The Nai-Ni Chen Dance company celebrates Lunar New Year in a Jersey City performance this weekend. Photo courtesy of the dance company
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Donations to Fanwood's Famous Christmas House support charity. Photo courtesy of the family
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Step into Santa's Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops in Atlantic City for Christmas pictures. Photo courtesy of the venue
Pictures with Santa in New Jersey
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It costs nothing to take in the display at Fanwood's Famous Christmas House. Photo courtesy of Fanwood's Famous Christmas House
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The spectacular Winter WonderLights drive-thru boasts more than 1.5 million lights animated to favorite holiday tunes,
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Step into a world of wonder at LuminoCity's 2024 holiday lights festival in Freehold. Photo courtesy of the festival
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Turtle Back Zoo is all decked out for the holiday season, which means there are lots of great photo ops.
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Join a magical trip on the Polar Express powered by the Morristown & Erie Railway. Photo courtesy of the railway
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'Tis the sea-son for Christmas Underwater at Adventure Aquarium. Photo courtesy of the aquarium
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Holiday and Thanksgiving volunteer opportunities abound in New Jersey.
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The Funplex has two New Jersey locations for families to explore and enjoy.
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Get drawn into the art at the Morris Museum next time you're looking for indoor activities for kids in New Jersey. Photo by Kaylynn Chiarello Ebner
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Beyond the casinos, Atlantic City is an all-ages playground, with Island Waterpark, boardwalk amusements, beach access, and more fun.
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Hang out with the giant hippos at Camden's Adventure Aquarium. Photo by Kaylynn Chiarello Ebner
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The Rainforest Cafe has two family-friendly restaurants in New Jersey. A meal out here is part adventure, part restaurant.
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Palmer Square is a great place to relax in the heart of Princeton. Photo courtesy of Palmer Square
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The accessible playground at Watsessing Park works for children of all abilities. Photo by Margaret Hargrove
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Pet baby goats on a visit to Brookhollow's Barnyard in Boonton. Photo by Kaylynn Ebner
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Admission to the Cape May County Park & Zoo is completely free. Photo courtesy of the zoo
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Nickelodeon Universe is one of the can't-miss destinations at American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Photo courtesy of the venue
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New Jersey kids can find free fun climbing the pirate ship at the free Garden State Plaza Westfield mall. Photo by Mommy Poppins
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30+ Awesome Santa Activities in New Jersey

Meet Scuba Santa at the Adventure Aquarium. Photo courtesy of the Aquarium
Meet Scuba Santa at the Adventure Aquarium. Photo courtesy of the Aquarium
12/2/21 - By Laurie Rein

Santa Claus is making his rounds throughout the Garden State, and we've found up more than 30 fun ways to see him this Christmas season. These Santa sightings are a far cry from sitting on his lap at your local mall. Instead, jolly old St. Nick can be found aboard holiday trains, lighting up small-town trees, sitting on a Christmas-red tractor, and stopping by dazzling light displays. You can even wave to him during a stunning holiday light drive-thru or see him swimming with sharks.

Read on for awesome Santa activities in New Jersey this December, and find more Santa meet-and-greet opportunities in our Holiday Fun Guide, including where to take Santa pictures and where to have breakfast with Santa.

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OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Take a ride on the dazzling Magical Holiday Express at DiDonato's. Photo courtesy of DiDonato's
Take a ride on the dazzling Magical Holiday Express at DiDonato's. Photo courtesy of DiDonato's

Take the Train with Santa

Santa's Trolley Rides in Cape May

Cape May
Weekends through Sunday, December 19
Join Mrs. Claus as she shares stories and songs on the jolly holiday trolley ride through the town of Cape May. Catch up with Santa at the Gazebo on the grounds of the Emlen Physick Estate. READ MORE

Cape May Seashore Lines Santa Express

Tuckahoe
Saturdays and Sundays through Wednesday, December 22
Take a ride on the train at Cape May Seashore Lines with Santa this holiday season. Board the train at Richland Village or Tuckahoe Village for a 35-minute ride.  READ MORE

