When Does Santa Come To The Mall?
By this Court's ruling, the day after Thanksgiving. In real life, plenty of malls bring Santa in sooner, in early to mid-November, so check with yours before you drive over.
The man gets 11 months a year to be Gary from the tire place, and he's earned them. The beard's at the dry cleaner. He's got a bad shoulder. Don't make him do this before the store has even put the fake snow down.
What the mall does is the mall's business. The Court can't stop them. But you don't have to go in November just because a chair's been set up. Your child doesn't know what month it is, and that's about the only time this works in your favor.
If you do want the photo, a little planning helps. Most malls post their Santa hours on their website, and many take reservations now, which will save you a long wait. Weekday mornings and evenings tend to be quietest, and the last weekend before Christmas is the worst. Go after a nap and a snack. Bring a change of shirt in case of anything. Don't promise your kid it'll be fun.
A child under three is going to scream. That's fine. That's the photo. Those are the ones you'll keep, and in 20 years they'll be the ones you show at the wedding.
The whole thing's done by December 24th. After that, he's Gary again. Let him be Gary.
The Ruling: Allowed from the day after Thanksgiving through December 24.
The day after Thanksgiving falls on Friday, November 27, 2026, then Friday, November 26, 2027, then Friday, November 24, 2028. Thanksgiving is always the fourth Thursday of November, so this date moves every year.
This ruling comes from a joke website. There is no court. The dates are our opinion, and the practical tips are ordinary common sense, so use your own judgment.