Details On The 15th Annual Greenwich Reindeer Festival

GREENWICH, CT — Santa Claus and his three live reindeer are coming to town as they return to Greenwich for the 15th annual Greenwich Reindeer Festival & Santa’s Workshop presented by Jenny Allen/Compass Real Estate.

The much-anticipated holiday event will kick off on Nov. 24 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/Compass, a letter writing to Santa station for children sponsored by Greenwich Pediatric Group, a raffle to win two different Mercedes-Benz kids electric cars and a "name the reindeer contest."

New this year is the Naturepedic Organic Dog Bed raffle. Everyone who brings their dog for a photo with Santa can enter to win the bed for their dog. Santa will draw the lucky person’s name on Saturday, Dec. 23.

A portion of all photos with Santa will benefit Kids In Crisis, a nonprofit organization based in Greenwich. A Kids In Crisis Giving Tree will also be available for people to support the important work of the organization.

To recognize the 15th year, the festival will be "celebrating family traditions."

"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 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 nonprofit’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 on Nov. 24 for the launch."

The community is invited to Sam Bridge for the "We’re Back Party Days," on Friday, Nov. 24, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Santa will arrive at noon and there will be a brief ceremony to recognize the 15th year of the event, along with a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Santa, Camillo and other sponsors to officially open Santa's workshop. Santa's reindeer will also arrive on Friday afternoon.

The festivities will continue on Saturday, Nov. 25, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

On both days, there will be several attractions and vendors, including Dough Girls Food Truck; Neil’s on Wheels Food Truck; 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; and Allegra Dance students, who will be performing at two different times on Friday afternoon.

Inside, you’ll find Planet Pizza Greenwich offering complimentary slices of pizza on Saturday only. A special 15th-anniversary cake will be provided inside, too.

Val’s Putnam Wines & Liquors 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.

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 information about their important work of rescuing horses across the United States. Rising Starr Horse Rescue is based in Wilton. R

ising Starr Horse Rescue will also be joining the Greenwich Reindeer Festival every Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., except Saturday, Dec. 2 when they’ll be leaving early.

Children, adults, and dogs (on leashes) can have their photo taken with Santa at Santa’s workshop. Check the event website for all pricing for all photo packages.

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

The reindeer will depart Friday evening on Dec. 22 but Santa will remain for photos on Saturday, Dec. 23, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

"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 from Sam Bridge Nursery & Greenhouses, in a news release.

Parking at Sam Bridge is free.

For more information, click here.