Greenwich To Hold 11th Annual Reindeer Festival, Santa’s Village

Via Greenwich Reindeer Festival: GREENWICH, CT — Santa and his reindeer, Dasher, Dancer and Prancer, return for the 11th annual Greenwich Reindeer Festival & Santa's Village located at "the North Pole on North Street," Sam Bridge Nursery & Greenhouses (437 North Street, Greenwich), from Nov. 29 to Dec. 24, 2019.

The cherished town tradition takes place at this stunning holiday décor destination which is transformed into Santa’s Workshop sponsored by Greenwich Catholic School, where visitors can have their photo taken with Santa, and Santa’s Village, where families have the opportunity to visit the reindeer, enjoy train and carousel rides and select food trucks on the weekend, all just minutes from downtown Greenwich.

"The annual Greenwich Reindeer Festival is such a wonderful event in our town during the holidays and I am looking forward to celebrating the 11th season this year," Greenwich First Selectman Peter Tesei said in a statement. "I encourage residents to see what makes this such an anticipated holiday experience every year."

The community is invited to Sam Bridge Nursery & Greenhouses for the "We're Back" party on Friday, Nov. 29, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., for the ribbon cutting ceremony with sponsors and public officials to officially open Santa's workshop for photos with Santa.

While waiting for the reindeer to arrive, guests can enjoy refreshments from Planet Pizza, face painting, balloon art and dance performances by Allegra Dance of Greenwich.

Children, adults, corporate groups and even pets (on leashes) can have their photo taken with Santa at Santa's workshop, sponsored by Greenwich Catholic School. Photo packages begin at $29.99 and include a special Shop & Dine Greenwich gift bag filled with Greenwich merchant information and hundreds of dollars in savings redeemable at participating stores and restaurants in Greenwich.

Digital photos are provided on a USB drive. Enter the Mercedes-Benz of Greenwich Raffle, to win a Mercedes-Benz Children's Bicycle with every photo with Santa (one raffle per family). Raffle drawing by Santa takes place Tuesday, Dec. 24, at 3 p.m.

Photos with Santa: Monday - Friday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday form 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The reindeer will depart on Dec. 22, but Santa will remain for photos on Christmas Eve (Tuesday, Dec. 24) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Carousel and Train Rides: Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Parking is free.

Throughout the four weeks, the reindeer will make Sam Bridge their home, thanks to Reindeer Stable Sponsor, Pepsi. Children can enter the "PEPSI NAME THE REINDEER CONTEST" and submit their favorite reindeer names in a ballot box at Sam Bridge Nursery & Greenhouses.

Santa will draw the winning names on Dec. 20, where they will be displayed at Sam Bridge Nursery & Greenhouses. Three winners and three winning reindeer names will be chosen.

"Greenwich has many cherished traditions, and the annual Reindeer Festival is certainly one of them," First Selectman-elect Fred Camillo said in a statement. "We look forward to celebrating the 11th season as much as the first ten!"

For more details on this magical holiday tradition, visit greenwichreindeerfestival.com or the event's Facebook and Instagram pages.