The 11th Annual Lynchburg Santa Experience
A Private, Personalized Santa Experience Near Lynchburg, Virginia
No crowded lines.
No rushed interactions.
Just ten quiet, magical minutes while Santa talks with your children by name, shares in their favorite interests, and helps us capture the wonder of Christmas exactly as it feels to them.
November 21–22, 2026 • Forest, Virginia
Established Tradition
11th Annual Santa Experience
A beloved Central Virginia holiday tradition
Two Days Only
November 21-22, 2026
A limited number of private appointments
Private Studio
Forest, Virginia
Conveniently located near Lynchburg
Your Experience
10 Personalized Minutes
With 8+ hand-edited digital image downloads
“Communication was top-notch and the final outcome was even better than we imagined. A great experience all around.
This experience is something I wish I would’ve started with my first two kids. No mall Santa, no chaos, no rushing, no waiting, no crying kids because you’re feeling the pressure of all the other people waiting in line and your kid is crying. To have this personal experience is priceless... Thank you Liz for your incredible talent.”
— Jessica C.A Santa Visit Designed Around Your Child
Your child’s visit with Santa should feel magical—not rushed, crowded, or overwhelming. Every Lynchburg Santa Experience is completely private, giving your family space to slow down, connect and enjoy the wonder as it unfolds.
What can you expect from our Santa Experience?
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Santa Knows Their Story
Before your appointment, you’ll share your child’s name, interests, Christmas wishes and other special details so Santa can make the conversation feel wonderfully personal.
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A Gift Directly From Santa
Provide a wrapped gift in advance, and Santa will surprise your child by presenting it from his own gift bag during their visit.
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Ten Unhurried Minutes
Your reserved appointment gives your family private, one-on-one time to talk, laugh and settle in without a line of waiting families behind you.
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Preparation Without The Stress
Your exclusive Client Preparation Guide includes wardrobe inspiration, shopping suggestions and practical tips to help your child arrive comfortable and ready.
This is the ultimate private Santa Experience.
Pricing Info
The investment
The VIP
(Only 1 Spot Remains)
$623 total value
$575
Best Value
Includes everything in the Classic Experience, plus:
Gallery delivery within 48 hours — $99 value
16+ images instead of 8+ — $149 value
Priority access to the 2027 Santa Experience
Save $48!
Best for:
Families who want every expression preserved, need their gallery quickly or never want to worry about missing next year’s booking.
The Classic
$375
Includes:
Client preparation guide & wardrobe guidance
Up to 10 minutes of quality, private time with Santa
Optional gift delivery from Santa (parents must drop gift off prior to their session date)
8+ images to download
Private online gallery to purchase additional products
Best for:
Families who want the complete personalized Santa experience and a beautiful collection of favorite images.
Add-Ons Available
Heirloom ornaments, framed prints and folios will be available for purchase directly through your gallery.
Meet Santa
Santa Charlie is a devoted husband of 48 years, proud father of two daughters, and grandfather to eight grandchildren. After four decades as a builder, developer, and mortgage broker, he has spent his career helping families create a place to call home—something he believes is especially meaningful at Christmas.
His love for the season began in childhood. While his father was deployed, he became Santa’s little helper, working alongside his mother to create joyful holidays for their large family. That spirit has stayed with him through the years in his love of decorating, wrapping gifts, building magical model train displays for his grandchildren, and bringing happiness to children.
Santa Charlie has also spent many years serving his community through Habitat for Humanity, his church, youth athletics, coaching, and supporting young athletes.
The moment I watched Santa Charlie interact with the children in our studio, I knew his patience, gentle spirit, and grandfatherly warmth would help families feel completely at ease. He listens carefully, delights in each child’s excitement, and brings an authentic love of Christmas to every visit. I am so excited for him to help us create warm, personal holiday memories with your family.
A Gentle, Inclusive Santa Experience
Every child deserves to experience the magic in a way that feels safe, comfortable, and respectful.
Children with disabilities, special needs, sensory sensitivities, communication differences, or other support needs are warmly welcomed. Our private, child-led format allows us to slow down, keep parents close, and adapt the interaction whenever possible.
Children are never required to sit on Santa’s lap, make eye contact, separate from a parent, or perform for the camera. Before your appointment, you are invited to share anything that will help your child feel comfortable so we can thoughtfully prepare Santa Charlie and the studio.
Holiday Treats for Different Dietary Needs
Holiday cookies are completely optional. By advance request, we offer an alternative prepared without ingredients containing gluten, dairy, added sugar, or artificial dyes.
Please let us know about dietary restrictions or allergies when you register. Our studio is not an allergen-free facility, and cross-contact cannot be guaranteed. Families managing severe allergies are always welcome to bring a familiar, safe treat for their child.
“it is a welcoming, homey, quiet, peaceful experience.”
We couldn’t be happier with our photos or experience at Liz Cook’s studio. Our little boy is autistic so having a quiet, peaceful experience is crucial for his needs. This is exactly what we needed. Not only did he have a great time, but both Liz and Santa were warm and welcoming and made us feel completely at home. I would recommend the Santa experience for any families with special needs children, as it is a welcoming, homey, quiet, peaceful experience.
- KARLA G.
How Your Santa Experience Works
Every Santa Experience is Carefully personalized for your family.
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01. Reserve Your Appointment
Choose your preferred date, time and experience.
