17 chances to see Santa around Boston this season
‘Tis the season to see your kids’ faces light up.
Children can so much as close their eyes and see Santa Claus during the holiday season, but a trip to see Santa in real life is extra magical—and elevates a mom, dad, or caretaker to best-adult-ever status. We did the legwork and rounded up where Santa will be making an appearance in and around the Boston area this holiday season. Which lines are long, where photos are taken professionally, where the deliciousness is provided—find all those details here.
Festival of Trees and Snow Village, Massachusetts Horticultural Society
Kids can celebrate the season of joy at this magical village, lined with dozens of Christmas trees and with an extensive model train making its way around a section of the village. Horse-drawn wagon rides will be available for families to ride, and you’ll likely catch Santa roaming through the village. Don’t be afraid to stop him and snap a photo for free. Entrance to the village is also free if you sign up for a Mass. Horticultural Society membership that day. (Now through Sunday, December 13 from 10 a.m.-8 p.m; Mass. Horticultural Society, 900 Washington St., Wellesley; $10 per person, $8 per person for members, and children under 12 are free)
Simon Malls: Burlington Mall, The Shops at Chestnut Hill, South Shore Plaza, and Northshore Mall
Grab the little ones and head to the nearest mall to get a studio-quality photo taken with Santa. No line at these malls is short during the holiday season, so be sure to make a reservation online. The $10 fee required at registration will be applied to your photo purchase. Note that this Shops at Chestnut Hill listing is different from the other two provided in this roundup. (Now through Wednesday, December 24; The Shops at Chestnut Hill: Friday, December 4 through Wednesday, December 24; Times vary by reservation; Photo packages start at $21.99-$24.99 depending on the mall)
Santa Claus Is Coming to Town, Cambridgeside Galleria
Mr. Claus is waiting for kids on Canal Park outside the food court. And the youngsters will have time to finish their wish lists while in line—it tends to be a long one. (Now through Thursday, December 24; Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and Sunday 12-6 p.m.; Cambridgeside Galleria, 100 Cambridgeside Place; Prices vary by package)
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Santa in the City, Prudential Center
Santa is giving the Shops at the Prudential Center a visit—every day until Christmas Eve. Catch him in his winter wonderland at the Prudential Center’s Belvidere Arcade. And snap a photo of your kid with Santa so the moment doesn’t slip away. (Now through Thursday, December 24; Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sundays, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Extended hours starting December 11; Prudential Center, 800 Boylston St.; Photo packages start at $19.99)
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My Time With Santa, Natick Mall
No line, no problem: Reserve your time with Santa, one of the busiest people this holiday season, and pre-purchase your photo with him to save 30 percent or more. If you’re not sure when you’ll have time to visit, though, no worries—photo purchase and reservations are not required for a visit. (Now through Thursday, December 24; Times vary by reservation; Neiman Marcus Court, Natick Mall; Prices vary by package but start at $29.99—$34.99 after December 11)
Santa’s Wonderland, Bass Pro Shops
Each winter, Bass Pro Shops turns its space into a full-blown, cheerful Christmas village. There are elves ready to help kids with crafts at the activity table, model trains running throughout the village, a laser arcade to test accuracy skills, and a foam toy arcade. The real catch: Kids can write Santa a letter to put in his mailbox, sit on his lap, and get a free, studio-quality four-by-six-inch photo to capture the moment. A free digital Christmas card, which includes the photo, is also offered for free. Get a Bass Pass from the ticket booth at the store to skip the very long lines and roam the store as you please—the passes are sold on a first-come-first-served basis so once they’re gone, you’re out of luck. (Now through Thursday, December 24; Times vary each day; Bass Pro Shops, 1 Bass Pro Dr., Foxborough)
