A beautiful backdrop and professional photos make PaleyLand's Santa experience a must.

Santa Photos and Character Meet-and-Greets

The Santa experience at PaleyLand is a good one! At the end of a winding wintry path, Jolly Old Saint Nick happily accepts kids’ wish lists and patiently smiles for family photos. Not only can you snap some pictures on your own phone, but you can opt for printed and digital copies of the professional photographer’s best shot–which are free for Paley members and $10 for non-members.

Check the Character Schedule to see what other guests are visiting PaleyLand, from Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer to Blizz the Snowman. You’ll also find festive Instagram-worthy backdrops throughout the museum for more holiday photo ops!

All aboard The Paley Express–a magical holiday train display on the second floor. Photo courtesy of PaleyLand

Holiday Movie Magic and Special Events

PaleyLand features daily screenings of a curated mix of beloved holiday specials in the second floor theater. Catch family-friendly classics like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, A Rugrats Chanukah, and Mickey Saves Christmas. While you're there, don't miss The Paley Express–a magical holiday train display right next door.

Throughout the season, you’ll find other special holiday screenings too, complete with live characters, crafts, and take-home gifts. Snap a photo on the red carpet before settling in for a viewing of the new Inside Out-inspired limited television series Dream Productions. Or catch holiday episodes of The Snoopy Show and meet the beloved beagle himself!

Stop by The Paley Library for festive craft projects, like construction paper trees and snowmen.

Holiday Arts and Crafts in The Paley Library

On the fourth floor, you’ll find The Paley Archive–home to the museum’s extensive digital media library and a festive crafts area. This is undoubtedly my kids’ favorite stop, where they love decorating construction paper Christmas trees with ribbons and gluing together pre-cut snowman pieces before settling down at the computers to browse the catalog of 160,000+ shows, movies, and radio programs.

My husband and I get a kick out of pulling up episodes of The Smurfs, Duck Tales, and other childhood favorites to show our girls. Comfy chairs and computers equipped with multiple sets of adjustable headphones make it easy for everyone to tune in together–and it’s so nostalgic!

The family-friendly space houses more than 65 games on over 20 gaming stations. Photo courtesy of PaleyLand

PaleyGX Gaming Studio with Virtual Reality

The PaleyGX Gaming and VR Studio is a can’t-miss stop on your PaleyLand adventure. The family-friendly space houses more than 65 games on over 20 gaming stations, including Xbox Series X and Nintendo Switch. The impressive lineup also features a range of immersive VR games paired with the latest PlayStation™ VR2 and Oculus Quest 2 headsets. While the studio is open to all ages, note that there’s an $10 admission fee for any non-members ages 12 and up. Members have free access.

What to Know Before You Visit The Paley Center

• Reserve tickets: Purchase advance tickets online. Select an entry time and stay all day!
• Pricing: Kids under 12 get in FREE, adults pay $20.00, and there are discounts for students, teachers, seniors, first responders, and veterans.
• Add-Ons: Santa photos and PaleyGX Studio access have additional fees for non-members, but if you become a member, they're all included.
• Ages: Most of PaleyLand is for all ages, but the VR systems in PaleyGX require kids to be 12 or 13 years old.
• No food or drink: Eating and drinking aren't permitted, but you might catch some hot chocolate in the lobby.
• Tech-ready: Charge up your camera or phone for all those holiday photo ops.
• Accessibility: Strollers are welcome, and the entire museum is wheelchair accessible.
• Extras: Assisted listening devices are available, and the Paley Library has closed-captioning for over 1,000 television programs.
• Travel light: There's no coat check, so keep it simple.
• Make it a party!: The PaleyGX Studio was voted Best Children’s Party Place in Manhattan by Bethpage Best of the City, and can be reserved for private events!

The Paley Museum is conveniently located at 25 West 52 Street, between 5th and 6th Avenues– making it an easy stop along with other holiday must-sees like Radio City Music Hall and Rockefeller Center's iconic tree. PaleyLand runs through January 5th, 2025, but The Paley Museum is open year-round!

Unless noted, photos by the author