Details For Annual Greenwich Reindeer Festival Announced

GREENWICH, CT — Santa Claus and his reindeer are coming to town!

The 14th annual Reindeer Festival & Santa's Workshop presented by Jenny Allen / Compass is slated to run from Nov. 25 to Dec. 24 at Sam Bridge Nursery & Greenhouses, 437 North St.

Visitors can have their photo taken with Santa, meet the reindeer and also enjoy Santa’s spacious workshop sponsored by Greenwich Pediatric Dental Group, which features a reindeer coloring station sponsored by Jenny Allen / Compass in Santa's Workshop.

There will be a letter writing to Santa station for children, raffle to win a Mercedes-Benz kids car and a "name the baby reindeer contest," while families wait in line for their photo with Santa to create special holiday memories.

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 Kids In Crisis.

"The annual Greenwich Reindeer Festival is an event that celebrates our community’s holiday spirit," First Selectman Fred Camillo said in a. news release. "I look forward to kicking off the 2022 holiday season in Greenwich with all residents on the 25th. See you soon!"

The community is invited to Sam Bridge for the “We’re Back Party Days,” on Nov. 25 and Nov. 26. On Friday, Santa will arrive promptly at noon, and then a ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place with Santa, public officials and sponsors to officially open Santa’s workshop for photos.

Kayla Rae will be performing on Friday, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Rae is a 24-year-old singer/songwriter/pianist from Bethel, CT. She has been performing for the past 15 years, was a contestant on NBC’s “The Voice,” and ABC’s “American Idol.”

She will be singing a mix of holiday music and some popular and original songs.

While waiting for the reindeer to arrive Friday afternoon and then all day Saturday, everyone can enjoy select food trucks: Italiana Foods Food Truck featuring a complimentary “WE’RE BACK!” cake for the first 150 guests on Friday, and other Italian pastries and sandwiches; The Taco-ish Food Truck; and Pau Pau’s Pizza Cones Food Truck.

Other vendors will be in attendance, offering activities and giveaways for all ages.

Abilis Gardens and Gifts will be a vendor outside at the festival, Saturdays, Dec. 10 and 17, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., selling special gifts for the holiday season. Abilis is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization located in Greenwich that provides services and supports for over 800 individuals with special needs and their families from birth through their lifespan.

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

"We are so excited to welcome back the Greenwich Reindeer Festival to 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, in a news release.

For more information and details on pricing for all photo packages, go to the reindeer festival website.

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 on Thursday, Dec. 22, but Santa will remain for photos through Christmas Eve, Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.