Best Places to Take Pictures with Santa in NYC

When it comes to Santa, my children have been around the block once or twice. They've sat on the laps of just about every Kris Kringle in town, making googly-eyes and whispering sweet nothings into their ears, as if each one were the only true Santa in their hearts, when really, they've got a different Santa in just about every neighborhood. So you've come to the right place to get the skinny on the fat man.

These days, you can find a Santa ho-ho-ho-ing it up at most holiday events in the city. But we've rounded up 14 seasonal spots—including two brand-new ones for 2011—where you can take truly one-of-a-kind pictures with Santa in NYC.

ABC Carpet & Home – Union Square
888 Broadway between 18th and 19th Streets
Weekends through Sunday, December 18: Saturdays 10am-3pm and Sundays 11am-3pm.
FREE
Seeing Santa at this fancy home goods store is a lavish, Victorian affair with a setting draped in crushed velvet and filled with sumptuous housewares. ABC's Santa has gotten more popular over the last few years, but it's still one of the best places to see Santa with little or no wait. Sometimes your kid even snags a small but stylish ornament as a freebie.
Photo Tip: You can take your own photos, but the lighting isn't great, so bring a camera that works well in low light.

Sant-A-Box – Downtown Brooklyn
Intersection of Willoughby Street and the Flatbush Avenue Extension
Weekends through Saturday, December 24 11am-4pm
FREE
There's a new Santa in town! The fabulous Dekalb Market, which opened earlier this year, has a super-hip Santa in a tricked-out suit, sitting on a throne of hay bales covered in eco-friendly shrink-wrap. On weekends, he hangs out in a repurposed shipping container surrounded by snowflakes, glitter and all around coolness. On weekdays, Santa will be MIA, but the market provides costumes so visitors can dress up and make their own holiday photo op.
Photo Tip: Bring your own camera. Photo packages aren't available.

South Street Seaport – South Street Seaport
South Street Seaport Mall, third floor
Daily through Saturday, December 24 11am-7pm
To be determined
It doesn't look like there's a Santa storytime at the Seaport this year. Instead, kids can pose with Old Saint Nick and then take advantage of special offers from Shutterfly to create holiday cards and photo books. Make sure you swing by the Seaport's gorgeous Chorus Tree, where there are holiday musical performances on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Macy's Santaland – Midtown West
151 West 34th Street between Broadway and Seventh Avenue, 8th Floor
Daily through Saturday, December 24; weekdays 9am-9pm, weekends 8am-9pm. On Christmas Eve: 7am-4:30pm.
Photo packages are $19-$50
We can't totally knock this famous annual installation. It's one of the hugest productions of the New York City holiday season. Yes the line tends to be long but there's plenty to look at while you're waiting. You'll not only see Santa but a whole North Pole village, elves, an enchanted forest with animatronic toys and a train display. Plus there's a Miracle on 34th Street musical puppet show for an extra $5.
Photo Tip: Visitors are encouraged to purchase photos taken by employees. They're not cheap but they usually come out well and come with a free Santaland frame.

Bloomingdale's – Midtown East
1000 Third Ave between 59th and 60th Streets, 8th Floor
Daily through Friday, December 23: Monday-Friday 11am-6pm;
Saturday-Sunday 10am-6pm; closes at noon on Friday, December 23.
Photo packages are $20–$45
Bloomies has its own Santaland, and while it's not as spectacular as Macy's, it's usually a lot less crowded.

Queens Center Mall – Elmhurst
90-15 Queens Boulevard between 57th and 59th Avenues, Level Three
Daily through Saturday, December 24: Monday-Saturday 11am-8pm; Sunday noon-7pm; Christmas Eve 11am-5pm.
Photo packages are $23–$46
Santa meets his young fans in the mall's JCPenney wing. Kids walk away with an unnamed free gift. You can even bring the four-legged members of your family: Sunday, December 11 is Pet Photo Night.
Photo Tip: Swing by to see Santa before Monday, December 7 and save $3 on your photo packages.

Kings Plaza – Mill Basin
5117 Avenue U at Flatbush Avenue
Daily through Saturday, December 24: Monday-Saturday 11am-9pm; Sunday noon-8pm; Christmas Eve 9am-6pm.
To be determined
This Brooklyn mall Santa sticks around all season, which gives you ample opportunities to catch him. Plus word is there's rarely a line.

