Santa Claus is coming to town. Santa Claus is coming to town, but he’s got to stay socially distant to keep himself and us healthy. We are 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 for photos, so we’ve rounded up a few you can count on.
Related: Santa Claus Photos in the East Bay | Jump down to the Black Santa merch.
Black Santa Claus visits in Oakland
Black Santa Claus at Children’s Fairyland, Oakland
Children’s Fairyland is committed to hosting a Black Santa in Oakland. We love Fairy Winterland as a holiday outing for preschoolers. Santa Claus at Fairyland has been a Black Santa every year since 1993. For you history buffs, the first one was Jerry Williams, followed by Ron Zeno in 1999. Eric Martin now holds Santa’s bag of treats. Fairyland Santa leads the nightly parade.
Black Santa hours: Beginning Dec. 18 from 4 pm to 7 pm, Santa will be in Fairyland and leading the parade at 6:45.
For parents to know: Santa will lead the parade and hand out a treat (my guess is candy canes), Santa will have a mailbox for letters in the chapel, there is no lap-sitting this year.
Black Santa in the Laurel District
Local chiropractor, Brett Jones, will open the doors of his practice to welcome families to a holiday reception with a professional photographer snapping pictures as he plays Santa.
Sponsor
Black Santa hours: One day only: Dec. 19 from 2 to 4 pm
For parents to know: Please be respectful of this wonderful small business in our community.
Black Santa Claus photos in Christmasville, Oakland
This year at Christmasville in the Woods your family will get to experience the story of Santa Claus in a private and safe environment with the magic captured by professional photographer, Leah Marie Studio. You must book ahead for your 15-minute photoshoot with socially distant Santa. As of this writing, one of the Santa Claus choices is a Black Santa named Solas. Your family can experience Santa as he sneaks in, delivers presents under the tree, eats cookies and milk and checks his list twice. Also no lap sitting.
Santa Solas hours: By reservation only. 15-minute sessions Nov. 1 through mid-December. Santa Solas works on Sundays. Reserve your spot >
For parents to know: This is a high-quality professional photo shoot. If you send holiday cards, these will be perfect. You get one photo included with your shoot. All prints and products are additional and will be decided upon after you see your images.
Sponsor
Please share any other East Bay Black Santa Photo opps!
Virtual Storytime with Cocoa Santa and Hey Carter! Books, your house
Join a fun morning of holiday cheer, gifts, songs, and storytime with Cocoa Santa. Each child who attends will receive a gift in the mail from Santa and Hey Carter! Books before Christmas.
Cocoa Santa hours: Cocoa Santa storytimes are ticketed events on Sunday mornings Nov. 29 through Dec. 20 beginning at 7:30 am. Advanced ticketing required. Tickets are $15 to $20.
For parents to know: This is an online celebration linked with a local mom and author, Thomishia Booker, who writes these incredible books for Black children (especially ages 3 to 5). You’ll definitely want to participate.
Black Santa merchandise is so darn cute!
The cute, illustrated representation of Black Santa Claus seen below is available on t-shirts and other merchandise online this year. I particularly dig the Black Santa Company wrapping paper.
We’ll update our calendar throughout the holiday season with new Black Santa sightings as we find out about them.
More places and ways to experience Santa Claus in 2020 >
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