Breakfast, Photos and other Santa Events Around New Jersey

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. Santa will light the Park at dusk through December 23,
and Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus are in their chalet to visit with the children until December 23 (weather permitting).

Bergen County
The Emblem Club 101 in Ridgefield Park is hosting Breakfast with Santa at 9 am on Dec. 4. Bring your camera for pictures. Call Joyce Jones at 201-440-9673 to buy tickets; the cost is $5 per person


Burlington County
Historic Smithville has some holiday fun for families including the free Light Show on the Lake, an orchestrated show of lights and music played out across the lake Thurs, Friday, Saturday, Sunday 5:30 - 8:30 pm until Jan. 2. There also will be a Buffet Breakfast and picture with SANTA at 9 am on Dec 4 and 11 at Fred & Ethel's Lantern Light Tavern. Call 609-652-0544 for more information. Camden County
Have Breakfast with Santa aboard the Battleship New Jersey at 9 am on Dec. 4. Have a hot breakfast served chowline-style, win prizes, enjoy a self-guided your of the ship, and meet Santa Claus. Tickets are $16 for kids, $20 for adults. Reserve in advance by calling 1-866-877-6262 ext. 107.


Essex County
Kidgits Breakfast with Santa will be 9 am on Dec. 4 at the Livingston Mall in Livingston. There will be breakfast, a special gift, a chance to decorate a cookie, a visit with Santa and more. Burger King will be providing the breakfast. Tickets, available at Simon Guest Services, are $5 for Simon Kidgits members and parents and $10 for non-members $10 per ticket.


The Holiday Festival of Lights will continue in December on select Friday and Saturday nights - Dec. 3, 4, 10, 11, 17 & 18 from 5:30 pm to 8:00pm - at the Camden Children's Garden in Camden. Enjoy a magical holiday tradition on the Camden Waterfront. In the evening, stroll through the 4.5 acres of gardens that include over 100,000 beautiful holiday lights and animated light sculptures. See live butterflies in the Philadelphia Eagles Four Seasons Butterfly House. Meet Santa Claus, his elves and Garden Mascot Mum Bea and more. Separate admission after 5pm. For more information please contact the Camden Children's Garden at 856-365-8733 or [email protected].

Gloucester County
Elks Lodge 2708 in Deptford is sponsoring Breakfast with Santa from 10 am to noon on Dec. 18. Please bring an unwrapped gift or gift certificate for a child or teen. There is a wish list for the children on the bulletin board. Contact the lodge for more information at (856) 848-7373.

Hunterdon County
Holiday events in Clinton include the Annual Christmas Parade at 7 pm Dec. 3 and Santa's arrival on Main Street at 1 pm on Dec. 19.

Middlesex County
Santa will be at the Brunswick Square Mall in East Brunswick for photos until Dec. 24. Click here for specific hours.
Have Breakfast with Santa at Rainforest Cafe in the Menlo Park Mall in Edison from 8 to 10 am on Dec. 11 & 18. He also will be at the mall for photos until Dec. 24. Click here for his hours.

Enjoy Breakfast with Santa at East Brunswick Elks Lodge 2370 from 9:30 to 11 am on Dec. 12. The cost is $7 per person over 10; 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.


The Middlesex County 4-H invites you to have Breakfast with Santa on Dec. 5 at the Middlesex County 4-H Center, 645 Cranbury Rd., 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 costs $5 for ages 9 and under and $7 ages 10 and older and includes breakfast, pictures with Santa, a 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. 4, 5, 11, 12, 18 & 19. On Dec. 11 & 18, 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, $5 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.

Morris County
Santa is coming to Imagine That! Museum in Florham Park at 10 am Dec. 19. 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). To register, call (973) 966-8000.




The Tri-State Railway Historical Society will be offering Santa Train Rides on Dec. 11. Trains run from the Wayne/Route 23 Transit Center, the Mount Arlington Station and the Dover Station. 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 90 minutes. Your fare - $13 for adults and $9 for kids (save 50 cents per ticket online) - includes an activity book and a little toy for every child. See the website for specific departure times for each station.



Ocean County
Make your shopping more festive at Jackson Premium Outlets in Jackson with Strolling Santa and Carolers until Dec. 19. On Saturdays between 1 pm and 4 pm keep on the lookout for Strolling Santa and Victorian Carolers will be strolling the outlets between noon and 3 pm on Sundays.

Passaic County
There will be Photos with Santa at the Willowbrook Mall in Wayne until Dec.24. Children visiting Santa will receive a free coloring book, It Takes Just One, while supplies last. 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. Please note: Santa will be taking breaks Mon-Sat 1pm to 2pm and 5pm to 6pm and Sun 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm. Santa photo coupon is good until Dec. 9.

Somerset County
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. 11. 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.

Don't miss all the holiday activities in Somerville this season including live holiday music and carolers in the downtown on Saturdays in December (see website for specific times).


Get a free photo with Santa at TD Bank on Main Street from 6 pm to 8 pm on Thursdays, Dec. 2, 9, 16, 23. Santa also will be available for free photos from 11 am to 3 pm on Saturdays, Dec. 4 and 11. Kids also can have lunch with Santa at Central Pizzeria in Somerville from noon to 3 pm on Dec. 18.

Somerville also will host various holiday performances at the United Reformed Church, including the free Caroling Festival at 4 pm on Dec. 3; the Stars and Promises Holiday Concert at 7:30 pm on Dec.  (Tickets are $25, proceeds go to charity); the Deer Ridge Singers at 7 pm on Dec. 12 (tickets are $20 and can be purchased at the door), and the Raritan Ringers and Madison Brass at 7:30 pm on Dec. 18 (Tickets are $15 at the door).

Also on Dec. 18, Linda Russell will perform a Christmas concert at the Old Dutch Parsonage in Somerville, with colonial music of the Christmas season. The concert will be held in the candlelit atmosphere of the Parsonage, and will begin promptly at 7:30 p.m., with seating beginning at 7 p.m. Admission is $10. Because space is limited, reservations are mandatory. Please call in advance for information and seating reservations at 908-725-1015.

Find out how Christmas was celebrated during the “Six Days Before Christmas” event from 5 pm to 8 pm on Dec. 19 at the Wallace House in Somerville. The historic house will be open for intimate candlelight tours and guides in period clothing will discuss how Christmas was celebrated during the 18th century in the American colonies. Refreshments will be served. Admission is $10 and reservations are required.  Please call all 908-725-1015.



The Friends of Lord Stirling Stable will host its 11th Annual Winter Holiday Festival on Dec 4 and 5. 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 photos with Santa or a pony. 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 Dec 5. In honor of this Dutch tradition the Meadows Foundation sponsors a celebration with music and dancing and hands on activities for the whole family.Parking is $ 5.

Sussex County
Elks Lodge 2356 in Sparta is hosting Breakfast with Santa from 8 am to 11:30 am on Dec. 12. The cost is $6 per person; kids 12 and under are free. Come get your picture taken with Santa. Call the lodge for tickets or further information (973)726-0169.


Union County
Have a pancake breakfast with Santa at Trinity Episcopal Church, Cranford, from 8:30 am to noon on Dec. 4. 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.

Breakfast with Santa at the Garlic Rose Bistro in Cranford will be from 9 am to 11 am on Dec. 11. Please call (908) 276-5749 for reservations, which are required. The cost for children is $5 and $10 for adults. Photos with Santa are $3.

Santa also will be at Centennial Village in Cranford for photos from 10 am to noon on Dec. 18.

Also in Cranford, you also can find Santa at the Gazebo and there will be free trolley rides with Santa from 1 pm to 4 pm Dec. 18.