Our overview of Santa visits includes holiday events in DUMBO, Downtown Brooklyn, BoCoCa, Park Slope, Red Hook, Sunset Park and beyond where kids can meet Santa (and Mrs. Claus) and snap a family photo!
City Maze | DUMBO
Open 7 days a week | 11am-11pm | Santa photos from 1-9pm | $25/adult, $10/children 10 and under
City Maze is the newest Christmas attraction in the DUMBO and Brooklyn Heights area! City Maze offers guests the chance to get lost and explore a life sized maze made entirely of Christmas lights. Once in the maze, guests are challenged to find 9 Christmas-themed photo opps hidden throughout the maze. Additionally, from the hours of 1pm-9pm Santa makes a special appearance! At no additional cost, guests can get their photos taken with Santa in front of the city skyline and Brooklyn Bridge! Located at 25 Columbia Heights (at the intersection of Vine Street and Columbia Heights), City Maze is open 7 days per week from 11am to 11pm.
Santa’s Hollow at Bed-Stuy Gateway BID’s Winter Wonderland | Bed-Stuy
Thursdays–Sundays | 12-6pm | FREE
Bed Stuy Gateway BID’s Winter Wonderland is pop-up holiday marketplace located at Marcy Plaza in Bed Stuy. Visit Santa’s Hollow and get a souvenir picture with Santa and Mrs. Claus! Winter Wonderland also features live entertainment, fashion showcases and live music from local DJs. Check the full calendar of events here.
SantaLand at Atlantic Terminal Mall | Downtown Brooklyn
Through December 24 | $5 for 15 minutes
Need pics with Santa? Santa Land has been a holiday family tradition with a for over 15 years! The month-long celebration kicks off with a parade at 12pm on Saturday, December 7. Capture precious memories with your family, friends and pets at various Santa Land events, including Pet Nights, Storytime with Santa, and a sensory-friendly night! Click here for the month’s full schedule and to book. Walk-ins are accepted, but appointments take priority.
POSTPONED: DUMBO Holiday Tree Lighting | DUMBO
POSTPONED DUE TO RAIN: Wednesday, December 18 | 4-7pm | FREE
Join for carols, calypso and cocoa in the Dumbo Archway Plaza. The tree will be lit at 5:30pm sharp. Enjoy Santa in a photo booth, holiday music, and performances. Bring an unwrapped toy, coat, or non-perishables for the toy drive, coat drive, and food drive. Plus, there will be hot cocoa, sweet treats, and mulled cider (for sale at The Archway Bar). Learn more here!
Free Santa Portrait Studio at City Point | Downtown Brooklyn
December 14 & 15 | 11am-3pm | FREE | RSVP here
Capture the joy of the season with a free portrait at the Santa Studio, featuring the jolly man himself in a red suit and a holiday-inspired backdrop. December 15: Mama and Papa Claus! One free portrait per family. Additional photos for purchase.
The Black Santa Experience at Dekalb Market | Downtown Brooklyn
December 14-15 & 21-22 | 1-8pm | FREE
Bring your family to meet Santa and his elf assistant, enjoy a 360° interactive camera, and make magical memories on December14-15, and 21-22 from 1 PM to 8 PM!
Visit from Santa | Sunset Park
Saturday, December 14 | 5-7pm | FREE
Visit the Sunset Park Christmas Tree (4th Street and 5th Avenue) for a chance to meet Santa and snap a photo!
Santa Brunch at Chela | Park Slope
Sunday, December 15, Saturday, December 21 & Sunday, December 22 | 11am-2pm | $25/child, $40/adult
Experience the magic of Christmas during Chela’s Santa brunches. Spend one-on-one time with Santa, as he goes around to every table to spread Christmas cheer, take photos and chat Christmas wishlists while you sit back and enjoy a delicious brunch (and maybe a margarita or two!) This is great for nervous littles, exhausted parents, and anyone who wants a little Christmas magic in their life. Price of ticket includes an entree of your choice and soft drink. View the full menu here. These brunches sell out every year, so don’t wait!
Holiday Extravaganza at Brooklyn Conservatory of Music | Park Slope
Sunday, December 15 | 3-5pm | RSVP required | Pay as you wish
BKCM is hosting their first Holiday Extravaganza, a multicultural, inclusive winter celebration. In addition to photos with Santa, there will be Christmas caroling, music performances, holiday crafts from around the world, and more!
Free Photos with Santa at Peanut and Honey | Williamsburg
Friday, December 20 @1-6pm | Saturday, December 21 @9am-5pm | Sunday, December 22 @9am-2pm | FREE | Walk in or book online!
Come meet Santa at Peanut and Honey! Join our complimentary event to snap photos with Santa, captured by our pro photographer. Appointments first, Walk-ins welcome! Come on by or book online!
Santa Claus at Good Day Play Cafe | Park Slope
Friday, December 20 | 3:30-5:30pm | $50/child | Reserve here
Kick off your holiday break with Santa! Come meet Santa, take pictures, and play! Your ticket includes a picture with Santa, snowman stocking foam ornament craft kit, hot cocoa, pizza for kids, goodie bag to take home, and open play until 5:30pm! Limited space! Reservations required.
Holiday Meet & Greet with Old Saint Nick at 333 Lounge | Prospect Heights
Saturday, December 21 | 11:30am-1:30pm | FREE
Join us for a Holiday Meet & Greet with Old Saint Nick at 333 Lounge, hosted by Lips Cafe. Photo-op fun for the whole family. Pets are welcome!
Meet Santa at Time Out Market | DUMBO
Saturday, December 21 | 2-5pm | FREE
This December, Time Out Market is hosting Holiday Character Meet & Greets, with special appearances from a Gingerbread Man, Frosty, and on December 21, Santa, The Grinch, and Rudolph!
Breakfast with Santa at Applebee’s | Bed Stuy
Sunday, December 22 | 8:30-10am | $15 tickets | Purchase tickets in person or here
Join Santa for breakfast and holiday cheer at Applebee’s! The event will feature a delicious breakfast, a photo with Santa Claus, raffle, goodies, and more. Each breakfast includes eggs, pancakes, sausage, and a choice of coffee or orange juice. Tickets are $15 per person, available at participating Applebee’s or on Eventbrite.
Skate with Santa at Domino Park | Williamsburg
Sunday, December 22 | 9am-1pm | $22 admission, $12 skate rental | Tickets here
Join Santa on the ice at Skate at Domino Park! Grab your crew, enjoy the views, and make some holiday memories at SKATE at Domino Park, NYC’s newest ice rink! Purchase a regular admission ticket between 9AM and 1PM to skate with the big guy himself. And yes, it’s the real Santa—he’s making an early stop in Williamsburg. Learn more about the Domino Park rink here!
Santa’s Stop at Station 88 | Clinton Hill
Monday, December 23 | 2-4pm | FREE
Jump on the Santa Express Train on Monday, December 23rd and head over to the 88th Precinct! Enjoy some snacks and refreshments with a DJ spinning all of your favorite holiday hits. Bring the kids out, and you may get a surprise gift from Santa!
Selfies with Santa at Brookfield Place | Lower Manhattan
Through December 24 | FREE
Everyone’s invited to Holiday Under the Palms at Brookfield Place to get a selfie with Santa! On select dates, bring your pup for a fur-tastic photo op with Santa. Click here to see all hours for Santa Selfies, as well as hours for dogs to take photos with Santa!
Updated: December 21, 2024. Main Image: Free Santa Portrait Studio at City Point.
