Pictures with Santa 2021: Best Places to See Santa in NYC, Long Island, and Westchester
These are the best places to meet and take pictures with Santa in NYC, Long Island, and Westchester, along with ways you can call or video chat with St. Nick from home.
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Where to Meet Santa on Long Island
Holiday Tree Lighting at The Shoppes
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 4, 3-7pm
WHERE: The Shoppes at East Wind, 5768 Route 25A, Wading River
WHAT: Stop by to put a letter in Santa's mailbox, enjoy the live DJ and dancing, and more holiday fun including holiday shopping at Winter Fest. Santa arrives on a Fire Truck to light the tree and take a free photo with families.
WANT TO GO? Free. Rain Date Sunday, December 5.
Bayport Blue Point Heritage Association's Holiday Open House Weekend
WHEN: Dec. 4-5, Saturday-Sunday, 12-4pm
WHERE: John E. Roosevelt & Family Estate of Meadowcroft, 299 Middle Road, Sayville
WHAT: The estate will be decorated with Victorian and Edwardian Christmas decorations, and holiday music will be played on the Roosevelt grand piano. Pictures with Old St. Nicholas will be taken in the Carriage House and refreshments will be served.
WANT TO GO? $5.
Sensory Santa Photos
WHEN: Dec. 5-12, Sundays, 9:30-10:30am
WHERE: Westfield South Shore Mall, 1701 Sunrise Highway, Bay Shore
WHAT: Autism Speaks is thrilled to be partnering with Cherry Hill Programs again this holiday season to provide sensory-friendly Santa experiences for families. All families with children with autism and other special needs can enjoy the time-honored tradition of a visit with Santa, in a more subdued and calm environment.
WANT TO GO? Advanced registration required. Photo packages start at $39.99.
'Tis the Season for Photos with Caring Santa
WHEN: Dec. 5-12, Sundays, 10-11:30am
WHERE: Smith Haven Mall, 313 Smith Haven Mall, Lake Grove
WHAT: Come meet Santa during this private photo experience exclusively for children with special needs.
WANT TO GO? Photo packages start at $39.99. Advanced registration required.
'Tis the Season For Pet Photos with Santa
WHEN: Nov. 21-Dec. 19, Sundays, 7-8:30pm
WHERE: Smith Haven Mall, 313 Smith Haven Mall, Lake Grove
WHAT: Calling all pet parents, friends, and family members! It's that time again to bring your well-mannered furry friends to visit Santa!
WANT TO GO? Photo packages start at $39.99.
Pet Photos with Santa
WHEN: Nov. 29-Dec. 20, Mondays, 4-8pm
WHERE: Westfield South Shore Mall, 1701 Sunrise Highway, Bay Shore
WHAT: It’s a holiday pawty! Guests are invited to bring their four-legged, furry friends to Westfield South Shore for a visit and festive photo opp with Santa. Please bring your pet directly to the Santa photo area upon arrival. Pets must be on a leash or in a cage.
WANT TO GO? Photo packages start at $39.99.
'Tis the Season For Pet Photos with Santa
WHEN: Through Dec. 19: Sundays, 7-8:30pm
WHERE: Roosevelt Field, 630 Old Country Road, Garden City
WHAT: Pet photos with Santa are back! Bring your pets to pose with Santa! Please make sure to have your pet on a leash or in a cage for the safety of all participants.
WANT TO GO? Photo packages start at $39.99.
Pet Photos with Santa
WHEN: Nov. 23-Dec. 21, Tuesdays, 4-8pm
WHERE: Broadway Commons, 358 N. Broadway Commons, Hicksville
WHAT: Bring your pet for a pic with Santa! All pets must be leashed at all times.
WANT TO GO? $20 deposit with reservation will go toward the photo package. Advanced reservations are strongly encouraged. Walk-ins are welcome.
Sunrise Mall Santa Pictures
WHEN: Through Dec. 24: See website for schedule
WHERE: Sunrise Mall, 1 Sunrise Mall, Massapequa
WHAT: Make sure to take the kids to see Santa before the big day!
WANT TO GO? Photo packages start at $39.99. Advanced registration recommended.
Photos with Santa
WHEN: Through Dec. 24: Monday-Saturday, 11am-7pm; Sunday, 12-6pm; Dec. 17-23, daily, 11am-8pm; Friday, Dec. 24, 10am-5pm; closed Nov. 25
WHERE: Broadway Commons, 358 N. Broadway Commons, Hicksville
WHAT: Santa will be sitting in his big chair at center court and wants to hear wish lists and take photos!
