Luckily for us, Santa really likes visiting Atlanta. Even if you missed the summer sign-up for his visit to Phipps or got word about the appointments at that private photographer’s studio a month too late, you still have plenty of time to load up your sleigh and head out for your one-on-one with The Big Guy. Keep reading for some creative and unique spots to catch Santa, below.
Capture holiday memories and visit Santa and his reindeer, Comet and Cupid, at Santa’s Cottage. Pictures with your camera are included with admission! Santa is scheduled every Thursday – Sunday from 6-9 p.m. Santa WILL NOT be there on November 28th.
Celebrate the Holiday Season in style at the Swan Coach House's Annual Santa Brunch. Santa will be in attendance with some special guests. Tickets include Brunch Buffet and time with Santa, and there will be a professional photographer on site for ordering pictures with Santa.
WINTER HOUSE is a new 16-day event where families can enjoy a welcoming, art-filled holiday experience that reflects our passion for arts education. Daily activities include an Artist Market, Mug & Ornament Glazing, Fire Pits & S'mores, Beer Garden & Library Wine Bar, and History Tours at 1 & 4 p.m. daily. Santa will be in the house on select days (usually the weekend) at varied times. Check the events schedule here to make sure you go when the Big Guy is there!
980 Briarcliff Rd. NE
Atlanta
404-872-5338
Online:callanwolde.org
Skip the malls, avoid the long lines, and come to Rhodes Hall for a fun, easy and enjoyable Santa experience. On weekends from November 20-December 12, 2021, the “castle on Peachtree” will be transformed into a winter wonderland featuring personal appointments with Santa at Rhodes Hall. Purchase a digital image that will be emailed to you within 48 hours of your appointment. Enjoy a craft and the beautiful decorations on the inside of one of Atlanta's most iconic historic homes.
1516 Peachtree St. NW
Midtown
Online:georgiatrust.org
Enjoy a fancy St. Regis tradition of afternoon tea with Santa in the Astor Court. There will be tea, and Santa—of course—and a delectable assortment of cakes and small tea bites that will leave everyone happy and humming holly jolly tunes on the way home. Live music and a funny elf round out the experience for your little ones.
Kick off the holidays right with this cozy family brunch at Milton’s and a visit and photo with Santa! Santa Brunch Sundays this year will be on Dec. 5, 12, & 19 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., and portraits with Santa are only available with brunch. Visits with Santa and photos will be taken before your brunch reservation.
800 Mayfield Rd.
Milton
770-817-0161
Online:miltonscuisine.com
Santa and his elves are so excited to see you! This year, you’ll find Santa in front of a beautiful Christmas backdrop at the Marietta Museum of History this season, with the beloved Hadley’s Photography team ready to capture your family’s memories. Or, register in advance for a 30-minute one-on-one with Santa and his elves for your entire family.
Lights, reindeer, music, and treats are just some of the fun things you’ll find while exploring Candy Cane Lane in Seattle
Many Seattle-area neighborhoods go all out for the holidays, but there’s none more adorably decorated than the row of 1920s-era Tudors lining Candy Cane Lane. With lights, music and moving objects, this sweet neighborhood has been a Seattle holiday institution for more than six decades. Whether you’re looking to take a trip down memory lane or want to start your own family tradition, grab your little elves and hit this decked out ‘hood.
Kylie Kirkland
Set Your GPS
A Seattle institution since 1949, Candy Cane Lane is otherwise known as N.E. Park Rd., just off the main drag of Ravenna Blvd. at the cross street of 21st Ave. N.E., just north of University Village. It's actually a curved row of 23 adorably decorated houses so sweet they look like you could have plucked them right off a gingerbread house display.
Sleighs, reindeer, blow-up candy canes, mechanical decorations ‘round the traffic circle and traffic back-ups. Decorations usually share a theme (past events have centered on holiday classics such as the Nutcracker), and now there’s a multi-cultural approach with the charming "peace" ornamentation. In years past a real, live Santa has been known to make surprise appearances, passing out candy canes, of course.
