ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Mall Santa Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsMall Santa JobsMall Santa Jobs in Virginia

Mall Santa information

See Virginia salary details

$7

$22

$43

How much do mall santa jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average hourly pay for mall santa in Virginia is $22.91, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.49 and $29.22 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a mall santa?

A Mall Santa is a seasonal role where a person dresses as Santa Claus to interact with children and families at a shopping mall or event. Their duties include posing for photos, listening to holiday wishes, and spreading festive cheer. Mall Santas must be friendly, patient, and able to stay in character while engaging with a wide range of people.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a mall santa?

To thrive as a Mall Santa, you need excellent communication skills, a friendly demeanor, and experience working with children or in performance-related roles. Some employers may require background checks and training in crowd management or first aid, and professional Santa costumes are usually provided by the employer. Patience, adaptability, and the ability to remain cheerful throughout long shifts help you stand out in this position. These qualities are essential for creating a magical and safe holiday experience for children and families while maintaining professionalism in a busy mall environment.

What is a typical work schedule like for a mall santa during the holiday season?

Mall Santas typically work in shifts that include weekdays, evenings, and especially weekends, with hours increasing as the holidays approach. The busiest times are usually the weeks leading up to Christmas, where you may be scheduled for full-day shifts or multiple shorter shifts to accommodate higher visitor traffic. Breaks are provided to help you stay comfortable and maintain your energy throughout the day. Schedules can vary based on the mall's hours and specific event needs, so some flexibility is important. Collaborating with photographers, elves, and event coordinators is a regular part of your daily routine.

Do mall Santas make good money?

Mall Santas typically earn between $15 and $50 per hour, with some seasonal positions paying flat rates for the entire holiday period. Earnings can vary based on location, experience, and the popularity of the mall, and many positions include tips from children and families. The job often requires costume and character skills, and work is usually limited to the holiday season.

How much do you get paid to be a mall Santa?

Mall Santa pay varies depending on location, experience, and the mall, but typically ranges from $8 to $20 per hour. Some malls offer a flat fee for the season or event, and additional tips from children and parents can supplement income.

How to get a job as a mall Santa?

To become a mall Santa, candidates typically need to be friendly, approachable, and comfortable in costume. Many employers prefer previous experience working with children and may require background checks or training on safety and customer service. Applying directly to shopping malls or seasonal staffing agencies is common for securing a mall Santa position.

What are popular job titles related to Mall Santa jobs in Virginia?

For Mall Santa jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Mall Santa jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Mall Santa jobs in Virginia are:

Mall Santa jobs near you
Infographic showing various Mall Santa job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $47,651 per year, or $22.9 per hour.

Seasonal Holiday Retail Manager- Lynnhaven Mall

Cherry Hill Programs Inc

Virginia Beach, VA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 2 days ago

New

Cherry Hill Programs rating

5.0

Company rating: 5.0 out of 10

Based on 22 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

7th of 12 rated photography companies

Job description

About Us
Cherry Hill Programs brings the magic to every experience by capturing moments that last a lifetime. In partnership with retail locations, tourist attractions, and destinations across North America, Cherry Hill Programs contributes millions of holiday and souvenir experiences for children and families, year after year.

As our Local Manager, you'll lead the team responsible for creating magical holiday memories for children and families. You'll oversee daily photo operations, drive sales and service excellence, and ensure every family enjoys a memorable Santa visit, exceptional photo experience, and outstanding guest service from start to finish.

Why You’ll Love Working with Us:

  • Build valuable leadership experience developing skills in team leadership, staffing and scheduling, coaching, sales performance, problem-solving, and delivering exceptional guest experiences
  • Same day pay options for early access to your paycheck
  • Employee Referral Program
  • A fun, fast-paced environment where you’ll lead a team that helps create memorable experiences for families
  • Opportunities beyond the season — return for future holiday seasons and explore growth opportunities within our souvenir photography division, where available
  • Exclusive Holiday Perks for You & Your Family:
  • One free visit with Santa for friends and family including:
    • 10 photo prints
    • 10 free holiday cards from Shutterfly
  • A personalized digital message from Santa, powered by Portable North Pole
  • 3 free months of access to Pixie Post, our digital greeting card platform

What You'll Do:

  • Foster a positive, team-focused work environment
  • Create schedules and ensure proper staffing coverage
  • Recruit, hire, train, and onboard team members
  • Oversee daily operations and site performance
  • Respond promptly to business calls and emails
  • Drive sales, cash handling compliance, and team performance
  • Verify and submit daily deposits and financial paperwork
  • Coach team members to deliver exceptional guest service
  • Build strong relationships with venue partners and vendors
  • Partner with host venues to support efficient operations
  • Resolve guest concerns and ensure positive experiences
  • Manage seasonal setup, breakdown, and equipment security
  • Perform additional duties as assigned

What We’re Looking For

  • Must Haves:
    • Must be at least 18 years of age
    • Strong communication, organization, time management, and problem-solving skills
    • Ability to lead a team, work independently, and make sound decisions
    • Availability to attend required pre-season training
    • Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and peak retail periods
    • Availability to work approximately 40 hours per week, with additional hours as business needs require
    • Ability to lift and carry equipment up to 10-25 pounds and stand for prolonged periods of time
  • Nice to Haves:
    • Previous leadership or management experience in retail, hospitality, customer service, or a similar environment
    • High school diploma or equivalent
    • Ability to use Microsoft Office and other business technology
    • Experience managing teams or operations across multiple locations
    • Demonstrated success driving sales, guest experience, and operational results
    • Experience with scheduling, training, coaching, and developing team members

We Work Together to Win Together

Our mission is simple: to bring magic to every experience by capturing moments that last a lifetime. We believe that building a diverse team, with a variety of backgrounds and experiences, is the best way to bring our mission to life.

Cherry Hill Programs strives to provide a positive work environment that values excellence in safety and quality, free from discrimination and harassment. Every employee plays a part in our Company’s success and makes this a great place to work. Our people are the heart of our organization and the foundation of our success. Driven by our core values of safety, diversity, integrity, and collaboration, we strive to promote a culture that supports and encourages creativity, fairness, and inclusion.

What Cherry Hill Programs employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Cherry Hill Programs logo

About Cherry Hill Programs

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Cherry Hill Programs is the industry-leader in experiential photography, operating seasonal holiday experiences in hundreds of venues across the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico and year-round souvenir experiences in some of the most popular tourist destinations and landmarks across North America. For more information, visit www.cherryhillprograms.com

Industry

Photography services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Marlton, NJ, US

Year founded

1961

Social media

FacebookTwitter

View All Cherry Hill Programs Jobs

Apply