If you and yours were hoping to meet Santa this holiday season, there’s only a few weeks left to hand over your gift list and get a few family photos snapped in time.

Luckily for you, this year there are plenty of landmarks, studios, businesses and more community spaces right here in Long Beach that are planning to host old Saint Nick, and perhaps his reindeer too.

Here are seven places you’ll be able to find Santa Claus this month.

Hotel Maya – Sunday, Dec. 10

Hotel Maya’s Seaside Santa with ‘Reindeer and Sleigh’ for a Waterfront Winter Wonderland. Courtesy of the Hotel Maya.

This year the hotel says they’re celebrating “Mayan-style” with a “Seaside Santa with Reindeer and Sleigh,” where alongside Santa you can meet an actual reindeer.

According to the hotel, in Mayan culture, “deer are considered a symbol of strong, stable, regal energy,” and you can get an up close look at these beautiful animals and take a photo with Santa on Sunday, Dec. 10 from 12-3 p.m.

Find more information and make a reservation here.

2ND & PCH – Through Dec. 24

2ND & PCH during the holidays. Photo courtesy of 2ND & PCH.

Tis the season at 2nd & PCH shopping center and the whole mall is decked out in Christmas and holiday cheer, so of course they have a Santa Claus to visit.

Every Tuesday and Thursday through Christmas they’ll have free photo opportunities with Santa and professional shoots available for purchase on Saturdays and Sundays. And if you want to bring your pet you can take pictures with them Dec. 6, 13, and 20 from 4 to 7 p.m.

For more information about Santa’s appearances and to see all of the holiday events at 2nd & PCH, click here.

Gingerbread Decorating with Santa – Sunday, Dec. 10

Gingerbread Decorating with Santa hosted by the Willmore City Heritage Association.

The Willmore City Heritage Association is hosting a gingerbread house decorating workshop with Santa Claus himself on Dec. 10 at Confidential Coffee from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

One ticket ($45) admits one child and one adult. A gingerbread kit is available for an additional $20.

For more information and to buy tickets, click here.

Winter in Willmore – Saturday, Dec. 16

Winter in Willmore hosted by the Willmore City Heritage Association.

Also hosted by the Willmore City Heritage Association, the Winter in Willmore celebration that has been held in Drake Park in the past will be hosted at the historic Bembridge House.

On Saturday, Dec. 16, the nationally recognized landmark will open its doors for free to the public from 3 to 7 p.m.

There, you can try 13 local market vendors, tour the historic mansion, enjoy food truck options, and of course, take pictures with Santa.

For information on this event click here.
Aquarium Holidays – Through Dec. 24

Aquarium Holidays at the Aquarium of the Pacific. Courtesy of the Aquarium of the Pacific.

Aquarium Holidays runs until Dec. 23 with special appearances from a Santa Diver and photo opportunities with Santa on weekends through the Dec. 17.

The whole space will be decorated for the holidays with snowfall in the great hall, and special holiday merch will be available in their gift shop.

For more information and to buy admission tickets to the Aquarium click here.

Santa Experience at F8 Studios – Through Dec. 24

If you’re looking for a professional photo shoot, head over to F8 (that’s pronounced “fate”) Studios in Cal Heights and book a “magical Santa Clause experience” for the whole family.

In a private appointment for a group of up to five people you can have a professional photographer or videographer capture all the magic while you bake cookies with Santa and Mrs. Claus and even meet Blitzen the reindeer.

For more information and to book an appointment click here.

Santa Con – Sunday, Dec. 10

(Courtesy of Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association and the BK Community Foundation).

Finally, here’s one that both children and adults will be able to indulge in.

If you want to see not just one but a whole host of Santas, SantaCon is the place to be this Sunday.

The event is a costumed holiday pub crawl through Bixby Knolls that starts at 1 p.m. Santas will walk and travel on the Beer Bus to and from several breweries, restaurants, wine bars and shops, and holiday costumes are “mandatory,” according to the organizers.

There are two ticket options: A $30 boozy “Santa” option that requires the ticket holder to be over 21 years old and a $20 “Santa’s Helper” ticket, which covers a designated driver and a child.

Your “Santa” wristband gets you food and drinks at several stops on the route including pints at DJs Pub and Rasselbock, a margarita from Lola’s, tasters at Beachwood and Ambitious Ales, and a square slice of Sicilian Pizza at Thunderbolt Pizza.

Meanwhile the “Santa’s Helper” ticket includes one mango green tea or Thai tea, a Tony’s Kitchen tamale, a popcorn bag from Pop n’ Flavors, a cotton candy cone, a hummus and peta appetizer from Taboon, festive accessories and swag and an event bracelet for specials at participating restaurants.

Those who walk or ride the route will have plenty of chances to hang out with plenty of Santas, and maybe snap a few pictures.

For more information click here.