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Where to Spot Santa in Albany County
Thursday, December 5, 2024 1:00 PM
by Morgan Hughes
Header Photo Courtesy of Colonie Center Mall.
Santa Claus has come to town! Before St. Nick stops by on Christmas Eve, children can meet him in person, let him know their Christmas wishes, and take photos at one of the many locations he’s paying a visit to throughout Albany County.
Visit Santa Throughout the Season
Santa will be spending some time at these locations all December long!
Take a break from holiday shopping at Colonie Center and stop by Santa’s Workshop to take a photo. Santa will be visiting every day this season until Christmas Eve, but it is recommended if you visit on the 24th to come early for shorter wait times and to give St. Nick more time to gather all the gifts.
Reserved time-slots are also available on December 15 for a sensory-friendly Santa experience. Additionally, pet photos with Santa are open on December 4 and December 11.
While perusing Crossgates Mall this holiday season, visit the special guest from the North Pole each weekend through Christmas Eve. Santa will be at Crossgates to hear Christmas wishes and take photos on the lower level across from Apex Entertainment. Plus, with any photo purchase children will receive a special gift from Apex Entertainment and 110 Grill.
Stuyvesant Plaza is one of the merriest places to be each Sunday this holiday season. New this year, reserve your time to pay a visit to Santa in his Holiday Hideaway, a vintage airstream trailer next to The Lawn. Enjoy a private, personalized meet & greet with St. Nick and leave with two photo strips and downloadable images. Santa will be dressed up in his Holiday Hideaway digs, keeping his famous red suit clean for the big day. While at the shopping center for Santa, enjoy some holly jolly activities during their weekly Holiday Strolls.
Stuyvesant Plaza will also host Sensory Santa Sessions on December 8.
Meet Santa at this holiday tradition in Altamont! Almost as magical as the North Pole itself, Christmas Land offers holiday cheer for the whole family Saturdays and Sundays through December 22. Bring Christmas wish lists and take photos with Santa, take a tour on a horse drawn carriage or train ride, marvel at light displays, enjoy tasty Christmas cookies by the fire pit, and craft some Christmas ornaments. Don’t leave all the gifting to Santa, stop by the Christmas Land Store for unique locally-made gifts.
Spend some time with Santa during a special brunch at Indian Ladder Farms. Chat with St. Nick, snap some photos, enjoy a delicious brunch buffet, and take a tour of the farm on a holiday hayride. Brunches take place every Saturday in December, but spots are booking up fast so be sure to register soon!
Santa will also be stopping by Indian Ladder Farm’s Howliday Ugly Sweater Party and Contest on Sunday, December 10. Bring your pet in their holiday best, prizes will be given out for different categories and Santa will be onsite to take pictures with you four-legged friend.
Special Santa Stops
December 7
10 AM to 3 PM
Sinterklaas is stopping by the Holiday Open House at the historic Pruyn House the first weekend in December! Stop by and take pictures with a historically dressed Santa at this event that nods to Albany's Dutch history. Enjoy tasty cookies, hot chocolate, and punch while admiring the historic home's 1800's-inspired festive decor.
December 7
11 AM to 3 PM
Celebrate St. Nicholas Day at Crailo State Historic Site! This holiday brought to the Hudson River Valley from the Dutch was traditionally celebrated on December 6. Festivities at Crailo's celebration include 17th and 18th century treats, crafts, and of course a visit from St. Nicholas himself.
December 21
11 AM
Known to the Dutch as Sinterklaas, families can enjoy a story hour led by the visitor from the North Pole himself at Ten Broeck Mansion's children's holiday program. The mansion will also host ornament making for children to take home their own keepsake. Continue the holiday fun with a mansion walk-through tour and free children's activities & kits. Space is limited so make sure to register for the story hour and ornament making ahead of time!
Author: Morgan Hughes
Morgan Hughes is the Marketing Assistant for Discover Albany. She grew up in Schenectady, NY before attending SUNY New Paltz to study Digital Media Management & English. While attending school, she found a love for both marketing and storytelling. After returning to the Capitol Region, she joined Discover Albany to help showcase the stories of Albany County and exemplify to both visitors and locals the countless amazing things happening in the area.
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