Be here when Santa makes his first stop – and get Santa Photos at Zoo Atlanta!

Bring the family for a personal visit with Santa and a professional Santa photo to remember the moment.

Gather the whole family for a magical meet-and-greet with Santa himself, complete with a professional digital photo to capture the memory. While you’re here, snack on festive cookies, get crafty with seasonal activities, and snap holly jolly photos at every turn. It’s a winter wonderland you won’t want to miss!

Sessions

All Sessions Include:

  • A Professional Photo: Remember the moment with a professional family photo with Santa! Photos will be available for free download.
  • Holiday Nibbles: No visit with Santa’s elves is complete without a cookie and juice!
  • Festive Sights and Sounds: Immerse yourself in the holiday magic with cheerful photo spots and jingle-bell jams!
  • Cheerful Crafts: Get creative with hands-on holiday crafts.

Book soon as this event has sold out in the past!

“Merry Members” Sessions:

Exclusive sessions just for Members and includes same-day daytime admission to Zoo Atlanta after 9:30 a.m. Meet Santa then enjoy your Zoo favorites! Don’t forget your Membership card or digital Membership card.

  • 8:30 a.m. – 9 a.m. *(SOLD OUT)
  • 9 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. * (SOLD OUT)
  • 9:30 a.m. – 10 a.m. * (SOLD OUT)
  • 3:20 p.m. – 3:50 p.m. Going fast!
  • 3:50 p.m. – 4:20 p.m. (SOLD OUT)
*Must enter the event through the Conservation Education Gate in the Cherokee Avenue parking lot.
Tickets on sale now!

“Sleigh Bells & Safari” Sessions:

Available for Members and non-Members. Includes same-day daytime admission to Zoo Atlanta. Enjoy meeting Santa then head into Zoo Atlanta for a whole day of wild wonders.

  • 10:30 a.m. – 11 a.m. (SOLD OUT)
  • 11:20 a.m. – 11:50 a.m.(SOLD OUT)
  • 11:50 a.m. – 12:20 p.m. Going fast!
  • 12:20 p.m. – 12:50 p.m.
  • 12:50 p.m. – 1:20 p.m.
  • 1:20 p.m. – 1:50 p.m.
  • 2:20 p.m. – 2:50 p.m.
  • 2:50 p.m. – 3:20 p.m.
Tickets on sale now!

“Snow & Glow” Sessions:

Available for Members and non-Members. Includes same-day, evening admission* to IllumiNights: A Lantern Festival. Enjoy meeting Santa then be dazzled when Zoo Atlanta transforms into an evening of wonder, as you explore IllumiNights: A Lantern Festival.

  • 5:10 p.m. – 5:40 p.m. (SOLD OUT)
  • 5:40 p.m. – 6:10 p.m. (SOLD OUT)
  • 6:10 p.m. – 6:40 p.m. (SOLD OUT)
  • 6:40 p.m. – 7:10 p.m. Going fast!
  • 7:10 p.m. – 7:40 p.m. Going fast!
*IllumiNights is open from 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. If your session takes place before 5:30 p.m., you can join the lantern fun following your visit with Santa.  
Tickets on sale now!

Tickets

  • Member
    • Age 3 and over: $25
    • Age 2 and under: Free
  • Non-Member
    • Age 3 and over: $35
    • Age 2 and under: Free

To help Santa’s elves prepare for your visit, a Cookies with Santa ticket is required for each adult and/or child in your party regardless of whether they plan to be photographed. Have questions? See our FAQs.

Member Tickets Non-member Tickets

New for 2025:

  • Less waiting, more Christmas spirit! We’ve added extra sessions with fewer guests per session, giving your family more options to enjoy the magic.
  • Dashing Through! Each session lasts 30 minutes, which is plenty of time to meet the Big Guy in Red, enjoy the activities, and then dash out to the Zoo so you don’t miss a minute of outside fun.
  • The North Pole goes digital! Want a better way to drop your image into the family holiday card or share on social media? We’ve got you covered. All photos will be digital and available for download only.

FAQs

Will tickets be available on the day of the event?
Cookies with Santa has sold out in the past! It is encouraged that all guests purchase tickets in advance. Additional tickets will not be available at the door should the event sell out.

