Bristol Santa House

09/03/2026

Save the date.

The Bristol Santa House opens for the 2026 season on Saturday, November 21.

We are already working on a very special opening day, and this year may have a little extra Christmas magic in store.

More details soon. For now, circle the date and get ready for another wonderful season at the Bristol Santa House.

08/26/2026

Happy National Dog Day!

Today we celebrate the dogs who make us laugh, keep us company, steal our spots on the couch, and somehow always know when we need them most.

Dogs have a special place in our hearts at the James D Rielly Foundation and the Bristol Santa House. They bring comfort, joy, and a little bit of mischief wherever they go.

And speaking of special dogs, we are excited about an upcoming Christmas story that is very close to our hearts, featuring a very determined little Jack Russell who finds himself helping Santa Claus.

We cannot wait to share more about Jack and his Christmas adventure soon.

Give your favorite pup an extra treat today. They have probably already decided they deserve one.

08/18/2026

15 weeks until December 1!

The countdown to another magical season at the Bristol Santa House is officially on.

Follow us here for the latest news, updates, and our 2026 Santa House schedule coming soon.

08/09/2026

07/29/2026

Apparently, regular gumdrops were never going to be enough.

The North Pole decorating committee has been busy, and something colorful, glowing, and really big is coming to the Bristol Santa House for the 2026 Christmas season.

A big Christmas thank-you to our friends at ‪Animus Studios‬ for allowing us to use a short clip from Animus Hires Santa, a fun project Santa had the pleasure of making with their talented team.

Learn more at https://BristolSantaHouse.org

06/24/2026

Six months from tonight, Santa will be on his way! The magic of Christmas Eve is closer than you think, and we are already counting down with joy in our hearts.

06/17/2026

THANK YOU! For voting us Best of Rhode Island! ❤

06/10/2026

Look what Santa Claus received in his mailbox today!
Rhode Island Monthly

05/19/2026

THANK YOU, Angelo's Restaurant, for your generous donation!

05/01/2026

James D. Rielly. Born May 1, 1908.

To many in Rhode Island, he was Santa Claus. He was also Bristol's first Fourth of July Town Crier, a man who showed up for people not because it was his job, but because he loved his community.

Today, the James D Rielly Foundation carries that work forward, supporting children and families connected to military, law enforcement, and first responders during some of their hardest moments.

Through the Bristol Santa House, his spirit shows up in a different way. In every visit, every smile, every quiet moment that tells a family they belong here. For many, especially families with children and adults with disabilities, the Santa House is not just a holiday stop. It is a place where they feel seen.

That is the community Jim Rielly helped build. We are proud to keep it going.

Happy heavenly birthday, Papa!

𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑝ℎ𝑜𝑡𝑜 𝑤𝑎𝑠 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑛 𝑜𝑛 𝑀𝑎𝑦 1, 1975, 𝐽𝑖𝑚'𝑠 67𝑡ℎ 𝑏𝑖𝑟𝑡ℎ𝑑𝑎𝑦. 𝐻𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝑓𝑙𝑦𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎 𝑘𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝑜𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑎𝑤𝑛 𝑛𝑒𝑥𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐵𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑙 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑒ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑠𝑒, 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘𝑒𝑑 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑦 𝑦𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑠. 𝑆𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒 2023, 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑠𝑎𝑚𝑒 𝑙𝑎𝑤𝑛 ℎ𝑎𝑠 𝑏𝑒𝑒𝑛 ℎ𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐵𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑙 𝑆𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑎 𝐻𝑜𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦 ℎ𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑑𝑎𝑦 𝑠𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑜𝑛. 𝑆𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑠 𝑗𝑢𝑠𝑡 ℎ𝑜𝑙𝑑 𝑎 𝑐𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑑 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔.