Cookies with Santa

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December 5 & 6

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

Santa is taking his workshop on the road and making his first stop at Zoo Atlanta! Bring the family for a personal visit with Santa and a professional Santa photo to remember the moment. 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!

Presented by

Kaiser Permanente logo

Sessions

A limited number of guests will be permitted per session so book yours now! Have questions? See our FAQs. Book soon as this event has sold out in the past!

“Merry Members” Sessions:

Exclusive sessions for Members and includes same-day daytime admission to Zoo Atlanta after 9:30 a.m. 

  • 8:30 a.m. – 9 a.m. *
  • 9 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. *
  • 9:30 a.m. – 10 a.m. *
  •  3:30 p.m. – 4 p.m.
  • 4 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
*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.

  • 10 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
  • 10:30 a.m. – 11 a.m.
  • 11 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
  • 11:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
  • 12 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.
  • 12:30 p.m. – 1 p.m.
  • 2:30 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Tickets on sale now!

“Snow & Glow” Sessions:

Available for Members and non-Members. Includes same-day, evening admission to IllumiNights at the Zoo: A Lantern Festival.

  • 5:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.
  • 6 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
  • 6:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.
  • 7 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Tickets on sale now!

Tickets

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

Member Tickets Non-member Tickets

Tickets include:

  • 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, entertainment for all ages, and jingle-bell jams!
  • Cheerful Crafts and Activities: Get creative with hands-on holiday crafts and an elf scavenger hunt.
  • Opportunities to Make the Moment Last:
    • For “Merry Members” sessions: Of course, we’ve reserved these times for you! Meet Santa then enjoy your Zoo favorites! Don’t forget your Membership card or digital Membership card.
    • For “Sleigh Bells & Safari” sessions: Enjoy meeting Santa then head into Zoo Atlanta for a whole day of wild wonders.
    • For “Snow & Glow” sessions: Enjoy meeting Santa then be dazzled when Zoo Atlanta transforms into an evening of wonder, as you explore IllumiNights at the Zoo: A Lantern Festival.

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.

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.

Can I bring a stroller or wagon? 
Yes; however, to maximize the space for fun, we ask that strollers and wagons park in the designated space outside of the building. 

Sponsorship Opportunities: Interested in having a presence at Cookies with Santa? Contact [email protected] for more information. 

Questions? Email [email protected].  

 

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