Looking for something to do during the holidays with the whole family? These kid-friendly events will make for some pretty magical memories for years to come.
With everything from breakfasts with Santa to tea with teddy bears, there’s an event in or around Boston for every kid to enjoy.
ENJOY A HOLIDAY MEAL WITH SANTA
WHAT: Breakfast with Santa
WHO: Maggiano’s & Santa Claus
WHERE: Maggiano’s Little Italy, 4 Columbus Avenue Boston, MA 02116
WHEN: Sat, Dec.1st, 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM
COST: Adults ages 12 and over ~ $30.00, Children ages 11 and under ~ $25.00
What could be a better way to ring in the month of December than with breakfast with Santa? Maggiano’s Little Italy “cordially invite you to enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet” which includes a visit from jolly St. Nick.
Your kids will be able to get their picture taken with Santa as well as tell him their hearts’ desire for their presents. Children will also get to do a holiday craft while enjoying “a delicious breakfast buffet as well as have a hot chocolate station available for all guests.”
Bring the entire family and indulge in great company and even better food! You can learn more and buy tickets by going here.
WHAT: Breakfast with Santa at Plimoth Plantation
WHO: Plimoth Plantation & Santa Claus
WHERE: Hornblower II Visitor Center, Gainsborough Dining Room at Plimoth Plantation, 137 Warren Avenue, Plymouth, MA 02360
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 2nd, 10 – 11:30am or 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
COST:
- Non-members – Adult tickets are $20, Children ages 12 and under are $10
- For members – Adult tickets are $18, Children ages 12 and under are $8
Live south of the city or perhaps looking for something with a historical twist? Then Breakfast with Santa at Plimoth Plantation fits the bill.
There are two dining times available on December 2nd where you and your family can enjoy a breakfast buffet plus meeting Santa.
It’s not just the french toast or hot chocolate you’ll have to look forward to, there’s also decorating your own gingerbread man, writing your wish list to Santa, and making food for his reindeer.
All of this set against the backdrop of seven decades of history of both the Wampanoag People and the Colonial English community.
If this sounds like the perfect fit for your Sunday holiday plans, you can learn more here and purchase tickets here.
WHAT: Dine with Santa
WHO: Royal Sonesta Boston & Santa Claus
WHERE: Royal Sonesta Boston, 40 Edwin H Land Boulevard, Cambridge, MA 02142
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 15th at 9:30AM – 12:00PM or Sunday, Dec. 16th from 10:30AM – 1:00PM
COST: Adults = $65, Children 12 and under = $35, Children 3 and under = Free
For those that live to the north of Boston, there’s no need to worry – The Royal Sonesta in Cambridge offers its own version of dining with Santa.
With two days to choose from, you and your family can indulge in a holiday buffet of amazing food that offers both traditional favorites and new delights to try.
Children will get to meet Santa and tell him their wishes, as well as take home a special gift!
And in an effort to make sure everyone pays it forward this season, every child is “invited to ‘share the magic’ of the season by donating a small, unwrapped gift to benefit Toys for Tots.”
With Santa, great good, and giving back all on the menu, you’ll definitely want to add this to your list of holiday must-dos! You can find information here, and register for the Saturday event here or the Sunday event here.
AMERICAN GIRL HOLIDAY EVENTS
For those who love their American Girl dolls, there are a few different ways that you can ring in the holidays alongside other fans.
WHAT: Gingerbread House Decorating
WHO: American Girl
WHERE: American Girl Store, 1245 Worcester St #1096, Natick, MA 01760
WHEN: Friday, Nov. 30th, 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
COST: $35 per person
First up, there’s the Gingerbread House Decorating where your admission fee goes towards one large gingerbread house. You’ll be able to “select from a full ‘bar’ of candies and other sweets to fashion the perfect seasonal décor for your house.”
But you’d never want to leave out your American Girl doll! Thankfully, you’ll also get to “decorate a doll-sized house made of graham crackers.”
