Parent Review: Santa’s Village North Pole Express

Editor’s Note for 2020: Santa’s Village is taking a break this year due to Covid. Instead, Earlyworks is hosting a socially-distant Ten Days of Santa experience for Huntsville families. Get the details here.
Santa’s Village is a Huntsville tradition. So when it moved to the Huntsville Depot this year, I was worried the magic might be lost. Let me assure you, it still keeps the Christmas spirit very much alive! While you are no longer in a quaint village in the North Pole, you are now all aboard the North Pole Express!
Parking/Arriving/Tickets
Santa’s Village is open every single night (weather permitting) from 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm. We grabbed some food and got there right after it opened on a Sunday night. We parked across the street at the bank, but there were also spots near the train tracks. If you have ever attended an event at the Huntsville Depot this is no different.
A line had already formed, so we stood in line. It didn’t take long but if you purchase tickets online, and don’t mind the $2 handling fee to do so, you can skip ahead and show your barcode at the gate. If you opt not to do that my advice is to get there right at 5:00 pm or if you can wait a little longer like 7:00 pm so it gives the crowd some time to thin out.
Santa’s Village Parent Pro-Tips
- Purchase Tickets Online and skip the line! ($7/Person Children under 2 are free)
- Save a buck with the Holiday Magic Pass
- Not everything is paved so if you bring a stroller make sure it’s off-road friendly.
- Wear layers. You’ll be going in and outside so if your prone to sweating like my husband, wear layers.
- There are two sets of bathrooms. One inside the Depot and one along the wall of the Bake Shop. Changing tables are available.
Where’s Santa?
So you want to see Santa? Head straight back! He’s located inside the building at the far right corner as you walk in. There are tons of photo opportunities with beautifully decorated trees, presents wrapped in gorgeous paper, and a gleaming red antique fire truck! Once you see the head elf himself, walk out to a beautiful antique truck just ready for your family photo!
If your little one isn’t a big fan of Santa, it’s easy to skip this part without any anxiety.
New – The Locomotive Light Show!
At the new home of Santa’s Village you get the advantage of an electric light show from what my toddler calls a Choo-Choo! As the lights dance to the music, my daughter was dancing and in awe of the train. The light show happens often so you’re sure to catch it! The North Pole Express comes to life every five minutes, so prepare to spend some time there.
It’s Still There / Things to Do
There was plenty to keep us occupied for at least an hour walking around with my toddler. For older kids, I am sure you could spend a good two hours in the North Pole. Here are the things you can do at Santa’s Village:
Snow Storm – The snow is bigger and better than ever. It happens about 10 minutes after the hour. My kiddo loved it. She was a little confused a first, but much like bubbles she quickly like it and tried to catch it with her sweet little hands. Snow starts at 5:20 each night and then happens every 20 minutes.
Icicle Light Maze – They have a short maze for kids to wander into with white and blue lights! Parents can hang out on the pavilion decked in lights with picnic tables waiting for the kids to finish.
Bake Shop – When I first saw this, I thought it was where you get fudge and buy other goodies, but it’s a place to decorate sugar cookies. You only get icing, but I appreciate there aren’t super sticky sprinkles to have germs all over them and mess up my kid’s “Christmas” shirt.
Reindeer – The two live reindeer are in the middle of a grassy area. There are two fences. One wooden and one chain link. This doesn’t make for the best photos, but we wouldn’t want Prancer to poke little Johnny with his antler either. *Or fly away. Hold your phone up high or get the lens in a spot where you can’t see the chain link.
Write to Santa – If your kiddo wants to write to Santa and get their thoughts in order before seeing St. Nick, they can head to the post office. They have letters, pens/pencils where you can fill out what your heart desires if you prefer to mail in your wishes.
Craft Train – With the theme of the Polar Express, they have embraced the bell. In the book, if you still hear the bell you are a true believer. You have a card with the logo and a train you can color on the back along with a bell to attach to the card. I appreciated this craft because it’s an ornament for our tree, it works with the theme, it works for most ages, and it’s not messy.
Eat, Drink, Be Merry – Grab some hot hot hot – hot chocolate and snacks from the concession stand! If there’s a line for Santa this may help take out some of the whining pain of waiting for the kiddos.
Photo Opportunities – I know some of you are like me and just want some nice photos of your kids. They have beautiful places to snap photos! There are characters as you first walk into the area of Rudolph and a gingerbread man! There is a sled, truck, Christmas trees, the actual train, and some cool outdoor Christmas photos like this door and the wreath.