DiDonato's Magical Holiday Express

Hammonton
Daily through Thursday, December 23
Take a ride on this dazzling train through millions of Christmas lights. The fun includes meeting Santa, a gift from Santa, a holiday movie, cookies, and a walk through the Holiday Village. READ MORE
Snap a picture with Santa at Diggerland! Photo courtesy of Diggerland
Snap a picture with Santa at Diggerland! Photo courtesy of Diggerland

Theme Parks, Play Spots, and Aquariums Where You Can See Santa

Photos with Santa at South Arcade

Point Pleasant–FREE
Saturday, December 4
Jenkinson's South Arcade plays host to Santa Claus—and good little girls and boys who want to stop by and share their wish lists. Snap a free photo with the man in red and score half-price arcade play with a playcard. READ MORE

Santa Claus Visits Imagine That

Florham Park
Sunday, December 12
Santa Claus and his elves swing by Imagine That for pictures with visitors. This event is included with general admission. Every child receives a gift and T-shirt from Santa, while supplies last. READ MORE

Skate with Santa at American Dream

East Rutherford
Select dates through Thursday, December 23
Head to The Rink at American Dream to join Santa and his elves on the ice while skating to holiday music. Santa takes to the ice Fridays and Saturdays, plus daily the week leading up to Christmas.  READ MORE

Sea of Lights at Jenkinson's

Point Pleasant
Select dates through Tuesday, December 28
Head down to the boardwalk this Christmas season during Jenkinson’s Sea of Lights. This indoor, holiday lights spectacular takes place inside Jenkinson’s Aquarium. Don't miss character visits, treats, entertainment, Santa photos, and diving Santa. READ MORE

Christmas Fantasy With Lights at Storybook Land

Egg Harbor Township
Select dates through Thursday, December 30
Help welcome Santa and Mrs. Claus to Storybook Land through the end of December. Each night at dusk, Santa appears at the chimney and waves his wand, magically lighting up the park. READ MORE

Six Flags Holiday in the Park

Jackson
Select dates through Sunday, January 2
Six Flags Great Adventure transforms into a holiday wonderland with millions of glittering lights, dazzling holiday entertainment, delicious seasonal treats, and a little flurry of magic nightly. Visit the North Pole Village, and hop aboard many popular rides.  READ MORE
Celebrate the holidays at Johnson's Corner Farm. Photo courtesy of the farm
Celebrate the holidays at Johnson's Corner Farm. Photo courtesy of the farm

Farms, Parks, and Outdoor Places to See Santa

Meet and Greet with Santa at Countryview Farm Nursery

Monroe–FREE
Saturday, December 4
Spend time with Santa Claus in the new structure at the farm's Christmas tree grove. Santa is on his sleigh and ready for photos. Plus, enjoy free hot cocoa.  READ MORE

Dickens Village

Maplewood–FREE
Saturdays, December 4, 11, and 18
The Dickens Village returns to Maplewood for the holiday season. The Christmas Carol-inspired houses are decorated with fireplaces, stockings, and antique toys. Other activities include horse and wagon rides, a petting farm, and visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus. READ MORE

Holiday Market in the Park & Tree Lighting

Hopatcong
Saturday, December 4
Pick up gifts and goodies at Modick Park's outdoor shopping experience, where food trucks, crafters, local businesses, and community groups peddle their wares. Top off the day with the town's tree lighting and a visit with Santa.  READ MORE

Christmas at Allaire

Farmingdale
Sundays, December 5-19
Step back in time and celebrate Christmas at Allaire with a day full of holiday cheer. The magic of Christmas past is resurrected in this old-time affair. Warm up near an open hearth, observe candle-lit windows throughout the village, participate in Victorian holiday celebrations, and enjoy live caroling. READ MORE

Santa Visits Kale's Garden Center

Princeton–FREE
Saturdays and Sundays through Sunday, December 19
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Kale's Garden Center. Santa visits the greenhouse, where all Christmas displays are housed this year. Bring a camera. READ MORE

