The magic of the season is in full swing! If you’re hoping to catch a glimpse of the big guy for those special family photos, we’ve got you covered. We’ve gathered all the sightings of Santa in Central Mass we could find, making it easy for you to pick the perfect spot, no searching required!
Multi-Date Events
- The Santa Elevator Express at the Natick Mall. November 1 – December 24. Hours vary by day; check the website for details. This sells out annually, so reserve in advance. Take Santa’s magical Elevator Express to the North Pole. Once you arrive, meet Santa, take photos, and make lasting memories your family will cherish for years to come.
- Santa’s Wonderland at Cabela’s in Hudson. November 3 – December 24. Free photo with Santa, as well as upgraded packages for purchase. Book your reservation up to 7 days in advance. Slots are 15 minutes long. Option to designate special needs on the booking. Weekday giveaways and special events throughout, check the website for details.
- Traditional Photos with Santa at the Natick Mall. There is also a traditional photo option, which does not include the elevator express. November 28 – December 24. Hours vary by day; check the website for details. Select dates and times are pet-friendly; check the website for details. You can book this option here.
- Photos with Santa at the Auburn Mall. November 28 – December 24. Hours vary by day; check website for details. Make a reservation here.
- Brunch with Santa at Galliford’s Restaurant & Tavern at Southwick’s Zoo. Saturdays and Sundays from November 29 to December 21, 9:30 – 2pm. Buffet style brunch with a full-service bar. Santa will be there from 10am to 2pm.
- Santa Claus visits The Farmer’s Daughter in Auburn. November 28, 29, 30, and December 6 and 7. 10am-4pm. Santa Claus will visit the farm.
- Holiday Photos with Santa at Rail Trail in Milford. November 16, 22, 23 from 5pm – 7pm. December 1 from 12pm-2pm. December 4, 6, 7, 8, 11, 13, 14, 15, 18, 20, 22 & 23 from 5:30pm – 7:30pm. December 21 from 11am – 1pm. December 24 from 10am – 2pm. Please make a reservation here. Photos with Santa are free for restaurant patrons.
- Santa Paws at Walker Pet Studio in Concord. November 14-17. Pet Photo Shoot! Sessions are $99 and include a festive setup and portraits. Make a reservation here.
- Photos with Santa & Mrs. Claus at Hebert Candy Mansion. November 30, December 7, 14 & 21 from 12pm-4pm. No tickets required, bring your own camera.
Events by Date
November
Saturday, November 22nd
- Picture with Santa at Sweetpea Friends of Rutland Animals in Paxton. 10am – 4pm. The event will include raffles, memories, and pictures with Santa. $10 donation for pictures, choose between a digital copy or a print out. Families and furbabies welcome. All ages welcome. Pets must be leashed.
- Santa Claus is Coming to Carlson Orchards! 1pm-4pm. Santa will be in the Cider Barn for photos.
Sunday, November 23rd
- Photos with Santa Claus at Lost Shoe in Marlborough. 12:30-2pm. Bring an unwrapped toy to donate to Toys for Tots for a photo with Santa.
Monday, November 24
- Painting with Santa at Claytime in Shrewsbury. 3pm – 7:15pm. Sign up for one of three painting sessions: 3pm, 4:30pm, or 6pm. Register here. Event registration fee is $12 for 1 child, $20 for 2 children, $30 for 3 children, $40 for 4 children, and children under 2 are free when attending with another paying child. Take a picture with Santa. Each child will receive a goodie bag to take home. Clay painting is not included in the event registration fee, $30 minimum per child.
Friday, November 28th
- Holiday Shopping, Toy Drive & Santa Visits at Wojcik’s Farm. 10am – 3pm. Artisan vendors, crafters, kids’ activities, food trucks, firepits, beer & wine, and more! Admission is free. Please bring an unwrapped toy to donate for your photo with Santa. Interested Vendors and Sponsors, please reach out to Wojcik’s Farm.
Saturday, November 29th
- Photos with Santa at Notturno Home Services in Bellingham. 9am – 12pm. Complimentary professional photos, digital, edited, downloadable files will be provided to families following the event. New and unwrapped toys will be accepted for donation. Please reserve your spot here.
- Meet and Greet Santa at Douglas Orchard & Farm in Douglas. 10am – 4pm. Family pets are welcome. By appointment only, to hold a timed spot, pre-pay with cash in the store. $10/family for a 10-minute private session with Santa. Santa will be in the high tunnel greenhouse.
- Charity Pictures with Santa at Motorsports International in Auburn. 11am – 2pm. Minimum donation is $25, all donations go to fund Christmas gifts for sponsored children. Photos will be in the Ural Sidecar. Well-behaved dogs welcome.
