Where to find Santa in New York
Sitting on Santa’s lap is a great tradition for a lot of families. Some people visit the same santa year after year. Most tourists want a chance to see the Macy’s Santa or the Bloomingdale’s Santa. New York families generally skip those long lines (up to 2 hours at Macy’s so far) and go for the shorter lines to see the equally authentic victorian-robed Santa at ABC or the Belvedere Castle Santa. Which one will you choose?
Winter Garden Santa
Friday, Dec. 11, Saturday, December 12, Sunday, December 13: Winter Garden Santa
The Winter Garden has a nice holiday feel for the holidays with trees, reindeer and some elves. Photos start at $20 or more, depending on size or type of keepsake photos ordered. Then stay and help create Holiday-themed cards to be sent to children facing medical challenges with Project Sunshine. Project Sunshine sends volunteers to visit hospitalized children to provide arts and crafts, tutoring, reading, nutritional cooking and special events. Proceeds of photos will go to Project Sunshine. There are plenty of places to eat in the World Financial Center: Blockhead Burritos, Columbus Bakery, PJ Clarkes (my preference) and more.
Details: Friday, December 11, 10:00am to 1:00pm and 2:00pm to 7:00pm Saturday, December 12, 10:00am to 1:00pm and 2:00pm to 5:00pm and Sunday, December 13, 10:00am to 1:00pm and 2:00pm to 5:00pm (212) 945-0505 or www.artsworldfinancialcenter.com . World Financial Center, 220 Vesey Street, mezzanine level.
Saturday, December 12: 11 am – 1 pm: Brunch with Santa in Williamsburg SOLD OUT
Have your photo taken with Santa, do some arts and crafts, eat brunch and put your ticket in a hat for a raffle!
Details: Radegast Hall and Biergarten at 113 N 3rd Street, at Berry St Williamsburg, Brooklyn NY 11211 $10 Adults $5 Children +1 yrs. Tickets are available for sale at the Greenpoint Toy Center (738 Manhattan Ave, 718.383.3437), Smoochie Baby (110 Berry St, 718.384.3340), and at the door.
New York City Fire Museum- Where is Santa?
Sunday, December 13: 11:30 a.m: FDNY rescues Santa
Talk about a really fun site: a FDNY ladder truck will rescue Santa from his perilous perch on top of the NYC Fire Museum (see photo). How will he come down? Ladder or trampoline? I wonder! Once safely inside, Santa will take gift requests and pose for photos. Hot dogs and hot chocolate will be available for purchase at the Christmas Café. Enjoy Christmas Carols from the John Clacher band. Children of all ages are invited to attend.
Details: Admission: Adults $5 Students & Seniors $2 Children 12 & Under $1 http://www.nycfiremuseum.org/ The Museum, located on Spring Street between Varick and Hudson streets, is easily accessible via public transportation. By subway, take the C or E train (8th Avenue Local) to Spring Street. Walk one and half blocks west. Alternatively, you can take the 1 or 9 train (7th Avenue local) to Houston Street. Walk south 4 blocks to Spring Street and west half a block. You can also reach the Museum via the M10 (7th and 8th Avenue routes) or M21 (Hudson Street cross-town route) bus. Take either to Spring Street.
Still Hip Santa
Sunday, December 13 from 11 am- 2 pm: Hip Santa is coming…again
Still Hip does these cute shots of your tykes with Santa. Last year we had fun with it- though a convincing Santa she was not. My 4 month old didn’t know the difference of course. It was an easy neighborhood Santa sighting and we got a photo within a few minutes. $10 a shot. Still Hip Brooklyn: 83 Grand Ave (at Lafayette) in Clinton Hill.
Santa Cruise SOLD OUT
The Circle Line takes a cruise with Santa. For next year, check their site.
A pooped Seaport Santa
South Street Seaport Santa (Friday, Nov. 27th – Dec. 27th)
This beautiful tree adorned with bows and thousands of tiny lights feels quaint on the cobblestoned Water Street. The tree lighting this year was sweet and fun- although the site lines for kids and parents alike was pretty mediocre. The Big Apple Chorus (who is pretty good) performs classic holiday songs, including their jovial rendition of The 12 Days of Christmas, every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through December 27. Please click here to view the Big Apple Chorus’s performance schedule. Santa is also at the Seaport to hear kids’ wish lists, take photos and be jolly. He makes scheduled appearances in the holiday seating area located on the 3rd floor of Pier 17, Noon to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; and Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Santa’s visits run from November 28 to – December 24. All visits with Santa are free, but bring your own camera. He also appears at each performance of The Big Apple Chorus. In addition, each Saturday and Sunday from November 28 through December 20 at 1 p.m., there is “Storytime with Santa,” as he reads holiday classics, including ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. Pier 17, 3rd Floor/Cobblestones/Strolling. There are some big box shops down at the Seaport too- so you can get your shopping in. The public restrooms are plentiful and nice and the whole area has a nice holiday feel. Fulton Street and South Street. www.Southstreetseaport.com By Subway
2, 3, 4, 5, J, Z, or M to Fulton Street A or C trains to Broadway-Nassau; or E train towards Fulton Street. Walk East on Fulton Street to Water Street.
