Celebrate the holidays in New Jersey with Photos with Santa, Christmas Parades, festive crafts and family fun this December.
Atlantic County
Be at Storybook Land in Egg Harbor Township at dusk when Santa comes up his chimney to wave his magic wand to light the spectacular display of thousands of lights for the Holiday Season. Through December 23, Santa will light the Park at 5 pm and he and Mrs. Claus will be in their chalet to visit with the children (weather permitting). The display of more than one million lights will be open to visitors through December 30 (weather permitting).
Bergen County
Don’t miss the Winter Holiday Spectacular at the New Jersey Children’s Museum in Paramus. Each exhibit will be festively decorated and on December 10, 11, 17 and 18, kids can listen to holiday songs, special stories and watch puppet shows – and meet Santa. Admission is $14.99 per child and $10 per adult and for additional fees, kids can participate in special activities including meet-and-greets with princesses and a holiday craft. Check their website for more information.
Burlington County
Historic Smithville has some holiday fun for families including the Holiday Light Show, an orchestrated display of lights and music played out across the lake from 5:30 pm to 8 pm, running until Jan. 2. Each weekend in December, Smithville also offers a Christmas Train ride to see the decorated village, a Magical Talking Tree and a free story time with Mrs. Claus in her Christmas Cottage from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm. On December 10 and 17, families can go to Fred and Ethel’s Lantern Light Tavern for a buffet Breakfast with Santa. There also will be a chance for a picture with Santa. For more information, call 609-652-0544.
Camden County
Have Breakfast with Santa aboard the Battleship New Jersey from 9 am to 11 am on December 3. Children and their families can have a hot breakfast served chowline-style, just as sailors did in the past. They’ll also get a goody bag, a chance to win prizes and a chance to meet and have their picture taken with Santa. Tickets are $16 for kids under 12, $20 for adults, $7.50 per person for military families. Reserve a spot by calling 1-866-877-6262 ext. 203.
The Garden State Discovery Museum in Cherry Hill will host several holiday celebrations in December. Kids can enjoy a buffet-style Breakfast with Santa and songs and stories from 10 am to 12:30 pm on December 10. Pre-registration is required and the cost is $8 for members and $15 for non-members (plus tax). Space is limited. Hurray for Hanukkah will be on December 18, where kids can listen to Hanukkah stories, create holiday snacks and enjoy hands-on Hanukkah crafts with Rosie Hymerling. Drop in for crafts between 1 pm and 3 pm and enjoy a sing-along concert with Janet Sclaroff at 3 pm.
Also at the Garden State Discovery Museum will be the Feast of the Seven Fishes on December 24 with crafts, games, stories and snacks with a marine-life theme to celebrate this traditional Italian holiday. The Kwanzaa Celebration will be 1 pm on December 26 and December 28 and children can learn about this African-American tradition as Queen Nur lights up the stage with interactive storytelling and songs.
There will be a Parade of Lights starting at 7:30 pm December 9 in Collingswood. Fire trucks and floats decorated with lights will start at Zane Avenue and head to Homestead Avenue. Santa will be on the last truck to greet children and spectators. Hotsy Totsy will be strolling the Avenue singing from 7 pm to 9 pm.
Cape May County
The 46th annual West Cape May Community Christmas Parade will be December 3 (rain date December 4) and starts at 5 pm from the West Cape May Volunteer Firehouse. The parade will continue south on Broadway, then east on Perry and onto Carpenter Lane in the City of Cape May.
There are several holiday festivities to choose from in Ocean City. The annual parade will start at 6 pm on December 2. Kids can enjoy Breakfast with Santa from 8:30 am to 11:30 am at a different downtown restaurant on December 3, 4, 10, 11, 17 and 18. For more information, call 609-398-4662. There will be photos with Santa from 12 pm to 3 pm at the Music Pier on December 3, 4, 10, 11, 17 and 18. There will be free horse and carriage rides in front of city hall from 12 pm to 3 pm on December 3, 4, 10, 11, 17 and 18.
