Meet Santa Downtown for the Holidays
Santa and his elves ride along the avenue in a special Santa Cart, making frequent stops to greet visitors. Children can explore a fleet of emergency and public works vehicles up close, while dancers perform inside local shop windows. The celebration also features warming fire rings, s'mores, music, and an appearance by the Grinch.
What to Expect
Santa and his elves travel downtown in a special Santa Cart.
Event Details
Ages
All ages
Neighborhood
Downtown Ridgewood
Timed Entry
No
Organizer
Little Ivy Learning Center
Food & Drink
The Ridgewood Fire Department hosts s'mores around warming fire rings.
Local Insight & Ratings
Family Friendly
Best For
Families with young children
Vibe
Festive and family-friendly
Energy Level
Moderate
Photo Friendly
High
Weather Sensitivity
High
Location
Know Before You Go
- Hours: Festival: 6–9 p.m.; Santa: starts at approximately 6:30 p.m. and reaches the Broad Street parking lot at approximately 8:15–8:30 p.m.; tree-lighting countdown: 6:40 p.m.
Tips & Advice
- Get to the corner of East Ridgewood Avenue and North Broad Street early for the tree-lighting countdown, which comes soon after the festival begins.
- If you miss Santa along the route, wait by the big holiday tree at the Broad Street lot, where the Santa Cart ends its trip.
- Dress warmly for a December evening outdoors, and warm up at the fire rings with s'mores between Cottage Place and Walnut Street.
- Look into shop windows as you walk downtown, because local merchants have Nutcracker dancers and other performers inside.
- Let kids climb around the fire trucks, police cruisers and public works vehicles parked along the avenue for this year's 'Trucks on Holiday' theme.
Special Events & Promotions
- This year's theme is 'Trucks on Holiday,' with Touch-a-Truck-style fire trucks, police cruisers and public works vehicles along East Ridgewood Avenue.
- Tree-lighting countdown early in the evening at the corner of East Ridgewood Avenue and North Broad Street.
Quick Actions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this year's theme?
This year's theme is 'Trucks on Holiday.' Kids can explore fire trucks, police cruisers and other emergency and public works vehicles up close, Touch-a-Truck style. The vehicles line East Ridgewood Avenue from just past Maple Avenue to the Broad Street parking lot.
Where can we catch Santa?
Santa and his elves ride the Santa Cart along East Ridgewood Avenue from Maple Avenue to the parking lot by the big holiday tree at Broad Street. They stop often along the way to say hello.
Where are the s'mores?
S'mores and warming fire rings from the Ridgewood Fire Department are on East Ridgewood Avenue between Cottage Place and Walnut Street.
Where can we meet the Grinch?
The Grinch, 'captured' by the Ridgewood Police Department, is at the corner of Oak Street and East Ridgewood Avenue, near Van Neste Square.
Is the avenue closed to cars?
Yes. East Ridgewood Avenue is closed to traffic from Maple Avenue to Broad Street during the festival, so families can roam freely and visit shops and restaurants.
More Christmas Events Near Ridgewood
More Christmas Events near Ridgewood
Always check the official website for the most current information.
We've done our best to keep details up-to-date, but event schedules, prices, and policies can change. For the latest updates, please visit the official website or contact the organizers directly. Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide and isn't affiliated with the events we list.