Santa Claus is coming to town. We’re lucky to have a diversity of Santas in the Oakland Area, but it can still be hard to know where to find a consistent Black Santa experience. So we’ve rounded up a few you can count on.
Black Santa Claus visits the Bay Area
Nov 15-16 & Dec. 8-9: Santa’s Flight Academy, Concord
Sunvalley Mall is hosting Black Santa for four days at its interactive Santa’s Flight Academy experience.
Black Santa hours: Reserve your spot for November 15-16 or December 8-9, 2025. Reservation time slots are 15 minutes long.
For parents to know: Reservations are required. Professional photo packages start at about $40 and include many variations and even a phone call from Santa.
Reservations Required >
Dec. 7: Black Santa at St. Joseph School, Pinole
Free photos with African American Santa, Gingerbread House Contest, local vendor marketplace, holiday entertainment, dance lesson, kids’ arts & crafts, and hot breakfast! Free event. Pajamas encouraged. Walk-ins welcome.
Black Santa hours: December 7, 2025 from 9 am to 1 pm, Santa will be having breakfast and taking photos with children.
For parents to know: Santa arrives at 9:30 am, and this event is free. Pre-order breakfast for a fee here >
Find out more about the event >
Find more places where Santa Claus is coming to the Town >
Dec. 13-28: Black Santa Claus at Children’s Fairyland, Oakland
‘Tis the season for Black Santa’s visit to Children’s Fairyland. Celebrating this holiday tradition since the 90s, Fairyland is committed to sharing the important and magical experience of Black Santa with Oakland and the Bay Area. Visitors can snap photos with Black Santa and join him in a dance party.
Black Santa hours: Fairyland’s winter celebration is December 13-14, 20-21, and 27-28, 2025, from noon to 7 pm. Santa will be in Fairyland for Fairy Winterland, from 1 to 6:30 pm, BEFORE Christmas only.
For parents to know: Santa will visit with children in the Chapel of Peace and hand out a small gift (my guess is candy canes). Santa will also have a mailbox for letters in the chapel, and there is no definitive word on lap-sitting this year.
Find out more about Fairy Winterland >
Dec. 13, 19, 20: Black Santa & Mrs. Claus Keepsake Photos, Antioch
Book a time slot with Santa and Mrs. Claus for your children. The setting is festive. Available by appointment on December 13, 19, and 20, 2025.
For parents to know: This 15-minute photo shoot is $60 and includes all digital images and one 5×7 printed card.
Black Santa Claus photos in Christmasville, Emeryville
Christmasville is a magical photoshoot experience with Santa in Emeryville. Your family will receive a private audience with Santa Claus that you will remember forever. You must book ahead for your 15-minute or 30-minute photoshoot. As of this writing, one of the Santa Claus choices is a Black Santa named Solas.
Santa Solas hours: Spots are filling up! By reservation only. 15-minute sessions. Santa Solas works on occasional Sundays in November and December from 11 am to 4 pm. Reserve your spot >
For parents to know: This is a high-quality professional photoshoot and would be perfect for holiday cards. You get one photo included with your shoot. All prints and products are additional and can be decided upon after you see your images.
If you know of more Bay Area locations to visit Black Santa, please drop them in the comments!
xxx
1 thought on “Visit with Black Santa in Oakland & More”
Thank you so much for compiling this list. I was so happy to know all the locations Black Santa was available, and be able to take my 10 month old to take pictures with Santa for his 1st Christmas.