Essex County
Families can enjoy Breakfast with Santa and the Grinch at Kidgits at the Livingston Mall on December 11. There also will be fun activities with lots of free give-a-ways. Each member of the family attending the event must purchase a ticket, including parents and children (except kids under 2 don’t need a ticket) and they must be purchased in advance. Tickets are $5 for Kidgits® Members and $10 each for non- Kidgits® members. Ticket proceeds go toward the Simon Youth Foundation.
Experience Turtle Back Zoo in the winter as 100,000 bulbs and 40 lit displays illuminate the zoo this holiday season! Admission is free. Help keep the gift of giving alive! Turtle Back Zoo will be collecting non-perishable food, winter coats and unwrapped new toys for the needy each evening of holiday lights. Help the lights shine a little brighter this year with your donation. Come see the lights Friday through Sunday 5 to 9 pm the first three weekends in December and 5 pm to 9 pm December 19-23, December 26-31 and January 1.
The annual Snowflake Parade will start 1:30 pm along Millburn Avenue between Holmes and Spring Streets in Millburn on December 4 (rain date December 11). There will be professional clowns, marching bands, community groups and Santa arriving on the Millburn Hook and Ladder. Free refreshments will be available in The Courtyard where The Funny Factory Clown Band will entertain those waiting to visit with Santa.
Hunterdon County
Holiday events in Clinton include the Annual Christmas Parade at 7 pm on December 2 with more than 40 floats, live performances and Santa’s arrival. On December 15 from 6 pm to 9:30 pm, enjoy shopping and the festive atmosphere of the historic district with horse and carriage rides (for a small fee), caroling, and luminaries lining the streets for that special holiday glow. On December 18, Santa is back in town from 1 pm to 3 pm on Main Street.
Middlesex County
Have breakfast at the North Pole and get a photo with Santa on December 3 (snow date December 10) at the Middlesex High School cafeteria. The event runs from 9 am to noon and the $5 admission per person includes bagels, donuts, juice, coffee and crafts. There will be a Coach bag raffle and parents can bring their cameras to snap pictures of Santa visiting with their children.
Don’t miss New Brunswick’s annual holiday celebration from 5 pm to 7 pm on December 2 at Monument Square Park, at the corner of Livingston Avenue and George Street. In addition to the Holiday Tree Lighting and a visit from Santa, there will be live entertainment, children’s activities, exhibitors and the 4th Annual Chili Contest. Other holiday activities and events in New Brunswick include free horse-drawn carriage rides with a historian docent from 6 pm to 9 pm on Fridays (December 2, 9 and 16) and Saturdays (December 3, 10 and 17). Pick-up locations will be at the Hyatt Regency New Brunswick and The Heldrich Hotel.
In addition to all the holiday performances, New Brunswick also will host a Santa Breakfast on December 3. From 9:30 am to 11:30 am, the New Brunswick Elks will offer a light breakfast, coloring, singing, crafting and a special visit from Santa. The cost is $3 per person. Seating is limited so reservations are required. For reservations, call New Brunswick City Market at (732) 545-4849.
Enjoy Breakfast with Santa at East Brunswick Elks Lodge 2370 from 9:30 am to 11 am on Dec. 11. The cost is $7 per person over 10 and children 10 and under are free. Attendees are asked to bring a can of vegetables or a box of stuffing to donate to the lodge’s Feed the Hungry Campaign. Call 732-821-9527 to reserve a spot.
Want a free photo with Santa? Then stop by Gold Coast Jewelry in New Brunswick between 10 am and 4 pm on December 4. Photos will be available for pick-up the following week.
The Middlesex County 4-H invites you to have Breakfast with Santa on December 4 at the Middlesex County 4-H Center in East Brunswick. Parents and children are invited to enjoy a pancake breakfast, meet Santa and participate in other fun activities for children. There are two seatings for breakfast and activities: 8:30 AM and 11 AM. Admission prices are $7 for adults, $5 for children (ages 9 & under), and $7 (ages 10 and up) and includes breakfast, 1 picture per family with Santa, petting zoo, and more! Reserve your place by calling the 4-H Office at 732-398-5261. All proceeds will benefit the 4-H program.
