Where To See Santa In St. Petersburg This Christmas Season

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Santa Claus will be back in St. Petersburg this holiday season after a couple of years of COVID-19 restrictions that made it difficult for kids to crawl up on his lap and make their case that they’ve been good boys and girls over the last year.

Visits and pictures with Santa are at the heart of many families’ holiday traditions, but the coronavirus pandemic gave them a lump of coal. Malls and other places took social distancing measures in both 2020 and 2021 to help contain the spread of the virus, moving Santa meet-ups largely online.

Virtual visits are still an option in many places, but there’s nothing quite like seeing jolly old St. Nick live and in person. In St. Petersburg, kids have several chances:

• Tyrone Square Mall, 6902 22nd Ave. N., St. Petersburg: Get a picture with Santa through Dec. 24.
• Enchant St. Petersburg at Tropicana Field: In addition to a Christmas Light Maze, ice skating and a village of craft vendors, families also have the opportunity to meet Santa through Jan. 1.
• Santa in the Park at North Straub Park in St. Petersburg: Dec. 10-11, 16-23, 6 to 9 p.m. Attendees are invited to chat with Santa and take a picture.
• Cookies with Santa at the pole barn at the Pinellas Pioneer Settlement: Dec. 16-17, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Decorate gingerbread cookies, meet Santa and his elves, and purchase small gifts for friends and family. Registration required.
• Movie in the Park at Crescent Lake Park in St. Petersburg: Dec. 17, 7 p.m. Watch “The Grinch” with friends and family. There will also be holiday activities and a Santa photo booth.

Santa arrived Nov. 12 at Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Santa’s Wonderland and will hold court through Christmas Eve. Reservations are encouraged.

JC Penney stores, including stores in St. Petersburg, are offering professional portraits with Santa through Dec. 18.