The Best Ways to Video Call & Take Pictures with Santa This Year in NY

UPDATED NOV. 19, 2020: This holiday season will look so different from any other we’ve celebrated, so it’s only normal that you’d want to ensure your children have the best Christmas possible—and that means seeing Santa to make sure he knows what’s on your child’s wish list! While the iconic Macy’s Santaland has gone virtual in an effort to keep everyone safe, there are plenty of places in the New York metro area that have socially distant and safe ways to meet and take pictures with Santa!

But if seeing Santa in person isn’t on your wish list this year, your child have a Zoom call or video chat with Santa to share their Christmas wish lists, get holiday wishes from jolly ol’ St. Nick in pre-recorded video messages, and more! Plus, when you have a video call with Santa, you can still receive a copy of your annual photo. So schedule your visit with Santa (many places require reservations, head out to cut your own Christmas tree, stop by to see some amazing Christmas light displays, and support local artists by shopping at a holiday market!

• 7 Ways to Video Call Santa in 2020
• Where to Take Pictures with Santa in 2020
  • Where to Take Pictures with Santa in Manhattan
  • Where to Take Pictures with Santa in Brooklyn
  • Where to Take Pictures with Santa in Queens
  • Where to Take Pictures with Santa in Westchester County
  • Where to Take Pictures with Santa in Rockland County
  • Where to Take Pictures with Santa in Bergen County, NJ
  • Where to Take Pictures with Santa in Nassau County
  • Where to Take Pictures with Santa in Suffolk County

7 Ways to Video Call Santa in 2020

Macy’s Santaland at Home
This year, Macy’s is bringing Santaland to your home, with a customized, interactive experience for up to three children at a time! Santaland elves at the North Pole-bound train station kick off the interaction with a special greeting and lead the way through Santa’s Village and Workshop. Kids will meet Santa at the end through an interactive video where they will be able to share their holiday wish list and snap a selfie with Santa. The best part is, unlike when you can visit Santaland in person, reservations aren’t needed—it’s a fully on-demand experience! Nov. 27-Dec. 24; on-demand; free.

Jingle Ring Virtual Santa
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 or have Santa send your child a personalized, pre-recorded message. 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. $24.95 live, virtual visit; $19.95 personalized, pre-recorded message.

Santa Claus is Coming to Zoom
While the holidays look different this year, the magic of the holidays can be shared with a Santa Zoom call! You can schedule an 8-minute video call with Santa for your children, and share some basic info with Santa beforehand so he’s ‘in the know’ to create a one-of-a-kind experience. After the call, you’ll receive a screenshot photo of your kids with Santa as a keepsake of this unique holiday season. $25 per person.

Personalized Santa Videos that Benefit Holtsville Ecology Site
Parents or loved ones can purchase a personalized video message from Santa for the kids in their life. Simply fill out a brief questionnaire about the child or children, and Santa will email them a one-of-a-kind video message! What’s more? All proceeds from the video sales will go directly to the feeding and care of the more than 100 animals that live at Holtsville Ecology Site. $25.

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)! $25-$75.

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. 1-605-303-4000 (standard calling and messaging charges may apply).

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. 7 to ensure it gets to Santa’s helpers in Anchorage in time!

Where to Take Pictures with Santa in 2020

Where to Take Pictures with Santa in Manhattan

North Pole Express in NYC
WHEN: Through Jan. 3, 2021: See website for schedule
WHERE: TopView, Sixth Avenue, between 47th and 48th streets, Midtown
AGES: All
WHAT: Meet with Santa, one of his elves, and our Express Conductor; enjoy Christmas carols and storytelling; take in stunning sights of Christmas lights above the crowd...there's so much more for you to discover on the North Pole Express! 
WANT TO GO? $49 and up. 212-664-0300. topviewnyc.com.

Where to Take Pictures with Santa in Brooklyn

Photos with Santa
WHEN: Nov. 20-Dec. 24, Monday-Saturday, 11am-7pm; Sunday, 12-6pm; Dec. 24, 9am-5pm
WHERE: Staten Island Mall, 2655 Richmond Ave., Staten Island
AGES: All
WHAT: Visit and have your photo taken with Santa at the Staten Island Mall! Face coverings for you and Santa may be required during your contactless visit based on current state regulations. Reservations required.
WANT TO GO? Photos: $39.99 and up. 718-761-6666. statenislandmall.com.