Monmouth County
The Christmas Express is running days and nights at Allaire State Park this December. Santa rides the Christmas Express and talks to all the children. The train leaves every half hour from 11 AM to 4PM on Dec. 3,4, 10, 11, 17 and 18. On December 9, 10, 16 and 17, trains leave every half hour from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Each person planning to ride the train requires a paid ticket for this event and when you buy tickets, $6 per person, you are purchasing for a trip on a SET day and time. This event sells out every year so advance purchases are suggested. Tickets must be purchased in person at the station by cash or check only.
Step back in time for Christmas at Allaire in Farmingdale on December 3 and 4 from noon to 3:30 pm. Carolers will be strolling the historic village’s streets while visitors to the Historic Christ Church can enjoy period music, both vocal and instrumental. Other special programs include Mummer Plays, Hearth Cooking and Apple Drying and Stringing. Horse-drawn carriages, complete with jingle bells, will be available to tour the woods surrounding the village and kids can greet St. Nick. Admission is $6 for adults and $4 for children 5 to 14 and the carriage rides are an additional $7.50 for adults and $5 for kids under 12.
Return to historic Allaire Village for Holiday Lantern Tours from 5 pm to 8 pm on December 10 and 17. Museum interpreters in authentic attire will lead groups on a 90-minute tour through the lantern-lit streets and share the holiday customs of the past. Period music will be heard at the Chapel, visitors can peek at village carpenters making toys, glimpse how an affluent family celebrated the holidays and much more. Tickets are $10 per person and advance purchase is recommended.
Celebrate the holidays in Red Bank each weekend including December 17 and 18, with horse and carriage rides, carolers and a Gingerbread Walk. Get a photo with Santa at the Galleria between noon and 4 pm the first three weekends in December.
Morris County
Santa is coming to Imagine That! Museum in Florham Park at 9:45 am on December 3, 4 and 18.
Kids can bring their wish-list, sit with Santa, take photos, enjoy a breakfast snack and stay and play all day. Santa has a present for each paid child. Admission is $13.99 for children and $10.99 for adults (price includes breakfast). Reservations are required. To register, call (973) 966-8000.
For the 19th year, the Tri-State Railway Historical Society will be offering Santa Train Rides on Dec. 10. Trains run from the Hackettstown, Mount Arlington, Netcong and the Dover stations. Each child will have the opportunity to meet Santa so parents should bring their cameras. Wherever you choose to board, you will ride a full round trip lasting approximately one hour. Your fare – $13 for adults and $9 for kids under 12 (2 years and younger are free) – includes an activity book and a little toy for every child. See the website for specific departure times for each station.
Passaic County
There will be Photos with Santa at the Willowbrook Mall in Wayne until December 24. Santa’s Hours at Bloomingdale’s Exhibit Court will be: Monday – Saturday: 10 am to 9 pm, Sunday 11 am to 6 pm and Christmas Eve: Open all mall hours.
Somerset County
Get into the holiday spirit at the Colonial Christmas event at the Jacobus Vanderveer House in Bedminster. Tours will be available from 10 am to 4 pm on December 2, 3 and 4. Santa visits the Vanderveer House on December 3 & 4 from 1 pm to 3 pm. The Pingry Balladeers will sing at 3 pm on December 4 only. There will be the unveiling of the Kitchen Hearth Exhibit, a special collection of Revolutionary War paintings on display and festively decorated rooms and period music. There will be Christmas shopping, and so much more. Admission is $10 per person; children 12 and under are free.