- Dine with Santa at Fourth & Field in Stow. 4pm-6pm. Reservations required at fourthandfield.com or email [email protected] . Photos with Santa will be available for dining guests at no additional charge. Reading with Mrs. Claus, Donuts from Kane’s Donuts, hot chocolate, marshmallows and more!
Sunday, November 30th
- Breakfast with Santa at The Barn at Wright Farm in Sturbridge. 10am – 2pm. Reservations are required; cost is $25.95 for adults and $15.95 for children under 12. Purchase tickets here.
December
Saturday, December 6th
- Breakfast with Santa and Chain of Lights at Waters Farm Preservation, Inc in Sutton. 9am. Event is put on by Ryan & Stephanie Fattman and Waters Farm Preservation, Inc. Enjoy a full breakfast featuring pancakes, bacon, sausage, eggs, hashbrowns, coffee, and juice. Tickets are required for those ages one and older due to limited seating in the Darling Barn. Spend time with Santa, make a craft, take pictures with farm animals and the 4H club, enjoy a winter wagon ride, and see a live blacksmith demonstration after breakfast with Santa. Eventbrite ticket link will be available soon; check the event page for updates.
- Santa’s Coming to Lakeview Nurseries in Lunenburg. 10am – 2pm. Bring your camera and wish list for Santa. Free cookie and cocoa to enjoy while strolling through their winter wonderland of inflatables and lights.
- Santa Claus visits The Farmer’s Daughter in Auburn. 10am-4pm. Santa Claus will visit the farm.
- Sensory Friendly Photos with Santa at We Rock the Spectrum Westford. 11am-1pm.
What to Expect: Photos ops with Santa playing and interacting in the gym, as well as private meet-and-greet opportunities in the party room. There will be a festive backdrop and a helper available to take photos with your camera. This is a sensory-friendly, pressure-free environment where kids can take their time. This is a safe, understanding space where there’s no rush and no pressure—just holiday magic at your family’s pace! $15 per child ($5 for Unlimited Members) Register now by calling to purchase or sign up on the App! (We Rock The Spectrum 2.0- in the “Book a Class/Event” category) *This event is specifically designed for families who might struggle with traditional Santa photo experiences.
- Photos with Santa at the Boro SugarShack. 12pm – 4pm. This event is free.
- Dine with Santa at Fourth & Field in Stow. 4pm-5:30pm. Reservations required at fourthandfield.com or email [email protected] . Photos with Santa will be available for dining guests at no additional charge. Reading with Mrs. Claus, Donuts from Kane’s Donuts, hot chocolate, marshmallows and more!
Sunday, December 7th
- {Sensory Friendly} Caring Santa at the Burlington Mall. 8:30am – 10:30am. This event was created exclusively for children with special needs and their families. Reservations are required and can be made here. Santa will be located on the Lower Level, near Lululemon. Photos will be taken and available for purchase at this event.
- {Sensory Friendly} Caring Santa at the Auburn Mall. 9am – 10:30am. Caring Santa® is a special, sensory-friendly experience – exclusively for children with special needs and their families. Santa will be located by the Dining Pavilion (Best entrance is the East Entrance near Reliant Medical). Photos will be taken and available for purchase at this event. Reservations are required and can be made here!
- {Sensory Friendly} Caring Santa at the Natick Mall. 9:30am – 10:30am. Reservations are required and can be made here!
- Breakfast with Santa at the Upton Fire Station. 9:30am-12pm. Put on by the Upton Fire and EMS Association and the Upton Men’s Club. Eat pancakes and get your picture with Santa. Nonperishable food donations or unwrapped toys will be accepted for local charities.
- Breakfast with Santa at Stow Acres Country Club. 10am-1pm. You can purchase tickets here.
- Santa’s Coming to Lakeview Nurseries in Lunenburg. 10am – 2pm. Bring your camera and wish list for Santa. Free cookie and cocoa to enjoy while strolling through their winter wonderland of inflatables and lights.
- Picture with Bigfoot Santa at Klem’s in Spencer. 10am – 3pm. Kids and pet-friendly. $5 donation to support Mt. Zion Freemasonry Lodge, Barre, MA.
- Kindergroup’s Annual Santa Day at the Southborough Community House & St. Mark’s Field. 10am – 1pm. Watch Santa arrive by helicopter (weather permitting) and then join him inside for coffee, hot chocolate, and cookies – and photos! There will also be the Yummy Mummy food truck and face painting by SkyRise. Event is free, food truck and face painting for purchase. This event is presented by Southborough Community Fund with the support of local businesses.
- Photos with Santa at the Boro SugarShack. 12pm – 4pm. This event is free.