Santa’s Helpers – Just a note that most of the helpers are teen students getting volunteer hours. They may only be helping just one night. Show a little Christmas spirit and be kind to them, and realize they are just older little kids. All the ones I met were super sweet and friendly.
Gift Shop – As you exit, you go through the gift shop. Make sure to get some sugar under the mistletoe! They have adorable ornaments, gifts, and many of them are specific to Huntsville and Alabama. Don’t want to shop with tired kids? The gift shop is open 10am – 4pm Monday – Saturday so you can come back and get your goodies.
Final Thoughts
This is the first year in the new Santa’s Village location. I know it’s different for some of you parents, but there really is more room to spread out and breathe. My daughter had a great time and it was worth the moo-lah to see her smile. Next year will be even better because she can do more and hopefully not give Santa the evil eye. The team at Santa’s Village are also learning lessons so as time continues, Santa’s Village North Pole Express will only get better!
Santa’s Village North Pole Express Details
Dates: November 29 – December 23, 2019
Hours: 5:00 – 8:00 PM Nightly
Location: Historic Huntsville Depot (map)
Phone: 256-564-8100
Cost: $7 per person, children under 2 are FREE! purchase tickets online & skip the line!
View Website | Santa’s Village on Facebook (helpful for weather updates!)
Santa’s Village Special Nights
Dog Nights – November 24 & 25, 2019
Show your EarlyWorks Membership card for free admission
Military Night – Monday, December 2nd, 2019
Military and their immediate family free
You Might Also Like…
- The Ultimate Huntsville Holiday Activity Guide
- RCM’s Hometown Huntsville Gift Guide
- Read About More Christmas Events in Huntsville
Beth Ridgeway lives in Madison with her husband, daughter, and toy poodle. She works as the Social Media Specialist at the Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau. When she’s not volunteering or working, you can find her binge watching Netflix, reading, or rehearsing improv.
Thank you Beth for such a sweet review. I know a lot of people that have worked 7 days a week to get this event ready. That wanted it perfect for the kids.
Looking forward to our first visit with our grandchildren!
I would also check ahead to see if there is another event. I was denied handicap parking because the parkinglot was reserved for another event. We had a few more issues with wheelchair access (one being seeing the reindeer in the grassy area). But we did our best. By the way, the elves were fantastic. Very friendly and engaging. And when you have a child with special needs, that means a lot.
We love santa village!! If we won tickets my boys would be over the moon excited ❤🎄☃️
I would take my grandkids if I won tickets!!
I can’t wait to take the kids!
We love this tradition! I would take my daughter and nieces when they come from TX to visit!!
We have not been to Santa’s village at the depot and I would love to check out the new spot with my daughters.
Would love to win I would take my sweet 5 and 4 yr old who are simply obssesed with all this Christmas I guess they get it from me
We love this event and rocket city mom!
I would take my kids!! We haven’t checked it out yet! Can’t wait! Btw, I probably Rocket City Mom’s biggest fan! I tell everyone!! Would be a blessing to win!
We love Santa’s Village! I would take my family (husband and 3 kids)! My 2 year old would especially love it this year.
I’m new to the area and have heard this is a great event. With four grandchildren locally we’d probably take the whole family.
This is such a great event! We haven’t been since it’s moved to the train station.
If I was to win tickets to santa village I would take my twins, who are 3 years. My girls have taking pictures with this santa since they was 7 months and I would love to keep the tradition going. And my girls just love going and getting into the Christmas spirit
We haven’t been to the new location! I’d love to take my kids!
I would take my family.
My kids would love this!
I would take my 3 sweet little pootie toots!! And buy a ticket for my husband of course!
My kiddos would love this!
I would take my daughter Sophia and 2 of her friends
I would love to take my children and husband to this!
I would take my husband and kids. My youngest loves trains! We got to go on the Santa Train a few years ago because of RCM and it was very cool!
We are new to Huntsville this year and would love to go! My two daughters would have so much fun.
Would love to take my little one!
I would love to take my kids to this! We haven’t been in so long!
Never been.. Would love to take the kiddos
Id take my 4 year old & 7 year old. They are anxious to write a letter to Santa and drop it in the mailbox at Santa’s Village!
Would love to take my daughter. She’s so curious about everything, this sounds fun!
I would love to take my two girls here. They’re a bit older and not into the same things this year, so I’d like to make the magic last just a little longer.
I would go with my friends kids!
My kids haven’t been since it moved. We’d love to go check out the new location!
I would take my husband, my son and my daughter!
I would take my son, my friend, and her daughter!!!