There’s something truly magical about Christmas in New York City as a family, and no visit is complete without a stop at Macy’s Santaland NYC. Perfect for families with young children, Santaland offers a free festive wonderland where little ones can meet Santa in New York City and experience the holiday spirit like nowhere else.
Located in the heart of Manhattan, this iconic holiday attraction is a highlight of Macy’s NYC Christmas celebrations, featuring beautifully decorated rooms, festive displays, and, of course, the chance to visit Macy’s Herald Square Santa himself. Whether you’re a local or visiting for the holidays, planning your trip to Santaland is a must for creating unforgettable memories.
In this post, I’m going to share everything you need to know about Macy’s Santaland in New York. Including how to get tickets, what to expect from your visit and tips for enjoying it as a family.
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What Is Macy’s Santaland NYC?
Each year, part of Macy’s is transformed into a magical holiday wonderland, where kids can go on a festive experience, finishing with a meeting with Father Christmas himself.
This runs in New York City’s Macy’s at Herald Square and Macy’s Chicago by Bensidoun, State Street. New for 2025, Macy’s has added a Santaland to their Houston store and also a Macy’s Santaland Tour, where Santa will travel around and stop in select cities (which ones are still to be announced).
This post is specifically about Macy’s Santaland in the New York City Herald Square store, but the other locations are likely to provide a similar experience.
How to Get Macy’s Santaland NYC Tickets
Visiting Macy’s Santaland is a free activity! However, getting tickets can be tricky as they sell out extremely quickly.
Santa is normally available for visits around the end of November. Check the Macy’s holiday website here for the exact release date for this year.
The tickets are released at 6:30 am local time, 6 days in advance. So, for example, if you’re looking to get tickets to visit Santa on the 7th December, you would need to go to the site at 6:30 am on the 1st December (6 days before) to book the tickets. Set a reminder if you’re likely to forget!
I have been successful at getting tickets both times I’ve tried. My tip is to be on the website ready to go just before 6:30. As soon as 6:30 hits, click refresh and proceed to the website to book your tickets.
You can choose to meet a white, black or Hispanic Santa, which is a really nice touch.
The time you book is the time you’ll enter the queue, rather than the time you will actually see Santa. The queue will be less busy if you select an early or late time slot.
Often, by 6:35, tickets are sold out. However, it is worth checking as sometimes they have cancellations and will release the tickets back to be reserved by someone else.
Walk-in visits are also sometimes possible. If you’re passing, it is worth asking, but I wouldn’t make a special trip without a reservation, or you might end up being disappointed.
The entrance to Santaland at Macy’s Herald Square, NYC.
What to Expect at Macy’s Santaland NYC
Santaland at Macy’s Herald Square is located on the 8th floor. Macy’s can get extremely busy, especially in the run-up to Christmas. If you’re visiting with a stroller (pushchair), allow a little extra time as you may have to wait a while for the elevator (lift). If you are visiting New York with a toddler, read my full NYC with a toddler guide next!
Once you reach the 8th floor, follow the signs for Santaland. Elves will check your reservation and welcome you to the queue.
As you work your way around the queue, there is so much to see. They have lots of moving festive displays and photo opportunities. The whole family enjoyed looking at these!
An official photographer will also take a photo of you.
When you reach the front of the queue, an elf will direct you to a room where you will meet Father Christmas. Children can tell him their Christmas wishes and take a photo with him. There is a professional photographer, or you can take one with your phone.
As this is a free visit, children don’t receive a gift from Santa, but they do get a little badge to take home with them.
After you’ve finished the experience, you have the option to buy your photos. Photo packages start from $39.99. One year I bought the photo and the other I didn’t, as it wasn’t very good; there was no pressure!
Waiting to visit Santa at Macy’s, New York and enjoying the festive decor.
Visiting Santaland at Macy’s Herald Square Santa: A Family Review
Both times we visited Macy’s Santaland NYC, we had so much fun! I’m always in disbelief that it is a free experience.
The decor is very magical, and my kids (both under age 5) really enjoyed looking at everything, possibly even more than actually meeting Santa!
If you can get tickets, I would highly recommend visiting Macy’s Santaland.
More decor and photo oportunities in the queue to visit Santa.
Tips for Visiting Macy’s Santaland NYC with Little Kids
I’ve heard other parents say their kids didn’t handle the wait in the queue times very well. My kids had no issues, but I would recommend packing some things to do, just in case. I also took them a few snacks to keep them going.
Some young children can be scared of Santa himself. One great thing about visiting Santaland at Macy’s is that it is free. If they dont want to talk to him, you can pass straight through and you’ve not lost any money!
A moving polar bear decoration and meeting with Santa himself!
Other Festive Things to Do at Macy’s NYC at Christmas
While you’re at Macy’s, you might want to stop by the Toys are Us department on the 7th floor. There is a small play area here (best suited to under 5s) and all sorts of toys available to purchase. Kids will love to make their Christmas wishlist, and it was nice to buy something from Macy’s after the free Santa experience!
Also, be sure to check out their holiday window displays. They go all out with extravagant displays. They are usually interactive with buttons to press or selfies to take, kids and grownups alike will love to see them!
Macy’s Herald Square’s interactive window displays.
Thank you so much for reading our review and tips on visiting Macy’s Santaland NYC. We hope you have an amazing time in New York this Christmas!
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Happy Exploring,
A London mum sharing stylish, family-friendly travel guides.
I In our travel guides, I show you that you can still travel as a family and create beautiful memories, even when trips aren’t full of kid-centric activities.
When I’m not planning our next adventure, I also share timeless style inspiration and ideas for living more thoughtfully and sustainably.