- Santa at Timberyard in East Brookfield. 1pm – 5pm. Please bring an unwrapped gift for the Spencer Toys for Kids organization and a $10 donation towards photos. The photographer will be on site and will provide a link to download photos.
- Story Time with Santa at The Upton Community Center. 4pm – 6pm. Photos with Santa, letters to Santa, and Santa story read at 4pm and 5pm. This event is put on by Norton Truck Repair, Inc. Free event, no registration required.
Thursday, December 11th
- Santa’s Sing Along at Bike House Brewing in North Brookfield. 6pm – 8pm. Event will include cookie decorating for the kids (and grown-ups who can’t resist) with Jars Cafe along with their delicious hot cocoa and cider, photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus at no cost, a custom bike house Christmas coloring book for every kid to take home, and a merry singalong with Santa himself.
Saturday, December 13th
- Breakfast with Santa and the Grinch at Bartlett High School in Webster. 8am – 10am. $5.00 for ages 3 and up. Check the listing for more updates as the event date approaches.
- Breakfast with Santa at Apex Entertainment in Marlborough. 9am & 11am. Tickets are $15 per person and include a breakfast spread of pancakes, eggs, potatoes, sausage, juice, coffee, and more. Each guest will have the chance to take a photo with Santa, and kids will receive a holiday swag bag plus a 30-minute non-redemption arcade card. Get tickets here.
- Santa Photos at Pinecroft Dairy and Restaurant in West Boylston. 9am – 12pm. Event is put on by TOAD Construction. Professional photos taken by a professional photographer are free and will be available through an online gallery after the event. Reserve your spot here.
- Santa’s Coming to the Whitin Community Center in Whitinsville. 10am-1pm. This event is free and open to the public, put on by the WCC’s Blackstone Valley Children’s Place staff. There will be holiday games, crafts, cheek art, and a special visit with Santa Claus.
- Photos with Santa at Worcester’s Feed Store. 10am – 2pm. Photos are free; a donation is encouraged. All proceeds benefit Multiple Breed Rescue. Bring your phone or camera to snap your own photo!
- Magical Christmas Extravaganza at Camp Marshall in Spencer. 10am – 4pm. The event is presented by Rich Kringle. If you attended the Central Mass Mom Cookies with Santa event last year, this is the same Santa. Event includes games, activities, stories, a magic show, Christmas sing-a-longs, crafts with Elsa, and a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus. There will be fresh cookies, cakes, hot cocoa, cider, and fine coffees for the bigger kids.
- Photos with Santa at The Groton Inn. 11:30am-2pm. Santa will be in the lobby for photos. Please bring a food item to donate to Loaves & Fishes. This event will not have a photographer, so plan to take your own photos. Free to attend, no reservations required.
- Dine with Santa at Fourth & Field in Stow. 4pm-6pm. Reservations required at fourthandfield.com or email [email protected] . Photos with Santa will be available for dining guests at no additional charge. Reading with Mrs. Claus, Donuts from Kane’s Donuts, hot chocolate, marshmallows, and more!
Sunday, December 14
- Magical Christmas Extravaganza at Camp Marshall in Spencer. 10am – 4pm. The event is presented by Rich Kringle. If you attended the Central Mass Mom Cookies with Santa event last year, this is the same Santa. Event includes games, activities, stories, a magic show, Christmas sing-a-longs, crafts with Elsa, and a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus. There will be fresh cookies, cakes, hot cocoa, cider, and fine coffees for the bigger kids.
- Lunch with Santa at Black & White Grille in Spencer. 11:30am – 2:30pm. Enjoy an a la carte lunch and take a moment to visit with Santa Claus. Complimentary photos and crafts for all. Reservations encouraged.
Wednesday, December 17th
- Santa & Grinch Holiday Dinner Party at Uno Pizzeria & Grill in Sturbridge. 5pm – 8pm. Call the restaurant to make a reservation at 508-347-6420. Event will include goodie bags, photo ops with Santa and the Grinch, special themed drinks and more!
Thursday, December 18th
- Santa & Grinch Holiday Dinner Party at Uno Pizzeria & Grill in Sturbridge. 5pm – 8pm. Call the restaurant to make a reservation at 508-347-6420. Event will include goodie bags, photo ops with Santa and the Grinch, special themed drinks and more!
Saturday, December 20th
- Dine with Santa at Fourth & Field in Stow. 9am – 11am. Reservations required at fourthandfield.com or email [email protected]. Photos with Santa will be available for dining guests at no additional charge. Reading with Mrs. Claus, Donuts from Kane’s Donuts, hot chocolate, marshmallows, and more!
