Best Places to See Santa in NYC (2025): A New Yorker’s Guide
The holiday season in New York City is pure magic, and nothing kicks it off quite like a visit with the big guy himself. Whether you’re a kid or just a kid-at-heart, seeing Santa is a core holiday memory. But in a city this big, the options can be overwhelming, so if you’re wondering where to see Santa in NYC, you’ve come to the right place.
Reservation slots, hours, and photo package prices can be as elusive as a flying reindeer. It’s always a smart move to check the official websites for the most current 2025 details and book your spot well in advance before it’s too late.
Best Places to See Santa in NYC (From Macy’s & More)
The Most Iconic Santa Experiences
Santaland at Macy’s Herald Square
This is it. The OG. The Santa from Miracle on 34th Street. Visiting Santaland at Macy’s is a rite of passage. It’s an incredibly immersive 13,000-square-foot North Pole village with twinkling lights, festive train displays, and elves galore, all leading up to your private meeting with Santa. This is one of the best places to see Santa in NYC this Christmas for a reason.
- Price: FREE (to visit, but reservations are mandatory) / Photo packages are $$$
- Location: 8th Floor, Macy’s Herald Square, 151 W 34th St, New York
- Contact: https://www.macys.com/s/holiday-celebrations
- Pro Tip: Reservations are released online about 5 days in advance and are snatched up instantly. Be online the second they drop (usually early in the morning) to secure your spot.
Santa’s Corner at Bryant Park Winter Village
For a more casual and often free experience, the Santa at Bryant Park’s Winter Village is fantastic. Located in a cozy little nook within the bustling holiday market, you can take your own photos with Santa. The festive atmosphere of the market and the ice rink makes it a perfect holiday outing.
- Price: FREE (to take your own photos)
- Location: Bryant Park, between 40th and 42nd St & 5th and 6th Ave, New York
- Contact: https://bryantpark.org/activities/santas-corner | (212) 768-4242
- Good For: Those wondering where to see santa in NYC 2025 free. The line can get long, so try to go on a weekday afternoon for a shorter wait.
The Santa Experience at Bloomingdale’s 59th Street
Bloomingdale’s offers a wonderfully festive and often slightly less chaotic alternative to Macy’s. Their Santaland on is beautifully decorated, creating a magical atmosphere for kids and adults alike. It’s another one of the classic department store experiences.
- Price: FREE (to visit, but reservations are mandatory) / Photo packages are $$$
- Location: 6th Floor, 1000 Third Avenue, New York
- Contact: https://www.bloomingdales.com/c/visitus/events-59th-street | (212) 705-2000
- Pro Tip: Like Macy’s, reservations are essential and book up fast. Check their website in early November for information on when the reservation window opens.
Santa at The Plaza Hotel
For a truly luxurious and elegant Santa visit, The Plaza Hotel is unmatched. Santa holds court in a beautiful setting within the iconic hotel, often reading stories and interacting with children in a more intimate environment. It’s a very special and memorable experience.
- Price: $$$$ (Often requires a ticket or is part of a special holiday tea package)
- Location: 768 5th Ave, New York
- Contact: https://www.theplazany.com/holidays-at-the-plaza | (212) 759-3000 or (888) 850-0909 | plazareservation@fairmont.com
- Good For: A high-end, special occasion experience. This is less of a quick photo-op and more of a full festive event.
The Santa Photo Experience at Top of the Rock
Imagine meeting Santa with the entire glittering NYC skyline as your backdrop. This is one of the most breathtaking and unique photo ops in the city. Based on previous years, Top of the Rock, in partnership with Balsam Hill, hosts “The Santa Photo Experience” on select dates before Christmas. This isn’t your average Santa’s grotto; it’s a top-of-the-world meeting that combines a visit with the big guy and the jaw-dropping views from the observation deck.
- Price: $$$$
- Location: Top of the Rock Observation Deck, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York
- Contact: https://www.topoftherocknyc.com | (877) 692-7625
- Pro Tip: This is a separately ticketed event that often includes your visit to the observation deck and sells out extremely fast. Follow Top of the Rock (@topoftherocknyc) on social media in early November for the official 2025 announcement and ticket drop.
Unique & Charming Santa Sightings
Santa at Brookfield Place
This is a modern and often more relaxed Santa experience. Located in the beautiful Winter Garden at Brookfield Place, the set is always stunning and the lines can be more manageable than at the big department stores. They offer a reservation system that helps keep wait times down.
- Price: FREE (to visit, reservations required) / Photo packages are $$$
- Location: 230 Vesey St, New York
- Contact: https://bfplny.com/santa | (212) 978-1673
- Pro Tip: This is a great option for families with small children who don’t do well with long, chaotic lines. The waterfront location is also beautiful for a post-Santa stroll.
Santas at PaleyLand (The Paley Center for Media)
The Paley Center for Media transforms into a multi-floor holiday extravaganza. In addition to seeing classic holiday TV specials, they often have multiple opportunities to meet Santa, including special character Santas (like a Peanuts-themed one!). It’s a super fun and interactive experience.
- Price: $$ (for museum admission)
- Location: 25 W 52nd St, New York
- Contact: https://www.paleycenter.org | (212) 621-6600
- Good For: A full afternoon of holiday fun. It’s way more than just a Santa visit; it’s a whole festive event.
Santa at the Queens County Farm Museum
For a rustic, country-style Christmas experience without leaving the city, head to the Queens County Farm Museum. They often have a special Christmas event where Santa is available for photos in a charming, farm-like setting.
- Price: $$ (for event admission)
- Location: 73-50 Little Neck Pkwy, Queens
- Contact: https://www.queensfarm.org
- Pro Tip: This event often includes other fun activities like hayrides and craft stations, making it a great day trip for the family.
