Christmasville in Emeryville

This was actually a really fun, COVID-safe experience! My partner, our two boys, and I tried it out-- It was super professional, very fun for our family, and helped us get into the holiday spirit in a way I hadn't expected. I work in public health and was worried about COVID safety--the "studio" is actually an amazing theatrical open-air set, in a warehouse, set up near a huge open door (nice and drafty, how you want it to be during a pandemic!), with families spaced apart in time so no overlap in the studio. You dont really touch anything except sitting on the sofa (low risk there), and if your kids touch a toy, they clean it as you leave. Santa was so pro (you get to choose a Black or White Santa when you book--go Bay Area!), and he stayed far away, but made it really fun for my kids as he surprised us in the window and chatted it up from a distance. It was different than sitting on his lap, but frankly my kids preferred this version they said! The set was magical and made us forget about the outside world. Leah, the photographer, was really professional and kept her mask on and had a camera that allowed her to stay back for shots. So, we got to be in a special photo shoot that felt Christmas-y, and a fun interactive experience with a lot of laughs, and we got some great family photos out of it too! We got some really nice classic family portrait shots and also some fun "catching Santa" and "Christmas morning" type of shots, too. Leah even edited them to make them perfect. We will use them for holiday cards, but also I'm just happy for the memories to keep ourselves, before my kids get too old. It is nice that we have some magic moments in this chaotic year, and I'm grateful this creative crew found a way to make this possible during this ridiculous time. Plus, the group putting it together is a bunch of artists who aren't able to do theater and such right now, so supporting this is supporting the arts! Give it a try!