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Pictures with Santa in Westchester
Want to take pictures with Santa in Westchester and the Hudson Valley? Check out our roundup for places your kids can pose with the big guy.
The Christmas season is hardly complete without a visit with Santa. From traditional mall photo-ops to Santa sightings at various events throughout the area, we've found many fun ways to meet the man in red and pose for pictures with Santa in Westchester and nearby. Noteworthy events where you can take pictures with Santa range from the Winter Wonderland Drive-Through Experience to the Holidays on the Hill Train Show.
For more holiday fun, check out our Holiday Fun Guide, especially our roundup of must-do holiday experiences for Westchester kids.
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As always, if an event piques your interest, click through to our listing for all the details, including addresses, times, and recommended ages. And keep in mind: Really cool things to do with kids often book up quickly, so register or buy your tickets ASAP.
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Santa stops by the Bethel Woods Holiday Market. Photo courtesy of Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
Santa Pictures near Westchester and the Hudson Valley
1. Peace, Love, and Lights Dinner with Santa – Bethel
Multiple dates in December
When reserving your drive-thru experience, tack on a reservation for either dinner with Santa on Dec 16 or 17th or photos with Santa on Dec. 18—but don’t delay, as sittings are known to sell out. Plus, on weekends, check out the special holiday market at Bethel Woods.
2. Breakfast with Santa at Bear Mountain Inn – Tomkins Cove
Weekends from Saturday, December 3-Sunday, December 18
Join jolly old St. Nick for breakfast at Restaurant 1915. Your child can get some quality face time with the man in red and he'll even give them a gift...provided you bring a wrapped present with their name on it! Still, it's a small price to pay to keep the magic of Christmas alive.
3. Holidays on the Hill Train Show – Somers
Thursdays-Sundays through December 24; daily from Tuesday, December 27-Saturday, December 31
Combine your Santa visit with a holiday train show at this popular annual event in Lasdon Park.
4. Christmas in the Village – Monroe
Saturday, December 10-Sunday, December 11
This event with holiday shopping at Museum Village includes a chance to not only meet Santa, but Mrs. Claus, too.
RELATED: Christmas Tree Farms Near NYC
Take an outdoor photo with Santa at A Frosty Fest. Photo courtesy of the festival
Holiday Drive-Thrus and Walk-Throughs Where You Can Spot Santa
5. Winter Wonderland Drive-Thru Experience – Valhalla
Daily through Sunday, January 1, excluding December 24 and 25
Families pass a waving Santa and other costumed characters along this 1.2-mile, drive-thru experience, which also features elaborate light displays. Read our full review of the experience here.
6. A Frosty Fest – Ulster Park
Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through December 23
In addition to large-scale attractions, this annual event affords the opportunity to meet Santa. Also fun: Santa's Magical Mansion features a choreographed light show.
7. Catskill Mountain Christmas Train – Kingston
Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through December 23, plus Wednesday, December 21 and Thursday, December 22; Monday, December 26-Wednesday, December 28.
Take a ride to the North Pole on an open-air flat car with a cup of hot cocoa to keep you warm. Along the way, wave to Santa and his elves as they say hello from the platform.
RELATED: Holiday Craft Fairs and Markets in Westchester
Santa and his elves set up shop at Ridge Hill. Photo courtesy of Ridge Hill
Pictures With Santa at Westchester-Area Malls in 2022
8. Photos With Santa at Cross County Shopping Center – Yonkers
Daily through Saturday, December 24
The outdoor mall has set up Santa’s Workshop in a special "winter wonderland cabin" where you can snap a photo with the big guy. While there, take a spin around the pop-up outdoor ice rink or check out the Holiday Food Truck Market.
9. Santa Photo Experience at The Westchester Mall – White Plains
Daily through Saturday, December 24
Santa welcomes visitors at The Westchester, where visitors can get a bird’s-eye view from his spot on Retail Level 1 in Center Court from the floors above. Check out additional events, like Cookies & Cocoa with Santa, pet photos, and Caring Santa, which features sessions for children with special needs.
10. Photos with Santa at Jefferson Valley Mall – Yorktown Heights
Daily through Saturday, December 24
Santa and his team visit Jefferson Valley Mall in Yorktown Heights. Super fun: If you book your reservation online, kids will get a surprise call from Santa!
11. Santa Visits and Photos at Ridge Hill – Yonkers
Daily through Saturday, December 24
Choose your photo package for this Santa encounter, located near Starbucks. Reservations are encouraged.
12. Santa Photos at Palisades Center – West Nyack
Daily through Saturday, December 24
While walk-ins are accepted, your best bet is to reserve your child’s spot for a visit with Santa, who is set up on Level 1.
This post was originally published in 2014 and has been updated for 2022.
Places featured in this article:
The Westchester Mall
Cross County Shopping Center
Jefferson Valley Mall
Westchester's Ridge Hill
Kensico Dam Plaza
Palisades Center
Museum Village
Child Care Council of Westchester
Catskill Mountain Railroad