Where to Eat
The mecca of University Village offers plenty of options, and it’s just five minutes away from Candy Cane Lane, so make an evening of it and head to the kid-friendly Veggie Grill or Delfino’s Chicago Style Pizza for a quick bite, followed by treats at Trophy Cupcakes & Party, Molly Moon's Ice Cream or The Confectionary. Maybe take care of a ‘lil holiday shopping while you’re at it? Also nearby: Kidd Valley Burgers (can you say, milkshakes?), and if all else fails, there’s a drive-thru McDonald’s on 25th.
Where to Park
Technically, you don’t need to park at all. Candy Cane Lane in Seattle is a drive-by thing, with cars idling and inching along slowly as passengers snap pictures through fogged-up windows. But if you want to fully experience the music, lights, and mechanical decorations (like the rain and the wind), park on a side street, bundle up and get out of the car. Ravenna Park, just a half block away, has about a dozen parking spots, or you can snag parking on a nearby side street.
Insider tip: Buy the kiddies a cup of hot cocoa across the street at Seven Market & Cafe to make your evening stroll even more enjoyable.
Melinda Wong
When to Go
The Christmas Ship and Parade of Boats is always a fun addition to this outing. Check the 2022 schedule and find out when the ship parade will stop by Matthews Beach, Magnuson Park, or Madison Park, all within a few miles of Candy Cane Lane Seattle. Or go after a movie; or when the relatives come into town; or any rainy evening when the kids are acting up and need to be reminded of who’s on the lookout for those who have been naughty and who has been oh-so-nice.
Insider tip: The word on the lane is not to go before December 10. The neighbor elves are busy setting up everything for you in the meantime.
Dates: The houses are usually ready to go in mid-December. Wander through between dusk and around 10 p.m. until the New Year.
Cost: Free, however, a canned food drive donation station usually sits at the end of the route and viewers can also leave donations at the nearby Seven Market & Cafe.
Good things come in small packages, and they’re even better when you find them in one of these Christmas stockings. From personalized Christmas stockings to ones you can find on Etsy, we’ve found a style for every elf on your shelf. Keep reading for our favorite Christmas stockings for kids and families.
If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation.
Glitter Swirl Name Stocking
With your name scrolled so prettily across the front of this stocking—chosen from a dazzling array of glittery colors—even Santa will think you're on the nice list. Pick a color for each family member, and you've got yourself one magnificent mantel.
These hand-knit stockings are as classic as they are sizable. With tree, snowflake and reindeer motifs—plus options for your pup or kitty—they coordinate without being overly matchy. Plus, did we mention the pom-poms? Perfection.
Add a touch of whimsy to your mantel with these brightly patterned knit stockings. Available in reindeer, pine tree and chevron prints, you can create the holiday cheer-scape of your choosing.
Want to make a splash on Christmas morning? These stockings are a safe bet for getting exactly what you want. With flip sequins and a rainbow of color options, these stockings are anything but fishy.
Send your Christmas morning cuteness factor straight through the roof with these fuzzy Yeti. This guy's furry face and whimsical scarf will ensure that the fireplace mantel isn't just fun on Christmas morning.
These classic needlepoint stockings offer a catalog of themes—from trains to woodland critters and everything in between—and the coolest thing about them is that they're hand-stitched in 100% wool. Can someone say "heirloom?"
Personalized Classic Velvet Stockings - Red with Ivory Cuff
Clean, classic and cheerful, we love these red velvet stockings with a personalized white cuff—especially since they come in multiple sizes. Choose the right size for your family's typical stocking haul, or mix it up for some mantel mischief.
Your family will be doing the hot dog dance all season long with these cute Disney stockings dangling from your mantel. The font is classic Walt, and you can choose between Mickey, Minnie and Pluto!
Just in case you're worried that Santa might overlook your stockings, these adorable blinking light stockings will help you sleep a little more soundly on Christmas Eve. With battery packs that can be turned off when you're not around, they will raise the excitement level of any child by about 1000% leading up to the main event.
This elfin-style stocking is just what a family with mischievous little elves needs this holiday season. Full of whimsy, these will pull their weight in holding plenty of magic for your merrymakers on Christmas morning.
When you have a herd of kiddos, what's better than assigning them each a Reindeer-is-my-animal-spirit stocking in the softest sherpa materials? The personalization ensures that everyone will have their own stocking on Christmas morning, and paired with the Santa-themed stocking in the same line by Pottery Barn Kids, you could create an entire vignette on your mantel. Because you have loads of spare time, right? It's only the holidays.