FREE Photos with Santa
WHEN: Dec. 4-24, see website for schedule
WHERE: Kings Plaza Shopping Center, 5100 Kings Plaza, Mill Basin
AGES: All
WHAT: Santa and his elves have made every effort to provide a memorable and contact free experience. A visit with Santa is always free and available without a reservation (though reservations are recommended) as social distancing requirements allow.
WANT TO GO? 718-253-6842. kingsplazaonline.com.

Where to Take Pictures with Santa in Queens

FREE Photos with Santa
WHEN: Dec. 4-24, see website for schedule
WHERE: Queens Center, 90-15 Queens Blvd., Elmhurst
AGES: All
WHAT: Santa and his elves have made every effort to provide a memorable and contact free experience. A visit with Santa is always free and available without a reservation (though reservations are recommended) as social distancing requirements allow.
WANT TO GO? 718-592-3900. shopqueenscenter.com.

FREE Photos with Santa
WHEN: Dec. 4-24, see website for schedule
WHERE: The Shops at Atlas Park, 8000 Cooper Ave., Glendale
AGES: All
WHAT: Santa and his elves have made every effort to provide a memorable and contact free experience. A visit with Santa is always free and available without a reservation (though reservations are recommended) as social distancing requirements allow.
WANT TO GO? 718-326-3300. shopatlaspark.com.

St. Nicholas Day
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 5, 12-5pm
WHERE: Vander Ende-Onderdonk House, 1820 Flushing Ave., Ridgewood
AGES: All
WHAT: Celebrate St. Nicholas Day at the Onderdonk House. Seasonal crafts, caroling, mulled cider, and of course a visit from St. Nicholas himself. Timed entry. Outdoor event. Please purchase tickets in advance, this is a limited capacity event! (Rain date Sunday, Dec. 6).
WANT TO GO? $10. 718-456-1776. onderdonkhouse.org.

Where to Take Pictures with Santa in Westchester County

Lights. Camera. Santa!
WHEN: Nov. 20-Dec. 24; see website for schedule
WHERE: The Westchester, 125 Westchester Ave., White Plains
AGES: All
WHAT: This Santa photo experience is socially distant, and Santa, his helpers, and all guests are required to wear masks. Reservations are required.
WANT TO GO? Photos: $39.99 and up. 914-421-1333. simon.com/mall/the-westchester.

Santa Visits and Photos
WHEN: Nov. 27-Dec. 24, Monday-Saturday, 11am-8pm; Sunday, 11am-7pm; Dec. 24, 9am-5pm
WHERE: Ridge Hill, 27 Market St., Yonkers
AGES: All
WHAT: Santa is coming to town, with safety in mind! Pre-purchase your photo package and schedule your contactless visit with Santa. The health and safety of guests and staff is top priority. Reservations to visit Santa are strongly encouraged.
WANT TO GO? Photos: $39.99 and up. 914-207-2900. ridgehill.com.

Cross County Center Photos with Santa
WHEN: Dec. 2-24, Monday-Saturday, 11am-3pm and 4-8pm; Sunday, 11am-2:30pm and 3-7pm; Dec. 24, 9am-1pm and 2-5pm
WHERE: Cross County Center, 8000 Mall Walk, Yonkers
AGES: All
WHAT: This year, Cross County Center is taking every precaution to create a healthy, safe, and comfortable environment for families. Santa will be featured in a new, custom space that allows for social distancing and a touch-free experience. You’ll be able to capture a magical photo of your family inside Santa’s workshop. And, while Santa is building toys, kids can watch from a safe distance, which will all be featured in the photo! Face coverings are required for the staff, Santa, and all guests. Hand sanitizer will be located at all entrances and exits for customers. Thorough cleanings with CDC-approved products and procedures will be made throughout the day. Reservations are strongly recommended and can be made through the center’s website. There will be limited time for walk-up guests.
WANT TO GO? Photos: $39.99 and up. 914-968-9570. Crosscountycenter.com.