
7838 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919
11/25/22-11/27/22 & 12/2/22-12/3/22
Session Fee: $50

Reserve your special time with Santa! The visit will also include a credit for two digital files, with a print and social media release. Spots are expected to fill up fast so reserve your spot now! See website for more details.

Evening with Santa
Lenoir City, TN
War Memorial Building
103 N B Street
12/14/23 6:00PM-7:30PM
FREE

This event includes one on one time with Santa, light refreshments, crafts, games and a keepsake photo of your child with Santa. See website for more details.

H.O.M.E. for the Holidays
Alcoa, TN
MLK Jr. Community Center
209 E. Franklin 
12/2/23 6:00PM
FREE

Enjoy family fun and light refreshments at this community tradition!  See website for more details.

Blount County Santa Calls
Blount County, TN
Registration Deadline 12/4/23, Calls 12/7/23
FREE

Children Ages 3-6 in Blount County can enjoy a very special telephone call from Santa Claus free of charge thanks to the continued support of volunteers from the Maryville-Alcoa Civitan Club who provide special phone lines from the North Pole. The registration form can be found here.

Clinton Cookie Crawl
Historic Downtown Clinton, TN
12/9/23 1:00PM-4:00PM
FREE

Come join us in Historic Downtown Clinton for our Annual Cookie Crawl! There is an entire day packed with fun activities for the whole family, not to mention LOADS of cookies to hand out. Have pictures made with Santa & Mrs. Claus, as well as The Grinch! See Facebook for more details.

WECO Wartburg Christmas Parade
Wartburg, TN
First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall
308 North Maiden Street
12/2/23 6:00PM
FREE

This year’s parade theme is “A Storybook Christmas.”  The parade will run from Central High School to First Baptist Church along the normal route. Cookies and hot chocolate will be handed out after the parade in the First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall. Santa will also be available for pictures. See Facebook for more details.

Santa Photo Event with JCPenney Portraits
West Town Mall 
Knoxville, TN
12/1/23-12/31/23

A fun photography session with Santa, new holiday backgrounds and prop options. See website for more information on times and details.

Foothills Mall
Maryville, TN
11/24/23-12/24/23

See the website for more information on times and dates!

Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops
Kodak, TN
Bass Pro Shops
3629 Outdoor Sportsman Place, Kodak, TN 37764
(865) 932-5600
11/5/23-12/24/23
Monday-Friday 10:00am-5:00pm, Saturday 10:00am-8:00pm & Sunday 10:00am-5:00pm
FREE

Enjoy the magic of Christmas inside every Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s store!  Visit includes free 4X6 photo with Santa!  Advanced reservations are recommended. See website for more details.

Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland
Soaky Mountain Waterpark
Sevierville, TN
11/17/23–1/7/24 6:00PM-10:00PM
Open Rain or Shine & On Holidays

The standard ticket is $39.95 and a value ticket is $34.95 plux taxes and fees.  The price includes admission to Santa’s Village. Credit cards accepted. See a synchronized music and light show that will amaze you from the comfort of your vehicle. Then get out of your car to visit Santa’s Village to see Santa and do much more. See website for more details.

Tennessee Theatre Cookies with Santa
Knoxville, TN
12/12/23 4:00PM
****SOLD OUT****

Santa is making a special stop at the Tennessee Theatre where he will visit with children on the stage. Each child (or family if multiple children) will have the opportunity to take a picture with Santa in front of the tree on the stage, tell Santa their wish list, and check the naughty or nice list for their names. We will also have coloring and craft stations available, along with cookie decorating stations.  Cookies with Santa has SOLD OUT. Please email [email protected] to join the waitlist.

Santa & Mrs. Claus are Coming to Lambert’s Pies!
Maryville, TN
131 East Broadway Avenue
12/12/23 5:00PM-8:00PM

Since 2016 Lambert’s Southern Pies & Bake Shop Cafe has hosted the Real Santa at the bakery and they’re back again this year!  Guests will enjoy a free photo with Santa, cookies, hot cocoa or coffee.  

Zoo Knoxville Visit with Santa
Knoxville, TN
3500 Knoxville Zoo Drive
12/1/23-12/3/23, 12/8/23-12/10/23,12/15/23-12/17/23 & 12/22/23-12-23/23
11:00AM-2:00PM

Come visit with Santa at Zoo Knoxville! There is no additional cost to meet Santa. This special holiday event is included with general admission. Please be prepared to take your own photos. There will not be a photographer on site.

Sensory Santa Event at Painting Around
Gatlinburg, TN
170 Glades Road
12/16/23 10:00AM-8:00PM

Come enjoy a great time with Santa, hot chocolate, cookies and Sensory fun! This event is designed for special needs children of all ages. The photographer has lots of experience with special needs children too!

Pilot YMCA Breakfast with Santa
Knoxville, TN
400 North Winston Road
Date & Time TBA

It’s time to celebrate the season!  We’ll cook pancakes and sausage for a holiday breakfast for dinner! Bring the whole family and enjoy a warm meal together at the YMCA. Santa will be dropping by from the North Pole for photos. Breakfast with Santa is FREE for ALL! No registration is required.

Davis Family YMCA Breakfast with Santa
Knoxville, TN
12133 South Northshore Drive
12/2/23 9:00AM-12:00PM

This free community event will include pancakes, sausage, juice and milk. Guests will be able to take a picture with Santa, too.

Hannah & Matt’s Breakfast with Santa
Knoxville, TN
Regal Cinebarre West Town Mall
12/2/23 8:00AM-10:00AM

Enjoy a morning filled with Christmas magic and fun! Hanah and Matt will join in dressed as Cindy Lou Who and The Grinch! Enjoy breakfast, crafts, and pictures with Santa! Once you have checked out all the fun activities and crafts you will head to a theater to watch the animated Grinch movie! Tickets are $12.51 per person. The best part of the event is ALL proceeds benefit East Tennessee Children’s Hospital! Merry Christmas from The Wolf, we hope to see you there!  For more details, click here.

Willow Ridge Garden Center A Visit with Santa
Oak Ridge, TN
97 Oak Ridge Turnpike
12/2/23, 12/9/23 & 12/16/23 11:00AM-2:00PM

Come visit Santa & Mrs. Claus for a great (& free!) photo op, refreshments and you can even mail your letter to Santa!

Friendly Farm Cookies & Cocoa with Santa
Tazewell, TN
1104 Rebel Hollow Road
12/10/23 2:00PM-4:00PM

Come on out to the farm take all the pictures you want with Santa, make some Christmas crafts, pet a goat, feed a lamb, snuggle a piglet, bunnies, chicks and more! Space is limited to just 50 kids so you have plenty of time with Santa! Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased here. 

Alumni Hall Big Orange Santa
Knoxville, TN
11309 Parkside Drive
12/2/23 2:00PM-4:00PM

 Did we miss a Santa sighting? Please let us know!