Bronx Santaland – Morrisania
Liberty Development Community Center, 974 Home Street between Hoe and Vyse Avenues
Fridays, December 2, 9, 16 and 23 4-8pm; Saturday, December 3, 10 and 17 1:30-7:30pm; Sundays December 4 and 16 1:30-7:30pm; Tuesday, December 20-Thursday, December 22 4-8pm.
Photo packages are $12-$45
A brand-new attraction for Bronx families. We haven't checked it out in person, but the organizers say that in addition to Santa, there will be a Christmas mini-play and homemade mini-cakes and cookies. On Christmas Eve day, Bronx Santaland will host three kids' parties (12:30pm, 2:30pm and 4:30pm) with dancing, holiday stories, cupcakes and a visit with Old Saint Nick for $10 per person.

Ripley's Believe It or Not! – Midtown West
234 West 42nd Street between Broadway and Eighth Avenue
December 3-24: Saturdays noon-7pm; Monday, December 26-Thursday, December 29 noon-7pm.
Admission: $32.61 for adults, $26.09 for children ages 4-12, but you can buy discounted tickets online. Santa photos cost extra.
The Times Square Odditorium takes a different angle on holiday photo ops: the Reverse Santa Family Photo. Here "Little Santa" sits on your lap. It's definitely different although quite expensive. But if you have out-of-town visitors or feel like playing tourist, Ripley's makes for an offbeat seasonal outing.
Photo Tip: Prints, key chains, magnets or CDs will be available to purchase. Prices to be determined.

Santa in Central Park – Harlem
Charles A. Dana Discovery Center in Central Park, enter at 110th Street between Lenox and Fifth Avenues
Sunday, December 4 at 4pm
FREE
Unfortunately, it looks like Santa won't be setting up shop in Belvedere Castle in 2011 the way he has in years past. However, Old Saint Nick will drop by Central Park's Charles A. Dana Center Holiday Lighting celebration. Children can (briefly) meet Santa and take pics at this lovely locale, and enjoy holiday arts and crafts, live music and hot chocolate.
Photo Tip: Bring your own camera. Photo packages aren't available. And be quick about it! Santa doesn't stay very long.

The Winter Garden in the World Financial Center – Battery Park City
220 Vesey Street at West Street
Friday, December 9 and Saturday, December 10 10am-1pm, 2-7pm; Sunday, December 11 10am-1pm, 2-5pm.
Photo packages are $15-$20
Visit with Santa, reindeer and some lively elves, and then have your picture taken by a professional photographer. Yes, the photo packages are pricey, but all proceeds go to the Brooke Jackman Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on improving literacy among at-risk children in the New York area. This event tends to be very crowded, but the fantastic photos are worth it. And from 1-2pm when Santa takes a well-earned break, kids can hear Christmas stories read by librarians from the nearby New York Public Library's Battery Park City branch.

SantaCon – Citywide
Various locations. Visit the website for more info.
Saturday, December 10 all day
FREE

For a truly wild holiday picture, try posing with one of the marauding Santas of SantaCon when this annual event takes over NYC on Saturday, December 10. Sign up for the event's Twitter feed to find out where they'll be invading but take care: this event is not for families. Could make for a great Christmas card though.
Photo Tip: Take your own camera and your chances!

New York City Fire Museum – Hudson Square
278 Spring Street between Hudson and Varick Streets
Sunday, December 11 at 11:30am
$8 for adults, children under 12 $1
For an off-the-wall visit with Santa, check out the Fire Museum's annual Santa Rescue. Old Saint Nick gets stuck on the roof and the firefighters have to get out their hook and ladder to save him. Families can watch the outdoor rescue, and then head inside for a holiday party with hot dogs and hot chocolate for sale, and lively tunes by John Clacher’s Firehouse Band. The highlight is, of course, the kids posing with Santa. Just be warned, this event is super crowded (even last year, during a huge rainstorm!), so expect a long line and limited face time with Santa. We strongly recommend buying tickets in advance.
Photo Tip: Bring your own camera. Photo packages aren't available.

Circle Line NYC Santa Cruise – Midtown West
Pier 83, West 42nd Street and the Hudson River
Saturday, December 17 11am-1pm
$3 plus one new unwrapped toy
Update: As of December 9, this cruise is sold out. A two-hour sightseeing cruise and a visit with Santa, all for a few bucks and a donation to Toys for Tots. Your $3 buys you a fun cruise around the Statue of Liberty, milk and cookies, holiday songs and a wallet-sized photo of your child with the big red guy. A fun way to celebrate the season and experience the joy of giving. This one always sells out so buy your tickets in advance.
 

Check out our Holiday Guide for lots of other ways to celebrate the season in NYC and find great gift ideas in our NYC Shopping Local Gift Guide.