Santa is on his way. Here is where to meet him in Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens this season, from free visits at City Point, to Kings Plaza, Hudson Yards and Queens Center to Macy's reimagined Santaland at Herald Square. Santa also appears at several neighborhood tree lightings, including Park Slope, DUMBO, Sunset Park and Owl’s Head Park; see our guide to holiday tree lightings in New York City. For more of the season, see our guides to family-friendly holiday experiences in New York and holiday markets in Brooklyn.
December 5–13 | 445 Albee Square West | FREE | Get a ticket here
Bring the family to City Point for free professional portraits with Santa and holiday crafts, plus the DeKalb Market Hall tree lighting on Saturday, December 5, 4–5pm, and Holiday Pajama Day on Sunday, December 6. A ticket does not reserve a spot or guarantee a photo: scan the QR code on site to join the waitlist, which closes once it reaches capacity for the day, so arrive early.
November 20–December 24, closed Thanksgiving | Hours vary, see the schedule | Visits are free, photo packages for purchase
Santa is on Level 2, near Verizon, at 5100 Kings Plaza. Booking is recommended and walk-ins are welcome. Black Santa Sundays run November 22 and 29 and December 6, 13 and 20, 11am–7pm. Pet Nights are November 23 and December 7, 4–7pm.
Saturday and Sunday, November 21–22 | 10am–4pm | 102 Willow Street
Greet Santa and snap a photo with him at the Danish Seamen's Church's fair.
Saturday, November 28 | 4:30–5:30pm | 5th Avenue at 4th Street
Photos with Santa at this Small Business Saturday tree lighting. The tree is lit at 5:15pm.
Wednesday, December 2 | 6pm | Owl’s Head Park, Park House, 68th Street and Colonial Road
Santa visits Bay Ridge Cares’ tree lighting with gifts for the kids, plus snacks and hot cocoa.
Thursday, December 3 | 4–7pm, tree lit at 5:30pm | Dumbo Archway and Plaza
Santa Claus and his elves come to the DUMBO BID’s tree lighting in the Archway, with a photobooth and hot cocoa.
Friday, December 4 | 3–5pm | In front of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 60th Street and 5th Avenue
Photos with Santa aboard the trolley, free gift bags for children, festive music and holiday entertainment.
Saturday, December 5 | 10am, 11am, 12:30pm and 1:30pm | St. John’s Lutheran, 155 Milton Street | Kids $25 online ($30 at the door), parents $10 ($15 at the door)
Town Square BK’s Santa visit comes with hot chocolate and homemade cookies to decorate. Families can take their own photos with Santa for free; a professional photographer is there for a fee.
Saturday, December 5 | 2–6pm | Compass, 136 North 10th Street | FREE
Complimentary photos with Santa at Compass in Williamsburg. Bring an unwrapped toy for the Toys for Tots drive; cookies are provided.
November through December | 62 Thomas Street | Kids $65, adults $45, plus booking fees; under 2 no ticket | See dates and tickets
Kids travel through the North Pole and finish with a personal visit and a professional photo with Santa. Brunch and drinks are extra, from an à la carte menu.
Opens November 27 | FREE with a reservation, required | Reservations open November 20
Macy's reimagined Santaland takes guests aboard the North Star Express to the North Pole. Free reservations are released seven days before each visit, for up to 8 people, and Macy's says wait times are typically 30 to 90 minutes. Photo packages start at $44.99. A Premium Experience with a longer visit, a story and a photo package is $250 per group.
November 27–December 23, Mondays to Fridays | 5–8pm | FREE
Santa flies his sleigh to The Shops at Hudson Yards, Level 3. Visits and photos are free and first come, first served, and four-legged friends are welcome too.
November 28–29 and December 5–6 | Entry at 10am and 11:45am | Ticketed | Tickets here
Hang out with Santa in the heated Polar Lounge at Bank of America Winter Village, with holiday treats, festive crafts, skate rentals and an extended ice skating session. Every guest needs a ticket.
Tuesday, December 1 | Fulton and Front Streets | FREE
Last year's lighting was billed with a meet-and-greet with Santa. The Seaport has posted this year's date and promises more details soon.
Monday, December 7, Tuesday, December 15 and Wednesday, December 16 | 8–11am | Reserve a table, food is extra
Santa visits Revel & Rye at the New York Marriott Marquis. The reservation holds your table only: the breakfast buffet and à la carte menu are paid separately.
December 14–18 | 10am–12pm | FREE
Join Santa by the carousel and snap a free photo.
November 20–December 24, closed Thanksgiving | Hours vary, see the schedule | Visits are free, photo packages for purchase
Santa is on Level 3, between Champs and Jamba Juice, at 90-15 Queens Boulevard. Booking is recommended. A sensory-friendly session runs December 6, 9–10:30am, and Pet Nights are November 23 and 30 and December 7, 4–7pm, and December 14, 4–9pm.
Wednesday, December 2 | 6–7:30pm | FREE
An early visit from Santa for photos at this annual lighting, plus warm refreshments and a bicycle-and-helmet giveaway for several children.
Friday, December 4 | 6–8pm | Chase Bank Plaza, Forest Parkway and Jamaica Avenue
Photos with Santa, holiday songs and surprises for the little ones at the Woodhaven BID’s tree lighting.
Sunday, December 6 | 2–5pm | 43-50 Main Street | $6 non-members, included with admission, free for members
Snap photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, then join the lantern walk to the tree lighting. The garden says a ticket link is coming soon.
Sunday, December 13 | 4pm | LaGuardia Performing Arts Center, 31-10 Thomson Avenue | $30
After the performance, head to the Little Theater for a photo with Santa. Each child leaves with a soft toy.
