Santa Clauses Coming to Town

There are many reasons to love
the holidays in New York City, not the least of which involves a jolly old man
in a bright red suit who is supposed to grant us all of our wishes. We’re sure
you can find one to snap a photo with on just about every corner, but for the
ultimate classic experience, here are some of our favorite Santas from around
the city. —

Snap & Save With Santa

Just when you think meeting Santa
can’t get any better, he decides to offer you a special photo package at Shutterfly
just for the holidays. Flash the camera your best and brightest smile, then
order personalized cards, photo books and other gives to savor the memory. Through
December 24 at South Street Seaport Mall, 3rd Floor, 212-732-7678, southstreetseaport .com .

Breakfast With Santa

What better reason to wake up
bright an early than a scrumptious family-style breakfast with a visit from
Santa and his elves at Rockefeller Center? Enjoy a gingerbread basket, eggs on brioche French toast,
breakfast pork sausage and other goodies with a side of stocking stuffer
trinkets. After you’ve filled up, enjoy a day out on the ice with your VIP
skating passes. Through December 24 at 20 West 50th Street, 212-332-7620, patinagroup .com.

The ABCs Of Christmas

Walk down a red carpet to see the
man in red! ABC Carpet and Home’s beloved
Santa Claus (heralded by the New York Post to be “the most authentically
snuggly Santa of all”) is back in town to pose for photos with your tots.
He’s been known to hand out ornaments and little polar bears, so see what he
has up his sleeve this year. Through December 18 at 888 Broadway at East 19th
Street, 212-473-3000,
abchome .com.

Opposite Day With Santa

Back by popular demand, Ripley’s
Believe It Or Not! flips the classic photo with Santa on its head. For a quirky
family portrait, have Santa sit on your lap instead of the other way
round–perfect for a unique holiday card or just for laughs. Available
Saturdays till December 24 and December 26 through 29 at 234 West 42nd St, 212-398-3133, ripleysnewyork .com.

Santaland At Macy’s

Long lines are a small price to
pay to step foot inside Macy’s infamous Santaland. Feast your eyes on the enchanted
forest, miniature train set and the entire magical North Pole village of
elves. For an additional $5, you can even catch Nick Coppola’s “Miracle on 34th
Street” puppet show. Open daily through December 24
and from December 25 through December 29 at 151 West 34th Street, 212-494-4495, macys.com.

Santa In A Box

Tired of the same old red suit?
Head over to Dekalb Market to see this year’s SANT-A-BOX,
where you’ll find Santa in an ultra fab shipping container instead of the
typical winter wonderland. Glitter and cut-out snowflakes still
abound, so don’t forget to bring your own camera. Through December 24 at 138
Willoughby Street, 212-529-9262 dekalbmarket .com.

A Multilingual Santa Cause

There’s no funner way to practice your foreign language skills than telling
the Rosetta Stone Santa what you want for Christmas in Spanish, German, French,
Italian, Dutch or, of course, English. And in the spirit of the season, every
time someone climbs into Santa’s lap, tests their language skills and smiles
for the camera, Rosetta Stone will donate language-learning software to an
eligible school. December 21 (3:00-7:00pm) and December 22-23 (1:00pm-5:00pm)
at Time Warner Center, 10 Columbus Circle, 212-823-9871, shopsatcolumbuscircle.com.

Santa In Bloom

See Bloomingdale’s Kris Kringle at their very own Santaland this season–at bKids on the 8th floor. So don your holiday best and get ready to say “cheese”! Through December 23 at 1000 Third Avenue, 212-705-2000, bloomingdales.com.

Santa Visits Queens

Don’t miss the guy in red as he mans his post at the Queens Center Mall. Level 3 of the JCPenney wing promises photo opps with the man of the hour. Through December 24, 90-15 Queens Blvd,
Queens, 718-592-3901, shopqueenscenter.com.

Santa In A Flash

The fat man also resides for weeks at the Kings Plaza Shopping Center in Brooklyn, on Level 2. Luckily for Brooklynites, there’s rarely a line to see this jolly fellow! Through December 24, 5117 Avenue U, Brooklyn, 718-253-6842, kingsplazaonline.com.

Play On! Studios

Play On! Studios offers theater day camps and after-school classes on the UWS that are guaranteed to give kids a summer full of acting, music, and fun they won't soon forget! Young actors will rehearse and perform in a full production, work with professional NYC actors/teaching artists, build up their skills in a nurturing, non-competitive environment and play lots of drama games! Creative Drama Camps are perfect for kids entering grades K-4. Campers will work each week to put on a brand-new show! Each session, they will receive a script, rehearse a production, make a set and costumes, and perform their play. Kids will also play drama games, play outside (weather permitting), and have tons of fun! Musical Theater Camps are aimed at kids entering grades 4-9. In Musical Theater Performance Camp, campers put on a complete musical production in a professional NYC theater! Campers will stretch their skills with drama exercises and games, vocal coaching, field trips, and building a professional set. Our incredible teaching artists and campers come together to put on a truly remarkable show! During the school year, classes are great for beginners or more experienced actors - sing, dance, and put on a play! Whether your child is just starting out, or ready for Broadway, we&rsquo;ve got the class for them. Classes are available for grades PreK-8, after school or on Saturdays! Come play with us. &nbsp;

Polaris Productions Theater Camp

Kids will learn, rehearse, and perform the wonderful Maurice Sendak and Carole King musical, Really Rosie. For 10 weekdays, campers will take part in physical and vocal warm-ups and learn choreography, staging, and vocal parts. They&rsquo;ll develop skills in acting, singing, character development, and more. This camp will ignite your child&rsquo;s imagination and passion for performing, build their self-esteem, and help them form lasting friendships. They&rsquo;ll have fun! At camp&rsquo;s end, the kids will perform Really Rosie for family members and friends. Kids of all levels of experience, ages 8 through 13, are welcome to join.

Athletic Association of Yorkville Youths

Serving the families and children of NYC for over 50 years with high-quality recreational activities that foster life-lessons which empower young people to succeed beyond sports. Our programs encourage positive attitudes and growth through teamwork and sportsmanship, attendance, fair play, respect, hard work, integrity and fun. Your child can participate in clinics and leagues in such sports as baseball, basketball, flag-football, lacrosse, soccer, hockey, wrestling, track, and tennis. We also offer weekly dodgeball tournaments, drama and musical theater workshops, and after school programs.