Santa’s Village Named Best Family Park by Amusement Today Golden Ticket Awards

Santa’s Village in Jefferson, New Hampshire, long regarded as New England’s top theme park for families, has received international recognition as Best Family Park in the 2026 Golden Ticket Awards from Amusement Today magazine. The Golden Ticket Awards annually recognize some of the best businesses worldwide as voted by hundreds of amusement industry enthusiasts and professionals.

“Seeing Santa’s Village take the Best Family Park brings me honest joy,” said Tim Baldwin, Golden Ticket Awards Communications Coordinator, Amusement Today. “Every visit I have enjoyed at Santa’s Village has completely charmed me. The atmosphere, the food, the creative rides — I just adore all of it. We send out ballots to experienced individuals within the amusement industry and tabulate the results. I feel they got it right. I’ve watched this park rise on the charts as a finalist over the years and look at it now — gold! Santa’s Village is magic.”

Santa’s Village is an independent, family-owned and operated theme park that will be celebrating its 75th season next year. The park is located on Route 2, in the town of Jefferson, in northern New Hampshire’s White Mountains. Its web site is santasvillage.com.
 

“Our mission here is to deliver pure joy, family style, every operating day, ever since our grandparents opened Santa’s Village in 1953,” said Melanie Staley, one of two third-generation owner/operators working at the park, alongside her brother Christian Gainer. “We believe in the goodness of Santa and the Christmas spirit all year round, and we believe in providing a good value for every visit. The Golden Ticket Award as Best Family Park brings us joy, knowing that voters recognize our efforts,” said Christian.
 

As a family-owned independent business Santa’s Village is able to create an experience designed to please its guests, rather than to please outside investors or shareholders. Attendance is limited each day to help minimize waiting and provide a more enjoyable visit. The cost of admission always includes parking, stroller use, visits with Santa and real reindeer, a ring from the blacksmith, the Elfabet scavenger hunt, all rides and shows, plus the water park in season. 
 

Santa’s Village operates most weekends from late-May into December, and daily from mid-June to Labor Day weekend. Santa’s Village is an outdoor experience that opens regardless of temperatures and in variable weather – rain or shine, or even snow. Admission is sold online only at santasvillage.com. 
 

Learn more about Amusement Today magazine and the Golden Ticket Awards online at https://amusementtoday.com/2026/09/extra-extra-the-2026-golden-ticket-awards-issue-is-now-available/.

 

###