Sep 18, 20233 min read

Exploration Guide: Santa’s Village in Jefferson New Hampshire

For families with little ones in New England, Santa's Village is a must visit! As a mom who had the pleasure of bringing her own almost two-year-old recently, I was so excited to share this guide to making the most of your visit to this New Hampshire gem. Should you decide to venture to this charming wonderland, HelmsBnB’s newest property in Jefferson offers a cozy and convenient home base just minutes away.

To make your visit as smooth as possible, here are some tips to keep in mind:

Santa's Village is open from May to December and offers a magical experience no matter what time of year you choose to visit. One thing to note - the park requires online ticket orders in advance; you cannot purchase tickets on site and tickets are limited. We suggest arriving early; however, I was thrilled to learn that you can leave and re-enter the park on the same day at your leisure - just grab a stamp from the elves on the way out. We were able to start our day at the park and spend two hours exploring, then drive 10 minutes home for nap time and lunch, returning in the afternoon for a second round at the waterpark! They have complimentary strollers so we didn’t have to pack much.

There are food options throughout the park, but you can also pack your own and bring them in to eat, which was great for my picky toddler! If you're visiting during the summer, you’ll definitely want to pack swimwear, water shoes, sunscreen, and towels for the water slides - you also may want to get to the water park early and secure a chair under an umbrella to avoid the direct sunlight. Cabana rentals are available on their website. For winter visits, dress your kiddos warmly with snow-resistant gear (pants, gloves, hats, and boots). We loved coming back for nap time during the summer to cool off, but it would be so convenient to come back and warm up halfway through the day too.

My little one after Blitzen took an apple from him

Start your adventure at Elf University for a park-wide scavenger hunt featuring Elves from A to Z. At the end, you can return to the University for a diploma and prize! From there, you can take an enchanting ride on the Jinglebell Junction railroad to see the entire park. Kids can decorate gingerbread men at the Sugar ‘n Spice Bake Shop, create a custom ring at the Blacksmith Shop, or opt for some cocoa and donuts at the Doe-Nut Factory. My little one's personal favorite was the Reindeer Rendezvous barn where you can pet and feed Santa’s reindeer treats (don’t worry if you don’t know what reindeer’s eat - the treats are provided for $2!).

The park features family-friendly rides, as well as rides that are a little more exciting for older kids - when you enter, the elves will give your child a wristband that will designate which rides they can go on alone or with someone 16+. With an 18 month old, I still felt like there was plenty for him to do and we didn’t even make it to all of the rides he could’ve gone on. The village also offers 3D movies and light shows - check out the seasonal schedule here.

Between the experiences, entertainment, and accommodations; we loved our time at Santa's Village! The transformation of the park lighting up in the evening was so magical, and is the perfect time to capture pictures with your family. I loved that Santa’s Village has the current year on a lot of their photo ops so if you’re a return visitor, you can see how much your kiddo has grown year over year.. One of my favorite parts of short term rental management is discovering attractions in the area for our guests to explore. It is our goal to create exceptional adventures - and Santa’s village is both HelmsBnB and mama approved!