Where To See Santa Around Bethesda This Christmas Season

BETHESDA, MD — Santa Claus will be back in Bethesda this holiday season after a couple of years of COVID-19 restrictions that made it difficult for kids to crawl up on his lap and make their case that they’ve been good boys and girls over the last year.

Visits and pictures with Santa are at the heart of many families’ holiday traditions, but the coronavirus pandemic gave them a lump of coal. Malls and other places took social distancing measures in both 2020 and 2021 to help contain the spread of the virus, moving Santa meet-ups largely online.

Virtual visits are still an option in many places, but there’s nothing quite like seeing jolly old St. Nick live and in person. In the Bethesda area, children have several chances:

• Winter Wonderland Festival: Saturday, Dec. 3 from 2 p.m. to 2 p.m., Santa will be appearing at the festival at the corner of Norfolk and St. Elmo Avenues in Bethesda's Woodmont Triangle neighborhood.
• Cabin John Park Volunteer Fire Department Santa Run: From Dec. 7 through Dec. 22, the fire department's Santa truck will be traveling through neighborhoods to collect unwrapped holiday gifts for children up to the age of 14. Unopened presents can be brought out to Santa as he passes by, or dropped off at either Cabin John Park VFD Fire Station at 8001 River Road,
  Bethesda, MD or 9404 Falls Road, Potomac, MD.
• Photos with Santa at Westfield Montgomery: Through Dec. 24, get your photo taken with Santa at Westfield Montgomery at 7101 Democracy Blvd, Bethesda, MD.
• Westfield Montgomery Pet Night: Monday, Dec. 5 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 7101 Democracy Blvd, Bethesda, MD. Santa photos with your pets. Donations will be collected on behalf of The Humane Society of the United States.
• Westfield Montgomery Santa Cares: Sunday, Dec. 4 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Visit Santa in a sensory-friendly environment. Donations will be collected on behalf of Autism Speaks. Exclusively for children with special needs. Reservations are required for this private photo experience. 7101 Democracy Blvd, Bethesda, MD.
• Pictures with Santa: Celebrate the holidays on Saturday, Dec. 3 at King Farm Village Center, which is located at 403 Redland Blvd. in Rockville. There will be a DJ, faceprinting and an opportunity for children to have their picture taken with Santa.
• Photos with Santa: Have your photo taken with Santa through Dec. 24, at Ellsworth Place at 8661 Colesville Road in Silver Spring.
• Santa Fly In: Saturday, Dec. 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the College Park Airport and Aviation Museum. Santa arrives at 10 a.m. Museum members are free, while non-members are $5. Everyone over the age of 2 must have a ticket. 1985 Corporal Frank Scott Drive, College Park, MD.
• Santa's Workshop: Saturday, Dec. 17 and Sunday, Dec. 18 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be visiting the Woman's Club of Chevy Chase. Meet Santa, make holiday cards and watching a Lionel train move around. $15 per person. Purchase tickets online via EventSmart. 7931 Connecticut Avenue, Chevy Chase, MD.