Details Announced For 16th Annual Reindeer Festival & Santa's Workshop In Greenwich

GREENWICH, CT — Santa Claus and his three live reindeer are coming to town as they return to Greenwich for the 16th annual Greenwich Reindeer Festival & Santa’s Workshop presented by Jenny Allen Real Estate at Compass.

The much-anticipated holiday event and town tradition will kick off on Nov. 29 and run through Dec. 24 at the "North Pole on North Street," Sam Bridge Nursery & Greenhouses, located at 437 North St.

Visitors can have their photo taken with Santa, meet the reindeer and also enjoy Santa's workshop, which will feature a reindeer coloring station sponsored by Jenny Allen Real Estate at Compass, a letter writing to Santa station for children sponsored by Greenwich Pediatric Group, a raffle to win a Mercedes-Benz kids electric cars and a "name the reindeer contest," which will also come with a Mercedes kids car.

Naturepedic is back again this year and has donated an organic breathable baby crib mattress for a raffle in Santa’s workshop. Everyone who has their photo with Santa can enter to win the mattress.

All raffle winning names will be drawn by Santa on Tuesday, Dec. 24.

To recognize the 16th year of the festival, the event will once again be "celebrating family traditions." The unique holiday attraction has become an important family tradition for thousands of families over the past 15 years.

"For 16 wonderful years, the Greenwich Reindeer Festival has been an annual event that celebrates our community’s holiday spirit and brings everyone together," First Selectman Fred Camillo said in a news release.

"I consider this to be the kick-off to the holiday season in Greenwich and I’ve attended it many times because it is always a lot of fun for the whole family. I love to see the faces of the kids and the families enjoying themselves and creating precious holiday memories. This event has also been a way every year to boost the important work at Kids in Crisis," Camillo added. "The Greenwich Reindeer Festival continues to help fund this non-profit’s work in the region and I commend it for all it’s done. I’m glad to see they will again have a Kids in Crisis Giving Tree that will directly help kids in need and I can’t wait to be there again this year."

The community is invited to Sam Bridge for the "We’re Back Party Days," Friday, Nov. 29, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., and on Saturday, Nov. 30, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Santa will arrive promptly at noon on Nov. 29, and there will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Santa, event sponsors, and public officials to officially open Santa’s workshop for photos.

Santa’s reindeer are set to arrive on the afternoon of Nov. 29.

The excitement will continue on Saturday, Nov. 30, with a variety of attractions and vendors.

Dough Girls Food Truck and Bona Bona Ice Cream Truck will be outside for all to enjoy. More vendors outside will include party balloons featuring balloon artists and other fun activities for children, Give Yourself Hugs, Children’s Art Program, Pina Bird Books and Pina Basone and her wonderful children’s books, Code Ninjas, Kate Stone College Consulting, ONE Speech Therapy, and Allegra Dance students will be performing two different times on Friday afternoon.

Inside, you’ll find a special complimentary 16th-anniversary cake.

Attendees can enjoy the Holiday Cheer Station sponsored by Bodhi Bear Apothecary, Bonjo Coffee Roasters and Val’s Putnam Wines & Liquors. Enjoy a complimentary drink for children and adults at the Holiday Cheer Station inside next to Santa’s workshop.

This fun attraction will continue every Thursday afternoon, Dec. 5, Dec. 12, 19, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and every Saturday, Dec. 7, 14 and 21, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Also joining the “We’re Back Party Days” festivities both Friday and Saturday this year will be Rising Starr Horse Rescue featuring three miniature horses, and providing information about their important work of rescuing horses across the United States. Based in Wilton, Rising Starr Horse Rescue will then join the Reindeer Festival every Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., except Saturday Dec. 7

New this year is the "Reindeer & Santa Coloring Contest" sponsored by Avelo Airlines, Jenny Allen Real Estate at Compass, Greenwich Pediatric Dental Group, Greenwich Braces and Greenwich Magazine/Moffly Media.

There will be two different categories and one entry per child. The first category is open to children ages 4 to 6 years old and will feature a Santa coloring page.

The second category is open to children ages 7 to 10 years old and will feature a Reindeer & Santa coloring page.

Children 11 years and older are welcome to enter, but they’re not eligible for prizes. You can enter by downloading the coloring pages from the website home page, here.

Return your child’s coloring page to Santa’s Workshop at Sam Bridge Nursery Monday through Friday, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Christmas Eve, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Santa and his elves will choose the two winners on Christmas Eve, and the two winners will be notified on Christmas Day.

The winners will receive two roundtrip tickets on Avelo Airlines, good for one year - all other restrictions apply.

The two winning coloring pages will also be featured on the event website, social media pages, and in an ad in the February 2025 issue of Greenwich Magazine.

The Greenwich Reindeer Festival and Sam Bridge Nursery are proud to support Kids In Crisis for the 16th year. A portion of proceeds from all photos with Santa will once again benefit the Greenwich-based nonprofit.

A Kids In Crisis giving tree will also be available for people to support the important work of the nonprofit.

A one-dollar donation to Kids In Crisis is suggested when you submit your coloring page at the Reindeer Festival.

Throughout the four weeks, the reindeer will make Sam Bridge their home, thanks to the new Reindeer Stable sponsor, Greenwich Braces and the Reindeer sponsors, Sam Bridge Nursery & Greenhouses, The Hangout Spot, and Greenwich Hospital.

Children, adults, and dogs (on leashes) can have their photo taken with Santa at Santa’s Workshop.

Please check the website, www.Greenwichreindeerfestival.com, for all pricing for all photo packages.

Hours for the photos with Santa, are Mondays through Fridays, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sam Bridge Nursery & Greenhouses is closed on Sundays.

The reindeer will depart Monday afternoon, Dec. 23, but Santa will remain for photos until Tuesday, Christmas Eve, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

"We are so excited to celebrate the 16th year of this important community event. We are always so excited to welcome back the Greenwich Reindeer Festival here at Sam Bridge Nursery. It’s become a wonderful tradition that our entire family looks forward to. We love the way it brings the community together," said Maggie Bridge, of Sam Bridge Nursery & Greenhouses, in a news release.

Parking is free for the festival.

For more details on the event, click here and follow on social media on Facebook and Instagram.