Parents of sporty sprouts, stand up and cheer! These sports-themed stockings don't need personalization when you have kids who play on different fields. At such a reasonable price, you can buy them for the entire team.
Holiday train outings, or rides on the “Polar Express” can be a magical and festive event for kids. Some of these train rides are directly inspired by the “Polar Express” book and movie, some are all about Santa and his little helpers and most have some form of refreshment, singing, performance, and even a little gift. But take note! These rides tend to sell out pretty early, so if you want to take a train trip to the North Pole this holiday season, you’ll need to start looking now. We’ve picked the best holiday train rides to take in 2021, and all are located less than two hours (give or take 10 minutes!) away from central Manhattan by car. Book now and enjoy the ride!
Holiday Train Shows
NYBG
If you can't make it to an actual locomotive, you can still take in one (or more) of the magical model train shows happening this holiday season.
The New York Botanical Garden Train Show The New York Botanical Garden celebrates the 30th anniversary of its holiday train show in 2021. This magical display features more than 175 New York landmarks re-created with nuts, bark, leaves, and other plant parts as designed by Laura Busse Dolan and the creative team at Applied Imagination.
Humming along between familiar sites such as the Statue of Liberty, Rockefeller Center, Macy’s and the original Penn Station, large-scale model trains cover almost a half-mile of track across rustic bridges and trestles, through tunnels and past cascading waterfalls. And don't forget to look up at the trains zooming overhead!
On select dates, you can also check out the garden's holiday light display, NYBG GLOW, which in addition to dazzling light creations, features music, dance, food and more.
Nov. 20 - Jan. 23, 2022 Tickets: $32/adults;$30/student/senior; $18/kids two–12; free for children under two. Combo train show/GLOW: $35/adults (13-64), $20/kids two 0 12. Enid A. Haupt Conservatory The New York Botanical Garden 2900 Southern Blvd. Bronx 718-817-8700 Online: nybg.org
Holiday Express: Toys and Trains from the Jerni Collection at the New-York Historical Society
This year, this holiday train tradition goes to the amusement park! Joining a selection of toy trains, figurines, and miniature models from the renowned Jerni Collection, 2021's festive display includes never-before-seen toy rides. Visitors can marvel at a miniature Ferris wheel, carousel, blimp ride, and roller coaster.
Aside from being fun for the kids, the Jerni Collection, which includes hand-crafted and hand-painted pieces dating from approximately 1850 to 1940, is considered one of the finest collections of antique trains and toys in the world.
Tickets: Adults/$22; Seniors/Educators/Active Military/$17; Students/$13; Kids (five–13 years old)/$6; Kids four and under/free Admission is pay-as-you-wish from 6-8 p.m. on Fridays
Nov. 19-March 13, 2022 170 Central Park West at 77th St. Upper West Side 212-873-3400 Online: nyhistory.org
Catskill Mountain Railroad
If you're still a little nervous about being in an enclosed space with strangers, check out the Catskill Mountain Railroad's Catskill Mountain Express! This version of a holiday train ride invites passengers onto open-air trains for a 60-minute journey to Santa's Workshop at the North Pole. Passengers get a cookie from the local bakery, and a wave from Santa as the train passes. Kids also get a small gift after the North Pole is reached. (Handwarmers are sold on-site, and you're welcome to bring blankets!)
Tickets: $29/adults; $23/kids Nov. 26-Dec. 23 55 Plaza Rd. Kingston, NY 845-332-4854 Online: catskillmountainrailroad.com
Details are still being determined for this trip; "Like" Tristate Rail's Facebook page to get updates. This hour-long experience will give kids a chance to meet Santa, who will also be giving each child a present and a candy cane. The trip will also have a few special guest appearances by other characters, and children will receive a small toy and an activity book. The train is equipped with bathrooms and is wheelchair accessible. See Covid-19 protocol here.
A popular holiday train ride option, this Polar Express has been refreshed during its year off in 2020. Seating has also been adjusted to improve the visibility of the show for passengers. Choose from Coach Class or First Class for your two-hour journey (First Class is in a restored 1940s car). This spectacular train ride is themed around "The Polar Express" movie, and it sets the mood by playing the sweeping soundtrack during the ride. Passengers make their way to "the North Pole," where hot chocolate and cookies are served, "dancing chefs," perform, and there is a readalong of the children's book that the movie was based on. A small gift is included in the price—a silver sleigh bell (and a ceramic Polar Express mug if you're in First Class)—and throughout the ride, families can enjoy musical performances by characters from the movie. First Class passengers get the benefits of larger windows, plush seating, and plenty of space for legs and little ones.
