Between your usual Christmas activities, like cutting your own tree or getting a jump on your holiday shopping, take some time to visit the man in the red suit! Luckily, there are so many places to meet Santa in New York City, and we've put together a list of the best spots to meet and have photos taken with him in Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn and Staten Island. Plus, check out our guides for Long Island and Westchester, Rockland, and Bergen counties!
Where to See Santa in Manhattan
Morning with Santa
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 15, 8-9am, 9:30-10:30am, 11am-12pm
WHERE: Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park, between W. 40th and 42nd Streets, Fifth and Sixth Avenues, Midtown
AGES: All
WHAT: Join Santa and his helpers for an exclusive experience! A Morning with Santa includes:
- 1 hour access to the Polar Lounge event space
- skates and skate aids
- snacks and hot beverages
- children’s crafts
- meet and greet with Santa
All children must be accompanied by an adult. Please be sure to arrive on time. We are not able extend reservations. Santa is a busy man! All ticket sales are final. Please contact events@urbanmgt.com for more information.
WANT TO GO? $125. 212-768-4242. wintervillage.org.
Breakfast with Santa
WHEN: Nov. 30- Dec. 22, Saturday-Sunday, 9:30am
WHERE: Broadway Comedy Club, 318 W. 53rd St., Midtown
AGES: All
WHAT: Admission includes Interactive Musical Comedy Show, Continental Breakfast and Pictures with Santa. Bring cameras and video! We do not supply photos however the elves do help so the entire family can get in the shot. This Year we will be taking photos & video then sharing on our Facebook page for easy FREE downloads.
WANT TO GO? $25-35. 212-568-6560. improv4kids.com.
FREE Santa’s Corner
WHEN: Dec. 14-22, daily, 1-3pm
WHERE: Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park, between W. 40th and 42nd Streets, Fifth and Sixth Avenues, Midtown
AGES: All
WHAT: Santa’s Corner is the perfect place to meet Santa and his elves in NYC. The week-long winter wonderland features a photo op, holiday crafts, and the chance to whisper your wish list in Santa’s ear! The big man himself stops by Winter Village for free photos. Plus caroling, holiday crafts, and much more!
WANT TO GO? 212-768-4242. wintervillage.org.
FREE Macy's Santaland
WHEN: Nov. 29- Dec. 24, 10am-10pm
WHERE: 151 W. 34th St., Midtown
AGES: All
WHAT: Visit the 13,000 square-foot Christmas village to meet Saint Nick (make a reservation in advance), board the Santaland Express, visit the Kinder™ Sweet Shoppe, enter the Enchanted Forest, and explore Santa’s Workshop.
WANT TO GO? 212-695-4400. www.macys.com/social/santa-land/.
Where to See Santa in Brooklyn
Santa Paws
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 1, 12-4pm
WHERE: Beyond at Liberty View, 850 3rd Ave., Sunset Park
AGES: All
WHAT: Bring your furry friend for a photo with Santa!
WANT TO GO? 929-305-3821. https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/brooklyn/index.html.
FREE Dumbo Holiday Tree Lighting
WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 5, 4-7pm
WHERE: Pearl Street Triangle, 155 Water St., Dumbo
AGES: All
WHAT: This year's ceremony includes a visit from Santa Claus, live calypso music, caroling, treats and hot cocoa, and more!
WANT TO GO? dumbo.is/lighting-the-tree.
Jingle Fest! Holiday Concert & Cookie Swap
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 7, 3pm
WHERE: All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 286-88 7th Ave., Park Slope
AGES: All
WHAT: Join the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music for a joyful holiday family concert followed by their fourth annual cookie swap. Bring a batch of your favorite cookies to exchange and get one FREE ticket per family. Ticket includes cookies, cider, hot chocolate and photo op with Santa!
WANT TO GO? $15; free ticket if bringing cookies for swap and for children younger than 2. 718-622-3300. bkcm.org.
Town Square’s Annual Santa Brunch
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 8, 9:30am, 11:30am, 1:30pm
WHERE: Polish Slavic Center, 176 Java St., Greenpoint
AGES: 5 and younger
WHAT: Delicious homemade pancake brunch, fun arts/crafts, live music and, of-course, precious moments and photos with Santa!
WANT TO GO? $30; $20 online; $15 for infants carried in your arms/wrap; $5 online for infants. 347-559-1410. www.townsquarebk.org.
