Arnold Schwarzenegger walked across New York in a Santa suit: Here's where The Man with the Bag was filmed

Four days into the shoot, Schwarzenegger in full Santa costume crossed Fifth Avenue at 50th Street – right by Saks Fifth Avenue, one of the most recognisable Christmas retail addresses in the world. Ritchson was beside him.

Earlier that same week, Schwarzenegger posted an Instagram photograph with Ritchson, praising New York as a host. "Santa Claus is coming to town! It is fantastic to be shooting The Man with the Bag with Alan Ritchson. Our director Adam Shankman is one of the funniest directors I've worked with. New York City is an amazing host."

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On December 18, Schwarzenegger in his Santa costume and Kyle Mooney filmed shopping scenes at the Bryant Park Holiday Market – the seasonal market that fills Bryant Park between November and January, its wooden chalets and Christmas atmosphere providing exactly the setting a Santa Claus heist film requires. A local posted on social media: "Bryant Park is really gonna be hectic today. Not only the Christmas Market, but they are also filming a movie today, Man with the Bag."

That night, the production filmed late-night scenes outside Grand Central Terminal with Schwarzenegger in full Santa gear and Ritchson in a Santa hat and black jacket.

On January 13, production moved to the East Village. Filming took place outside Veselka – the neighbourhood's beloved 24-hour Ukrainian diner at 2nd Avenue and 9th Street, which closed for the shoot. Production trucks lined up along Tompkins Square Park. Closure notices were posted for Avenue A between 7th and 10th Streets, St. Marks Place, and both 9th and 10th Streets between 1st and 2nd Avenues. 

On January 8 and 9, the production took over the Rockefeller Center Ice Rink – the most famous skating rink in New York, overlooked by the giant Christmas tree and the golden Prometheus statue on Lower Plaza. The trailer confirms what the filming notices suggested: Schwarzenegger as Santa doing impressive moves on the ice at the iconic rink. The rink has appeared in dozens of productions over the decades – Home Alone 2, Elf, Enchanted among them.

In February 2025, Schwarzenegger and Ritchson filmed snowy scenes in Central Park alongside co-star Berkeley James. Part of the filming took place around the Bethesda Arcade, which was transformed through CGI into an entrance. The production caught an actual snowstorm on camera during shoots reported at least on February 20, with a sleigh scene filmed around February 21. A genuine New York winter snowstorm for a Christmas film. The production could not have scripted better weather.

The Man with the Bag opens on Prime Video on December 2, 2026.