Photos with Santa Claus begin Friday at the Pentagon City mall

Santa Claus is coming to town, starting with photo sessions in Pentagon City this Friday.

Professional photos with Saint Nick will be available at the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City through Christmas Eve (Dec. 24). Santa's schedule varies this time of year, but he will be present for photos most weekdays from 2-7 p.m., with extended hours on weekends.

Photos will take place on the mall's first level entrance, near Nordstrom.

The mall also plans to offer photo sessions for pet owners from 6:30-8 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 1 and Dec. 8. Also on Dec. 8, the mall will offer a sensory friendly photo shoot for kids with disabilities from 9:30-10:30 a.m.

Pentagon City is not Saint Nick's only pre-Christmas destination, of course. Santa will also be available for photos at Ballston Quarter mall from Black Friday — Nov. 29 — until Christmas Eve.

Santa's hours in Ballston are from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 12-6 p.m. on Sundays, according to the mall's website.

Pet nights are also planned from 4-7 p.m. on Dec. 2, 3, 9 and 10. A "Santa Cares" event for "children within all spectrums of special needs and their families" will take place on Dec. 8 from 10:30-11:30 a.m.

For obvious reasons, Santa will have shortened hours at both malls on Christmas Eve.