Santa's Village, NH Review - Tips, Tricks, & Information for Your Visit

If you’re local to New Hampshire or New England, chances are you’ve been to Santa’s Village - or at least heard of it! My family has been going to Santa’s Village since way back - my parents went when they were kids, my husband and I both went when we were little, and now we’re lucky enough to bring our own kids as well. Here I thought I’d share some tips, tricks, and information to help you get the most out of your visit to Santa’s Village in Jefferson, NH. | This post is not sponsored. Contains personal opinion/reviews and affiliate links |

Disclaimer: This post shares opinions and tips based on our personal experiences. Please be aware that you may encounter things differently and things are subject to change. Please do your own research.

Santa’s Village is a Christmas-themed amusement park for families in Jefferson, NH.

Tickets are ONLY Available Online and can Sell Out

Probably the most important thing to take into consideration when planning a Santa’s Village trip - tickets are ONLY AVAILABLE ONLINE. You can’t buy them at the gate, so make sure to buy them ahead of time! Also, Santa’s Village sells a maximum number of tickets every day to make sure the park doesn’t get overcrowded (we love that!). Because of that though, dates can and do sell out… so make sure to plan ahead and buy your tickets ahead for the date you want.

Print or Screenshot Your Tickets before Arriving

Cell phone service is VERY spotty/nonexistent in the area, don’t count on opening your email and pulling up your tickets when you get there - it might not load! It’s recommended to print or screenshot your tickets so that you have them available to scan at the gate, cell phone service or not.

Season Passes are Hard to Get!

Just a heads up if you were thinking of getting season passes, they are VERY hard to get! Santa’s Village releases a limited amount of them at a specific time and they often sell out within minutes.

Free Parking (with Guided Parking During Opening Rush)

Unlike many other theme parks, parking is free at Santa’s Village which we love! Also, it’s good to be aware that if you arrive during the opening rush (before park open and a little after), there will be parking lot attendants guiding you in to park, one car after another. They have it down to a science and are very efficient, just be ready to follow their instructions.

Note: If you have an RV or extra large vehicle, you should park across the street in their overflow lot.

It’s Like a Maze - Grab a Map

Santa’s Village is very maze-like. There are seemingly a hundred paths that spider-web across the park. It can be a little disorienting at first to find your way, so definitely make sure to grab a map when you enter! One great thing about this though is there is always tons of shade and a lot of the paths meander through the forest which is really pretty.

EVERYONE is Welcome

Even though this is a Christmas-themed amusement park and there are some religious aspects around the park (a chapel, a life-size nativity scene, etc), EVERYONE is welcome at Santa’s Village. We have seen plenty of families from different religious backgrounds enjoy the park.

NO Cell Service

Another really important thing to keep in mind is there is little to no cell service in the area for the most part. Jefferson is quite a remote area of New Hampshire, surrounded by a lot of mountains. If your party decides to separate in the park, don’t count on texting later for a meetup. Plan your rendez-vous point ahead of time like it’s the 1990’s.

Pro Tip: While we've never done this before ourselves, I have seen some families utilize Walkie Talkies to keep in touch in the park - genius!

Consider Packing Light

Everyone has their own preferences but now that I don't need a diaper bag these days I always pack light and simple - a quality belt bag with wallet, phone, keys, and hand sanitizer. That's really all you need and it's small enough to wear on almost all rides.
For those that do need a diaper bag, I recommend a modest-sized backpack diaper bag, similar to this one to keep your hands free and be able to move around the park easily.

FREE Stroller and Wheelchair Rentals

Santa’s Village has FREE stroller and wheelchair rentals available - first-come, first-serve - while supplies last. I think this is such a thoughtful and helpful touch for those that need it. You are also welcome to bring in your own strollers/wheelchairs and a lot of people do.

Feel Free to Bring the Christmas Spirit

While not necessary or expected, feel free to dig out that Christmas t-shirt from the closet and get some more use out of it! Lots of families wear Christmas shirts or accessories.

