Here’s a list of Santa photo opportunities in locations across the Hawaiian paeʻāina. All this and toys, too! We’re indubitably impressed. Some of these are free opportunities for selfies with Santa, which are BYOC (bring your own camera or smartphone). Many of the free Santa photo ops are one-time opportunities at Christmas festivals and other holiday events featuring an appearance by Santa Claus.
In additional to free selfie photo ops, there are professional photographers taking photos in a traditional setting, often with Santa sitting at shopping malls of other studio locations. Professional Santa photos start around $25 and go up from there depending on the number and size of prints that you want.
Tip: Lines for Santa photos at the busiest malls are generally shorter “early” – early in December, early in the week (Monday-Wednesday), and early in the day (before 3:00 PM). So, when young children are in tow, plan accordingly around nap times and mealtimes. Many professional photographers take reservations, which is a highly recommended.
Santa listens intently to make sure he gets this young girl’s Christmas wish list right! Photo by HASLOO via iStock by Getty Images.
2022 Hawaiʻi Island Santa Photos
(Listed alphabetically by city or location)
Hilo. Hawai’i Care Choices Pōhai Mālama Care Center (90 Kapi‘olani St). December 14, 2022 from 5:30-7 p.m. The special mahalo celebration is free and open to the public. The Season of Light event illuminates the hope that good things are ahead, while taking a moment for gratitude for everything people have and have had to overcome. There will be holiday crafts, keepsake ornament making, holiday carols, festive cookies, treats and a visit from Hawaiian Santa. Everyone is also invited to take a moment to add their own memorial ornament to the “Light up a Life Tree” and pose for a keepsake photo. Free parking available in designated lots. More info: Season of Light 2022 | Hawai’i Care Choices (hawaiicarechoices.org)
Kamuela (Waimea). Photos with Santa at Parker Ranch Center, 67-1185 Mamalahoa Hwy, Kamuela, HI 96743. Saturdays, December 3-17, 2022. Bring the family for photos with Santa and capture priceless moments with your keiki. More info: Photos with Santa! – Parker Ranch Center
Waikoloa. Queens’ Marketplace, 69-201 Waikoloa Beach Dr, Waikoloa, HI 96738. Santa will be stopping by Queens’ Marketplace for photos with the keiki from 5-8pm on December 3, 10, 11, 15, 16, and 17. Make sure to bring your own camera and tag @queensmarketplace in your photos with Santa for a chance to win merchant gift cards. More info: Queens’ Marketplace at Waikoloa Beach Resort (queensmarketplace.com)
2022 Kaua’i Santa Photos
Princeville. Bring the keiki to visit Santa. December 10, 2022 from 1:30-2:30pm at Princeville Community Center (across from the Library next to Prince Albert Park). Bring your camera for some great Santa pics! Light refreshments will be served. Sponsored by the PHCA Events Committee. More info: Princeville Community Association
Kapaʻa. Healing Horses Kauai. December 18, 2022 from 2:30 – 4:30 pm. Located on the Kapaa Bypass at Kuhio Highway. You bring the camera. Santa’s Paint Horses provided. Suggested donation $10. More info: Healing Horses (healinghorseskauai.org)
2022 Maui Santa Photos
(Listed alphabetically by city or location)
Kahului. Santa is coming to Queen Kaʻahumanu Center. November 25 – December 24, 2022. Plan for your visit with Jolly Old St. Nicholas. Visits are free and photo packages are available for purchase. More info: PHOTOS WITH SANTA (queenkaahumanucenter.com)
Wailea. Shops at Wailea. Santa arrival Friday, November 25, 9am: Maui Classic Cruisers and Street Bikers United Hawaii escort Santa in a parade from Kalama Park to The Shops at Wailea. Get FREE Photos with SANTA with each canned good donation to benefit the Maui Food Bank. Saturday & Wednesday, November 26 – December 17, 2022 from 4-7pm. Also Thursday, December 22, 2022 from 4-7pm. More info: The Shops at Wailea :HOLIDAYS AT THE SHOPS
Wailea-Makena. Santa’s Arrival at Fairmont Kea Lani. December 24th: 12:00pm – 1:00pm. Soak up the sun and see Santa Claus, along with Mrs. Claus and their elves, arrive on Polo Beach via outrigger canoe to spread holiday cheer to South Maui. Santa will be available for photos following his arrival. More info: Santa’s Arrival at Fairmont Kea Lani | Kea Lani (fairmont-kea-lani.com)
2022 Oʻahu Santa photos
BYOC Santa photo ops
(Listed by date–most are BYOC, bring your own camera. For professional photo seating, see Santa Photos list below)
