Find where Santa will be around the St. Louis area

MISSOURI, USA — Are you searching for a selfie with Santa or the traditional holiday picture of your children sitting with Kris Kringle? 

"Children’s belief in Santa starts when they’re between 3 and 4 years old. It’s very strong when they’re between about 4 and 8,” according to Thalia Goldstein, a developmental psychologist. “Then, at 8 years old is when we start to see the drop-off in belief when children start to understand the reality of Santa Claus.”

Goldstein recently wrote an essay about her latest research in The New York Times. Her research concluded that no matter your age, the Christmas spirit exists within all of us. 

Here is a list of places to get your Santa pictures taken this month around the St. Louis area:

Dec. 2 

• St. Elizabeth Catholic Church is hosting a Santa comes to Crestwood event from noon - 6:30 p.m. 
• St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, in Crestwood, is hosting pictures with Santa from 1:30 p.m. -3:30 p.m.
• Christmas on Bellflower will be at 817 Bellflower Drive from 5:30 p.m. - 11 p.m.
• Purina Farms, in Gray Summit, is hosting a Pet-acular Holiday Bazaar from 10 a.m. -3 p.m. 
• Kreative Affair Event Space will have Santa available for pictures from noon - 3 p.m.
• The Clifton Heights Neighborhood Association is hosting a Candy Cane Hunt in Clifton Park at 10 a.m.
• Dancing Santas are hosting St. Louis Mom's Donuts with Santa at 10:30 a.m. and at 11:30 a.m.

Dec. 3

• The Magic House is hosting Breakfast with Santa at 8:30 a.m. Sold out
• Purina Farms is hosting a Pet-acular Holiday Bazaar from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. 

Dec. 4 

• St. Claire Square in St. Claire, Illinois, is hosting pet photos with Santa from 11 a.m. -3 p.m.  There will be another photo opportunity from 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. 

Dec. 5 

• The St. Louis Galleria is hosting a Pet Day with Santa from 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. 
• Story Time with Mrs. Claus and Santa – 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Click here for more info.
• Visits with Santa at The Magic House - 10:45 a.m. – 1 p.m. Click here for more info.

Dec. 6 

• Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce will host pictures with Santa. The locations and times will vary. 
• Story Time with Mrs. Claus and Santa – 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Click here for more info.
• Visits with Santa at The Magic House - 10:45 a.m. – 1 p.m. Click here for more info.

Dec. 7

• Story Time with Mrs. Claus and Santa at The Magic House – 9:30-10:30 a.m. Click here for more info.
• Visits with Santa at The Magic House - 10:45 a.m. – 1 p.m. Click here for more info.
• Magic Holiday Pop-Up at The Magic House – 6-9 p.m. Click here for more info.

Dec. 8

• Story Time with Mrs. Claus and Santa – 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Click here for more info.
• Visits with Santa at The Magic House - 10:45 a.m. – 1 p.m. Click here for more info.
• Cocoa & Cookies with Santa at The Magic House – 5-8 p.m. Click here for more info.

Dec. 9 

• Simmons Bank is hosting cookies with Santa from 9 a.m. - noon in Wentzville.
• Carr Lane VPA Middle School, in St. Louis, is hosting Breakfast with Santa from 9 a.m. - noon.

Dec. 10

• The Magic House is hosting Breakfast with Santa at 9:30 a.m.

Dec. 11

• St. Claire Square is hosting pet photos with Santa from 11 a.m. -3 p.m. and again from 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. 

Dec. 12

• Story Time with Mrs. Claus and Santa – 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Click here for more information.
• Visits with Santa at The Magic House - 10:45 a.m. – 1 p.m. Click here for more info.

Dec. 13

• Story Time with Mrs. Claus and Santa – 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Click here for more information.
• Visits with Santa at The Magic House - 10:45 a.m. – 1 p.m. Click here for more info.

Dec. 14

• Hillsboro Fire Department is hosting a pictures with Santa event. The locations and times will vary. 
• Story Time with Mrs. Claus and Santa – 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Click here for more information.
• Visits with Santa at The Magic House - 10:45 a.m. – 1 p.m. Click here for more info.

Dec. 15 

• Century 21 Community, in Columbia, Missouri, is hosting Cookies and Cocoa with Santa at 4:30 p.m. - 7 p.m. 
• Story Time with Mrs. Claus and Santa – 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Click here for more information.
• Visits with Santa at The Magic House - 10:45 a.m. – 1 p.m. Click here for more info.

Dec. 16 

• Natural Impact, in Wentzville, is hosting a holiday craft fair from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. 

Dec. 17

• The Magic House is hosting Breakfast with Santa at 10:30 a.m. 
• Natural Impact is hosting a holiday craft fair from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. in Wentzville.

Dec 18 

• St. Claire Square, in St. Claire, Illinois, is hosting pet photos with Santa from 11 a.m. -3 p.m. and again from 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. 

Dec. 22

• Cocoa & Cookies with Santa at The Magic House – 5-8 p.m. Click here for more info.

Dec 23

• St. Andrew's Cinema, in St. Charles, is hosting a Breakfast with Santa from 9 a.m. - noon.

Dec. 24

• Plaza Frontenac is hosting pictures with Santa from November 10 through December 24. Hours vary each day. 
• West County Center, in Des Peres, is hosting Santa from November 15 through December 24. Hours vary each day.
• Mid River Mall, in St. Peters, is hosting Santa from November 15 through December 24. Hours vary each day. 
• St. Louis Galleria, in St. Louis, is hosting pictures with Santa from now until December 24. Hours vary each day. 
• The Polar Express at St. Louis Union Station is hosting Hang out with Santa aboard the train until December 30. Hours vary each day. 
• The Meadows, in Lake St. Louis, is hosting pictures with Santa until December 22. Hours vary each day. 
• St. Charles Christmas traditions will be downtown St. Charles hosting until December 24. Hours vary each day. 
• Belleville Public Square in Belleville, Illinois, will be hosting the pictures with Santa f until December 24. Hours vary each day.