The Santa Clauses’ Winter Wonderland at Pier 17
Inspired by the popular Disney+ series, this rooftop experience at The Seaport is incredibly festive. While it’s a ticketed event with skating and other activities, Santa himself is the main attraction, available for photos in a magical North Pole setting with amazing city views.
- Price: $$$ (for event admission)
- Location: 89 South St, New York
- Contact: https://rooftopatpier17.com | 646-603-6063 | info@rooftopatpier17.com
- Pro Tip: This is an outdoor rooftop experience, so dress very warmly! The views of the Brooklyn Bridge are spectacular.
Santa’s Salon at The Shops at Hudson Yards
Hudson Yards goes all out for the holidays with its “Shine Bright” display of 2 million twinkling lights. As part of the festivities, they host an elegant “Santa’s Salon,” offering a stylish and modern setting for photos with Santa, away from the more traditional department store chaos.
- Price: FREE (to visit, reservations likely required) / Photo packages are $$$
- Location: 20 Hudson Yards, New York
- Contact: https://www.hudsonyardsnewyork.com | info@hudsonyardsnewyork.com
- Pro Tip: A fantastic option if you want to combine your Santa visit with seeing one of the city’s most spectacular modern light displays.
Santa Claus at the Christmas Spectacular (Radio City Music Hall)
While you don’t get a one-on-one photo op, Santa is a huge star in the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes. Seeing him magically appear on stage is a thrilling part of this iconic show.
- Price: $$$$ (for show tickets)
- Location: 1260 6th Ave, New York, NY 10020
- Contact: https://www.rockettes.com/christmas/ | 212-465-6225 | guestrelations@msg.com
- Good For: Seeing Santa in a spectacular, theatrical way. It’s a classic NYC holiday tradition.
Santa at Nordstrom NYC
Nordstrom offers a stylish and fun Santa experience that’s perfect for the whole family. They often host special “Santa Snacks” events or have a dedicated corner where kids can meet Santa and drop off their letters. It’s a great stop during your holiday shopping.
- Price: FREE (to visit) / Photo packages are $$$
- Location: 225 W 57th St, New York, NY 10019
- Contact: https://www.nordstrom.com | 1.888.282.6060
- Pro Tip: Check their website for specific dates and times for “Letters to Santa” events, which are often free and come with fun activities.
Santa at City Point (Brooklyn)
For a fantastic Brooklyn option away from the Manhattan crowds, City Point is a great choice. This downtown Brooklyn hub of shopping and dining hosts a festive Santa experience that’s perfect for local families. You can shop, grab a bite at DeKalb Market Hall, and see Santa all in one trip.
- Price: FREE (to visit) / Photo packages are $$
- Location: 445 Albee Square W, Brooklyn
- Contact: https://www.citypointbrooklyn.com/event-list
- Good For: A convenient and fun Brooklyn-based experience. It’s much more relaxed than the major midtown locations.
DUMBO Tree Lighting Ceremony
Many neighborhood tree lightings are fantastic spots for a free Santa sighting, and DUMBO’s is one of the best. The annual event usually features live music, hot cocoa, and a special appearance by Santa Claus himself, all with the stunning backdrop of the Manhattan Bridge.
- Price: FREE
- Location: The Pearl Street Triangle, DUMBO, Brooklyn
- Contact: https://dumbo.nyc/treelighting | 718.237.8700 | dumbo@dumbo.nyc
- Pro Tip: This is a one-night-only event, typically in early December. Arrive early to get a good spot, as it’s a very popular local tradition.
Historic Richmond Town (Staten Island)
For a truly old-fashioned Christmas experience, take the ferry to Historic Richmond Town. During their holiday events, you can often meet a traditional, Victorian-style Santa Claus. It feels like stepping back in time and is a wonderfully charming and unique experience.
- Price: $$ (for event admission)
- Location: 441 Clarke Ave, Staten Island, NY 10306
- Contact: https://www.historicrichmondtown.org | (718)-351-1611 | info@historicrichmondtown.org
- Good For: A historical and less-crowded Santa visit. Make a day of it and explore the entire historic village.
A Note on SantaCon NYC 2025
You’ve probably heard the whispers or seen the massive crowds in previous years. It’s important to know that SantaCon NYC 2025 is not a family-friendly Santa visit. It is a massive, annual pub crawl where thousands of adults dress up in Santa costumes and celebrate across the city.
- What it is: A charity-focused bar crawl for adults 21+.
- What it isn’t: A place to take your kids for a photo with Santa.
- Other SantaCons: You might see terms like SantaCon, Fairfield or Santacon Binghamton. These are separate, similar events in different cities. Likewise, the Santa Convention Gatlinburg is a professional conference for Santas, and any Santa con movie is a fictional take. The main takeaway for SantaCon NYC is that it’s a festive party for grown-ups!
Tracking Santa on Christmas Eve
NORAD Tracks Santa
On Christmas Eve, the ultimate Santa Tracker is a tradition in itself. For over 60 years, NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command) has been “tracking” Santa’s sleigh as he makes his journey around the world. It’s a super fun way to build excitement before bedtime.
- Price: FREE
- Location: Your computer or phone
- Contact: https://www.noradsanta.org
- Pro Tip: The website goes live on December 1st with games and activities, but the live tracking begins on the morning of December 24th.
Planning Your Full Holiday Trip to the City?
Seeing Santa is just one piece of the holiday magic! For a complete guide on how to experience the most iconic Christmas event in NYC, check out our guide to The Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting 2025: A New Yorker’s Guide On How To Actually See It.
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