WANT TO GO? $20 deposit with reservation will go toward the photo package. Advanced reservations are strongly encouraged.
Roosevelt Field Santa Pictures
WHEN: Through Dec. 24: See website for schedule
WHERE: Roosevelt Field, 630 Old Country Road, Garden City
WHAT: The ultimate holiday tradition is back: photos with Santa!
WANT TO GO? Photo packages start at $39.99. Advanced registration recommended.
Green Acres Mall Santa Claus Photos
WHEN: Through Dec. 24: See website for schedule
WHERE: Green Acres Mall, 2034 Green Acres Mall, Valley Stream
WHAT: The magic of the holiday season comes alive with a visit to Santa’s winter wonderland.
WANT TO GO? Visit is free, photo packages start at $39.99. Advanced registration recommended.
Visit with Santa
WHEN: Through Dec. 24: See website for schedule
WHERE: Westfield South Shore Mall, 1701 Sunrise Highway, Bay Shore
WHAT: Come by for a visit with Santa! Pre-booking your Santa Magic photo experience is encouraged. Walk-up visits are available as space permits.
WANT TO GO? Photo packages start at $39.99. Advanced registration recommended.
'Tis the Season for Photos with Santa
WHEN: Through Dec. 24: See website for schedule
WHERE: Smith Haven Mall, 313 Smith Haven Mall, Lake Grove
WHAT: The ultimate holiday tradition is back: photos with Santa!
WANT TO GO? Photo packages start at $39.99. Advanced registration recommended.
Walt Whitman Mall Santa Pictures
WHEN: Through Dec. 24: See website for schedule
WHERE: Walt Whitman Shops, 160 Walt Whitman Road, Huntington Station
WHAT: The ultimate holiday tradition is back: photos with Santa!
WANT TO GO? Photo packages start at $39.99. Advanced registration recommended.
5 Ways to Video Call Santa in 2021
1. Macy’s Santaland at Home
After going 100-percent virtual last year, Macy’s is bringing Santaland back for in-person visits with Santa. And the Santaland at Home virtual experience will still be available this year for parents and kids who don't want or aren’t able to visit Santaland in person. The virtual experience is designed for children of all ages and will be available Nov. 26-Dec. 24. Kids will travel virtually through Santaland, meet the elves, engage with magical holiday scenes, play games, and, of course, meet St. Nick himself. The experience ends with an interactive Santa selfie!
2. Zuhoo Santa Visits
Kids can have a live, virtual visit with Santa from the safety and comfort of home! You can even participate in a storytime with Santa or Mrs. Clause. Santa can communicate with children of all abilities: Santa knows ASL, and you can book a sensory-friendly session. Plus, you can choose preferences for ethnicity, language, and faith for a fully customized experience.
3. Santa Cameo
Typically a platform for fans to get pre-recorded videos from their favorite actors, musicians, comedians, and athletes, Cameo also has various Santas (there’s even a puppet Santa!) participating in the message service. You can preview videos of all the Santas available to choose the one you like best (or simply the one that fits your budget)!
4. Call Santa’s Hotline
If your child would rather not video with Santa (hey, sometimes we’d rather not be on camera either!), you can call Santa’s Hotline to hear a special greeting from the man in the red suit and your child can leave a message with all the items on their Christmas wish list. And when you call on a mobile phone, you’ll receive a text with a recording of your child’s wish list to share with family and friends. English: 1-605-303-4000; Spanish: 1-605-313-4001 (standard calling and messaging charges may apply).
5. Mail a Good-Old-Fashioned Letter to Santa
Okay, so this isn’t actually a virtual chat with Santa, but your child can write a letter to Santa, and they’ll receive a note from Kris Kringle himself (well, technically you…but it comes from the North Pole). All you have to do is place your child’s letter in an envelope addressed to Santa Claus, North Pole; write a personalized response to your child's letter and sign it "From Santa"; insert both letters into an envelope addressed to the child with the return address of SANTA, NORTH POLE; ensure a First-Class Mail stamp is affixed to the envelope; place the complete envelope into a larger envelope, with appropriate postage, and address it to:
-
North Pole Postmark
Postmaster
4141 Postmark Drive
Anchorage, AK 99530-9998
Just make sure to send the letter by Dec. 10 to ensure it gets to Santa’s helpers in time!
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