This train ride lasts about an hour and 20 minutes and gives families a chance to interact with Santa and his elves. Each child will receive a small gift from Santa's toy bag while elves and other characters lead passengers in carols and singalongs. First class travelers will also be served hot cocoa and get more comfortable seating. Afternoon and evening rides are available, with evening rides being lit up with Christmas lights. Keep in mind that there are no restrooms on the trains.
The Phillipsburg rendition of the Polar Express train ride includes music from the movie, a reading of the book, hot chocolate and cookies, a gift of a sleigh bell, and more. There will be performances and jugglers, as well as visits from Santa and other characters. Travelers are encouraged to wear their pajamas to this whimsical ride. Tickets for certain dates have already sold out, so if you're interested in this one, act fast to get your tickets!
[Editor's Note: Sadly, this train trip is already sold out for the 2021 season!] The North Pole Express is an hour and a half ride that turns each train car into an interactive musical performance of "The Night Before Christmas." Expect cookies and cocoa and visits from Mrs. and Mrs. Claus. First Class tickets for the North Pole Express are already sold out, so get your tickets soon to ensure a spot.
The holidays haven’t officially started but parents across the globe have already started dreading preparing for the famed holiday tradition: Elf on the Shelf. The mischievous little guy or gal is known for keeping moms and dads on their toys, but you can up the ante in a big way this year.
Clothing retailer Little Navy sells Elf on the Shelf pajamas! The adorable “one size fits all Elves” set is white with tiny candy canes, hot chocolate and marshmallows all over.
photo: Little Navy
The set is made with machine washable fabrics (for all those antics your Elf is bound to get up to) and currently takes three weeks to receive once your order.
You can order your adorable set at littlenavy.com for about $14 ($18 CAD).
Want to send a quick hello to the big man himself? Now you can send text messages to Santa and get an answer direct from the North Pole!
To start texting with Santa all you have to do is complete your contact information on the online form here, including the names of your kids. After you submit the form, you’ll receive an initial text confirming that you want to receive texts from Santa. Reply “yes” to the text and you’re ready to correspond with the jolly old elf.
You can then expect to receive your first text from Santa on Dec. 1, with texts arriving approximately every five days throughout the month of December. Santa will send a variety of messages like jokes, holiday recipes, facts and little reminders to keep the season merry. All of the messages are completely kid-appropriate, free and of course, direct from Santa himself.
“I wanted to take people inside my process this year, show them how I prepare for my biggest night and spread Christmas cheer,” Santa said in a statement. “Mrs. Claus and I have been getting better and better at texting. The elves have been teaching us. We can even send emojis and GIFs now!”
Get ready to check off one item on your holiday to-do list! Our helpful elves scrolled through all of the awesome holiday card designs at Minted, Artifact Uprising and Shutterfly and picked out 15 of their favorites to help you pare down your selections. They found photo Christmas cards, Hanukkah cards, holiday birth announcements and a bunch of cards for those of you ready to celebrate the end of 2021 with a Happy New Year card instead. Snap your family photo and get these ordered!
Gingerbread houses are so last decade. Target has a festive array of holiday cookie kits for the upcoming baking season, including an actual treehouse and a football stadium! Best of all, they’re all reasonably priced so you can save a little extra dough.
Holiday Stadium Gingerbread Cookie Kit
The Holiday Stadium Gingerbread Cookie Kit is already getting rave reviews and it's a new addition to the kit lineup. It comes with premade gingerbread, decorative candies, a color wheel and paper accessories. The Elves are set to face off against the Reindeer in a classic winter matchup, perfect for the cookie-loving sports fan in your house. Buy now for $10.
Holiday Beach House Sugar Cookie Kit
If you live somewhere that's never white on Christmas, you'll appreciate this Holiday Beach House Sugar Cookie Kit! The bright blue shack has the perfect tropical details with the added festivity of string lights. The palm tree, surfboard and crushed gingerbread sand transports us to a tropical vacation. Buy now for $10.