Elf University

Make sure to stop by the Elf University by the front of the park if you want to play the “Elfabet Game.” At Elf University you’ll be given a card with the alphabet on it (shaped like a Christmas tree) on an elastic string. Around the park are elf statues for every letter of the alphabet and each has a present that can “punch” your card. Find all 26 letters and bring your completed card back and earn a prize! The prize changes year to year but is usually something like a fancy Santa’s Village pen or a key chain. (Note: even if your kids don’t complete all 26 letters, you can bring it back and they will usually give you your prize - they’re very accommodating.)

Start at the Back

A great tactic we’ve found is to make a beeline for the back of the park and start there, then work our way towards the front. There’s often no lines at all at those far rides and sometimes you can ride them a few times in a row with no waits!

Santa Says…

Santa’s Village really leans into the Christmas theming… right down to their signs and rules. Be prepared to see a lot of signs that say “Santa says…. (keep hands in the vehicle, etc.)” I love this touch!

Meet Santa and Get your Picture Taken With Him

Did you know you can meet the big guy himself?! ;) It’s definitely a highlight of the trip, be ready to tell Santa what you’d like for Christmas before you get your picture taken and get a candy cane. What I love about this meet and greet is that Santa will have your kids look at you for a picture, then at the staff photographer - this way you end up with a great picture where everyone is looking at your own camera, it’s such a little thing but it’s so considerate of Santa’s Village. You can still buy the staff-taken photo too if you decide (and can get it on things like Christmas ornaments), but it’s so nice to have a good photo of your own too.

Feed Real Reindeer

Towards the back of the park is a beautiful stable with Santa’s reindeer - REAL reindeer. For a very reasonable cost (I believe it was $2 last time we went), you can buy a cup of carrots/reindeer food from the attendant and feed the reindeer yourself! It’s such a magical experience, especially for little kids.

Pro Tip + Important Note: Only a certain amount of reindeer food is sold every day to make sure the reindeer don’t get overfed. If feeding the reindeer is important to you, make sure to visit early in the day to avoid possible disappointment.

The Ride Queues Aren’t Always Obvious

Many of the rides at Santa’s Village don’t have fenced queues. Thankfully the lines are usually short or nonexistent, but it can get a little confusing when a line does start to develop and everyone kind of gathers in a makeshift line in whatever direction suits them. Though, I do wish they would paint a candy cane stripe on the ground or something for a few feet to kind of guide people into what direction to start the line.

Don’t Miss the Skyway Sleigh Monorail

The Skyway Sleigh Monorail is one of our favorite rides - it brings you around the whole park in a giant sleigh and lets you get a birds-eye view of everything. It’s so magical “flying” through the trees!
Note: If you are afraid of heights then you probably want to skip this one. Also, this ride probably has the longest wait in the park so be prepared for that.

The Midnight Flyer is SO Smooth

Santa’s Village’s newest roller coaster, Midnight Flyer (opened in 2024), is SO smooth! Seriously, it’s one of the smoothest roller coasters I’ve ever been on, Disney rides included. If you have child who’s never been on a roller coaster before and is nervous to try one, this might be a great introduction (though it does set a high bar, for sure).

(This roller coaster replaces the old Rudy’s Rapid Transit roller coaster which I honestly thought was terrifying, haha)

Santa’s Water Park

Santa’s Village also has a huge water park that’s included with admission. It has 3 separate areas, each with a different vibe. Poogee’s Splash Pad is mostly for the littlest kids - it’s an area where water jets shoot up from the ground and is a great place to cool off. Polar Paradise better for toddlers and younger kids - it has a huge splash area and kid-friendly water slides. Finally there’s the Ho, Ho, H2O / Joy Ride Slide area - I would say these are best suited for older kids or brave younger ones that don’t mind a lot of stimulation and water spraying/dumping. If you forget your bathing suit they do sell them at the Trading Post gift shop right by the water park area.
Note: The water park does close on colder days and is not open in early spring, fall, or winter.