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02. Tell Santa About Your Child
Complete a short registration form with your child’s name, interests, Christmas wishes, Elf details and anything else Santa should know.
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03. Prepare for the Magic
Receive your Client Preparation Guide and instructions for providing an optional wrapped gift.
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04. Enjoy and Relive the Experience
Arrive for ten private minutes with Santa, then receive your professionally edited gallery after the event.
“The photos are quality, delivered promptly, and always better than anticipated.
Liz has done our Santa pictures every year for six years, and I can't wait for this year. The experience is in a unique intimate setting, which is a great for small children who could become over stimulated in a long large line like other Santa experiences. The photos are quality, delivered promptly, and always better than anticipated. The simplistic yet classic styling is timeless, and Santa is dressed impeccably yearly, he is after all the REAL Santa =) I look forward to having our Son join our daughter in this tradition this year.”
LIZ M.
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Our 2026 Santa Experience will take place November 21–22 in our private residential studio in the New London area of Forest, Virginia. The studio is located approximately one mile from Route 460. Registered families will receive the complete address and arrival instructions before the event.
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Your time slot lasts 10 minutes from your scheduled start time. You and your family will be the ONLY guests inside the studio during your time with Santa. Please arrive early and wait in the parking lot to ensure your full 10 minutes with Santa. If you want more face-to-face time with Santa, you're welcome to book two back-to-back appointments for a total of 20 minutes! Unless you have four or more children, we have found that 10 minutes is plenty.
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One appointment includes all children in your immediate family. Families with more than four children are encouraged to reserve two consecutive appointments so every child has plenty of time with Santa.
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Yes, this event is designed for children only. That being said, if your child needs to be held by you to feel safe and secure with Santa, that's totally okay!
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This is a completely natural concern. Unlike rushed public Santa visits, your family will have up to ten private minutes to settle in and engage at your child’s pace. Santa Charlie is patient and experienced with children, and we follow a gentle, child-led approach without forcing a particular pose or reaction.
Please let us know ahead of time if your child is especially nervous, shy, or sensitive to new environments. Parents are welcome to remain close, join the interaction, or hold their child when needed. You may also provide a favorite book, toy, stuffed animal, or wrapped gift to help your child feel more comfortable. (Please bring only items you are comfortable having included in the photographs.)
If your child ultimately does not want to interact closely with Santa, we will respectfully follow their lead and document the experience as it naturally unfolds.
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Yes! Families may provide one small, wrapped gift for Santa to present during the visit. You will receive detailed gift drop-off instructions before the event. They must be dropped off before the start of the event.
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This is completely up to you! Upon registration, you will receive a Client Preparation Guide with clothing advice to help you with this process. We have had kids wear everything from their Christmas finest to their holiday pajamas! We love Burt's Bees neutral pajama line, but any festive attire is welcome! Most importantly, help your child be comfortable.
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Your private online gallery will include a curated selection of professionally edited images that beautifully tell the story of your child’s visit with Santa. The Classic Experience includes 8+ high-resolution digital images, while the VIP Experience includes 16+ images. Your selected package also includes a personal print release, allowing you to download, share, and print your included photographs.
Additional images and heirloom products will be available for purchase through your gallery.
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VIP galleries receive priority editing and will be delivered within 48 hours of the event. Classic galleries will be delivered within 3 weeks of the event.
You will receive an email as soon as your private gallery is ready to view and download.
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Yes. Your included images may be downloaded, shared and printed for personal use. Liz Cook Photography retains the copyright, so the images may not be altered, sold or used commercially.
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Please contact the studio as soon as possible if your child becomes ill. Because appointments are limited and the event is offered for only two days, a rescheduled time cannot be guaranteed. Each situation will be handled individually with care, based on the circumstances and any availability that may remain.
For the health of Santa and every attending family, please do not bring a child who is contagious, has a fever, is vomiting, or is otherwise too unwell to comfortably enjoy the experience.
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Once all appointments have been reserved, families may join the waitlist. If an opening becomes available because of a cancellation or schedule change, waitlisted families will be contacted in the order and manner outlined on the registration form.
Joining the waitlist does not guarantee an appointment, but it is the best way to be notified if additional availability opens.
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All clients are able to order both prints and products straight from their online gallery! I’d hate for your investment to be ruined by using a non-professional, low-quality print lab. I’ve seen the comparisons and they just don’t match up to what my print lab offers. I highly recommend you order prints from your private gallery to preserve the color and quality!
Faqs
have questions?
We’ve got you covered.
Meet Your Photographer
Liz Cook is a Central Virginia family photographer with 20 years of experience creating timeless, story-driven photographs for children and families. For the past 11 years, she has thoughtfully designed and photographed the Santa Experience, learning how to follow each child’s lead, recognize authentic moments and preserve the wonder of Christmas without forced expressions or unnecessary pressure.
Liz’s work has been featured in People, The New York Times, O, The Oprah Magazine, Essence, Domino, Rue and other national publications. More importantly, she is passionate about creating a calm, organized experience where children feel comfortable and parents can simply enjoy the magic unfolding in front of them.
Make This the Year Santa Knows Their Name
Enjoy a magical holiday tradition by kicking off the season with a visit with Santa, one where he knows you by name and enjoys connecting with your children. No long lines, crowded waiting areas, or unnecessary pressure—just time and space to enjoy the magic together. This is what the magic of Christmas is all about!