Photos with Santa!
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 14, 10am-12pm
WHERE: The Old Stone House, 336 3rd St., Park Slope
AGES: All
WHAT: Get your family photos taken with Santa with Marc Goldberg!
WANT TO GO? $10. 718-768-3195. theoldstonehouse.org.
Breakfast and Lunch with Santa
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 14, 9:30-11am and 1-2:30pm
WHERE: Staten Island Zoo, 614 Broadway, Staten Island
AGES: All
WHAT: Breakfast or lunch with Santa includes a hot breakfast buffet, intimate animal encounters, a ride on the carousel with Chuck the Groundhog, holiday themed activities and crafts, live music, and gifts from Santa and a photo opportunity on their decorated stage (bring your own camera). A paying adult must accompany a paying child.
WANT TO GO? $30; $25 members; $20 ages 3-15; $15 members ages 3-15. 718-442-3101. http://statenislandzoo.doubleknot.com/event/breakfast-with-s.
Brunch with Santa
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 15, 9-11am and 12-2pm
WHERE: Aviator Sports and Events Center, Floyd Bennett Field, 3159 Flatbush Ave., Marine Park
AGES: All
WHAT: Enjoy a full brunch buffet, an opportunity to take a photo with Santa Claus and more. Included in your ticket will be one free photo per child and cookie decorating to make your own bite-sized treats. An arts and crafts table will be available to flex your creativity.
WANT TO GO? $34; $32 ages 3-12; $30.60 members; $28.80 members ages 3-12; free for children 2 and younger. 718-758-7500. aviatorsports.com.
Santa Disco Party
WHEN: Dec. 7-21, Saturdays, 12-2pm
WHERE: Dreamland Roller Rink at City Point, 445 Albee Square W., Brooklyn Heights
AGES: 5 and older
WHAT: Dress up in festive apparel and skate around to a mix of contemporary and retro tunes! There will be holiday-themed games led by Santa or Mrs. Claus. Bring your own helmets and safety gear!
WANT TO GO? $18. https://www.dreamlandrollerrink.com.
FREE Photos with Santa
WHEN: Nov. 30-Dec. 22, Saturdays, 11am-2pm; Sundays, 4-7pm
WHERE: Gateway Center, 501 Gateway Drive, East New York
AGES: All
WHAT: Meet Santa at the Holiday Tree and take free photos. Santa will be at the Food Court or at the Art Walk.
WANT TO GO? 718-235-0467. http://shopgatewaycenterbrooklyn.com/.
Photos with Santa
WHEN: Nov. 7- Dec. 24, 11/7-12/11 Mondays-Saturdays, 12-8pm; Sundays, 11am-7p; 12/12-12/23 Mondays-Sundays, 10am-9pm; 12/24 10am-6pm. Closed Thanksgiving
WHERE: Kings Plaza Shopping Center, 5100 Kings Plaza, Old Mill Basin
AGES: All
WHAT: Santa will be available for photos and visits at his holiday home. Want to see Santa sooner? Get a Fast Pass to make your family’s visit even easier! Reserve online.
WANT TO GO? Photo packages available for purchase. 718-253-6844. https://www.kingsplazaonline.com/Events/Details/530491.
FREE Macy's Santaland
WHEN: Nov. 29- Dec. 24, 10am-10pm
WHERE: 151 W. 34th St., Midtown
AGES: All
WHAT: Visit the 13,000 square-foot Christmas village to meet Saint Nick (make a reservation in advance), board the Santaland Express, visit the Kinder™ Sweet Shoppe, enter the Enchanted Forest, and explore Santa’s Workshop.
WANT TO GO? 212-695-4400. www.macys.com/social/santa-land/.
Where to Meet Santa on Staten Island
Empire Outlets
WHEN: Dec. 8-24, 10am-9pm
WHERE: 55 Richmond Terrace, St. George
AGES: All
WHAT: Kids can tell Santa what they’d like for Christmas from Dec. 8-24. You can also pick up a seasonal keepsake to take home, and Empire Outlets will be collecting letters to Santa beginning Dec. 3 as well.
WANT TO GO? $29.99 and up for prints. 929-262-6710. empireoutlets.nyc.
