The Best Places to Meet Santa in NYC 2018

By NYMetroParents Calendar Editor November 19, 2018

Here are some of the best places to meet Santa Claus in Brooklyn and Queens, plus Staten Island!

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, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island. Plus, check out our guides for Long Island and Westchester, Rockland, and Bergen counties!

Photos with Santa in Brooklyn

FREE Winterfest
WHEN: Nov. 23 - Dec. 31 , Check schedule for details
WHERE: Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn
AGES: All
WHAT: Winter Wonderland features winter activities, holiday shopping from local and international vendors, and cultural programs.
WHY WE LOVE IT: Don't miss an enchanted tree maze, an interactive chocolate dome, a giant snowglobe, Santa Land, and much more!
WANT TO GO? 718-344-8962. winterfestbrooklynmuseum.com.

FREE Santaland
WHEN: Nov. 23 - Dec. 24 , daily, see website for store hours
WHERE: Macy's, 151 W. 34th St., 8th floor, Midtown
AGES: All
WHAT: Every holiday season, visitors from around the world gather at the 13,000-square-foot Christmas village for a special visit with Santa Claus.
WANT TO GO? 212-494-4495. macys.com/santaland.

Town Square's Annual Santa Brunch
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 2 , 9:30am, 11:30am, and 1:30pm
WHERE: Greenpoint Beer and Ale, 7 N. 15th St., Greenpoint
AGES: 3-17
WHAT: Get free photos taken with Santa, make arts and crafts, and enjoy a delicious homemade brunch.
WANT TO GO? $15-$20. 347-987-2765. townsquareinc.com.

FREE Dumbo Holiday Tree Lighting
WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 6 , 4pm
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 a toy drive.
WANT TO GO? dumbo.is.

Photos with Santa!
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 8 , 10am-12pm
WHERE: The Old Stone House, 336 3rd St., Park Slope
AGES: All
WHAT: Get your family photos taken with Santa!
WANT TO GO? $10. 718-768-3195. theoldstonehouse.org.

Photos with Santa on Staten Island

Beastly Feast with Santa
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 15 , 9:30-11am or 1-2:30pm
WHERE: Staten Island Zoo, 614 Broadway, Staten Island
AGES: All
WHAT: Enjoy either breakfast or lunch with Santa, see the animals, ride the carousel, and make holiday arts and crafts!
WANT TO GO? $30; $20 children ages 3-14; free for children 2 and younger . 718-442-3101. statenislandzoo.org.

Photos with Santa in Queens

FREE Christmas in the Garden
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 2 , 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.

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'The Nutcracker' By The Joffrey Ballet School
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 16 , 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, and just when you think the excitement has ended, participants can visit Santa in the magical toyland.
WANT TO GO? $20; $10 children. 718-482-5151. lpac.nyc.

FREE Santa Parade
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 17 , 11am-2pm
WHERE: Queens Center Mall, 90-15 Queens Blvd., Mall Management, Elmhurst
AGES: 3 and older
WHAT: Bring the kids and join a festive holiday event to kick off the season! We will officially open the HGTV Santa HQ with a Santa Parade, formal ribbon cutting, strolling holiday entertainment, live music, free craft for kids, and more!
WANT TO GO? 718-592-3901. shopqueenscenter.com.

FREE Tree Lighting Ceremony
WHEN: Friday, Nov. 30 , 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.

Breakfast with Santa and Operating Christmas Train Display
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 1 , 10am-12:30pm
WHERE: Sacred Heart of Jesus R.C. Church, 215-35 38th Ave., Bayside
AGES: All
WHAT: Meet and Greet with Santa over continental style breakfast, craft tables, vintage postwar trains in action, and a photo with Santa.
WANT TO GO? $15 advance; $20 at the door. 718-631-4804. facebook.com/sacredheartbayside.

Cookies with Santa
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 16 , 1:30-2:30pm and 4:30-5:30pm
WHERE: My Gym Fresh Meadows, 176-60 Union Turnpike, Suite 310, Fresh Meadows
AGES: 3-5
WHAT: Bring the kids to enjoy Christmas songs, dances, games, relays, cookies and milk, and pictures with Santa.
WANT TO GO? $18. 718-380-4599. mygym.com/queens.

The Nutcracker and Visit to Santa's Toyland
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 16 , 3:30pm
WHERE: Laguardia Performing Arts Center Mainstage Theater , 31-10 Thomson Ave., Long Island City
AGES: 5-12
WHAT: Enjoy this charming tale of holiday adventure that follows a little girl’s journey through a fantasy world of dolls, toy soldiers, an army of mice, snowflakes, princes, and fairies, plus visit Santa in a magical toyland and receive a free gift.
WANT TO GO? $20. 718-482-5151. lpac.nyc.