Santa’s Cabana Rentals

Santa’s Village also has a limited number of Cabana rentals available around the water park. These need to be rented ahead of time when you purchase your tickets and they almost always sell out - so if you want to rent one we recommend planning far ahead. These make a great home base for those spending a full day here and have shade, a mini fridge stocked with some drinks, and a place to take a break or for your little one to take their afternoon nap.

Free “Reindeer Shoe” Ring

Make sure to stop by the Reindeer Shoe Blacksmith Shop to get a free “good luck ring”, made from a nail that’s custom fit to your finger. This is another really nice touch that’s included for everyone with admission.

Outside Food is Allowed

If you’d like to bring your own food into the park for snacks or lunch that is welcome and allowed. Just no glass containers or alcohol!

Buying Food in the Park

You will be pleasantly surprised by the food offerings at Santa’s Village. They have all the typical park food - chicken fingers, burgers, fries, etc. But they also have seasonal-inspired treats like fresh apple cinnamon mini donuts (SO good!) and cookie decorating. They even have a food stall called Fruit Loup’s Farm Stand that offers (gasp) fresh fruit and veggie trays (unheard of at amusement parks)! We have been pleasantly surprised by the good food quality at Santa’s Village (their mac and cheese is so rich and good), and love the little touches like the kids meals are served on a Santa’s Village frisbee that they get to keep and bring home (such a nice bonus!).

Our one criticism is that there isn’t anywhere to get a really GOOD cup of coffee in the park. We found Polar Expresso to be very disappointing… just very mediocre drip coffee available. I would love a latte or really good frosted coffee drink! (Santa’s Village, I hope you’re reading this and bring in some good coffee options!)

The Park is Immaculate

One of the biggest take-aways from Santa’s Village is just how clean and immaculate it is. Nothing ever looks rundown or broken - so much pride and joy is taken with upkeep and cleaning. You will constantly see employees walking around picking up litter and even squeegeeing off park benches in the rain to give people a dry-er spot to sit.

Leaving the Park and Re-Entering? Get Your Hand Stamped!

Super important - if you’re looking to leave Santa’s Village and re-enter the same day, make sure to ask for a hand stamp at the Stocking Stuffer Exit Gift Shop. You’ll need that hand stamp to re-enter the park!

Don’t Forget the Themed Old-School Playground at the Exit

At the exit there is what looks like a giant Nutcracker and Drum sculpture - but this isn’t just a sculpture, it’s actually an old-school playground! Climb up inside the Nutcracker and slide down his arms onto the drum! There’s also some tunnels and other areas to explore around the base.

Talk to Rudolph when you Leave (Easy to Miss!)

Talk to Rudolph at the “Santa Cam” Kiosk

When your day at Santa’s Village is done, make sure to look for the “Santa Cam” kiosk outside (just outside of the park exit) that looks like a ticket booth and has a large Rudolph head in it. Go talk to Rudolph and he will talk back to you - really! Trust us on this one, you definitely want to go say hi and have a quick conversation with him - your kids and you will get a huge kick out of it.

FEASTival Events

On select days in June and September, Santa’s Village has FEASTival Days where most food items are included in your admission cost! This event does cost a little more than regular admission but it more than makes up for it with what’s included.

Holly Jolly Halloween Events

On select days in October, Santa’s Village transforms into a mash-up of winter and Halloween (think pumpkin snowmen, elf jack-o-lanterns, and more fun decorations) and trick-or-treating. Definitely wear layers - it can be chilly! (Water park/rides are closed during this time.)

Guests are welcome to wear Halloween costumes or shirts if they would like, but it's not necessary.

