Top Places to See Santa on Long Island

Santa has the magical ability to be in several places seemingly at once and often for only a few hours. To help you pin the peripatetic elf down, here is a selection of fun venues where he will appear on a regular basis throughout the holiday season. Do remember, though, that Santa sometimes has to take a break for milk and cookies, so build a little extra time into your schedule. And while some of the winter wonderlands are still open after Christmas, Santa always returns to the North Pole on December 24th. After that you can track him on the North American Aerospace Defense Command's NORAD Santa Tracker, and then try to catch him sneaking into your living room with his bag full of toys.

If you are looking for a full day of entertainment, the White Post Farms Petting Zoo or the Bayville Adventure Park Winter Wonderland and the Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery will certainly fit the bill:

White Post Farms Animal Farm & Petting Zoo
250 Old Country Road
Melville
631-351-9373
This farm is so full of activities for children it would be hard to do everything in just one visit. Santa and Fluffy the Snowman will visit every Saturday and Sunday through Christmas 10–4pm but the farm is open until 6pm, last admission is at 5. Admission is $12. pictures with Santa and Fluffy are included as well as the petting zoo, a giant free-flight aviary, a theatrical production of A Christmas Carol and unlimited time in the outdoor bouncy playground (bring warm socks!). Some activities are weather dependent so do call ahead.The park has a full refreshment stand, but you are also welcome to bring your own food.

Bayville Adventure Park's Winter Wonderland
8 Bayville Avenue
Bayville
516-624-7433
Come meet Santa at this full-featured beachside winter holiday park. Admission includes Santa, a fun house, train ride, skating, and a light show. The outdoor miniature golf and rope-bridge climbing areas are open weather permitting. The park is open Fridays 6–10pm, Saturdays 12–10pm and Sundays 12–9pm. The park is also open Wednesday and Thursday evenings 6–9pm from December 14th. Please note that Santa departs at 9pm. Tickets are $12 per person before 5pm (does not include light show) and $15 after 5pm. You can apply for a discount coupon here.

Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery
1660 Route 25A
Cold Spring Harbor
516-692-6768
Santa Saturdays
11am–3pm
Free with hatchery admission
Adults $6, kids 3–12 $4.

Jump with Santa

Pump It UP Plainview
135 DuPont Street, Plainview
516-575-2300
$16.95/child
Friday, December 21, 6:30-8:30; and Saturday, December 22, 9:30-1130AM
Kids get 1 1/2 hours of jump time followed by a snack in the party room and bring your cameras to get a picture with Santa.

Pump it UP Great Neck
222 Community Drive
Suite 250
Great Neck
$19.95/child
Saturday December 22nd 9:30-11:30
Includes jumping craft and photo time with Santa.

Hicks Nursery
100 Jericho Turnpike
Westbury
516-334-0066
Santa is visiting Hicks nursery from 10am to 1pm and 2 to 5pm until December 23rd, when he must head home to get ready for his big night.. This year he has also brought two of his reindeer. There is also a walk-through holiday story and a tremendous store with wonderful displays of holiday villages. The nursery, a family business since 1853, is collecting nonperishable food items to donate to the Long Island Cares food bank. It sells fresh-cut Christmas trees and holiday greenery. Check Hicks's website for coupons.

Shamrock Christmas Tree Farm

20685 Main Road



Mattituck


631-298-4619
Santa visits every Saturday and Sunday 12–5
pm.

Dart's Christmas Tree Farm


2355 Main Bayview Road 
Southold


631-765-4148

Saturday and Sundays 12–4pm weather and tired feet permitting.

Santa visits these two North Fork Christmas-tree farms on Saturdays and Sundays before Christmas 12–4pm. You can read more about these two farms, and others, in our Cut-Your-Own-Christmas-Tree Farms post.

St. James General Store
516 Moriches Road
St. James
631-854-3740
Every year Santa visits the historic St. James General Store on the Saturdays before Christmas to meet with children and hear their wishes. This year his visit was famously canceled due to Suffolk County budget cuts, but fortunately his visit has been reinstated. The General Store, built in 1857, is the oldest continuously operating general store in the country. Its old wooden shelves are filled with goodies: local honey, wooden yo-yos, traditional sock monkeys, vintage accessories, and of course candy. It's a fun place to visit, especially when it's all decked out for the holidays.

Roosevelt Field Mall
630 Old Country Road
Garden City
Monday-Saturday 9-9:30PM
Christmas Eve 9-6PM
516-742-8000

Walt Whitman Mall
160 Walt Whitman Rd. 
Huntington Station
631-271-8066
10-8PM until December 21st
9M-9PM December 21st-23rd
Christmas Eve 8-6PM

Smith Haven Mall
313 Smith Haven Mall
Lake Grove
631-724-8066
Through Saturday December 22nd 9AM-9:30PM
Sunday 9AM-8PM
Christmas Eve 8AM-6PM

Wherever you find him, have a wonderful time.
Ho! Ho! Ho! And happy Santa hunting