Where to Meet Santa in Queens
FREE Pictures with Santa
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 30, 12-3pm
WHERE: 71st Avenue Plaza, 71st Avenue between Stephen St. & Forest Avenue (Myrtle Avenue)
AGES: All
WHAT: Santa's helpers will give out free candy canes and a free gift (while supplies last). There will be live holiday music. From late November to early January there will be holiday lights every evening and from 11am-7pm will also be holiday music during the day on Myrtle Avenue throughout December to spread some holiday cheer. Please call 718-366-3806 for more information.
WANT TO GO? 718-381-7974. www.Ridgewood-NY.com.
FREE Tree Lighting Ceremony
WHEN: Friday, Dec. 6, 7pm
WHERE: Lawn South of Rivercross, 501 Main St., Roosevelt Island
AGES: All
WHAT: Holiday tree lighting ceremony includes live music, holiday performances from community groups, giveaways, raffle prizes, and Santa!
WANT TO GO? 212-832-4540. rioc.ny.gov.
FREE Jammin’ in my Jammies Breakfast with Santa
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 7, 8-10am
WHERE: Queens Center Mall, 90-15 Queens Blvd., Elmhurst
AGES: All
WHAT: Get out your best pajamas and mark your calendars for December 7 8 AM- 10 AM. Our Jammin’ In My Jammies event is almost here! Join us to rock out with Santa and DJ Omar. Enjoy a delicious breakfast from Applebee's, music, dance, prizes, crafts, special surprises and a contest with DJ Omar.
WANT TO GO? https://www.shopqueenscenter.com.
FREE Christmas in the Garden
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 8, 12-5pm
WHERE: Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main St., Flushing
AGES: All
WHAT: Enjoy live musical performances, photos with Santa, holiday crafts, tree lighting, and blowout sales at the QBG Shop!
WHY WE LOVE IT: A wonderful way to get into the holiday spirit.
WANT TO GO? 718-886-3800. queensbotanical.org.
FREE Holiday Crafts and Cookies
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 14, 12-4pm
WHERE: Queens Library–Central Library, 89-11 Merrick Blvd., Jamaica
AGES: All
WHAT: Santa Claus is coming to the Central Library! Come enjoy holiday songs and crafts, and receive a free picture with Santa!
12-3pm: Meet and take a picture with Santa – Main Lobby
12:30-2pm: Holiday Tunes with Kelly J. Fallon (voice) and Dylan DeFeo (Keyboard) – Main Lobby
1-3pm: Children’s face painting, balloon twisting, and crafts – CLDC
2:30-4pm: The Christmas Band – Main Lobby
WANT TO GO? 718-990-0778. www.queenslibrary.org/branch/Central-Library.
Holiday Cookies and Crafts
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 14, 12-2pm
WHERE: Bayside Historical Society, 208 Totten Ave., Bayside
AGES: All
WHAT: Join BHS at the Castle for this walk-in workshop. Families are invited to craft delightful decorations celebrating the winter season. Hot cocoa and cookies will be served, and Santa will be making an appearance.
WANT TO GO? $5 per child; $15 max per family. https://www.baysidehistorical.org/.
FREE Photos with Santa
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 14, 9am-2pm
WHERE: Maspeth Federal Savings, 56-18 69th St., Maspeth
AGES: All
WHAT: Bring in the little ones to take a photo with Santa!
WANT TO GO? maspethfederal.com.
Cookies with Santa
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 14, 1:30-2:30pm, 3-4pm (for kids ages 3 and younger), and 4:30-5:30pm
WHERE: My Gym Fresh Meadows, 176-60 Union Turnpike, Suite 310, Fresh Meadows
AGES: All ages
WHAT: Bring the kids to enjoy Christmas songs, dances, games, relays, cookies and milk, and pictures with Santa. Pre-registration required. Registration closes 72 hours prior to the event or when the event is full.
WANT TO GO? $18. 718-380-4599. mygym.com/queens.
'The Nutcracker' By The Joffrey Ballet School
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 15, 3:30pm
WHERE: LaGuardia Performing Arts Center at LaGuardia Community College, 31-10 Thomson Ave., Long Island City
AGES: 5-12, adult
WHAT: This performance is a special one-hour rendition, meet-and-greet with principle dancers, and just when you think the excitement has ended, participants can visit Santa in the magical toyland.
WANT TO GO? $20; $15 per person for groups of 4 and more. 718-482-5151. lpac.nyc.
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