Looking for Santa with Real Beard

Arundel Mills - Bass Pro Shops. Not only does the Santa have a real beard, he is an older gentleman who looks fabulous even without the big belly!

Bass Pro Shops offers a free picture of the child/children with Santa and they have a bunch of free games for the kids to play. They also have a coloring station and usually have an art project for the kids to complete. We've been there twice in the last few weeks and my boys love it.

Oh, and if you want to buy a photo package, their prices are lower than anywhere else I've seen.

Good Luck,
Jules

The Santa we saw at Wheaton mall today looked like he had a real beard.

We love the santa at Homestead Gardens. He has a real beard, but better still, he actually talks with the children about being good, not fighting with siblings, etc.

Sorry but is the beard so important? What ages are your children? Personally, the beard is not what I would ask about, but more where people have found small lines, fewest sick children waiting in them, most jovial and committed "santa". When our kids were young we sought out smaller venues like Christams bazaars in smaller town settings that also had a Santa as part of their day. There used to be one held at the Womens Club on Connecticut Avenue in Chevy Chase. I don't know if that is still running nor whether it may have already been held. Kensington used to hold similar as did a small mall in Bethesda (Wildwood) and you can google "christmas bazaars with santa in the dc area" to find others. Even if you get a tip for a good-bearded santa in a big mall, please remember that malls usually rotate these men; after a full day they rarely can handle another one the very next day, and after all of your research, planning and travel, you may arrive to find a jolly fake beard anyway!!! happy pictures and holidays to you and your family.