Where To See Santa In The Nashua Area

NASHUA, NH — Santa Claus will be back in the Nashua area this holiday season after a couple of years of COVID-19 restrictions that made it difficult for kids to crawl up on his lap and make their case that they've been good boys and girls over the last year.

Visits and pictures with Santa are at the heart of many families' holiday traditions, but the coronavirus pandemic gave them a lump of coal. Malls and other places took social distancing measures in both 2020 and 2021 to help contain the spread of the virus, moving Santa meet-ups largely online.

Virtual visits are still an option in many places, but there's nothing quite like seeing jolly old St. Nick live and in person. In the Nashua area, kids have several chances:

• Through Dec. 24, Santa will be at the Pheasant Lane Mall, 310 Daniel Webster Hwy, daily.

Jolly old Saint Nick is located near Dick's Sporting Goods from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Children can share their holiday wishes with Santa and families can capture photos of their excitement. Families have an opportunity to prepare for their Santa meeting by reserving a time slot online. Photo packages are available for purchase following the Santa experience.

There also are a few other events surrounding Santa at the mall: Ugly sweater photos with Santa can be taken every Thursday through Dec. 15. PJ photos with Santa can be taken every Tuesday through Dec. 1

• On Saturday, the Nashua Senior Activity Center, 70 Temple St., is hosting Breakfast with Santa. The event takes place at 8 a.m. It costs $7 for adults, $3 for children 5 and older. and children under 4 are free. Tickets will be sold at the door.

The breakfast features eggs, French toast, sausage, coffee and orange juice. Attendees can visit with Santa and then stroll through the gingerbread house village exhibit. There will be a limited number of free gingerbread houses for children to decorate and take home with them.

The event will feature free vision screenings, and new toys will be collected for Nashua PAL.

• On Saturday, Keller Williams Nashua, 20 Trafalgar Square Suite 101, is hosting Pictures with Santa. The event takes place from 10 a.m. to noon. It's free, though a spot can be reserved online.

The event is "open house" style, so visitors are invited to come by any time during the 2-hour window. However, Santa will leave promptly at noon.

• On Saturday, First Baptist Church of Nashua, 121 Manchester St., will host its Olde-Fashioned Christmas Fair. The event will take place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. You can RSVP on Facebook.

Santa arrives at 9 a.m. and stays until noon. Kids can bring their letters to Santa to put in a special mailbox. If they include their address, they will get a personalized letter back from Santa. There also will be a room for the kids with crafts and face painting.

• On Dec. 10 at the Aviation Museum, located at 27 Navigator Rd. in Londonderry, Santa will arrive by helicopter. Santa touches down at 11 a.m. and will visit with kids until 1 p.m.