Santa Sightings



Great places to take the kids to see Santa in the Valley

Great places to take the kids to see Santa

You better watch out, you better not cry! You better not pout I'm telling you why, Santa Claus is coming to town! We have the best places to get the kids out to see Santa with our list of events. 

So here's our list, we checked it twice, we hope you like these places, they sure are nice! Santa Claus is coming to town!

Santa at the Mall

November 21-26, 28-30, December 1-24. Santa is Coming to Poughkeepsie. Don't miss Santa pictures at Poughkeepsie Galleria! Walk ups welcome every day until closing time. Please Note: Multiple families are scheduled during the selected 15-minute time. Plus, 6 perks for booking online. Poughkeepsie.

November 21-26, 28-30, December 1-24. Santa is Coming to Town! Don't miss Santa pictures at Galleria at Crystal Run! Walk-ups welcome every day until closing time. Please Note: Multiple families are scheduled during the selected 15-minute time. Plus, 6 Perks for Booking Online (see website). Online registration is recommended. Middletown.

December 1. Pet photos with Santa. Capture Santa photos with your pets! During these fun and furry events, your pet will be paws-itively thrilled to star in a photo with Santa! Reservations are strongly encouraged. Poughkeepsie. 

December 7. Sensory Santa Event. Don't miss Santa pictures in a sensory friendly environment at Galleria at Crystal Run. Middletown. 

December 7, 9. Sensory-friendly visit withSanta. Don't miss Santa pictures in a sensory friendly environment at Poughkeepsie Galleria! Poughkeepsie.

December 8, 15. Pet photos with Santa. Capture Santa photos with your pets! During these fun and furry events, your pet will be paws-itively thrilled to star in a photo with Santa! Reservations are strongly encouraged. Middletown.


Special Events with Santa

November 21-23, 28-30, December 4-7, 11-14, 18-21. The Real Santa Experience. This year at Emmerich Tree Farm, Santa will be taking up residency in our new modern cabin in the cedar woods that overlook our farm. For select evenings Santa and Mrs. Claus will be opening the doors to their new home away from home. Don't miss this intimate Santa experience designed to unlock the magic of Christmas. Each child will be able to meet with. Tickets on sale now. Warwick.

November 22. Annual Buy Local Holiday Extravaganza. Buy Local for the Holidays! Local Artisan Market with Farms – Makers – Artisans – Entertainers! Many local vendors – businesses, food, desserts, crafts, entertainment, kids' activities, farmers market, civic/school group fundraisers, movie and photos with Santa! Marlboro. 

November 28-29, December 6, 12-14, 19-21. A Frosty Fest. Visit with the Holiday Characters throughout Frosty Fest: Mr. & Mrs. Frosty, Snowbear, The Gingerbread Man, The Candy Cane characters, Penguin, and of course, Rudolph! Bring your camera for great photo opportunities with the characters of Frosty Fest! Plus, lots more fun attractions the whole family will love. Ulster Park. 

November 29. Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony with Santa. Santa will arrive at 5pm to light the tree. Bring your camera for some festive snapshots! Light Refreshments – Warm up with holiday treats after the tree is aglow. Slate Hill.

November 29-30. Christmas Vendor Fair. Artisan gifts and decor vendors, festive holiday treats & cozy beverages, fun activities for kids, wreaths, and Christmas trees. Plus, visit the animals, barrel train, fire pit and s'mores, Santa, Grinch and more. Wallkill. 

November 29. Holiday Festival & Tree Lighting. Get ready for a day filled with festive cheer! Festive music, local businesses and holiday market vendors, watch Santa Claus make a grand entrance atop a Village Fire Truck, take a stroll through our lighted holiday walking path, free horse-and-carriage rides, pictures with Santa & Buddy the Elf, a slide for the kids, and lots of activities! Plus, there will be outdoor heaters to keep toasty and warm. Greenwood Lake. 

November 29, December 6. Visit with Santa. Visit the animals, barrel train, fire pit and s'mores, Santa, and more. Plus, cut your own trees or purchase pre-cut trees. Wallkill. 

