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!
Sunset Park Tree Lighting | Sunset Park
Friday, December 6 | 3-6pm | FREE
Sunset Park’s tree lighting will take place in front of Our Lady of Perpetual Help 60th Street and 5th Avenue, and guests can take pictures with Santa! The event will also feature a historic trolly, clown performances, music, and free goodie bags for the first 200 children!
Carroll Park Tree Lighting | Carroll Gardens
Friday, December 6 | 5-7pm | FREE
Join Friends of Carroll Park and the Court Street Merchants for music and refreshments. Music starts at 5pm; tree lighting and the arrival of a visitor from the North Pole at 6pm!
Cookies with Santa at FourFiveSix | Williamsburg
Saturday, December 7 | $20/child online, $30 at the door | $10/adult online, $15 at the door
Santa’s coming to Williamsburg for a fun time at FourFiveSix, hosted by Town Square BK. There will be hot chocolate, holiday cookie decorating, live music, and of course, photos with Santa!
Children’s Party with Santa & Olaf at Hoyt Street Garden | Boerum Hill
Saturday, December 7 | 12-3pm | FREE
Don’t miss the annual party with Santa and Olaf at the Hoyt Street Garden, located at 98 Hoyt Street. Children are invited to create DIY ornaments to decorate the fences of the local garden!
Santa’s Hollow at Bed-Stuy Gateway BID’s Winter Wonderland | Bed-Stuy
Thursdays–Sundays in December | 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
November 30–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.
Free Santa Portrait Studio at City Point | Downtown Brooklyn
December 7 & 8 and 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.
Breakfast with Santa at Dave and Buster’s | Downtown Brooklyn
Saturday, December 7 | 9-11am | $27.91–$32.62
Santa Claus is coming to Dave & Buster’s! Score a ho-ho-whole morning of family fun with exclusive early access to the store. Forget the long lines at the mall. There’s no better place to meet Mr. Claus! Kids can play games and get a photo with Santa. There will be a breakfast buffet with coffee, tea, juices, and soda. See all ticket options here. First 25 guests to purchase a Santa ticket will get a free swag bag!
Photos with Santa and Hot Chocolate at Friends of Firefighters | Red Hook
Saturday, December 7 | 11am-1pm | $20 suggested donation
Join Friends of Firefighters at their 199 Van Brunt Street headquarters for their annual Santa Party! Festivities will include arts & crafts, treats, and a visit from Santa! They will also be holding a toy drive, toy donations are highly encouraged! A $20 suggested donation at the door will go to support their Bravest Children program.
Get a Photo with Mrs. Claus at Brooklyn Women’s Exchange | Brooklyn Heights
Saturday, December 7 | 11am-4pm | $35 donation | Sign up here
Santa is nice and all, but how about some love for Mrs. Claus? The marvelous Missus and her elf will be taking the Polar Express straight from the North Pole to the Brooklyn Women’s Exchange, arriving on Saturday, December 7! Bring your children, pets or family between 11 am to 4 pm to take a photo with the woman who doesn’t get enough credit. A $35 donation will get you a digital photo and help keep the mission of Brooklyn Women’s Exchange alive. Sign up for a timeslot at this link.
Photos with Santa at Old Stone House | Park Slope
Saturday December 7 | 10am-12pm | $33.85 | Choose time slot here
Park Slope Parents and Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID host this popular photo session with Santa. Photographer Marc Goldberg will make his professional photos available on his website for purchase, and families are welcome to snap their own photos as well. Learn more and purchase tickets for your time slot here!
Santa Brunch at Chela | Park Slope
Sunday, December 8 & 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!
DUMBO Holiday Tree Lighting | DUMBO
Wednesday, December 11 | 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!
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!
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.
Selfies with Santa at Brookfield Place | Lower Manhattan
November 29–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 2, 2024. Main Image: Free Santa Portrait Studio at City Point.
