Note: The situation with the pandemic is changing quickly. Events, including Santa photos, may be cancelled on very short notice as circumstances change. I’ll try to keep this post as reasonably updated as possible, but check in with organizers for the most up-to-date information. The same goes for the list of Christmas events in Vancouver this year.

UPDATED: December 1, 2020

One of our fondest Christmas traditions is taking a picture with Santa as a family. We love sharing our Santa photos with loved ones. And, no joke, we keep a string of Santa photos on our mantle all year round. Okay, maybe we just keep forgetting to take it down, but it’s the holiday season again. So, let’s just run with it. The thing is, with the pandemic being what it is, we figured that Santa photos would be off the table completely for 2020. Except that’s not true at all.

Safety Measures and Precautions

You can still take pictures with Santa at a number of locations around town, but they’re going to look different. For the shopping malls that are still offering in-person Santa photos, they’re generally taking many of the same precautionary measures:

  • No drop-ins. You must book a specific appointment time in advance, usually via their website.
  • Limit groups to no more than six people, and only from your immediate household.
  • Masks are mandatory in all public indoor spaces.
  • Masks must be worn at all times, when you’re getting your picture taken.
  • Do not visit if you or anyone in your group is sick or exhibiting symptoms.
  • Use hand sanitizer before and after your photo session.
  • Some locations are using outdoor venues or plexiglass dividers.
  • No sitting on Santa’s lap; photos are taken from a safe social distance.

At this point, I’m not sure how socially distant Santa photos with plexiglass dividers are going to look. Alternatively, you can always book a “holiday” photo session with your studio or photographer of choice. You just won’t have the guy in the red suit there (unless you dress up yourself).

Virtual Santa Visit Options

Nordstrom is skipping in-person Santa photos this year, going full 2020 with an online video call instead.

  • November 27 to December 20 (Friday to Sunday only)
  • Book your time slot online (9 am to 3 pm)
  • $20 for a 15-minute video call
  • Nordstrom Santas are diverse, with a range of ethnic backgrounds and body types.

Willowbrook Shopping Centre has opted for virtual visits with Santa. Have a video call with the big guy from the comfort of your own home.

  • Free of charge
  • 5-minute video calls via Zoom
  • Book your call online (seems like no times are available?)

Talk to Santa Live has two options for a virtual visit with Santa, both of which you can book online.

  • $24.99 US for a customized, pre-recorded call (5-8 minutes)
  • From $39.95 US for a live video call, up to six children, plus up to 4 locations (additional cost)
  • Use the promo code SOCIALDAD for 10% off.

Signed by Santa takes the analog route to provide children with a connection to Santa Claus.

Richmond Centre, along with all other Cadillac Fairview shopping centres, is going online for Santa visits. They’re “introducing several new virtual Santa experiences to keep the magic and spirit of the season alive for Canadian families,” including Storytime Live with Santa. Storytime is open through Facebook Live on November 28, December 5, December 12 and December 20, all at 6:30pm. Each session is about 20 minutes long.

CF Richmond Centre also has complimentary one-on-one video calls with Santa. You must book an appointment online. Video calls are by reservation only.

  • From November 28 to December 24
  • Virtual visits are five minutes long
  • It seems all the weekend slots are already taken.
  • Video calls are through Cisco Webex. Connect via your computer or mobile device.

Burnaby Santa Photos

The City of Lougheed has cancelled its holiday photos with Santa. If you had previously booked a session, you will be receiving a refund to the credit card used to book the appointment. The mall had previously scheduled physically distanced photo visits for November 21 to December 24 with a $25 reservation fee, applied toward the final package.

The Amazing Brentwood will likely follow Lougheed and cancel its Santa photos too. The booking page is currently blank (as of this update on November 25). Both Brentwood and Lougheed are run by Shape Properties, and both were offering Santa photos through The North Pole Picture Co.

Previously, Brentwood indicated that it would be offering physically distanced photo visits with Santa from November 28 to December 24, Wednesday through Sunday. Families were to be seated a safe distance from Santa with a plexiglass divider. Just as with City of Lougheed, Brentwood had a $25 reservation fee.

Metropolis at Metrotown has officially cancelled in-person Santa photos this year. They had previously indicated that they were exploring an outdoor location. However, they’ve taken down the information page. (You can still see the page via Google’s cache, if you’re curious.)

Surrey Santa Photos

Guildford Town Centre has cancelled its photos with Santa and its mini portrait sessions.

Semiahmoo Shopping Centre in South Surrey is continuing its mall Santa photos tradition, according to Peace Arch News. Photos with Santa are by appointment only, in 10-minute intervals.

  • November 21 to December 24
  • In the vacant store space (previously Flight Centre)
  • Book your visit online, though limited drop-in times may be available via customer service
  • The website is currently showing no time slots available. (as of December 1)

Other Santa Pictures in Metro Vancouver

Park Royal in North Vancouver has both holiday family portraits and socially distanced Santa visits this year. They’ve partnered with The North Pole Picture Co.

  • November 12 to December 24
  • Portrait sessions by reservation only (15-20 minutes) – They’re fully booked.
  • Choose between four festive backgrounds
  • Photo sessions include socially distanced Santa visits on select dates at no extra charge
  • $50 appointment fee includes one backdrop; one 8×10 and one digital photo
  • Book the whole studio (with all backdrops) for $300 per hour

Coquitlam Centre has officially cancelled all planned Christmas public events, including photos with Santa.

More Christmas Events and Activities

In addition to Santa photos, you can enjoy a number of Christmas events in Vancouver this year as well. I encourage you to check out that list to see what is and isn’t happening this year. For instance, Bright Nights in Stanley Park is moving forward (pun intended) with the Christmas train, but they’re not lighting up the whole plaza in front of the train station like they have in the past.

If you have any information about Santa photos or Christmas events in Vancouver, please comment below or send me a tweet. I can update this post (or the other post) accordingly. Happy holidays! Remember to stay safe out there.