Santa Claus and his three LIVE reindeer are coming to town, as they return to Greenwich for the much anticipated 16th Annual Greenwich Reindeer Festival & Santa’s Workshop presented by Jenny Allen Real Estate at Compass, to the “North Pole on North Street,” Sam Bridge Nursery & Greenhouses, 437 North Street, Greenwich, Connecticut, from November 29 to December 24, 2024.
The cherished town tradition continues for the sixteenth consecutive year at the expansive nursery where visitors can have their photo taken with Santa, meet the reindeer and also enjoy the spacious Santa’s Workshop, which features a Reindeer Coloring Station sponsored by Jenny Allen Real Estate at Compass, Letter Writing to Santa Station for children sponsored by Greenwich Pediatric Group, a Raffle for everyone who has their Photo with Santa to win a Mercedes-Benz Kids Electric Car and a “Name the Baby Reindeer Contest,” to win a Mercedes-Benz Kids Electric Car, while families wait in line for their photo with Santa to create special holiday memories. 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 Naturepedic Organic Breathable Crib Mattress for their baby! All Raffle Winning Names will be drawn by Santa, Tuesday, December 24. A portion of all photos with Santa will once again benefit Kids In Crisis, a non-profit organization based in Greenwich. A Kids In Crisis Giving Tree will also be available for people to support the important work of Kids In Crisis.
The Greenwich Reindeer Festival and Sam Bridge Nursery are proud to support Kids In Crisis for the sixteenth year. This all takes place just minutes from downtown Greenwich. Parking is free.
To recognize the 16th year, the event will once again be “Celebrating Family Traditions.”
Top of the list for hundreds of families is visiting Santa’s LIVE Reindeer and having family and pet Photos with Santa at beautiful Sam Bridge Nursery & Greenhouses. 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. “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. 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, November 29, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., when Santa’s arrives promptly at 12noon followed a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with Santa, event sponsors, and public officials to officially open Santa’s Workshop for Photos with Santa. Santa’s Reindeer arrive Friday afternoon. The excitement continues Saturday, November 30, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Joining us for the “We’re Back Party Days,” both Friday and Saturday are the following attractions and vendors: Dough Girls Food Truck and Bona Bona Ice Cream Truck outside for all to enjoy! Inside, you’ll find a special complimentary 16 th Anniversary Cake will be provided inside, also, 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 Children’s Book Author and her wonderful children’s books, Code Ninjas, Kate Stone College Consulting, ONE Speech Therapy, Allegra Dance students will be performing two different times, Friday afternoon.
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, 3pm – 6pm and every Saturday, Dec. 7, 14 and 21, 9am – 6pm.
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. Rising Starr Horse Rescue is based in Wilton, CT. Rising Starr Horse Rescue will also be joining the Greenwich Reindeer Festival every Saturday, 9am to 6pm, except Saturday December 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 will feature a Santa coloring page. The second category is open to children ages 7 to 10 years old and features 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, www.greenwichreindeerfestival.com
Return your child’s coloring page to Santa’s Workshop at Sam Bridge Nursery anytime we’re open, Mondays – Fridays, 12pm – 6pm, Saturdays, 9am – 6pm and Christmas Eve, 9am – 3pm. Santa and his elves will choose the two winners, Christmas Eve. The two winners will be notified Christmas Day. The winners will receive TWO ROUNDTRIP TICKETS on AVELO AIRLINES, good for one year and 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. A one-dollar donation to Kids In Crisis is suggested when you submit your coloring page at the 16th Annual Greenwich Reindeer Festival & Santa’s Workshop presented by Jenny Allen at Compass, November 29 – December 24, 2024 at Sam Bridge Nursery & Greenhouses.
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, December 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 16 thyear 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, Sam Bridge Nursery & Greenhouses.
Returning again this year is our special reindeer, Iris, her baby reindeer and one other adult reindeer.
Please help us name baby, “Name The Baby Reindeer Contest,” which will take place in Santa’s Workshop. Santa will choose the winning name on December 24. The person who submits the WINNING NAME will receive a Mercedes-Benz Kids Electric Car. A second Mercedes-Benz Kids Electric Car will be a part of a Raffle for everyone who has their Photo with Santa, which will also be chosen by Santa on December 24. Thank you to Mercedes-Benz of Greenwich for their generous support for this event for the sixteenth consecutive year.
As mentioned earlier, bring your dog for photos with Santa anytime they’re open (on a leash), but for an added incentive to visit Santa with your dog when they’re not so busy, you’ll receive a DOGGY GIFT BAG compliments of Cornell University Veterinary Specialists every Monday – Friday throughout the four weeks. The Doggy Gift Bags are filled with great items from Cornell University Veterinary Specialists, Earth Animal, Get Joy Food, K-9 Resorts, and Spot On Veterinary Hospital & Hotel.
A big thank you to the many sponsors who help to make this very special holiday event possible. Sam Bridge Nursery & Greenhouses, Jenny Allen Real Estate at Compass, Greenwich Pediatric Dental Group, Greenwich Braces, Mercedes-Benz of Greenwich, Avelo Airlines, Greenwich Hospital, The Hangout Spot, Kate Stone College Consulting, MH Heaven Real Estate, Naturepedic, ONE Speech Therapy, Rising Starr Horse Rescue, Bodhi Bear Apothecary, Bonjo Coffee Roasters, Val’s Putnam Wines & Liquors, Cornell University Veterinary Specialists, Get Joy Food, Earth Animal, K-9 Resorts, Spot On Veterinary Hospital & Hotel, Citarella Gourmet Market, Vineyard Vines, The Mews in Greenwich, Interstate + Lakeland Lumber, Eagle Fence & Guardrail. Premier Media Sponsor; Greenwich Magazine/Moffly Media. Additional Media Sponsors: Best of CT Moms, CT Kids & Family, Greenwich Moms, Greenwich Time/Hearst Media, Kidsoutandabout.com, Laura Sabia, Macaroni Kid, Natural Awakenings Magazine, News 12 CT.
For the sixteenth year, a portion of all Photos with Santa will be donated to Kids In Crisis. The Greenwich Reindeer Festival & Santa’s Workshop presented by Jenny Allen Real Estate at Compass is produced by TMK Event Marketing, LLC, located in Greenwich.