Santa Returning To Westfarms In West Hartford

WEST HARTFORD, CT — One of the bigger calendar milestones of the year takes place on Friday, Nov. 11, with the return of a very familiar face to the local mall landscape.

Santa Claus will return to the Westfarms mall Friday, kicking off a holiday season of Christmas magic, anticipation and excitement.

But Santa isn't just offering his lap and a couple of snapshots.

In fact, the bottom floor of the popular mall at 1500 New Britain Ave., West Hartford, will turn into a veritable Christmas wonderland.

"Santa’s Flight Academy" is, according to mall officials, a "one-of-a-kind, immersive Santa photo experience, offered in partnership with Cherry Hill Programs."

This incarnation of the mall Santa enables children to dance in Santa’s magic mirror and turn into elite cadets to help Santa power his sleigh and chart his course for delivering presents.

"The experience ends with a magical snowfall dance party inside Santa’s sleigh," wrote the mall.

For mall officials, the holiday shopping season doesn't begin, really, until Santa shows up.

“We look forward to welcoming back families to Santa’s Flight Academy to bring smiles and laughter to all who visit this season,” said Alberto Arebalo, general manager of Westfarms. “Our holiday experience has become a tradition for our shoppers many look forward to each year.”

The Santa’s Flight Academy opens Friday, Nov. 11, and is located at the 22-foot sleigh in Westfarms Center Court.

The mall says reservations are strongly encouraged and may be purchased online in advance.

In addition to locking in a time, families will receive a phone call from Santa prior to their visit, powered by Portable North Pole.

“We are pleased to offer reservation options for our customers to see Santa in a convenient way, while we still offer our traditional walk-up line for those that are shopping and are feeling more spontaneous about their visit,” said Arebalo.

New to Santa’s Flight Academy this year, families can visit Santa in a sensory-friendly environment on Sunday, Dec. 4, from 9 to 10:30 a.m.

The inclusive atmosphere is for children and families with special needs and reservations are required for the experience.

For more reservation information and for Santa hours of operation, visit www.shopwestfarms.com/holidays.