The most magical minutes of Christmas
A private visit with Santa Max, just your family, no lines, no crowds. Santa greets your children by name, listens to every wish, and the elves capture photos you'll keep forever.
The Johnson family with Santa Max, 2025 (posted with permission)
Reserve your appointment with Santa & the elves
Every appointment is private, only your immediate family with Santa Max. Grandparents are always welcome. Booking is online only.
November 14 – December 26
- Private visit for your immediate family
- Closed Thanksgiving & Christmas Day
- Pets welcome through Dec 18 (on a leash)
- Photos delivered to your own Dropbox folder
Bringing cousins or friends? Book two back-to-back appointments and both families can visit Santa together for the full 14 minutes, whole-group photos included. Want a longer visit? Back-to-back sessions work for one family too.
Book your Santa Max Experience 2026!
We will take digital professional photos during your Santa Max Experience. We will send the link to your photos to your email in your three Reminder Emails and the Follow-up email. You may take your own pictures with your phone or camera.
How to reschedule or cancel
Pets are welcome through December 18. Please describe any pets you will bring when you schedule your appointment.
Need to change your appointment? Open your confirmation email and click the Change/Cancel Appointment button. From there you can pick a new date and time, or cancel. Please make any changes at least 24 hours before your visit. Cancellations inside 24 hours, and no-shows, forfeit the payment.
In an emergency, email Mrs. Claus at santa@santamax.co.
Santa Max can't wait to see YOU!
A peek at the magic
Real families, real visits. Every photo shared with permission.
What makes the Santa Max Experience magical
Hundreds of Charlotte-area families make Santa Max their tradition every single year. Here's why.
Just your family
No crowds, no long lines, no strangers watching. Santa and the elves give your family their full attention for the entire visit.
Santa knows their names
Tell us about your children when you book. Their names, ages, pets, even their elf-on-the-shelf. Santa calls them by name the moment they walk in.
Pets are welcome
Dogs, cats, even the family pet gets a moment with Santa. Pets welcome through December 18, leashed. Just tell us on the registration form.
Photos, live in your pocket
You get a private Dropbox link before you even arrive. Family far away? Share the link and they'll watch your photos appear in real time.
Even Soleigh the mini horse stops by the workshop
You never know who'll visit the workshop
Mini horses, golden doodles, cats on leashes. Every year the workshop welcomes some surprising guests. Bring your own furry family member (through December 18) or just come see what magic the elves have cooked up this season.
Book NOW!How it works
All bookings are online. You can't drop by the studio to book, but the elves make it easy.
Pick your date & time
Choose any open appointment between November 14 and December 26. Early December fills fast, so the elves suggest booking early.
Tell us about your children
Names, ages, Christmas wishes, pet names, elf names. Every detail you share makes the visit more magical when Santa greets them.
Walk into the magic
Follow the Santa signs at Heritage Conference Center. Santa's waiting, the elves are ready, and your photo link is already in your inbox.
Families love Santa Max
More than 250,000 children have visited Santa Max over the last 26 years. Here's what their parents say.
"We loved our visit today! So safe and so magical! My kids say that other santas are not the REAL Santa; only Santa Max!"
"There is nothing like it, Santa Max makes it special each and every year! The time, care, support, and genuine love he shows each and every child is like no other. We would travel the ends of the earth to see him."
"We love the personal approach with just one family at a time; love every intentional detail; the 'elves' were wonderful, and it's beyond obvious that Santa Max is a P-R-O!!! We look forward to next year!"
Your visit spreads joy far beyond the workshop
Santa Max and Mrs. Claus support Christian missions and humanitarian causes through Project Noah, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
- Mission and humanitarian work in Mongolia, Indonesia, Kenya, Ecuador, Belize, Hong Kong, and the US
- Sustainable farming projects that help communities feed themselves
- Balloon-sculpting Santa visits for orphans around the world
Santa Max & Mrs. Claus
Location & directions
Less than 30 minutes from Charlotte-Douglas International Airport. Follow the Santa Max signs when you arrive.
Heritage Conference Center
375 Starlight Drive
Fort Mill, SC 29715
Santa Max is in town November 14 – December 26 (closed Thanksgiving & Christmas Day). Follow the Santa signs to the parking lot.
From I-77 (north or south)
Take Exit 90, Carowinds Blvd. Turn toward Regent Parkway (left if heading south, right if heading north) and continue 1.1 miles. Turn left onto Regent Parkway and continue 1.8 miles. After the railroad tracks, turn right onto Starlight Drive and continue 0.7 miles, then just follow the Santa signs.
Frequently asked questions
Can't find your answer? Email Mrs. Claus at santa@santamax.co, or tap the elf chat in the corner.
How do I book an appointment?
Tap any Book Now button, pick your date and time, and answer a few questions about who's visiting. The more you tell us about your children, their ages, wishes, and pet names, the more magical the visit. All bookings are online only; then simply pay to confirm your visit.
Can I bring my sister's or a friend's family to my visit?
Appointments are for your immediate family (grandparents always welcome). If another family wants to join, book two back-to-back appointments, then everyone can visit Santa together for both sessions and get whole-group photos in your 14 minutes. Bringing more people than you listed at booking may mean an extra charge.
Can we stay longer than 7 minutes?
Yes! Book two back-to-back sessions for a full 14-minute visit.
How do I get my pictures?
Your personal Dropbox photo link arrives in your reminder emails, at 48 hours, 24 hours, and 1 hour before your visit, plus a follow-up afterward. You'll have the link before the photos are even taken, so faraway family can watch them appear live. If a link ever goes missing, email santa@santamax.co.
How do I cancel or reschedule?
Open your confirmation email and click the Change/Cancel Appointment button. From there you can pick a new date and time, or cancel. Please make any changes at least 24 hours before your visit. Cancellations inside 24 hours, and no-shows, forfeit the payment. In an emergency, email Mrs. Claus at santa@santamax.co.
Why do you ask questions about my children when I register?
So Santa can work his magic! When Santa knows your child's name, age, pet's name, and elf-on-the-shelf's name, he greets them personally the moment they walk in, and the visit becomes something they'll never forget.
