Santa Making His Return To Westfarms This Week

FARMINGTON, CT — Santa will be arriving Friday at Westfarms mall.

The mall, located on the Farmington-West Hartford line, is also celebrating the return of its Santa’s Flight Academy.

"Santa’s Flight Academy at Westfarms is a beloved tradition by our community and beyond," Westfarms General manager Alberto Arebalo said. "Our immersive holiday experience is a place for creating special memories and has become a tradition many families look forward to each year."

At Santa's Flight Academy, children will be able to take photos with Santa and then be "transformed into elite cadets in order to join Santa’s flight crew." After being fitted for a virtual flight suit, they will help Santa prepare his sleigh to deliver presents around the world, organizers said.

The special interactive elements have returned to the set this year, including navigating Santa's flight course, powering the sleigh before takeoff, and enjoying the falling snow inside the 22-foot sleigh. A second visitor route will include meeting Santa and taking a keepsake photo before exiting.

Santa's Express Lane reservations are strongly encouraged and may be purchased online in advance of a visit. For more information and for hours of operation, please visit www.shopwestfarms.com/holidays. Per local mandates, masks are required for unvaccinated visitors 2 years of age and older.

"We are pleased to offer options for our customers to see Santa in both a traditional way and with our socially distanced seating positioned in front of Santa," added Arebalo.