Visit Santa HQ in Portland Washington Square

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. 

Visit Santa HQ in Portland Washington Square

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.

Check out the fun features HGTV Santa HQ offers:

Naughty or Nice Meter

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

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.

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

Santa HQ in Portland – Washington Square

Where to Visit Santa HQ in Portland

About Santa HQ

• About
• Latest Posts

Follow me

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.

Follow me

Latest posts by Jana (see all)

• INTERVIEW Ming-Na Wen Talks Animation for Pencils vs. Pixels - November 23, 2023
• The Marvels Easter Eggs - November 10, 2023
• INTERVIEW: Bay Dariz and Phil Earnest Talk Pencils vs Pixels - November 1, 2023