Holidays at Johnson's Corner Farm

Medford
Daily through Thursday, December 23
Johnson’s Corner Farm has it all for the holidays–take a hayride to view thousands of lights, watch a light show on the lake, visit Santa, decorate Christmas cookies, roast marshmallows, and visit the Discovery Barn and Animal Farm. READ MORE

Christmas Wonderlands

Manalapan
Wednesdays through Sundays through Thursday, December 23
Enjoy a walk through a beautiful display of various vintage Christmas scenes from the early 1950s and '60s. Check out familiar characters like Mickey and Minnie, Olaf and Elsa, and so many more. Hop aboard a Christmas train. READ MORE
See the lights—and Santa—at Skylands Stadium. Photo courtesy of the event
See the lights—and Santa—at Skylands Stadium. Photo courtesy of the event

Holiday Light Shows and Drive-thrus With Santa Sightings

Fanwood's Famous Christmas House

Fanwood–FREE
Sunday, December 4
Stroll by Fanwood's Famous Christmas House, which boasts a spectacular 30,000-light display. Monetary donations are accepted to support the NJ Institute for Disabilities.  READ MORE

Six Flags Great Adventure Holiday Drive-Thru

Jackson
Mondays through Thursdays through Thursday, December 17
Get in the spirit of the season at Six Flags Great Adventure's drive-thru Holiday in the Park experience, featuring beloved, decked-out holiday characters, popular iconic holiday decorations, a visit from frosty Winter Wizard, and much more. READ MORE

Skylands Stadium Christmas Light Show

Orchard of Lights

Augusta
Daily through Sunday, January 9
It's that magical time of year when Demarest Farms is adorned with holiday lights. Take your car on a guided tour through 32 acres of brilliant holiday light displays. Then, visit Santa, warm up by the fire pit, and enjoy hot cocoa and treats in the retail farm market. READ MORE

Local Holiday Celebrations With Santa Sightings

Toms River Winter Wonderland Weekend

Toms River–FREE
Friday, December 3
Toms River hosts a weekend of fun to ring in the holiday season. A tree lighting kicks off the weekend and Santa arrives for photo-ops. Shop the Winter Village all weekend long for wares from local vendors, plus enjoy children's activities and music. READ MORE

Holiday Party at Gateway Classic Cars of Philadelphia

West Deptford–FREE
Saturday, December 4
Join Gateway Classic Cars for its 2021 holiday party. Come by for food, crafts, cars, entertainment, and visits with Santa.  READ MORE

Saturday with Santa

Red Bank–FREE
Saturday, December 4
Have a jolly time at this community holiday party, complete with a DJ, photo booth, games, crafts, door prizes, and a special visit from Santa. READ MORE

Santa's Comin' to Town

Chester–FREE
Sundays, December 5 and 19
Jolly Ol' Saint Nick strolls through downtown Chester, spreading holiday cheer and giving good little boys and girls a chance to join him in some 'Santa Selfies.' READ MORE

2021 Closter Tree Lighting Celebration

Closter–FREE
Sunday, December 5
Kick off the holiday season at the Closter tree lighting. Enjoy doughnuts, hot chocolate, and the infectious and upbeat sounds of the EKKQUINOX Steel Band. Families can try their skills on simple holiday games ranging from Reindeer Ring Toss to Snowman Bowling. READ MORE

Christmas Bazaar Toy Drive

Lyndhurst–FREE
Saturday, December 11
Come meet Santa and his friends. Take part in free activities, and indulge in complementary hot cocoa and cookies. Do some shopping with small business vendors. READ MORE

Rahway Winter Wonderland

Rahway–FREE
Fridays through December 17
The city of Rahway hosts a pop-up winter celebration, with live music, hot chocolate, ice sculptures, bounce house, and Santa photos.  READ MORE

Santa's Workshop

Paterson–FREE
Sunday, December 19
Santa stops by Center City Mall for free photos, goody bags, crafts, and a visit with Mickey and Minnie Mouse. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Countryview Farm Nursery
Fanwood's Famous Christmas House
Gateway Classic Cars of Philadelphia
Downtown Chester