Yorkdale’s Santa spaceship, pet photo studio and Starbucks evergreen walk return this November
Santa is trading his sleigh for a spaceship again this year. Yorkdale Shopping Centre’s Santa’s Journey to the North Pole is back for a third season, and it sold out in each of the last two.
The space-themed Santa visit is one of three holiday attractions returning to the mall this month. Santa’s Family & Pet Photo Studio and the Starbucks Enchanted Evergreen Walk are also coming back, along with longer shopping hours.
Here is when each one opens and what needs to be booked ahead.
Yorkdale holiday 2026 quick details
- Santa’s Journey to the North Pole: November 12 to December 24, reservation only
- Santa’s Family & Pet Photo Studio: Sessions start November 14, bookings open November 4
- Starbucks Enchanted Evergreen Walk: Opens November 18, free during mall hours
- Location: Yorkdale Shopping Centre, Toronto
Santa’s Journey to the North Pole blasts off November 12
This is not your usual line-up-and-sit-on-Santa’s-lap visit. Families board a 35-foot spaceship with 360-degree screens and motion effects that make it feel like you are travelling through space.
The flight ends at the North Pole, where Santa is waiting in his holiday control room. The spaceship sits near the TTC corridor inside the mall.
Flights run from November 12 to December 24. Boarding passes are by reservation only, and you can book through the Journey to the North Pole ticket page. Given the last two sellouts, booking early is a smart move.
What is new at the Santa spaceship this year
Yorkdale is adding a valet option for 2026. You can add valet parking for $15 when you book your Santa visit. Valet is in Parkade E, right off Highway 401. If you skip the add-on and pay on site, valet costs the regular $20.
There are also new souvenirs. Space-themed sticker sheets will be sold at checkout, and the commemorative flight pins are back after proving popular last year.
Santa’s Family & Pet Photo Studio
Prefer a classic Santa photo? The family and pet photo studio offers a traditional setup, and four-legged family members are welcome.
Photo sessions with Santa start on November 14. Sessions must be booked in advance, and bookings open on November 4 through Yorkdale’s photo studio page.
Starbucks Enchanted Evergreen Walk
For a free holiday photo stop, head to the Atrium. The Starbucks Enchanted Evergreen Walk returns for its second year on November 18.
The path winds through 24 evergreen trees and strings of lights. Red, pink, blue and green ornaments add colour, and red and green bows plus Starbucks holiday cups tie it together.
The walk stays open through the end of the holiday season during regular shopping centre hours. No booking is needed.
Yorkdale holiday hours
Extended holiday hours run from Saturday, November 28 to Wednesday, December 23:
- Monday to Saturday: 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
- Sunday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Special holiday hours:
- Black Friday (November 27): 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Christmas Eve (December 24): 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Christmas Day (December 25): Closed
- Boxing Day (December 26): 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Sunday, December 27: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- December 28 to 30: Check Yorkdale’s website for hours
- New Year’s Eve (December 31): 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- New Year’s Day (January 1): Closed
Plan your Yorkdale holiday visit
The Santa spaceship opens November 12, pet and family photos start November 14 and the evergreen walk opens November 18. Both Santa visits need advance bookings, and the photo studio opens reservations on November 4. The Starbucks walk is free to stroll through any time the mall is open.
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