Why do I need to reserve a timed session? Can I come earlier or later?
To best manage Santa’s breaks and minimize wait times, each guest is required to reserve a timed session during checkout. You and your family will meet Santa sometime during that session.

Guests who arrive early may be asked to enjoy the Zoo until their scheduled session.

Guests who arrive late to their scheduled session will be seen by Santa on an as-available basis.

Why does everyone in my party need a ticket?
As a nonprofit organization, the purchase of your ticket helps Zoo Atlanta continue to host great events like this and further the well-being of animals through conservation and research, educational initiatives and operational support.

Can I visit the Zoo before or after my session?
Yes, based on which session you book, you can explore the Zoo in two different ways – daytime or nighttime!

  • For “Merry Members” sessions: Visit Zoo Atlanta during daytime operational hours starting at 9:30 a.m. If you booked for the following sessions, please head straight to the event first before entering Zoo Atlanta.
    • 8:30 a.m. – 9 a.m.
    • 9 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
    • 9:30 a.m. – 10 a.m.

All other sessions can enter the Zoo from the front gates.

  • For “Sleigh Bells & Safari” sessions: Visit Zoo Atlanta during daytime operational hours before or after your session.
  • For “Snow & Glow” sessions: Visit IllumiNights: A Lantern Festival during evening operational hours starting at 5:30 p.m. before or after your session.

Why do I need to wear the wristband?
Once you enter the event, those 3 years of age and older in your party will receive a timed wristband. You MUST wear this wristband to access Zoo Atlanta and the Cookies with Santa event. You may remove this wristband for your photo with Santa.

Can I bring our family pet?
No. As much as we love animals, pets are not permitted in the Zoo with the exception of service animals. Read more about Zoo Atlanta’s Service Animal Admittance Policy here.

I am running late! What should I do?
We will limit the number of guests permitted in the event area at one time. We ask all guests to arrive on time for their Cookies with Santa session. Guests who arrive late to their scheduled session will be seen by Santa on an as-available basis.

I’m no longer able to attend. May I get my ticket(s) refunded?
Tickets for fundraising events like Cookies with Santa are non-refundable. If you cannot attend for unforeseen circumstances, we encourage you to gift your ticket to friends or family.

How do I enter the event?
The event will be held in the Conservation Action Resource Center (ARC) building.

  • From inside Zoo Atlanta: Head over to Orkin Children’s Zoo and follow signs to the Conservation Action Resource Center (ARC building).
  • From the Cherokee Avenue parking lot: Head towards the black Conservation Education gate located on the south end of the lot. Follow signs to the Conservation Action Resource Center (ARC building). Don’t forget to pay for parking.
  • From the Grant Park Gateway parking facility: Follow signs out of the facility towards Zoo Atlanta. You will walk past the Zoo Atlanta front gates into the Cherokee Avenue parking lot. Head towards the black Conservation Education gate located on the south end of the lot. Follow signs to the Conservation Action Resource Center (ARC building).

Where should I park?
Metered parking is available in the parking lot on Cherokee Avenue and in the Grant Park Gateway parking facility on Boulevard. Parking areas are owned by the City of Atlanta and managed by AAA Parking. Event registration does not include parking validation. To learn more about parking, click here.

How much time will I get with Santa?
Santa can’t wait to see you, too! To ensure every family gets a special moment, please keep visits up to 3 minutes each.

Will there be seating to enjoy our cookies and activities?
Yes! Seating will be available. We anticipate guests rotating to various activities so seating may be limited at times.

What is in the cookies?
A festive sugar cookie will be available on a first-come, first-served basis for each guest. Please note the cookies are made at an off-site facility, so we are not able to guarantee they are free of specific allergens. Cookies do contain dairy and gluten. As always, please take precaution. For your convenience, cookies are individually packaged to enjoy now or later.

Letters to Santa: Yes, a drop box will be available during the event. Click here for a letter template.

Stroller/Wagon: Yes; however, to maximize the space for fun, we ask that, if possible, strollers and wagons park in the designated space outside of the building.

Sponsorship Opportunities: Interested in having a presence at Cookies with Santa? Contact corporaterelations@zooatlanta.org for more information. 

Questions? Email publicevents@zooatlanta.org.  

 

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