Christmastime at Santa’s Village

Santa’s Village also is open for select dates in November/December to make Christmas extra-special! Just imagine exploring Santa’s Village in the snow with Christmas lights twinkling around. Specific ride operation is subject to weather conditions - but Santa’s Village typically runs a lot of rides during this time. However, all water park/water rides are closed.

Definitely wear lots of layers and even your snow clothes! It can be downright cold!

Disclaimer: This post shares opinions and tips based on our personal experiences. Please be aware that you may encounter things differently and things are subject to change. Please do your own research.

---

Santa’s Village is Famous Amongst Theme Park Enthusiasts

Now to share a fun personal story… two years ago we went down to Disney World for vacation. I went to a gift shop in Magic Kingdom and was checking out at the cash register, making small talk with the Cast Member. He asked me where I was from and I told him New Hampshire. He asked me, “Have you ever been to Santa’s Village?! That’s on my bucket list of theme parks to visit, I’ve always wanted to go there!” I was so surprised that someone who works at Disney World and has experienced so many other parks, had little Santa’s Village in remote New Hampshire on their wish-list to visit. It just goes to show what a quality theme park Santa’s Village is.

---

Check out our Related Posts:

---

Our Theme Park Must-Haves:

Scroll sideways to see more —>

Back-to-School Lunch Ideas with Parenting New Hampshire Magazine

School is starting back up and that means it's back to the daily grind of packing lunches for most parents.  Parenting New Hampshire magazine interviewed myself and few other NH-based bloggers for our "Brown-Bag Makeover" tips and tricks.  

You can pick up a copy of this publication at many locations across the state, or read the article HERE online. 

"Brown-Bag Makeover" | Parenting New Hampshire Magazine

Around New England: Remick Museum

It's always fun to explore your own state and see what hidden gems there are.  This past weekend was gorgeous and we decided to head out to the Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm in Tamworth, NH to get a taste of rural living over the last 200 years.  

The Remick Museum chronicles the life of two rural country doctors, their families, and the way of life as it used to be. It's a working farm with livestock and gardens coexisting alongside historical artifacts and buildings. Our daughter was a HUGE fan of the petting area where there are friendly goats, sheep, and a miniature horse to interact with and feed.

Hello there!

There are many outbuildings and dirt paths to explore - and the views are gorgeous!  

My favorite part of the property are all the amazing artifacts and antiques - it's incredible how far medicine and home life in general has evolved over the past 200+ years.  The Remick Museum does a great job showcasing the old and new(er) way of life.  

Old Kitchen

Newer kitchen of a later generation

No rest for the weary, wether you're a farmer or a doctor - and especially not if you're both!  

Overall we had a great day at Remick Museum and will be back for sure!  They host lots of fun events throughout the year, including kids day camps, programs on different farming subjects, ice harvesting in the winter, and more.  

Just a short walk from the museum is the Tamworth Lyceum and The Other Store (yes, that's really what it's called), which are perfect stops for lunch or coffee before heading home. And if you visit in the summer months, you can catch a play at the The Barnstormers Theatre in the evening (check their schedule for details and showtimes).

Safeguarding Against TICKS

TICKS.  Just the word makes my skin crawl.  Living in the Northeast, we've always known to look out for them after spending time in the woods or tall, grassy fields but recently the amount of ticks has seemed to reach plague status.  We're now finding ticks places where they should just NOT be - including short trimmed lawns, sandy areas, even in our asphalt driveway.  There's more ticks than ever, with many of them likely carrying potentially debilitating diseases like Lyme.  Because of the great risk, we're not taking chances any more and have taken precautions to protect our yard and ourselves against ticks.  | This post contains affiliate links |

DISCLAIMER:  I am not an expert or medical professional.  These are tips and information I've learned over the years living in a tick-prone area.  Always check with your own doctor, vet, and local experts for the best prevention and treatment plans for yourself and your family.