Holiday Tree House Gingerbread House Kit
Ready to step up your cookie construction game? Then try the Holiday Tree House Gingerbread House Kit, which towers over regular holiday homes. The trickiest part is setting a strong foundation and making sure none of your pieces are broken, but once you can get it to stand it's a super impressive addition to your decoration lineup! Buy now for $10.
Holiday Ugly Sweater Cookie Kit.
Finally, if you're not much for building but you love decorating, you'll appreciate the Holiday Ugly Sweater Cookie Kit. The kit comes with premade sweater cookies for you to make as garish as your heart desires. With one dozen cookies included, it makes enough for the whole family. Buy now for $9.
You can snag all of these kits now at Target. And there are plenty more to choose from, so head online or hit up your local store and let the festivities begin!
We don’t know what’s sweeter–all those perfectly smocked, teddy bear-toting tea goers or dessert trays rolling through Atlanta’s favorite holiday tea times. And don’t tell anyone, but many of the following tea times are visited by Santa himself! Keep reading because we’re spilling the best holiday teas in Atlanta, below.
A family-friendly tea service provides a magical landscape for children and their families to create lasting holiday memories. Santa will make his appearance to ensure all in attendance have their Christmas wishes heard. Children enjoy hot chocolate made by the pastry team, a cookie decorating kit, seasonal treats and a keepsake from Mrs. Claus that will be treasured for years to come. Boys and girls of all ages are encouraged to bring an unwrapped toy to donate to the children of Atlanta and support a local charity while Santa and Mrs. Claus prepare for Christmas.
Reservations required. Priced at $55 per adult and children 7 and older; $35 per children ages three through six, children two and under are complimentary, exclusive of tax and gratuity. Complimentary valet included.
Reservations may be made for either event by calling 404-237-2700. Teddy Bear Teas are $59 per adult, $52 per child on Nov. 29, Dec. 6, 13, 20, 21, 22, and 23 at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., while Teas with Santa are $59 per adult, $52 per child on Fridays-Sundays November 27th to December 23rd at 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m.
Kick off the holidays by heading to the Restaurant on Thursday, December 2 from 4-6 p.m. for the annual Holiday Tea at the Swan Coach House, but be sure to make reservations in advance. Not sure the littles will be up for putting on their holiday finest and being whisked away to a tea right after nap time? Try the brunch with Santa and Mrs. Claus in the Restaurant instead. On Sundays, Nov. 28, Dec. 5, 12, & 19 at 10:30 a.m. & 1 p.m., your littles can enjoy the special holiday menu and excitement of seeing Santa up-close and personal.
Reservations for both the tea and the lunches can be made by online or by calling 470-343-2692, and the tea is $65 for adults or $35 for children, while the lunch with Santa is $68 for adults or $38 for children.
Enjoy the St. Regis tradition of Afternoon Tea with Santa, enjoying the impeccable service of St. Regis Butlers in the elegant and festive holiday atmosphere of Astor Court. Afternoon Tea with Santa includes hand-selected TEALEAVES complemented by delectable holiday treats. Tea with Santa gives little ones the opportunity to enjoy a magical tea ritual complete with a special visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. A mischievous hotel elf will also be visiting guests throughout the tea. Live music will set the perfect ambiance.
Prepaid reservation for parties of 2 to 12. $65–$85 per person from Fri.-Sun. starting Nov. 26, then daily Dec. 13-24.
The best way to spread Christmas cheer is by…grabbing a pair of Hanna Andersson’s newest Elf pajamas! The apparel company has partnered with Warner Bros. to bring fans of all ages a limited-edition capsule collection for the holidays.
Hanna Andersson’s classic stripes and fair isle patterns are decked out with scenes and characters that include Buddy the Elf and Mr. Narwhal that both kids and adults will love. Shop styles that include long johns, flannel pants, sleepers, pet PJs, hats, a sweatshirt and dress starting today, Oct. 25.
Perhaps the greatest news is that the collection includes Hanna Andersson’s classic Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified cotton matching family pajamas in fair isle for adults, kids, babies, and dogs! The whole family can get in on the holiday fun, while watching Elf, of course.
Prices range from $30 to $50 and you can shop the entire new collection at hannaandersson.com while supplies last.