November 30. Breakfast with Santa. Join family and friends this Christmas Season to have Breakfast, sit with Santa for Pictures, and dance around with our friend Jimmy Lyles! Breakfast includes HOT buffet, delicious desserts, hot-cocoa bar, and more! Please bring an unwrapped toy so we can help contribute to our Friends from the East Fishkill Police Station's toy drive! Seating is first come first serve. Bring your own booster! Hopewell Junction.

November 30. Holiday Celebration with Santa. Join us at the Ulster Welcome Center Plaza in Highland to kick off the holiday season with Jolly Ol’ Saint Nick on the World’s Longest Elevated Pedestrian Bridge from 12-3pm. This event is free to attend and no RSVP is required. See the cuddly Brays of Sunshine miniature donkeys, enjoy hot chocolate, and take your own festive photos with Santa! Bring a reusable mug for hot chocolate to help us cut down on paper waste. Highland.

November 30, December 7. Visit with Grinch. Visit the animals, barrel train, fire pit and s'mores, Grinch, and more. Plus, cut your own trees or purchase pre-cut trees. Wallkill.


December 5. Fishkill's Winter Wonderland. Get ready to kick off the holiday season with a magical Winter Wonderland event. This celebration is open to boys and girls in kindergarten through 6th grade and promises an evening filled with joy, laughter, and festive activities for the whole family and is free to Fishkill residents. Photos with Santa & Mrs. Claus, Cookie Decorating, Hot Cocoa, Bounce Houses, Balloon Artists, Holiday Themed Games, and Letters to Santa. Our Community Police officers will be collecting toys for Toy for Tots. Please consider bringing a new, unwrapped toy to place in the donation box and help spread the holiday cheer. Fishkill.

December 6. Sinterklaas Day and Dutch Holiday Traditions Children's Program. At this fun family event you'll discover the history of Sinterklaas and learn about the holiday traditions that the early Dutch settlers brought with them to New Netherland. Learn how Sinterklaasavond (St. Nicholas eve) was celebrated in the home, and taste some of the tradition Dutch sweets which were part of the festivities. There will even be a surprise visit by a special guest - St. Nicholas himself! The program takes place at 11:00am, 12:15pm and 1:30pm, and is designed especially for children. The ideal age group is elementary school age, but all ages are welcome. Wappingers Falls.

December 6. Santa Day at RVAC. Santa Photos – For just $10 per child (ages 2+), enjoy unlimited photos with Santa! Every child will also receive a Take & Make Holiday Craft Kit to spark their creativity. Children under 2 are welcome (please also pre-register) but will not receive a craft kit. New This Year: Pet Photos! – Bring your pup for family photos with Santa during the last photo time slot of the event! Pet photos are also $10, with proceeds benefiting Hope for Cats and Dogs PR, who will be on site with some adorable adoptable pups. Along with photos and take-home craft kits, enjoy: sweet treats for sale, a coloring station, a hands-on holiday craft, a Snowman Craft activity, a Holiday Prize Wheel every child is a winner! Plus, Make Your Own Teddy Bear station with The Traveling Teddy. (extra fee applies) Wappingers Falls.

December 6. 2025 Tree Lighting. This year there will be a parade of lights! Get your car, trucks, trailers decorated in the best lights and join the parade! Line-up for parade is at 4:30pm. We will have hot chocolate and cookies, a craft and game for the children, and a visit from our Jolly friend Santa! There will be gift bags available for the first 300 kids who visit Santa!

December 6, 13. 4th Annual Christmas Market & Winter Wonderland at New CenturySing-along & photos with Santa, 60-Foot Radiance Light Tunnel & dazzling holiday displays. Handmade gifts & craft vendors, Caroling & live music, Hot cocoa, cider, eggnog & festive treats. Don't miss our annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6pm on the 6th! Port Jervis.