ABC's Santa
Santa at ABC Carpet and Home (Weekends from 12- 5 pm)
We love the ABC Santa experience. Everyone joins a civil line that winds through the beautiful store. The kids AND you are totally occupied with all the delicate items that sparkle from all the shelves. Attendants hold your stroller for you as you descend to Santa’s room. You walk down a red carpet to Santa who welcomes you in open arms. His beautiful robe and rosy cheeks are so authentic- it will convince even the oldest. (See photo) The children get a nice swirled lolli after the visit and you all can exit behind Santa’s chair to the restaurant/cafe Le Pain Quotodien to dine on their unbelievable oatmeal, quiches and salads. Tip: The line is shortest at 2 pm on the dot. We went at 12:30 and waited for 20 minutes. Bring your own camera. This is the Santa that you see on Good Morning America every year.
Details: ABC Carpet and Home is at 888 Broadway (and 19th St), New York, NY, (212) 473-3000. http://santaandthetoymakers.com/home.htm
Details: (12pm-6pm Mon-Fri, 11am-2pm and 3pm-6pm Sat/Sun) at Bloomingdales at 59th Street & Lexington Avenue and 1000 Third Avenue (2 entrances) New York, NY 10022
Macy's Santa
Santa and Puppet Show at Macy’s (Open daily from 9 A.M. to 9 P.M., from Friday, November 25th through Saturday, December 24th)
This is the most famous Santa in New York. Funny enough, I met him (well, one of them) on the subway this week. He said that last weekend they had over 3,000 visitors in a weekend wanting to see Santa and that it took over an hour to get into Santa’s lap. If you are willing to brave the line then the nice backdrop really makes a beautiful photo. Make sure to bring your own camera as the photo options that Macy’s offers aren’t cheap: prices start at $25 for a 5 x 7.
Details: Visit Santa at Macy’s Santaland on the 8th floor of Macy’s Herald Square. Santaland is open daily from 9 A.M. to 9 P.M. from Friday, November 25th through Saturday, December 24th. Santa will return to the North Pole promptly at 5:30 P.M. on December 24th so he can load up his sleigh. Admission is free and digital photographs of your child with Santa will be available for purchase.
Puppet Show: While you’re at Macy’s, stop by the Puppet Theater on the 9th floor to see the holiday puppet musical Percy, the Poor Little Penguin with Nicolo Coppola’s Puppetworks (featuring the vocal talents of Mario Cantone, Florence Henderson, and others).
Details: Admission is $3 per person and shows run nine times daily from November 25th through December 24th. For more information, call 212-494-4495. Performance times: 9: 30 A.M., 10:30 A.M., 11:30 A.M., 12:30 P.M., 2:15 P.M., 3:15 P.M., 4:15 P.M., 5:15 P.M., 6:15 P.M. (on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays only). The last performance is December 24th at 3:15 P.M.
Rock Center Cafe Santa
Breakfast with Santa at Rockefeller Center (ongoing)
This is the most expensive way to see Santa, but it is a special event that maybe you do once (or twice!) in your kid’s lifetime. Have a breakfast at Rock Center Cafe where Santa and his elves will stop by for a visit and photo. There are gifts for the kids and then a skating session at the famous Rockefeller Ice Rink. When I checked yesterday, a lot of the slots were sold out, but there are some still available. To make reservations go to their site.
Details: Rock Center Cafe: Rockefeller Center at 20 West 50th Street. 212 332 7620
Belvedere Castle Santa
Saturday, Dec. 19th and Sunday, Dec. 20th: 12- 3 pm
Taking a walk through the park to get to Santa just feels right somehow. Imagine how magical it will feel to arrive at Belvedere Castle to see Santa inside! The event is free just bring your camera!
Details: Belvedere Castle, mid-part at 79th Street. 718-398-0008
Saturday, Dec. 19: 12- 4 pm: Santa at Realbirth
This might be a great time to kill 2 birds with 1 stone: pick up some bottles, sling or other needs and sit back with some hot chocolate, cookies and watch your oldest sit in Santa’s lap.
Details: Realbirth is at 715 9th Avenue (at 49th Street) New York, NY, 10019 (212) 245-0796 (212) 367-9006
Saturday, Dec. 19, 3 pm: Rolie Polie Meets Santa!
Join children’s music due, ‘Rolie Polie Guacamole’ for a Holiday musical good time and greet Santa too! Santa will be on hand to say hello to all the children at the end of this special event. Bring your camera for photos if you like!
Details: $18, siblings $2, adults free. Call toreserve. Gumbo 493 Atlantic Avenue (bet. Nevins & Third) Brooklyn 11217 718-855-7808
Saturday, December 19: 9:30 am: Pancake breakfast with Santa
Have you wanted to meet a Macy’s Santa without the stress and long lines at Macy’s? Yes, yes! First Presbyterian has arranged a pancake breakfast with a free photo with Santa. There will be christmas music and crafts too to get you in the mood.
Details: First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn at 135 Henry St. betw. Clark and Pierrepont Streets. Tickets: $7 in advance, $8 at the door. Call 718-624-3770 to reserve a ticket or stop by the church office M-F
Sunday December 20: 12- 4 pm: Santa visits Bay Ridge
Meet Santa and his elves, make some holiday arts and crafts and join in some games and activities in the play room all while singing and dancing to holiday music. You might even win something at the raffle. There will be cookies and juice just to get you all sugared up!
Details: $10 per child – includes choice of one simple craft, plus all of the above. $5.00 for Santa Photo. $3.00 if you pre-register for photo . Play Days and Parties at 6632 3rd Ave (Next to Firehouse)
718-492-8997
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