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Zoolights at Stone Zoo is an enchanted winter wonderland lined with sparkling lights and holiday animations. Kids will have the chance to see wild animals (think arctic foxes), sip on hot chocolate with the reindeer on Sundays, and climb aboard some rides. They’ll also get the chance to visit Santa’s castle and sit on Santa’s lap on a plush green sofa chair for a professional studio five-by-seven-inch snap—Santa will be in his castle nightly through December 23. The wait time to see Santa varies, but usually runs from 15-30 minutes. Prepare for difficulty parking and a long wait in line—the zoo encourages everyone to purchase tickets online for a shorter wait time. Hot chocolate with the reindeer is an additional cost and requires pre-registration. (Now through Sunday, January 3 from 5-9 p.m.; Stone Zoo, 149 Pond St., Stoneham; Admission prices: $7 per person online, or $7 per member and $8 per non-member at the gate; Weekend prices are $8 per member and $9 per non-member; kids under 2 are free)
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Santa’s Workshop, Smolak Farms
Drop by Smolak Farms’s barn for quality time with Santa and his helpers. The kids will be able to make holiday crafts, make food for the reindeer, and hand a wish list to the red-suited man himself. Parents are welcome to get a photo of the kiddos with Santa. The best part? No lines. (Every Sunday in December; 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; Smolak Farms, 315 South Bradford St., North Andover; $5 per child, adults are free)
Breakfast with Santa, The Shops at Chestnut Hill
Let the rugrats leave the house in PJ’s to grab breakfast with Santa, catered by Cheesecake Factory. Pre-registration isn’t necessary. Once their tummies are satisfied, stick around for holiday story time with Santa at Tiffany & Co. Professional photos will be taken and will be available for purchase. (Saturday, December 5 from 8:30-10 a.m.; The Shops at Chestnut Hill, 199 Boylston St.; Prices vary by package)
Breakfast with Santa, Cambridgeside Galleria
Santa is heading to Cambridgeside Galleria to enjoy an early breakfast with kids looking to play games, win prizes, and listen to holiday music. Each child must bring unused gloves, mittens, hats, or socks to keep other kids warm this cold winter—the breakfast is a partnership with the Salvation Army. Space is limited and functions on a first-come-first-served basis, so make sure you register ahead of time. (Saturday, December 5 at 9 a.m; Cambridgeside Galleria, 100 Cambridgeside Place; Free; Children ages 10 and under; No photos available with Santa)
Santa Comes to Visit, Marini Farm
Join other cheery children as Santa visits Marini Farm. Santa will hang by the Christmas Tree Jubilee area, where you can see a vast collection of donated Christmas trees, so everyone has the chance to spend some time with him. There is no line or wait to see Santa since he’ll be wandering in the back of the Jubilee area. Kids are free to chat him up and parents can take photos free of charge. Be sure to not miss out on the hot cocoa and clam chowder. (Saturday, December 5 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; Marini Farm, 259 Linebrook Rd., Ipswich; Free)
Visit with Santa, Verrill Farm
Kids’ favorite red-suited, white-bearded man returns to Verrill Farm’s heated, decorated greenhouse. This is the chance for children to sip on complimentary cider and cookies with none other than Santa. And don’t forget to have your kids hand him a wish list—it’s encouraged! Children can strike a pose with Santa and parents are welcome to take pictures as they please—the wait is usually no longer than five to 10 minutes. (Saturday, December 5 from 3-5 p.m.; Verrill Farm, 11 Wheeler Rd., Concord; Free)
Smiles with Santa near the sand—in Hull, a holiday celebration with Santa happens near Nantasket Beach. Hop on the Paragon carousel decked out in wreaths and get your photo taken with Santa by a professional photographer. The line moves quickly because there’s a fast printer on sight; it usually lasts only five to 10 minutes. (Saturday & Sunday, December 5 & 6 from 12-3 p.m.; Paragon Carousel, 205 Nantasket Ave., Hull; Suggested donation of $10 for one photo, $15 for two photos, and $20 for three photos)
Get your photo taken with Santa at the Paragon Carousel in Hull.
A Magical Visit from Caring Santa, The Shops at Chestnut Hill
Join a magical morning designed to support children with special needs and their families. Caring Santa will make an appearance and spread his love to all who attend the free event. Expect coloring activities, goodies, and photos with Santa. Professional photos for purchase will be taken before the mall is opened to the public—all families must register online. For this event, use the level 1 mall entrance near the Bank of America. (Sunday, December 6 from 8-9:30 a.m.; The Shops at Chestnut Hill, 100 Boylston St.; Prices vary by package)
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