Where To See Santa In The Chestnut Hill-Mt Airy Area This Christmas

CHESTNUT HILL-MT. AIRY, PHILADELPHIA — Santa Claus will be back in the Chestnut Hill and Mt. Airy areas 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 area, kids have several chances:

Holidays on the Hill

Santa will make many visits to Chestnut Hill during the Holidays on the Hill celebration.

The Jolly Elf will be making rounds during Stag & Doe Nights on Nov. 30, Dec. 7, Dec. 14, and Dec. 21.

He will also be at Market at the Fareway from noon to 2 p.m. on Dec. 4, Dec. 11, Dec. 18, and Dec. 24.

Happy Holidays from Roxborough

From 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10, Santa will be in Roxborough's Pocket Park for selfies.

Santa will help light the tree at 4 p.m.

The event will also feature letter writing to Santa, ornament making, storytelling, and performances.

Suburban Square

Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus will be in Ardmore's Suburban Square for selfies on Saturday, Dec. 3 and Sunday, Dec. 4.

On Saturday, Santa will be in Suburban Square at 9:30 a.m. and will pose for photos from 10 a.m. to noon, then 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

And on Sunday, they will be taking photos from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., and again from 1 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will be also be making their rounds around Suburban Square throughout the day including cookie decorating at The Farmer’s Market between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

Springfield Mall

Santa will be in the Lower Level Center Court for holiday photos. Digital photo packages are available with options to purchase prints.

Reservations are recommended, as guests without a reservation may experience longer wait times or be asked to visit at a different time, especially in December.

Make your reservation here.

Santa Hours

• Monday - Friday: noon to 8p.m. (Santa break time: 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.)
• Saturday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Santa break time: 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. & 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.)
• Sunday: noon to 6 p.m. (Santa break time: 2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.)

Extended Hours, December 9-24

• Monday - Friday: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Santa break time: 3 p.m. to4 p.m.)
• Saturday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Santa break time: 1 p.m.to 2 p.m. & 5 p.m. to p.m.)
• Sunday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Santa break time: 2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.)
• December 23: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Santa break time: 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. & 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.)
• December 24: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Santa break time: 1 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.)

Newtown Township

Santa will be on hand for the St. Albans Circle Tree Lighting from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 4. He will arrive on a Newtown Township Volunteer Fire Company fire truck for the tree lighting.

Donate non-perishable food items for St. Alban’s Episcopal Church’s food drive and unwrapped new children’s toy for Toys for Tots.

Santa's Parade

On Sunday, Nov. 27, Media will host Santa's Parade in Vet Square between State and Baker streets.

The fun begins at 2:30 a.m. with a block party that will feature music, games, food, drink, and more. There will also be a costume contest at 4 p.m. and winners will get to ride in the parade with Santa.

A fun run/walk will take place at 4:15 p.m.

Then, Santa's parade will step off at 5 p.m. The parade will feature Mummers, Drummers, Musicians, Dancers, Classic Cars, Fire Engines, and of course Santa Claus.

See the route here.

Coopertown Civic Association

• Santa Fire Truck — Tuesday, Dec. 20

Santa arrived Nov. 12 at Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Santa’s Wonderland and will hold court through Christmas Eve. Reservations are encouraged.

Santa will be at Macy’s stores in New York City, Chicago, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Boston and Orlando.