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November 18, 2018 By Jana Leave a Comment

Visit Santa HQ in Portland Washington Square

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After 4 years, the Santa HQ in Portland – Washington Square is most certainly an annual holiday event for our family.

Thanks to Santa HQ for sponsoring our visit to see the Santa HQ this year. As always, all opinions are our own. 

Santa HQ

Visit Santa HQ in Portland Washington Square

This year Washington Square is once again partnering with HGTV to present the super fun immersive Santa HQ experience. Families are invited to explore the wonder of Santa in the digital age. Exciting interactive technology transforms and customizes the experience for kids of all ages. This has been a favorite holiday pastime for us for the last 4 seasons.
santa hq AR 1

Augmented reality (AR) in the Elf Academy

HGTV Santa HQ guests can customize their individual experience by using augmented reality to view the all-new Elf Academy in magical ways. New this year, visitors can use the workshop’s Magic Mirror to transform into one of Santa’s elves. Guests can virtually change their elf’s outfits, create customized Elf Academy ID collector cards at the Elf ID station, explore Santa’s Workshop and Elf Academy using ELF-RAY Vision and test out the Naughty O’ Nice Meter. Families can continue their adventure with a custom photo opportunity and an in-person visit with Santa inside his modernized sleigh.
Santa HQ Photo Opp
To make it easy, guests can make reservations starting now with the man of the hour to spend less time in line. Visit:  for more reservations. Photo packages are available starting at $39.99.

Check out the fun features HGTV Santa HQ offers:

naughty or nice meter santa hq

Naughty or Nice Meter

naughty or nice meter santa hq 2

Naughty or Nice Meter

  • Naughty or Nice Meter: Visitors can stand next to an interactive board to find out which of Santa’s lists—Naughty or Nice—they made. This is our personal favorite activity at Santa HQ every year.
  • Photo Opps: Traditional photo opportunities with Santa Claus, as well as a holiday scene photo, with a variety of photo packages that families can choose from.
  • Elf Academy: Guests can visit HGTV Santa HQ’s Elf Academy, family-friendly experience that features interactive technology to enhance the entire HGTV Santa HQ visit.
magic mirror santa hq

Magic Mirror

santa hq magic mirror

Magic Mirror

  • Magic Mirror: In this new addition to the Elf Academy include the NEW Magic Mirror where guests can transform into one of Santa’s elves (Hazel, Ruby, Jack, or STrawberry) and virtually try on various elf outfits and email it to themselves.
  • Elf-ID: Guests can create their very own customized Elf-ID card using the new Elf-ID app and a “selfie” and email it to themselves.
  • Elf-Ray Vision: Guests can explore Santa’s Observatory through the use of tablets. Areas within Santa HQ trigger an augmented reality (AR) experience for guests.
santa hq AR 1

Elf-Ray Vision / Augmented-Reality Experience

Giving Back at Santa HQ in Portland

Shoppers also are invited to bring an unwrapped toy and participate through Holiday Giving, at the center’s Sharing Tree, located next to Nordstrom and Abercrombie & Fitch. Washington Square hopes to gather over 5,000 toys to be donated to 15 local charities.

In 2017, HGTV’s Help Through Holiday Giving program collected over 66,000 toys benefiting local organizations like Forgotten Angel
Tree, Salvation Army Angel Tree, Toys for Tots, and Spark of Love Stuff a Bus. We love partnering with local organizations to give back on a large scale.

When to Visit Santa HQ in Portland

Through November 25:
MON–SAT: 10am–8pm
SUN: 10am–7pm
* November 22 (Thanksgiving): Closed
 
November 26–December 7:
MON–SAT: 10am–9pm
SUN: 10am–7pm
 
December 8–23:
MON–SUN: 9am–9pm
 
December 24 Christmas Eve:
MON: 10am–6pm
santa hq entrance

Santa HQ in Portland – Washington Square

Where to Visit Santa HQ in Portland

The Portland Santa HQ is located at the Washington Square Mall. It is located in the Summit Food Court and parking available outside of the Summit food Court, near JCPenney. Visit:  for more information and holiday events

About Santa HQ

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Jana
Jana Seitzer is a writer, traveler, podcaster, and geek. Although well-versed in many fictional universes, Star Wars & Marvel have always been her favorites.
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Filed Under: Portland Tagged With: HGTV Santa HQ, photos with Santa, Portland events, Santa HQ

About Jana

Jana Seitzer is a writer, traveler, podcaster, and geek. Although well-versed in many fictional universes, Star Wars & Marvel have always been her favorites.

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Meet Jana

Jana Seitzer is a writer, traveler, podcaster, and geek. Although well-versed in many fictional universes, Star Wars & Marvel have always been her favorites. Read More…

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