Category: Sensory Friendly

Where to Find Sensory Friendly Santas 2023

Sensory Friendly Santa dates for the Bay area. 15+ dates for special needs and autism spectrum families to share time and get photos with Santa this holiday.

I still love visiting Santa with my kids.  And luckily for me, they indulge me.  So it is with great pleasure that I created this list of dates for Sensory Friendly Santa visits for those families with children that are ‘special’ in their own way.

Sensory-friendly Santa visits are scheduled for December 2 to December 22, 2023, depending on the location.  The visit is free (or free with admission), but parents MUST register in advance (for most dates) to save a spot. 

There are of course keepsakes and photo packages for sale at the event. Please RSVP to reserve your spot today! I’ve included links with the dates and times.

What is the Difference Between a Sensory Friendly Santa Photo Visit?

Dates with sensory-friendly Santas generally have less noise and fewer distractions. But more importantly, fewer people scheduled, and a shorter wait in line.

When Are Sensory Friendly Santa Dates

Most locations are having Caring Santa visits on December 3, 2023.

Sensory Friendly Santa Dates 2023

Location Name | LinkDate
Cypress School Primary Campus | PetalumaDecember 2, 2023
Broadway Plaza | Walnut creekDecember 3, 2023
Eastridge Center | San JoseDecember 3, 10 & 17, 2023
Great Mall | MilpitasDecember 3, 2023
Stanford Shopping Center | Palo AltoDecember 3, 2023
Stoneridge Shopping Center | PleasantonDecember 3, 2023
Stonestown Galleria | San FranciscoDecember 3, 2023
Sunvalley Mall | ConcordDecember 3, 2023
Village at Corte Madera | Corte MaderaDecember 3, 2023
Westfield Oakridge | San JoseDecember 3, 2023
Westfield Valley Fair | Santa ClaraDecember 3, 2023
Fioli** | WoodsideDecember 10, 16, 17, & 22
Christmas in the Park | San JoseDecember 10, 2023
**Free with admissionUpdated Dec 1, 2023

Sensory Friendly Santa Visits or Soothing Santa Visits are the partnership of Cherry Hill Programs and Autism Speaks.  Expect that the visits will take place in a more subdued and calm manner.

Best Bets for 2023 is Eastridge Center in San Jose. Eastridge will host Sensory Santa visits on December 3, 10 & 17, 2023 from 9 am – 11 am.

Filoli Historic House & Garden in Woodside is also hosting on multiple dates, December 10, 16, 17, & 22. Santa visits are free with admission (Adult $41 | Child 5-17 $31 | Child (under age 5) Free). If you are going to Fioli, you might get free or discount passes at Discover and Go (under Museum Passes on your local library’s website.

CelebrateFamily.us Best Bet

Find other holiday events for kids, tweens, teens, and families at CelebrateFamily.us

Free Summer Concerts at Magical Bridge Playground in Palo Alto

Free family-friendly concerts at the Magical Bridge Playground in Palo Alto, part of the Magical Music and Motion concert series for 2023.🎶 🪕 🪘

The Magical Music and Motion concert series is for younger listeners, families with special needs, and all ages. Besides music, featured fun will also include a dance-along with the SF Ballet (July 28, 2023), Spanish fun with Kimba (August 25, 2023), and the Noise Lab Music Workshop (July 21, 2023).

#musical #bestsummeryet #free #musicandmotion #summerconcerts #paloalto #specialneeds

Concerts will be held on Friday nights from June 9 – August 25, 2023, from 6 pm – 7:30 pm.