December 6, 13, 20. Holiday Tea with Santa. Warm up this holiday season with Afternoon Tea at The Historic Thayer Hotel, featuring a special visit from Santa Claus! Delight in fresh scones, delicate tea sandwiches, and festive sweets while surrounded by our beautifully decorated holiday setting. It's a charming way to celebrate the season with family and friends. Reservations required, please call 845-446-4731 ext. 7929. West Point. 

December 7. 10th Anniversary of the HudsonValley Gingerbread Competition. Join us as we celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Hudson Valley Gingerbread Competition! Marvel at the imagination and craftsmanship of more than 40 stunning gingerbread creations as they compete for top prize. All attendees will get the chance to vote for their favorite masterpiece! The day will be filled with festive activities like photos with Santa and holiday music, set within our beautifully decorated Victorian castle. Celebrate the true meaning of the holidays with us, as we raise donations for the Regional Food Bank to alleviate hunger in our local community. New Paltz.

December 7. 10th Annual Cookies with Santa. Bring the family to meet Santa! Enjoy a festive reading of ’Twas the Night Before Christmas by Beekman Library, visit the Letters to Santa drop-off station, shop local vendors for holiday gifts, send holiday cards to our troops through our Military Program. Poughquag.

December 7. Breakfast with Santa. Old Saint Nick is making the trip from the North Pole to Curry Estate! Bring the whole family and enjoy a traditional American breakfastphotos with Santa, and festive fun with cookie decorating for the kids. This year, they are proud to partner with the Marine Corps Reserve in supporting the Toys for Tots Campaign! Bring a new, unwrapped toy for our collection boxes and help spread joy and hope to children in need this Christmas. Hopewell Junction.

December 7, 14, 21. Brunch with Santa. Celebrate the season with an award-winning holiday brunch, where festive flavors and magical moments come together. Enjoy an abundant spread of brunch favorites, seasonal specialties, and decadent desserts. Santa Claus himself will be there to greet guests and spread holiday cheer. Reservations required. West Point.

December 7, 13, 14, 20. Santa Brunch. There are 2 seatings available at 9:30am & 12:15pm. This is a buffet. EMAIL Thevenue@windinghillsgc.com. We will do our best to accommodate your party but please know there is VERY LIMITED SEATING. 2. Montgomery. 

December 7. Santa Is Coming to Sunday Brunch. Reserve your table for a magical Sunday Brunch with Santa! Enjoy all your favorite dishes, along with an extravagant mini-dessert display. Brunch served from 10:30am – 2:00pm. Santa will visit from 11:00am – 2:00pm. Reservations strongly suggested. Poughkeepsie.


December 12-13. Decemberfest. Celebrate the most magical time of the year at Eastdale Village’s annual Decemberfest — now bigger and better than ever! Enjoy two days of holiday cheer, festive shopping, dining specials, live entertainment, and plenty of family fun. Shop or dine at any Eastdale business during Decemberfest for your chance to win exciting prizes! You’ll receive raffle tickets with every purchase — the more you shop, the more chances you have to win! Poughkeepsie. 

December 13. 6th Annual Festival of Wreaths Vendor & Craft Fair. Join us at the 6th Annual Festival of Wreaths Vendor & Craft Fair for a festive day of shopping and holiday cheer! Hudson. 

December 13, 20. Dinner with Santa. Santa Claus is coming to town…and your table! Enjoy a festive buffet dinner with your family, friends, and Santa! On each Dinner with Santa night, there will be two seatings, the first at 4pm and 6pm sharp. Guests are required to arrive at the seating time that is on their ticket purchase; it is not a drop-in experience. Bethel. 

December 13. Red Hook's 5th Annual Christmas Parade of Lights. Lineup will begin at 4pm at the Red Hook Firehouse with a 6pm start time. There will be food trucks, plenty of amazing creative floats, holiday spirit, and Santa & Mrs. Claus. Red Hook.