If all that designing works up an appetite, you’ll be set with the cookies and peppermint-flavored hot chocolate available for all attendees.
Those who want to decorate matching (or not) houses for themselves and their American Girl Doll can find more information and register here.
WHAT: Holiday Cookie Decorating
WHO: American Girl
WHERE: American Girl Store, 1245 Worcester St #1096, Natick, MA 01760
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 1st, 8th, & 15th, from 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
COST: $8 per girl
If the scale of decorating an entire house seems a bit too much to handle, you can downsize to decorating cookies instead.
On three different Saturdays in December, you’ll be able to “celebrate the season with a sweet treat” alongside other American Girl doll fans.
Each attendee will have festive frosting and sprinkles to use to decorate her holiday cookies however she likes. You can decide to eat them then and there, or “take them home in a ‘to go’ box” that you’ll also be able to decorate with stickers.
Join your fellow American Girl doll fans at this fun event by registering here.
WHAT: American Girl Welcomes Santa
WHO: American Girl
WHERE: American Girl Store, 1245 Worcester St #1096, Natick, MA 01760
WHEN: Sundays in December – 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd from 8:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
COST: $25 per person
Santa takes a quick break from the other breakfast events to join the American Girl team at their store!
Be sure to bring a camera as you’ll want to capture the moments between Santa, your child, and their American Girl doll as they tell him their wishes for Christmas.
You won’t need to worry about finding something to eat either; there’s a full meal included in the price of admission.
Come meet Santa and spend a Sunday morning wrapped in the magic of make-believe by registering here.
WHAT: Holiday Tea with American Girl
WHO: American Girl
WHERE: American Girl Store, 1245 Worcester St #1096, Natick, MA 01760
WHEN: Sundays in December – 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd from 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
COST: $22 per person
Last but not least of the holiday events on offer at the American Girl doll store is their Holiday Tea. If your child believes themselves “too grown up” for breakfast with Santa, then this may better fit their wishes.
First, you’ll get to indulge in “a selection of delectable treats and delicious drinks for both kids and adults.”
In addition, your child will get to make a festive “silly sweaters” craft project.
But what might be the best part is the ‘build-your-own hot chocolate station where they can create a concoction that they can take home as a gift.”
This holiday tea is sure to delight all ages and you can register to join in here.
TEDDY BEAR TEA
WHAT: Teddy Bear Tea at the Bristol
WHO: Four Seasons Hotel Boston
WHERE: Four Seasons Hotel Boston. 200 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116
WHEN: December 1st – 23rd, from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
COST: Adults = $80, Children + a bear to donate = $43, Children without a bear to donate = $48
A holiday event so well-known and loved, they issued a press release to announce its return for a 21st year.
The Teddy Bear Tea at the Bristol “is a special community benefit initiative of Four Seasons Hotel Boston, teaching young guests the spirit of charity.”
Diving into the importance of giving back, attendees are invited to bring a bear to donate. All of the collected bears will go to local organizations who help children in need.
Each day from December 1st to 23rd, the Teddy Bear Tea will start with tea being served at 3:15pm, followed by “a special reading from a local Boston celebrity at 4:00 pm.”
To make a reservation and attend, you must call Bristol Dining Reservations at +1 (617) 351 2037. They will email you a special form that must be completed within 48 hours and returned in order for reservations to be considered finalized.
It’s important to note that “due to the extreme demand for this event series, a non-refundable table deposit of $125 is required at the time of reservation for parties of five or less. A non-refundable table deposit of $250 is required at the time of reservation for parties of six or more. Deposits are applied toward the final bill.”
Make sure to give them a call ASAP so you can register if you want to be a part of this holiday tradition!
CONCLUSION
From breakfasts with Santa to teas and teddy bears, there’s plenty to do for kids of all ages in and around Boston.
Let us know which ones you’ll be attending below in the comments and check back soon for our list of the New Year celebrations across the city.