Safeguarding your Yard

Eliminate Tick Habitats  

Ticks like to hide and breed in brushy areas, leaf litter, log piles, dampness, etc.  It's important to eliminate these places.  Keep your lawn cut short, trim back bushes and over hanging tree branches to maximize sun exposure to your lawn, get rid of compost piles or move them as far away from your usable yard as possible.  Also make sure to thatch (rake and scrape) your entire lawn every spring - this will reduce the litter mat under your lawn.  

Deter Mice 

Believe it or not mice, and not necessarily deer, are one of the biggest culprits at carrying ticks and transmitting diseases carried by ticks. A single mouse can easily carry and feed hundreds of baby ticks on it's body. If you have mice in your yard and around your house, they are dropping ticks. To deter them eliminate brush and log piles and spray peppermint oil around sheds, decks, and other places they might nest or hide. Mice hate peppermint oil (they are very sensitive to smells) and will generally avoid the areas where it's been sprayed. Also, make sure to get rid of bird feeders in your yard since dropped bird seed with attract mice and other small rodents.

Get Guinea Hens or Chickens

Okay, so this tip certainly isn't for everyone - but guinea hens and chickens can be very effective at reducing the tick population in your yard.  As they free-range they forage for bugs, including ticks, and can eat a lot throughout the day.  Guinea hens are particularly known for their tick-eating abilities but can be harder to keep than chickens.  Make sure to do your homework and talk to your neighbors as a courtesy before getting guineas or chickens.  

Tick-Repelling Plants 

Ticks do not like certain plants - including lemongrass, lavender, sage, and mint.  Planting these can help keep ticks away, at least in the immediate area of the plant.  We make sure to include these in flowerbeds and planters around paths, our deck, and doorways to help deter ticks from hanging around these high-traffic areas.  

Tick Tubes

By selectively placing Tick Tubes around your property, you can help kill off the ticks that are hitching a ride on mice and other small rodents that may not have been deterred by the peppermint oil. Tick Tubes contain permethrin-soaked cotton and are placed in areas where these rodents frequent (brush piles, under decks/sheds, in stone walls, etc). Rodents take the cotton and use them in their nests. Permethrin will not hurt the rodents, but will kill the baby ticks riding on them.

Have Your Yard Sprayed

Last year was the first year we actually had our yard professionally sprayed - despite all our best efforts, the ticks in our area were just out of control.  We chose to have our yard sprayed with an all-natural spray option because we had chickens, a toddler, and a veggie garden.  We were very pleased with the results and only saw one or two ticks in our yard for the rest of the summer.  There are many spray options available out there - from all-natural to chemical-based.  There are pros and cons to every option, so it's important to discuss your concerns and situation to your pest-specialist when choosing a treatment plan.  

Despite our best efforts - short lawn, maximum sun exposure to the backyard, keeping chickens, etc. - there were still lots of ticks (as seen here on our daughter's playhouse). Soon after this we decided to have our yard professionally treated for ticks and it helped immensely.

Safeguarding your Family

Bug Spray

Whenever we spend time outside, we use bug spray each and every time. Some people prefer all-natural repellent, especially for little ones - but bug sprays containing Picaridin (our favorite to use hiking) or bug sprays containing DEET are more effective.  

Permethrin-Treated Shoes and Clothing

Permethrin is supposed to be one of the best tick deterrents around (it's also what's used in Tick Tubes). By pre-treating your shoes and outer clothing with it, it can be very effective at keeping ticks off of you. We treat all of our shoes, yard work clothes, and hiking gear with permethrin. Check the label for exact instructions, but many permethrin treatments are good for several washes or 40 days so it's great for lasting protection. We've personally had the best luck with Sawyer Permethrin Spray.