December 13. Santa's Farm Visit. Join us for a heartwarming day of holiday cheer as Santa Claus makes his annual visit to the farm. Bring the whole family for a fun-filled day of festive activities, fresh donuts, photo ops, holiday shopping, hot lunch, and cider sipping. Happy Life Animal Rescue will be on-site from 11am – 3pm with lovable, adoptable dogs looking for their forever homes. Hot Lunch 11am-3pm Join us for a wholesome festive farm lunch. Indoor seating is first-come-first-serve. Outdoor seating is plentiful and will also be available. Hopewell Junction 

December 14. Brunch with Santa at Mahoney's. 2 seatings available. Choose from 10am-12pm for Breakfast or 1-3pm for Lunch. Magic will be in the air as children will write letters to Santa & do activity sheets while enjoying their food. Santa and Mrs Claus will arrive in style and every child will have time to sit on Santa's lap to tell him all their Christmas wishes. Everyone will be guided by Santa's Elves and parents will be invited to photograph their children. All adults will be given a ticket for a Door Prize, which will be called before your session ends. Don't forget to visit the Raffle Table for a chance to win one of our many prizes! Poughkeepsie. 

December 20. Santa is Coming to Town! Get ready for a jolly good time at Shadows on the Hudson! Santa Claus is making a special appearance on the Hudson River. Indulge in a festive prix fixe menu featuring holiday favorites for adults and kids, alongside our regular à la carte menu. While you dine, your little ones can meet and greet Santa Claus in our private dining room and create festive holiday crafts in our Sunset Room. Reservations recommended! Poughkeepsie. 

December 21. Santa's Workshop. Delight in crafting activities alongside Santa and his helpers as he gets ready for Christmas! Children can enjoy meeting with Santa, cookie decorating, light refreshments, building holiday-inspired crafts, and more. Tickets are $25 per child and accompanying adults are free. Bethel.


Updated November 24, 2025



Other articles by HVP Top Lists


  • Hudson Valley Winter Farm Markets

    The very best in local, fresh produce and more

    If you're missing the summer farm markets, have no fear. You can still get fresh produce, eggs, and meat. Plus, you will find pastries, homemade products, jams, jellies, honey, cider, and lots more. read more »
  • Christmas Tree Farms of the Hudson Valley

    A round-up of all the best places to cut your perfect Christmas tree

    Take some time this winter to visit a Christmas tree farm. You and your family can plan an outing to choose the perfect tree that will adorn your living room! read more »
  • Tree Lightings and Holiday Events

    Communities across the Hudson Valley are getting into the Christmas spirit

    The Hudson Valley's annual Christmas festivities from parades in Dutchess County to festivals in Orange County, NY and tree lighting ceremonies in Ulster and Sullivan Counties. read more »
  • Indoor spots for teens to play

    Older kids need to have some play time too

    Teens need places to go that aren't lame and won't bore them to tears. We have the best in the Valley listed just for you. read more »
  • Hudson Valley coffee shops

    Drool worthy treats and a great cup of joe

    Hudson Valley coffee shops bring variety and charm, with some offering fresh pastries or menus featuring light meals and snacks. Each spot has its own vibe, perfect for unwinding, meeting friends, or savoring specialty coffee. read more »
  • Hudson Valley Sweet Shops

    Top places to grab a sweet treat, birthday cake and more

    Need a birthday cake? A sweet cookie reward for a great report card? Or just a break to indulge in a sweet treat? Find out where the favorite bakeries and candy shops are in the Hudson Valley. read more »
  • Indoor Play Spots

    We've picked the best play spots in the Hudson Valley that your family is sure to love!

    When winter chills or rainy days keep you indoors, finding fun and engaging activities for your kids can be challenging. Our guide to the best indoor play spots for families ensures your children stay active, entertained, and happy all year round. read more »
  • Favorite Hudson Valley Playgrounds

    Our favorite playgrounds with a checklist for parents on playground safety

    The Hudson Valley provides some of the most beautiful, fun and safe playgrounds for your children. Some of them are hidden gems, and we want to share them with you! Also, check out our playground safety check list. read more »
  • Best of children's consignment stores

    Local consignment shops...a great alternative

    Looking for good deals? Consignment shops may be the way to go. read more »
  • Best places to bowl in the Hudson Valley

    Take the family and have a ball

    Bowling is one of America's favorite, family-friendly past times. read more »