Filed Under:best of, Christmas, Meet Santa, santa, Troy Petenbrink, Washington DC
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Time seems to pass more quickly with the hustle and bustle of the holiday season — It can sometimes be a struggle to find the time for those special holiday portraits with Santa. Luckily, many D.C. area shopping venues provide the opportunity to pick up your holiday gifts and to have a photo session with the jolly fellow from the North Pole. So head to one of these five spots if photos with Santa are still on the Christmas to-do list.
Tysons Corner Center
1961 Chain Bridge Road
Tysons Conter, VA 22102
(703) 997-0950
www.tysonscornercenter.com

Tysons Corner Center is one of the top shopping centers in the U.S. and is home to more than 300 department and specialty stores. Santa is at Tysons Corner Center daily through Dec. 24. Visitors are able to have their photo taken with Santa and visit Santa HQ sponsored by HGTV. Santa will also be at a special tree lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. on Dec. 20. Reservations for a photo session can be made in advance on Tysons Corner Center’s website.

Fashion Centre At Pentagon City
1100 S. Hayes St.
Arlington, VA 22202
(703) 415-2401
www.fashioncentreatpentagoncity.com

Anchored by Macy’s and Nordstrom and with with more than 170 additional stores, Fashion Centre at Pentagon City is a popular shopping destination. It is also one of the best spots to catch Santa. Sponsored by Gymboree and Minions, he is at the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City daily through Dec. 24. Reservations for a photo session can be made in advance on the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City’s website.

Westfield Montgomery
7101 Democracy Blvd.
Bethesda MD 20817
(301) 469-6000
www.westfield.com/montgomery

Westfield Montgomery recently completed a $100 million renovation and expansion. Part of its renovation included an overhaul of its holiday decorations. Visitors can see the new decorations and visit with Santa at Westfield Montgomery daily through Dec. 24. Reservations for a photo session can be made in advance on Westfield Montgomery’s website.

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The Mall At Prince Georges
3500 East West Highway, Route 410
Hyattsville, MD 20782
(301) 559-8844
www.mallatprincegeorges.com

The Mall at Prince Georges offers a variety of shopping options including Macy’s, JCPenney, Target and Old Navy. Kill two birds with one stone and finish off your holiday shopping list while giving the little ones a chance to get in their last-minute requests to St. Nick. Santa is also there daily through Dec. 24. Reservations for a photo session can be made in advance on The Mall at Prince Georges’ website.

Mazza Gallerie
5300 Wisconsin Ave., N.W.
Washington, DC 20015
(202) 966-6114
www.mazzagallerie.com

With stories ranging from the Saks Fifth Avenue Men’s Store and Neimen Marcus to T.J. Maxx and Foot Locker, Mazza Gallerie is the heart of one of the area’s top shopping destinations. Santa is there daily through Dec. 24. Photo sessions cannot be reserved; however, extended hours from from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. are available Dec. 19 to 24.

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Based in Washington, D.C., Troy Petenbrink is a freelance writer, blogger and social media influencer. A member of the North American Travel Journalists Association and the International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association, he has written for Fodor’s, Travel Channel, and Miami Herald, among other outlets. http://www.examiner.com/wine-and-spirits-travel-3-in-washington-dc/troy-petenbrink