Where To See Santa In The Hamden Area, CT This Christmas Season

HAMDEN, CT — Visits and pictures with Santa are treasured traditions for many local families. For them, there’s nothing quite like seeing jolly old St. Nick live and in person.

In Hamden and across Connecticut, kids have several chances:

Visit With Santa at The Shore Line Trolley Museum, 17 River St., East Haven

The event is held on weekends in December. "Take a trolley ride to find Santa Claus himself waiting for you on his very own magical trolley car!...Our trolley cars will be all decked out for the holidays, so have some hot chocolate, snap some adorable photos and share your Christmas wishes," according to the event's website. View the full schedule here.

Storytelling & Selfies with Santa & Mrs. Claus @ The Shops at Yale

Santa and Mrs Claus will visit The Shops at Yale and read stories to children and take photos with families from 1:00-3:00pm. This event is free and open to the public with free snacks!

–Saturdays, November 26, December 2, 9 & 16, 1:00-3:00pm – B Natural Kitchen, 260 College Street

–Sundays, November 26, December 3, 10 & 17, 1:00-3:00pm – Barnes & Noble/The Yale Bookstore, 77 Broadway

Click here for more details

Photos with Santa at the Connecticut Post Mall, 1201 Boston Post Road in Milford

According to the mall's website:

SANTA HOURS

• Monday through Friday 11am-7pm (break 3pm-4pm)
• Saturdays 10am-7pm (break 3pm-4pm)
• Sunday 11am-6pm (break 3pm-4pm)
• Christmas Eve 9am-4pm (break 1-2pm)
• CLOSED Thanksgiving

Click here to view full calendar.

• Pet Photo Nights: 11/27, 12/4 & 12/11 from 4pm-7pm
• Sensory-Friendly Santa: Sunday 12/3 from 10am-11am

The Santa Express at the Railroad Museum of New England, Thomaston is an afternoon train, where parents and kids alike are able to hop on board for the opportunity to visit with Santa Claus. "As the trains travels through the cold winter wilderness, passengers will be able to visit with Santa and play with his Elves," the website states. "Each child will also get a special gift from Santa’s own toy bag."

This service is scheduled early at 12 p.m. and 2:15 p.m. most days other services are running.
All passengers ride the Northern Lights Limited will experience:

• Train is lighted and seasonally decorated inside and out
• Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus
• Visit by Santa with hand delivered gifts
• Elf leads sing along to Christmas Carols

All children will receive:

• A special gift from Santa's Toy Bag
• A bell from Santa

View more details here.

Santa's Workshop at Wickham Park, Manchester from Dec. 12-23

According to the event listing:

• Mondays through Fridays 3pm-6pm.
• Saturdays & Sundays 1pm-5pm.

"Enjoy an enchanted visit with Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and the elves in the beautiful log cabin nestled at the highest point in the park! This is a traditional, family friendly event. There are no sponsorships or commercialization of the event and it is free for everyone!"

You're encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item for the local food pantries. All donated in the name of the friends of Wickham Park.

Christmas Village - A Tradition in Torrington at 150 Church St. in Torrington

Christmas Village Hours:

• Dec. 10-Dec. 23rd, 1:00PM-8:30PM
• Dec. 24th, 9:00AM-12 Noon

"Children and adults alike get to visit with Santa, Mrs. Claus, and four reindeer, as well as view the elves hard at work. Each child receives a small gift. There is a hot coco booth so you can warm up with a hot drink," the website states. Read more details here.

Other chances to see Santa in CT:

• Christmas in Clinton on Dec. 3
• Brunch with Santa in Middlefield on Dec. 10
• Santa's Workshop at YMCA Camp Ingersoll in Portland on Dec. 16
• Christmas in the Village at the Goodspeed Airport in East Haddam on Dec. 5
• Annual Tree Lighting at the Water's Edge Resort in Westbrook
• 5th Annual Connecticut Christmas Celebration at Westbrook Outlets on Dec. 16
• Merry Days & Jolly Nights in New London from Nov. 24 to Dec. 26
• Essex Steam Train North Pole Express (sold out)
• Annual Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting in Westbrook on Dec. 3
• Stonington Christmas Fair with Santa on Dec. 2

You can view other holiday events across Connecticut via the Connecticut Tourism Office by clicking here.

Santa arrived Nov. 5 at Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Santa’s Wonderland and will hold court through Christmas Eve. Reservations are encouraged.

Santa is coming to Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack stores on Black Friday, which is Nov. 24 this year. In Connecticut, Nordstrom has locations in Farmington and Norwalk.

JC Penney stores, including stores in Trumbull, Farmington, and Danbury, are offering professional portraits with Santa through Dec. 18.