Magical Music and Motion Lineup and Dates:

JUNE 9 JOHN HENRY’S FARM
JUNE 16 ANDY Z
JUNE 23 ANGELS ON STAGE
JUNE 30 LORI & RJ

JULY 7 THE RIEKESTREA
JULY 14 SOUL PROVIDERS
JULY 21 NOISE LAB MUSIC WORKSHOP
JULY 28 SF BALLET DANCE-ALONG

AUGUST 4 PALO ALTO PLAYERS
AUGUST 11 ANNALIISE BELLE
AUGUST 18 CAMACU
AUGUST 25 SPANISH THROUGH FUN WITH KIMBA

Magical Bridge Playground – Palo Alto is located in Mitchell Park near the dog park and tennis courts on the side of the park nearest to Mitchell Park Library and Ada’s Cafe. Park by the Mitchell Park Library and walk past the tennis courts.

Chuck E. Cheese Sensory Sensitive Sundays For Kids With Autism And Special Needs

Chuck E. Cheese’s offers a sensory-friendly experience on the first Sunday of every month.

This special time will be two hours before the Chuck E. Cheese locations are open to the general public, usually 9 am – 11 am. During the summer the hours may change so as always, please contact the participating location.

In select locations, birthday parties can be coordinated during Sensory Sensitive Sundays events.

#SensorySensitiveSunday

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The Chuck E Cheese Sensory Sensitive Sundays Experience Includes:

  1.  Less crowding and noise.
  2. All ages and siblings welcome.
  3. Dimmed lighting.
  4. Show and music turned off or down.
  5. Limited appearances by Chuck E.
  6. Food and games are offered, however parents are permitted to bring snacks for their children if needed due to dietary restrictions during Sensory Sensitive Sundays.

Chuck E. Cheese Sensory Sensitive Sundays Locations in the SF Bay Area:

The Chuck E Cheese locations in the Bay area participating in Sensory Sensitive Sundays varies. The cities and addresses are listed below. Visit Chuck E. Cheese for a list of current locations.   Chuck E. Cheese locations with Sensory Sensitive Sundays.

BRENTWOOD – 6061 LONE TREE WAY, BRENTWOOD, CA 94513
GILROY – 910 RENZ LANE, GILROY, CA 95020
SALINAS – 1447 N. DAVIS RD., SALINAS, CA 93907

Greater Bay Area
1027 OLIVER RD., FAIRFIELD, CA 94533

Looking for more Sensory Friendly events? Click here to view Sensory Friendly events on CelebrateFamily.us.

Chuck E. Cheese Sensory Friendly Sundays Dates for 2024

January 7
February 4
March 3
April 7
May 5
June 2		July 7
August 4
September 1
October 6
November 3
December 1

Sensory Friendly Movies at AMC Theaters

AMC Theaters offers sensory friendly movies on select Tuesdays and Saturdays each month. Sensory friendly movie screenings to cater to those with autism and other special needs.

Sensory Friendly Movies at AMC Theaters

These movie dates provide a special opportunity for families to enjoy their favorite films in a safe and accepting environment. The movie auditoriums have their lights up, the sound turned down and audience members are invited to get up and dance, walk, shout, or sing!

Sensory Friendly Movies Showtimes

Saturday shows are generally at 10 am and Wednesday at 7 pm local time. Dates and films are subject to change, so check with your local theater to confirm.  Tuesday evening showings are not necessarily for young children but may appeal to others on the autism spectrum.

Sensory Friendly Theaters in the Bay Area

In the SF Bay area, sensory friendly firms are being shown at the following locations:

Oakland – AMC Bay Street 16
San Francisco – AMC Manteca 16
San Jose – AMC Mercado 20

The locations do change (not very frequently!), so families should check the AMC Sensory Friendly Movie page to confirm. Or call your local theater and let them know that you would like Sensory Friendly movies in your area.

Sensory Friendly Movies for February 2024

Here is a listing of the sensory friendly movies with dates and movie ratings for this month.

Sensory Friendly Movies at AMC Theaters

Looking for other family movies in the Bay area? Check out our Family Friendly Movie listing.

Did you know that CelebrateFamily.us has a section just for Sensory Friendly/Autism spectrum events?  Click here for to check out the Sensory Friendly events section.