Hawaii Kai at Towne Center. November 26, 2022, from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. FREE BYOC Santa selfies! Santa arrives by boat at the Marina Docks at Hawaii Kai Towne Center. The center will also light up its colorful and festive Christmas Tree. Community members are invited to kickoff the holiday season at this free, family-friendly event in scenic East Oahu. Festivities include a youth dance performance, glitter tattoos, balloon animals, a holiday enter-to-spin prize wheel and the night’ star-attraction—Santa! After his exciting arrival on the blue waters of the marina, Santa will be available to take selfies with keiki. Bring your holiday shopping list and appetite to indulge in the shopping center’s more than 50 stores and restaurants. Black Friday weekend sales and Small Business Saturday specials will help you cross off many items on your gift list. More info: Santa’s Arrival and Tree Lighting Ceremony – Hawaii Kai Towne Center
Waiʻanae Branch Library. December 3, 2022 @ 10:00 am – 11:00 am. FREE BYOC Santa selfies! Oʻahu: Hawaiʻi Public Library selfies & storytime with Santa – Hawaiʻi on the Cheap
Honolulu/Liliha Branch Library. December 6, 2022 @ 10:00 am – 10:45 am. FREE BYOC Santa selfies! Oʻahu: Hawaiʻi Public Library selfies & storytime with Santa – Hawaiʻi on the Cheap
Honolulu/Downtown at Hawaiʻi State Library. December 10, 2022 @ 10:30 am – 11:30 am. Oʻahu: Hawaiʻi Public Library selfies & storytime with Santa – Hawaiʻi on the Cheap
Waipahu Branch Library. December 14, 2022 @ 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm. FREE BYOC Santa selfies! Oʻahu: Hawaiʻi Public Library selfies & storytime with Santa – Hawaiʻi on the Cheap
Honolulu/Salt Lake Branch Library. December 20, 2022 @ 5:30 pm – 6:00 pm. FREE BYOC Santa selfies! Oʻahu: Hawaiʻi Public Library selfies & storytime with Santa – Hawaiʻi on the Cheap
Kakaʻako. Ward Village Seasonal Photo Opportunities. Celebrate the holiday season by taking a fun and festive photo in front of Holiday-themed displays at South Shore Market (1170 Auahi St) November 29-January 2, 2023 and Ward Centre (1200 Ala Moana Blvd) December 10-January 2, 2023. Tag Instagram @wardvillage for the chance to be featured on their page. More info: Seasonal Photo Opportunities – Ward Village
Oʻahu Santa photos (professional photography)
(Listed alphabetically by city or location)
Aiea Pearlridge Center (98-1005 Moanalua Rd). November 25 – December 24, 2022. Santa Claus is making a list – and checking it twice – so bring the kids down to tell him what’s on their wish lists. Physically-distanced photo options will be available. Pet photos December 7. Prices: $15/photo. More info: Photos with Santa (pearlridgeonline.com)
Honolulu/Ala Moana Shopping Center. November 23–December 24, 2022. Level 3, Center Court 9 (next to Abercrombie & Fitch). Join Santa to create magical memories you and your ʻohana will treasure. More info: Holiday 2022 | Ala Moana Center
Honolulu/Kahala at Kahala Mall. November 26 – December 24, 2022. Photo prices: $15-$35. Create a magical Christmas memory at Santa’s whimsical, storybook-themed holiday set located inside the mall near Macy’s. Reservations are recommended. More info: Photos with Santa – Kahala Mall (kahalamallcenter.com)
Honolulu/Waikīkī at International Marketplace. December 1 – December 24, 2022. Photo packages: $40-$50. The holiday set provides an outstanding photo experience with all the magic and tradition of the season. Reservations are limited, walk-up visits are welcome. More info: Holidays at International Market Place (shopinternationalmarketplace.com)
Honolulu/Waikīkī at Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center (2201 Kalakaua Ave). Wednesday and Sunday from November 23 – December 24, 2022. Enjoy the weekly Holiday performance every Wednesday and Saturday from 5:00 pm – 5:30 pm, followed by Santa Photos from 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm. ʻOhana and their keiki will also enjoy a complimentary sweet snack of delicious peppermint cookies from Honolulu Cookie Company and a Royal Santa Savings Pass with exclusive holiday offers from participating shops and restaurants. Parking garage entrance is located at the intersection of Royal Hawaiian Avenue & Don Ho Lane. More info: Santa Photos and Performances — Royal Hawaiian Center and Visit | Royal Hawaiian Center
Kāneʻohe at Windward Mall (46-056 Kam Hwy). November 30 – December 24, 2022. Packages from $25. Pet Pic days available. More info: Santa Photos | Windward Mall
Kapolei at Ka Makana Ali‘i (91-5431 Kapolei Pkwy, Kapolei, HI 96707). December 3-24, 2022. Santa has arrived from the North Pole! Find him and his sled in the Macy’s Wing, near Sephora and Zales. If you come in on a weekday you can meet Mrs. Claus, too! More info: Ka Makana Ali‘i : Santa Photos (kamakanaalii.com)
Mililani at Town Center. Saturdays, November 26 – December 17, 2022. Santa Claus is coming to Town Center of Mililani! Bring your ‘ohana for the opportunity to take festive photos with Santa. More info: Photos with Santa! – Town Center Of Mililani
Merry Christmas! Image via Depositphotos_37390537
Christmas events on our calendar
Listed below are Christmas events from the Calendar of free and cheap things to do every day at Hawaiʻi on the Cheap. We continue to add to events to this calendar throughout the season as organizers announce their events.
