Where to See Santa in New York's Capital Region

If you're looking for convenience, the mall is it. Santa is available throughout the holiday season, virtually all day every day until Christmas Eve. A professional photographer snaps the pictures and they offer a variety of products to choose from, ranging from the traditional print sheets to framed pictures and sometimes key chains or mouse pads.

Here's where to find him:

Colonie Center
Monday through Saturday: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Christmas Eve: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Crossgates Mall
Monday through Thursday: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

Wilton Mall
Monday through Saturday: 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Sunday: Noon-6 p.m.
Christmas Eve: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Rotterdam Square Mall
Monday-Saturday: 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Sunday: Noon-6 p.m.
Christmas Eve: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Clifton Park Center
Santa's hours vary depending on the day of the week and time of the month, but he usually arrives anywhere between 10 a.m. and Noon and leaves sometime between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., with limited evening availability during the week. The best bet is to contact the mall directly to see what the hours are that day.

SANTA IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD

Looking for something a little more personal? Santa is making personal stops to neighborhoods across the Capital Region. These visits tend to be less crowded and usually only require a small donation to charity, unlike the pricey mall photos (although the quality of the photos can't always be guaranteed). If you're interested in planning a special outing with Santa that is low-key and supports your community, one of these events might be for you.

Albany
Capital Holiday Lights
Washington Park
November 27 to December 23, Sunday through Thursday, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Admission is $15 per car. Drive through the festive lights displays to the Lake House where you can visit with Santa and enjoy refreshments.

Albany
SEFCU Holiday Tree Lighting
Empire State Plaza
Sunday, December 6, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Festival includes visits with Santa, music, storytelling and fireworks.

Altamont
Winter Fest
Indian Ladder Farms, 324 Altamont Road
Saturday, December 5, and Sunday, December 6, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Event includes breakfast with Santa, hayrides and live music.

Ballston Spa
Breakfast with Santa
St. Mary's Parish School, 40 Thompson Street
Saturday, December 5, 8 a.m. to Noon
$5 admission includes breakfast and a visit with Santa.

Clifton Park
Sundaes with Santa
Jonesville Fire House, 953 Main Street
Sunday, December 6, 12:30 to 2 p.m.
Cookies, juice and ice cream sundaes available for $1 each. Bring your own camera to take pictures with Santa. Fire engine rides and tour of the station will be available.

Colonie
Toys for Tots Breakfast with Santa
The Desmond Hotel, 660 Albany Shaker Road
Saturday, December 19, and Sunday, December 20, at 8 a.m.
Reservations are required for this event that includes breakfast and pictures with Santa. Cost is $19.95 for adults, children 12 and under are free with the donation of a new unwrapped toy.

Glenville
Christmas is in the Air
Empire State Aerosciences Museum, 250 Rudy Chase Drive
Saturday, December 12, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Santa will arrive by plane and will be available for pictures. Admission is $5 and includes kid's activities, rocket making and refreshments.

Greenwich
Breakfast with Santa
Greenwich Elks Club, Route 40S
Saturday, December 5, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Enjoy breakfast with Santa.

Guilderland
Breakfast with Santa
Fort Hunter Fire Company, 3525 Carman Road
Saturday, December 12, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Breakfast prices range from $5 to $6, with kids 3 and younger free.

Hudson
Winter Walk
Warren Street
Saturday, December 5, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Clowns, jugglers, carolers, reindeer, parade, fireworks and, of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus are fixtures of this annual holiday tradition.

Kinderhook
Breakfast with Santa
St Paul's Church, Sylvester Street
Saturday, December 6, 9 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.
Admission is $5 for adults and $2.50 for kids 5-12, and includes pancakes, sausage, juice and coffee/tea. Pictures with Santa are $2.

Rotterdam
Lunch with Santa
Jefferson Elementary School, 100 Princetown Road
Saturday, December 5, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Visit and take pictures with Santa. Pizza, snack and beverage lunch options available for $3 and $4.

Rotterdam
Breakfast with Santa
VFW Hilderbrand Davis Post 1895, 609 Drafter Avenue
Sunday, December 6, 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Breakfast is $8 for adults, $5 for kids 12 and younger.

Round Lake
Santa's Playland
Quick Response Restoration, 2077 Route 9
Saturday, December 12, Sunday, December 13, and Saturday, December 19, 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Free annual open house includes seasonal light display, Christmas train ride, carousel ride and visits with Santa.

Saratoga Springs
Festival of Trees
City Center, 522 Broadway
Saturday, December 5, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Admission is $10 for adults, $3 for children, free for kids 10 and younger, and includes breakfast with Santa at 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m.; sundaes with Santa 12:30 p.m.; and Santa's workshop 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Schenectady
Sinterklaas
Upper Union Street
Saturday, December 5, 11 a.m.
To celebrate the city's Dutch heritage, Sinterklaas will ride a white horse through the streets. Bring your own camera to take photos with Santa.

Stillwater
Toys For Tots Christmas Party
American Legion Post 490 Pavilion, Lake Street
Saturday, December 12, 2 p.m.
Admission is an unwrapped new toy and includes a visit with Santa, food, music and more.

Troy
Breakfast with Santa
Atrium Bingo Hall, 49 4^th Street
Saturday, December 12, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Admission is $5 and includes breakfast, a picture with Santa and a treat.

Troy
Christmas Party
Italian Community Center, 1450 5^th Avenue
Saturday, December 12, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Free admission for this party with Santa, games and treats.

Valatie
Winter Walk
Village of Valatie
Saturday, December 12, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The event includes a parade from the village firehouse to Glynn Square, visits with Santa, live music and more. Rain date is Sunday, December 13.

Watervliet
Annual Tree Lighting
Veterans Park, Second Avenue and 16^th Street
Saturday, December 5, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The holiday celebration includes visits with Santa, tree lighting, horse-drawn carriage rides, chestnut roasting, "Best Dress Elf Contest," chili cook-off contest and more.

SANTA FOR PETS

Why should kids have all the fun? This holiday bring your dog or cat to meet Santa and help support homeless animals.

Scotia
Pet photos with Santa Paws
Animal Protective Foundation, 53 Maple Avenue
Saturday, December 5, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Bring your own camera and have your pet pose with Santa for just $3 or purchase a photo for $6.