Even though it’s his busy season, Santa Claus is coming to town to help kick off the holiday season and spread Christmas cheer in the Hudson Valley. Whether you’re joining him for breakfast or posing for a picture with him while finishing up your holiday shopping, know where to catch the big man in red at these seasonal events that are sure to put you in the holiday spirit.
Albany County
Crossgates Mall
Albany
December 5-8
While you’re getting your holiday shopping done this season, stop by Santaland in the Crossgates Mall. Santa is located on the lower level of the mall, and each child will receive a special gift with any photo purchase.
New York State Tree Lighting
Empire State Plaza, Albany
December 8, 12-8 p.m.
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Gather at Empire State Plaza in Albany this season for a magnificent tree lighting ceremony and fireworks festival. Enjoy demonstrations by the Hudson Mohawk Figure Skating Club, carvings by the Ice Farm, performances by Tuba Christmas, eggnog, coffee, and, of course, photo opportunities with Santa.
Columbia County
WinterFest
Village of Chatham
December 14, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Chatham’s highly anticipated WinterFest is jam-packed with holiday events like festive local shopping, food and drinks, carolers, raffles, cookie contests, and more. Children can hang out with Santa and Mrs. Claus in the village throughout the day.
WinterWalk & Winter Parade
Main Street, Valatie
December 14, 5 p.m.
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The “biggest small winter parade in Columbia County” is coming to town this weekend. The parade will be followed by live performances, face painting, a scavenger hunt, hayrides, a holiday tree lighting, and, of course, a visit from Santa. Catch the big man at the gymnasium inside the Martin H. Glynn School on Church Street.
Dutchess County
Poughkeepsie Galleria
Poughkeepsie
Through December 24
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Book your visit with Santa at the Poughkeepsie Galleria while you’re out shopping this holiday season. Spot the big man in red on the lower level near the mall entrance and snap your photos with him this season. Walk-ups are welcome, too!
Santa Brunch
The Links at Union Vale, Lagrangeville
December 8, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Enjoy a Christmas brunch that’s perfect for the whole family at The Links at Union Vale. Mr. and Mrs. Claus will be available throughout the meal for photos, and a prix-fixe menu is packed with all your breakfast favorites.
Santa’s Farm Visit
Fishkill Farms, Hopewell Junction
December 14, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
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Santa makes his annual visit to Fishkill Farms in the farm store this weekend. He’ll be taking photos and spreading holiday cheer from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. inside, and outside on the farm from 1-2 p.m. so that pets can be included in your family pictures. Grab some hot cider or cocoa while on the farm.
Santa Is Coming to Town
Shadows on the Hudson, Poughkeepsie
December 21, 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Get ready for a magical brunch with Santa at Shadows on the Hudson before Christmas. Enjoy a multi-course, prix-fixe menu with options like seasonal salads, kabobs, scallop risotto, seabass puttanesca, prime rib sandwich, and a special kids menu, then create festive holiday crafts in the venue’s Sunset Room.
Orange County
Winter Wonderland
Dogwood Acres Farm, Middletown
Through December 30
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Visit Dogwood Acres Farm in Middletown any time through December 30 for a seasonal Winter Wonderland experience. The festive event includes a drive-through lights show, delicious treats, fun games, farm animals, and visits with Santa.
Brunch With Santa
The Barn at Villa Venezia, Middletown
December 15; 10 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 1:30 p.m.
Enjoy baked treats, scrambled eggs, frittatas, breakfast pizzas, yogurt parfaits, pancakes, and any other breakfast foods you can think of at this morning event. Santa will be around to greet the children as they enjoy their meal, and parents can drop off presents at an earlier date for Mr. Claus to give to their kids during the breakfast.
Holiday Bricktacular
Legoland New York, Goshen
Through January 4
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It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Legoland New York in Goshen. The annual Holiday Bricktacular is back for all of December, featuring skating, holiday games, new festive shows, firepits with s’mores, a Lego Christmas tree, and a meet and greet with Lego Santa.
Putnam County
Holiday on the Lake
Hamlet of Carmel
December 7
As this year marks 30 years of Carmel’s annual Holiday on the Lake celebration, it’s sure to be a can’t-miss affair. A holiday market kicks things off at 2:30 p.m., followed by a chowder festival, hayrides with Santa, a tree lighting ceremony, live music, a parade of lights led by the big man himself, and a final tree lighting ceremony of 70 trees along Lake Gleneida.
Breakfast With Santa
Putnam County Golf Course, Mahopac
December 15, 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
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Join others at the Putnam County Golf Course for one of two Breakfast with Santa seatings. Morning favorites like scrambled eggs, home fries, bacon, French toast, fruit, and muffins are on the menu. Bring your cameras to take pictures with Santa Claus himself, and watch out for the Grinch lurking around the venue!
Rockland County
Breakfast With Santa
Bear Mountain Inn, Tomkins Cove
Through December 22
Bear Mountain is one of the best spots to celebrate the holidays this December. Join Santa for breakfast at Restaurant 1915 at the Inn every Saturday and Sunday until December 22, and head to the ice-skating rink to spend the rest of your day afterwards. The elves are sure to keep children entertained with festive activities while they wait to meet Santa.
Photos With Santa
Palisades Center, West Nyack
Until December 24
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While shopping for gifts this season, capture the magic of the holidays with a picture of Santa. He will be set up on the fourth level of the Palisades Center, along with all his North Pole necessities and ambiance. Book your visit online to lock in your date and time and receive a phone call from Santa while he is expecting you!
Sullivan County
Dinner With Santa
Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, Bethel
December 14, 21; 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.
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Bring the kids to Bethel Woods this December to enjoy a special buffet dinner with family, friends, and Santa! Guests are required to arrive on time to enjoy the prix-fixe buffet and spend as much time with Santa as possible.
Ulster County
Snowflake Festival
Uptown Kingston
December 6, 6 p.m.
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Get ready for Uptown Kingston Business Association’s annual Snowflake Festival. Uptown Kingston will be transformed into a magical winter wonderland with tree lightings, Victorian carolers, brass choir, face painting, photo ops, jugglers, flame throwers, aerialists, and a meet and greet with Santa.
Light up the Hamlet
Highland
December 13, 6-8 p.m.
Celebrate Friday the 13th with holiday cheer at Highland’s annual Light up the Hamlet event. Take pictures with Santa, enjoy yummy treats, and warm up with hot chocolate at the bright and merry celebration.
Photos With Santa
Robibero Winery, New Paltz
December 15, 2-4 p.m.
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Visiting Robibero Winery for the first time ever, Santa will be at the vineyard on Sunday, December 15. The free event is fun for kids and pets, who can warm up with hot cocoa and roasted marshmallows, while adults can indulge in the venue’s namesake wines and other holiday spirits.
Westchester County
Head over to our sister publication Westchester Magazine for places to spot Santa in Westchester.
Related: Where to See the Brightest Holiday Lights in the Hudson Valley
