It’s the most wonderful time of year! Bark, the herald angels sing and Santa Paws is coming to town! Plan to make some memories this season by planning for your dog to get a holiday photo with Santa.
With opportunities from Ogden to Provo, you shouldn’t have trouble finding an option in your backyard.
And you better believe we want to see ALL OF YOUR Santa photos, make sure to tag us @dogfriendlyslc on Instagram. And don’t worry, if hanging out with a stranger with a beard isn’t really your dog’s thing, there are plenty of other great holiday photo ops for your dog, like our local dog friendly Christmas tree farms and light displays.
Dog Friendly Santa Photos In/Near Salt Lake City
Ogden Christmas Village
If you’re looking for dog friendly Santa photos in Ogden or Weber Counties, look no further than Ogden’s famous and beloved Christmas Village. Santa visits the Ogden Christmas Village Monday through Friday from 6pm to 9pm and on Saturday from 5pm to 9pm. Photos with Santa are free, but be prepared to use your own camera!
The Ogden Christmas Village also has gorgeous light displays, an exceptionally decorated village of Christmas dioramas, and plenty of places to shop and eat along historic 25th Street. The village will open November 30th and run through January 1.
Cabela’s
If you’re looking for a free photo with Santa and your dog, look no further than this beloved sporting goods store. Dog friendly Cabela’s welcomes pups to join their owners in a festive photo with Santa Claus. Each visit comes with a free 4×6 inch printed photo, with the option to purchase additional pictures. With Santa’s Wonderland opening in early November, you can beat the crowds by going now! Reservations can be made here up to 7 days in advance. Santa will be sticking around until he has to work on December 24th.
While you’re at Cabela’s, you can get some shopping done for the outdoorsy folks in your life. Your dog is sure to love sniffing the taxidermy and seeing the fish before you take a peek at the pup section! There are currently two Cabela’s locations in northern Utah, one in Lehi and one in Farmington.
Wheeler Historic Farm
Dog friendly Wheeler Historic Farm in Murray is back with their Festive Fridays this season! The event runs Friday, November 29th through Friday, December 20th. Bring the whole family (including the pups!) and enjoy a walk through the farm’s festive light displays. Santa will be available on the front porch of the farmhouse for dog friendly photos with Santa. Don’t feel like walking? Take a wagon ride for only $3!
Keep in mind before you let your dog tag along that Wheeler Farm is a farm, so there are farm animals around. All dogs must remain on leash.
Shops at South Town
If you’re looking for a place to catch Mr. Claus around the Sandy area, you can take your dog to the Shops at South Town for a pet friendly photos with Santa. The Shops host “Pet Nights With Santa” this year on Tuesdays in December. You must make your reservation online and in advance for either December 3rd, 10th, or 17th from 4pm to 8pm. There is a $20 fee to make your reservation, but that fee will be credited to whichever photo package you choose!
Keep in mind, the Shops at South Town are not considered dog-friendly so you won’t be able to walk around the mall and shop with your pup before or after your photo with Santa.
Fashion Place Mall
On select Monday and Tuesday nights throughout the holiday season, you can get your dog’s picture taken with Santa at Fashion Place Mall in Murray. This year’s photo set up, pictured above, will be located in the Macy’s Court area of the mall. For pet photos, you’ll need to make a specific pet appointment on one of the following dates: November 18-19, 25-26, or December 2-3, 9-10 from 4pm to 7pm. Find appointments here.
Keep in mind that Fashion Place Mall is not a pet friendly mall and thus you will need to plan to only take your dog in and out for the photos.
Mountain View Village
At Mountain View Village in Riverton, you can get your dog or cat’s photo taken with Santa on the designated dates for their annual Paw & Claus event. This year, pet photos with Santa are available on December 2, 9, 16 and 23 from 2pm-7pm. Walk-ins are accepted, but you can also make an appointment to guarantee your spot. A $20 fee will guarantee your spot, but that fee will be credited toward your photo package (packages start at $19.95). Parking is plentify at Mountain View Village and Santa can be found in the Stearman Plaza near Cinemark. Find available appointments here.
Sugar House Santa Shack
If you’d like to avoid the mall during the holiday season, check out the dog friendly Sugar House Santa Shack to get photos of your pet with Santa. Located right in the heart of Sugarhouse, this is a great place to get photos if your pup would welcome some privacy and a quieter environment. Pets of all kinds are welcome to visit the Shack! Photos with Santa Claus are first come, first served at 2275 S Highland Drive to the North of Key Bank. They are open Monday-Friday from 3:30pm-7pm and on Saturdays from 11-7 beginning November 30th. Professional photos start at $25 or you can pay $10 to use your own camera. Visit them on Facebook for more information.
Station Park
For dog friendly photos with Santa Claus in Farmington or Davis County, you’ll want to keep Station Park Mall in mind. On December 2, 9, 16, and 23, Station Park hosts their annual Paws & Claus event. Dogs and cats are both welcome, but must remain on leash or in carriers until it is your turn. Reservations are strongly recommended and require a $20 deposit that will be credited toward your purchase. Appointments can be made here.
Station Park is a dog-friendly outdoor shopping center, so you and your dog can explore the area as long as they are kept on a leash.
Layton Hills Mall
Another opportunity for pet pictures with Santa in Davis County is at Layton Hills Mall. You can visit Santa’s Workshop for a picture of your dog with Santa Claus on Mondays, beginning November18 and running through December 16. Appointment times range from 11am to 7pm. More information can be found here.
Provo Town Centre
Provo Town Centre wants to help you and your dog ring in the holiday season with photos with Santa Paws in Utah County. They welcome the whole family, including your pet, for photos with Santa on December 16th, with appointment times from 11am to 8pm. Photo packages start at $39.99 and reservations are encouraged.
City Creek Center
For pet-friendly photos with Santa Claus in Salt Lake City, consider visiting City Creek Center for their very first Santa Paws event. On Thursday, December 5, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM, City Creek will host a special evening featuring a holiday-themed photo wall, catering, pet drawings, music, and more. Dogs must be on a leash, and reservations are highly recommended to ensure your spot. You can book your photo session with Santa here. City Creek Center is a beautiful outdoor shopping destination, perfect for exploring with your dog before or after your photo session.
Happy Pawlidays!