Santa Claus and his three live reindeer are coming to town, as they return to Greenwich for the much anticipated 15th Annual Greenwich Reindeer Festival & Santa’s Workshop presented by Jenny Allen/Compass Real Estate, to the “North Pole on North Street,” Sam Bridge Nursery & Greenhouses, 437 North Street in Greenwich, from November 24 to December 23, 2023.
The cherished town tradition continues for the fifteenth 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/Compass, Letter Writing to Santa Station for children sponsored by Greenwich Pediatric Group, Raffle to win two different Mercedes-Benz Kids Electric Cars and a “Name the Reindeer Contest,” while families wait in line for their photo with Santa to create special holiday memories.
Heaven Family Tradition Photo with Santa.
New this year is the Naturepedic Organic Dog Bed Raffle. Everyone who brings their Dog for a Photo with Santa can enter to win this awesome bed for their dog. Santa will draw the lucky person’s name Saturday, December 23. A portion of all photos with Santa will 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 fifteenth year.
This all takes place just minutes from downtown Greenwich. Parking is free.
To recognize the 15th year, the event will 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 14 years.
“For 15 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.”
The community is invited to Sam Bridge for the “We’re Back Party Days,” Friday, November 24, 12:00pm to 6:00pm, when Santa’s arrives promptly at 12:00 noon followed by a brief ceremony to recognize the 15th year, and the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with Santa, Fred Camillo, and other sponsors to officially open Santa’s Workshop for Photos with Santa. Santa’s Reindeer arrive Friday afternoon.
The excitement continues Saturday, November 25, 9:00am to 6:00pm. Joining us for the “We’re Back Party Days,” both Friday and Saturday are the following attractions and vendors: Dough Girls Food Truck and Neil’s on Wheels Food Truck outside for all to enjoy! Inside, you’ll find Planet Pizza Greenwich offering complimentary slices of pizza on Saturday only. A special 15th 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, Abilis featuring gifts and information about their important work, Give Yourself Hugs, Children’s Art Program, Pina Bird Books Children’s Book Author and her wonderful children’s books, Allegra Dance students will be performing two different times, Friday afternoon. Enjoy a little holiday cheer thanks to Val’s Putnam Wines & Liquors who will be inside offering complimentary hot chocolate and cider for kids and adults. They will also feature a holiday wine, beer and special drink tasting for adults only. This fun new attraction will continue every Thursday afternoon, Nov. 30, Dec. 7, 14 and 21, 3:00pm to 6:00pm at Sam Bridge Nursery to encourage people to get their Photo with Santa during the week, when the lines are not quite as long.
Also joining the “We’re Back Party Days” festivities both Friday and Saturday this year will be Rising Starr Horse Rescue featuring two miniature horses, Army and Navy 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, 9:00am to 6:00pm, except Saturday December 2 they’ll be leaving early.
Throughout the four weeks, the reindeer will make Sam Bridge their home, thanks to Reindeer Sponsors Sam Bridge Nursery & Greenhouses, Greenwich Hospital, and Little Friends. 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 Monday through Friday, 12:00pm to 6:00pm and Saturday, 9:00am to 6:00pm.
Sam Bridge Nursery & Greenhouses is closed on Sundays. The reindeer will depart Friday
evening, December 22 but Santa will remain for photos, Saturday, December 23, 9:00am to 6:00pm.
“We are so excited to celebrate the 15th 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, Sam Bridge Nursery & Greenhouses.
Returning again this year is our special reindeer, Iris, along with two other female reindeer. Please help us name Iris’ friends with the “Name The Reindeer Contest,” which will take place in Santa’s Workshop. Santa will chose the winning name on December 23. The winner will receive a Mercedes-Benz Kids Electric Car. A second Mercedes-Benz Kids Pedal 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 23.
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, and Spot On Veterinary Hospital & Hotel.