The Best Santa Experience

The Best Santa Experience Raising Money for Cystic Fibrosis.

We’re now taking reservations to visit Santa Claus 2024!

The Best Santa Experience for 2023 was a fantastic event once again! Don’t miss out on 2024, sign up today! Santa Claus will be here on the following dates in 2024: November 9th, and 10th, as well as November 16th, and 17th.

The theme was “Santa’s North Pole Lodge”! This pretty theme made its debut in 2023! You can see what it will look like below, prior to furniture and decorations being added. If you would like to see more, please check it out on our dedicated Santa website at the link below:

Santa’s North Pole Lodge

"Santa's North Pole Lodge" at The Best Santa Experience at Michal Anderson Photography in Mounds View, MN.

Here’s one of the 3 planned set variations, with Northern Lights, for “Santa’s North Pole Lodge!”

The Best Santa Experience Website

Check out all of the details, and make your reservations, on our dedicated Santa website just for The Best Santa Experience. Please visit the site for lots of great information and to make your online reservations as well.

You can also visit our Facebook Page for more info. https://www.facebook.com/TheBestSantaExperience/

A photograph of Santa Claus painting a toy truck in his workshop on the North Pole.

Santa Claus painting a toy truck in his workshop on the North Pole.

Our Beautiful Santa Claus Themes

Introduced in 2021, “Santa’s Enchanted Forest” was a big hit! We were so excited to have a beautiful setting in the woods, with frosty trees in a pretty park-like setting. We had all of our favorite activities with Santa Claus including:

  • Santa’s Magic Book
  • Santa’s Magical Toy Bag
  • Magic Snowball Fight
  • Santa’s Magic Flying Sled
  • The Nice List
  • Milk & Cookies with Santa
  • Santa’s Magic Globe
  • Presents for each child
  • Snacks and treats

And Santa brought Frosty the Snowman with him too! All that, and much more!

Santa’s Enchanted Forest

Kids help Santa place Frosty the Snowman's hat upon his head at The Best Santa Experience at Michael Anderson Photography.

An adorable brother and sister help Santa place Frosty the Snowman’s hat on his head!

Here are our other Santa Claus themes, which we rotate from year to year:

Santa’s Magic Cabin

A boy flies on Santa's magic sled. All part of the The Best Santa Experience raising money to help fight Cystic Fibrosis.

Ryan takes Santa’s magic sled for a test drive!

Storytime With Santa

"The Night Before Christmas" read to a three year old girl from Santa Claus himself! All part of The Santa Experience and Storytime with Santa for Cystic Fibrosis.

Charlotte hears “The Night Before Christmas” from a magic book that Santa brought.

Santa’s Magic Workshop

A brother and his big sister enjoy The Santa Experience of their own. The scene was greatly enhanced by light painting parts of it.

Riley and Ryder enjoying The Santa Experience of their own.

The Best Santa Experience and Cystic Fibrosis

As we’ve done every year since 2016, The Best Santa Experience raises money for Cystic Fibrosis. Each client makes a donation of $75 or more to Cystic Fibrosis. In addition, “Elves” Joannie & Michael donate a portion of the custom print orders to CF as well. It’s our way of helping to find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis. Over the years we’ve raised many thousands of dollars for CF!

Our godchild, Lindsey, has Cystic Fibrosis. Unfortunately, in June of 2022, Lindsey lost her battle with Cystic Fibrosis. So our plan is for all of our Santa Claus Portraits, both now and in the future, we will be raising monies to be donated to Cystic Fibrosis in Lindsey’s memory. Let’s hope they can find a cure for CF soon so that other families will not have to go through what Lindsey’s family has endured.

These magical Heirloom Santa Claus Portraits and incredible Santa Storybooks will be cherished for generations to come and they’re so much fun to create too! We hope to see you in November 2023! – M&J


Client Testimonials About “The Best Santa Experience” at Michael Anderson Photography:


“Mike and Joannie sure do The Best Santa Experience right! Our kids both look forward to meeting Santa at the Anderson house every year. Each session is personalized for our kids and even Mike and Joannie get involved in the experience by dressing up! Santa is GREAT at interacting with the kids and each session is not rushed at all.

A cute brother and sister find out that they're on Santa's "nice" list! The magical photograph was created during The Santa Experience at Santa's Workshop.

Easton and Morgan find out that they’re on Santa’s “nice” list!

And the pictures? They are EXCEPTIONAL! The photos really capture the magic of the kids meeting Santa. We will be doing this every year and I HIGHLY recommend!”

Nick and Amanda – on Facebook


“Mike and Joannie,

Thank you for all of your hard work to bring beauty and excitement into Christmas! Your efforts are very much appreciated! We had a great time starting the season with you and your Santa Experience. All of the images are gorgeous, as are the fun new products! You’re awesome! Merry Christmas!”

Six cousins get to take a peek at Santa's "Nice List" at Santa's Workshop. It turns out that they all are on the list!

Six cousins get to take a sneak peek at Santa’s “Nice List”. It turns out that they all are on the list!

Mike, JoJo, and family – handwritten note


“Thank you, both (& Santa!) for the wonderful photo experience. Our grandkids talked about it all the way home! Your generosity and the gentle way you interacted with the kids definitely made their visit with Santa the most memorable ever!

More Storytime with Santa portraits for The Best Santa Experience. Four kids get to peek into Santa's magical toy bag, magic pixie dust and all!

Christmas Magic!

Jodi & Gregg – handwritten note


“Thank you, Michael & Joannie for this amazing video.

Santa opens his magic toy bag to four adorable kids. Photo of four cute cousins and their Santa Claus portraits.

What’s in Santa’s magic bag?

Feeling VERY blessed to have such wonderful photographers and friends.”

Patti – on Facebook


“Thank you, Michael, Joannie, and Santa! The boys are still talking about their visit! They wanted so badly to go in the backyard to see Santa’s reindeer that evening when we left!

Santa Claus gives gifts to three boys during their Heirloom Santa Portraits.

Santa Claus gives gifts to the boys!

I was amazed at how the boys relaxed and felt so comfortable interacting with Santa, you guys are amazing at what you do! – Thank you!

I love all the pictures, it’s going to be hard to decide which ones we want!”

Rose – on Facebook


“Wow! This one brought tears to my eyes! Amazing work that captured the true meaning of family and love! Absolutely priceless!!”

Santa reading "The Night Before Christmas" to two adorable kids during their Heirloom Christmas Portraits with Santa Claus 2016.

Santa reading “The Night Before Christmas” to Claire & Logan.

Mary Beth M. – On Facebook


“For some reason, this video had tears running down my face…must be the sign of great work and a beautiful family!”

An adorable six month old baby boy tugs on Santa's beard during his Christmas Portraits with Santa Claus 2016.

Hey Santa! Is your beard real?

Barb P. – on Facebook


“I am dying over how amazing and sweet they turned out! I love the excitement on their little faces. Thank you for capturing these beautiful moments!”

Six cute cousins pose with Santa Claus in their Christmas pajamas for their 2016 Heirloom Santa Claus Portraits for Cystic Fibrosis.

Santa Claus and six cute cousins.

Kristin B. – On Facebook

“The Best Santa Experience” – ©2023 Michael Anderson Photography.