Most Importantly:  Check for Ticks - Twice

The most important safety measure against ticks is always checking for ticks - at least twice.  Despite all your best efforts, yard treatments, and bug sprays, you can still pick up ticks.  For us, we've come up with our own protocol to thoroughly check for ticks whenever we come in from spending time outdoors.  We're lucky enough to have a bathroom/laundry room right by our back door, so as soon as we come in we stop in to put all the clothes we wore directly into the washing machine and shut the door (shoes are left in the garage and not brought into the house).  Then we thoroughly check for ticks - paying close attention to check those hard-to-see areas and scalp; a full-length mirror can be very helpful with this. Then, if possible, take a shower or bath next before getting dressed in fresh clothes.  Ticks won't drown but thoroughly washing right after you come in will hopefully rinse any missed un-attached ticks off of you.  Then that night before going to bed, make sure to do a second tick check just to confirm that nothing was missed earlier in the day.  

You might think this tick-checking protocol is a little overboard, but if you live in a tick-prone area (like the Northeast) it's unfortunately very necessary.  After following this protocol for two years now, we have had instances where we found dead ticks in our dryer lint trap (it's actually the high heat of the dryer that kills them - not the washing machine) and a live one on the shower wall once... these were ticks that were on us but were stopped by our thorough system.  

Safeguarding your Pets

Up-to-Date on Preventatives and Vaccines

Talk with your vet about the best tick preventative option (collars, topical, oral medication, etc) for your pets and make sure you keep on schedule with it, even during the winter months.  You might not think that ticks are out in the winter since they go dormant, but even a brief warm streak can bring them out.  

Check for Ticks

It's a very good idea to check your pets for ticks when bringing them in as well, since ticks can "ride in" on them. We have a black lab which is particularly tricky to check, so we make sure to keep a brush and a lint roller by the back door to check her before coming in. We stop her outside and brush out her coat, then use the lint roller to roll over her legs, underbelly, and snout to make sure no ticks are hitching a ride. We also vacuum carpets and her dog beds often to make sure none get dropped around the house in the event we miss one.

If you Find an Attached Tick

**Always call your doctor right away for the best advice for your situation**

If you find an attached tick, remove it carefully without squeezing it's body - you do not want it to potentially expel any more toxins into you. Tick Spoons can be particularly helpful in removing them; we also like Tick Keys which fit handily on your keychain so it's always with you. Then wash the area with antibacterial first aid wash and call your doctor immediately. The doctor will help determine whether you need to start medications right away or wait and see if symptoms develop.
Don't count on seeing the hallmark "bulls-eye rash" though - many people who contract Lyme will never get it. Make sure to keep the removed tick as well (you can stick it in an empty jar), and see about getting it tested right away for Lyme and other diseases. This will give you the quickest and most definitive answer since even if you did contract Lyme yourself from the tick you would not test positive for it for some time.

---

Related posts:  

---

DISCLAIMER:  I am NOT an expert or medical professional.  These are tips and information I've learned over the years living in a tick-prone area.  Always check with your own doctor, vet, and local experts for the best prevention and treatment plans for yourself and your family.  Discuss with your doctor ahead of time what to do in the event of a tick bite (and I hope you never need to use that information).  Stay vigilant and stay safe!  

New Hampshire Magazine's Holiday Gift Guide

Look what came in the mail today!  New Hampshire Magazine's December issue along with their 34-page Holiday Gift Guide (available to magazine subscribers only), packed with ideas of local places to shop, products to buy, and fun holiday events to do.  And we're so excited to be included - you can find Birch Landing Home right on page 12 in their "Master the Yankee Swap" Gift Guide.  

Make sure to check out all their great local selections in the Gift Guide, and if you're not a NH Magazine subscriber the guides can also be found online here.  

And did you hear the news of our upcoming sale?  

We'll be hosting a sale all this weekend for Black Friday/Plaid Saturday/Cyber Monday (whew).  The sale code will be posted online Friday, but subscribers to our Newsletter will get the code Thursday night - if you don't want to miss out on the sale be sure to sign up now!  

Correction: There is a misprint in NH Magazine's writeup.  While I have in fact been featured in Martha Stewart Living Magazine, I haven't been featured in Yankee Magazine (yet anyways - hopefully someday soon though!)  :)