The Jersey Central Railway Historical Society’s Central Chapter, in conjunction with Santa and Mrs. Claus, operates a Santa Claus Special that will run on Dec. 10. The train departs from Raritan at 8:30 AM and also from the eastbound platform (off South Avenue) of the Westfield Station in Westfield at 9 AM and 1 PM. (There is no afternoon departure from Raritan). The two-hour trip features Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus along with a few of Santa’s helpers. There are sing-a-longs, candy canes and coloring books for the kids and a drawing for a train set. Santa pays a visit to each car and is more than happy to pose for pictures with the kids. Tickets are $13 for adults and $11 for children age 1 to 12. Children under 1 are FREE. You can purchase tickets on-line, or from participating retailers.
The Friends of Lord Stirling Stable will host its 12th Annual Winter Holiday Festival from 10 am to 4 pm on December 3 and 4 in Basking Ridge. Daily festivities will include free hay rides through the woods to visit Santa at Santa’s House; free pony rides at designated times throughout the day and holiday crafts. Enjoy seasonal music and refreshments while browsing through the array of gift baskets at the School Horse Retirement Fund Silent Auction.
The Sinterklaas Festival will be at the Van Wickle House in Franklin from 1 pm to 4 pm on December 4. In honor of this Dutch tradition the Meadows Foundation sponsors a celebration with music and dancing and hands on activities for the whole family. Contact the Meadows Foundation for more information.
Sussex County
Elks Lodge 2356 in Sparta is hosting Breakfast with Santa from 8 am to 11 am on December 11. The cost is $6 per adult and $3 for kids 4 to 12 years old. Children 3 and under are free. Come get your picture taken with Santa and enjoy breakfast. Call the lodge for tickets or further information (973) 534-6872.
Union County
There are several holiday events in Cranford this year. Have a pancake breakfast with Santa at Trinity Episcopal Church in Cranford, from 8:30 am to noon on December 3. Have your picture taken with Santa, enjoy face painting, a gift basket raffle and more. The cost for the breakfast is $5 per person and a photo with Santa is $7.
If you miss breakfast, Santa also can be found at the Cranford Community Center between 9 am and noon on December 3.
Kids have another chance for photos with Santa and free trolley rides with Santa on December 17. Santa Photos will be at Centennial Village from 10 am to noon. Santa will be at the Gazebo and there will be free trolley rides from 1 pm to 4 pm.
Older kids can decorate their own Gingerbread House at Liberty Hall Museum on December 3 and 10. Children ages 7 to 12 can get into the holiday spirit with all sorts of candy delights to adorn their gingerbread houses. There will be two sessions each day: 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and noon to 1:30 p.m. The cost is $17 per child and includes all workshop materials. Reservations are required. Also at Liberty Hall Museum, children ages 7 to 12 can participate in the Christmas Tree Ornament Workshop from 10 am to 1 pm on December 4. Reservations are required and the cost is $10 per child, including workshop materials.
Liberty Hall Museum also will be host to the Whoville Feast and Breakfast with Santa. Families can sample Roastbeast on a Bun, Seuss Spuds and Cindy Lou Cider from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm on December 11. Admission is $20 per child and $25 per adult. And children ages 7 to 12 can have Breakfast with Santa from 10 am to noon on December 18. Admission of $20 per child and $25 per adult includes a hot breakfast and a photo with Santa in his sleigh. Reservations are required for both events.
Treat the kids to Gingerbread Sunday at the Miller-Cory House Museum in Westfield on December 4. From 1:30 pm to 4 pm, kids can listen to stories and make a gingerbread house to take home. Registration is required. Call 908-232-1776.
The Westfield Area Y is hosting Lunch with Santa from 12:30 pm to 2 pm on December 11.
Enjoy lunch, sing Christmas Carols and have your photo taken with Santa. The cost is $8 per person in advance, $10 per person at the door. Children under 2 are free. Advance ticket purchase is highly recommended because this event often sells out. All proceeds benefit the Y Strong Kids Campaign. Call the Welcome Center at the Main Y Facility at (908) 233-2700 for more information.
If Santa Breakfasts and photos at the mall aren’t your idea of holiday fun, bring Santa to your house. Your child can receive a free video message from Santa and kids can track Santa’s sleigh on Christmas Eve and play holiday games.