Christmas is only weeks away, which means it’s time to start planning those annual photos with Santa. Whether you’re looking to take photos with your family or with your pets, there are various places around Northern New Jersey, like local restaurants or malls, where Santa is available for photo opportunities. Keep reading for a list of spots around Hudson County and Northern New Jersey to visit Santa in 2024.
Disclaimer: Many of these events require reservations, please call ahead to confirm before showing up.
Brunch with Santa at Gioia Mia | 331 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
December 8th | 10:30AM
On Sunday, December 8th Gioia Mia in Montclair will host a brunch with Santa. At this event, priced at $60 per adult, guests can enjoy a pre-fixe holiday menu, which consists of three courses and features options like avocado toast, eggs benedict, panettone bread pudding, and more. Children, for $50 a ticket, will receive a breakfast menu, which includes milk and cookies, a Christmas gift, and a photo with Santa. Children can also enjoy holiday arts and crafts. To make a reservation, call the restaurant at 973-233-0350. See this Instagram post for more information.
Read More: Newport Skates in Jersey City Opens for the 2024-25 Season
Breakfast with Santa at High Tech High School | 1 High Tech Way, Secaucus
December 14th | 10:30AM – 1PM
The Culinary Arts Department at High Tech High School is hosting a Breakfast with Santa event on December 14th in the school’s cafeteria, which will be decorated like a winter wonderland. Guests can look forward to breakfast, a meet and greet + a photo with Santa, and a letter-writing station for children. This event will also include a raffle where visitors can win a festive gift box. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. Children four and under can attend this event for free. See more information here.
Breakfast with Santa at RoofTop at Exchange Place | 1 Exchange Place, Jersey City
December 21st | 11AM-3PM
Breakfast with Santa returns to RoofTop at Exchange Place for this holiday season. On December 21st, guests can experience a morning of family-friendly holiday fun, which includes a packed brunch buffet and a photo with Santa. For breakfast, options like scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, turkey sausage, Parisienne-style breakfast potatoes, pastries, a waffle station, a hot chocolate station, and more will be available. Tickets are priced at $50+ for adults and $25 for children. To make a reservation, visit this website or call 551-256-7850.
Santa at Freehold Raceway Mall | 3710 US-9, Freehold
Ongoing until December 24th
Guests can visit Santa’s winter wonderland at the Raceway Mall, located on the lower level at Zara Court. There are various featured events, depending on the day, like a pet night, where canine friends can take a photo with Santa, and Santa Cares, a holiday event where people of all ages can meet Santa in a sensory-friendly environment. Although a visit with Santa is free, photo packages must be purchased. Reservations are also encouraged. To view the different packages and schedule a reservation, see here.
Santa at The Commons | 400 Commons Way, Bridgewater Township
Ongoing until December 24th
Santa has arrived at The Commons in Bridgewater, located in Center Court on the lower level, and is available until Christmas Eve. In addition to ongoing photo opportunities for the kiddos, there are also pet photo days, where guests can bring their furry friends for a photo with Santa. For more information see here.
Photos with Santa at Willowbrook Mall | 1400 Willowbrook Mall, Wayne
Ongoing until December 24th
Santa is available for photos and a meet and greet at Willowbrook Mall in Wayne until December 24th. In addition to photos with children, there are also scheduled pet nights, where pets and their owners have the opportunity to take a photo with Santa. Walk-ins are welcomed, but reservations are encouraged. To see the schedule of events and make a reservation, visit Willowbrook Mall’s website.
Santa’s Flight Academy at The Mall at Short Hills | 1200 Morris Turnpike, Short Hills
Ongoing until December 24th
Santa’s Flight Academy is an interactive holiday experience featuring a 22-foot tall sleigh, a snowfall dance party, and, of course, photo opportunities. Although walk-ins are welcomed, reservations are highly encouraged. See here to make a reservation and to see the different photo packages available.
The Santa Photo Experience at Simon Malls | Multiple Locations
At The Santa Photo Experience, kids and families can take a holiday photo with the big man himself. The following Simon Malls in New Jersey are participating in this event:
Menlo Park Mall | 55 Parsonage Road, Edison | Ongoing until December 24th
For more information click here.
Newport Centre | 30 Mall Drive West, Jersey City | Ongoing until December 24th
For more information click here.
Ocean County Mall | 1201 Hooper Avenue, Toms River | Ongoing until December 24th
For more information click here.
Quaker Bridge Mall | 3320 US-1, Lawrenceville | Ongoing until December 24th
For more information click here.
Rockaway Townsquare | 301 Mount Hope Avenue, Rockaway | Ongoing until December 24th
For more information click here.
The Mills at Jersey Gardens | 651 Kapkowski Road, Elizabeth | Ongoing until December 24th
For more information click here.
The Shops at Riverside | 390 Hackensack Avenue, Hackensack | Ongoing until December 24th
For more information click here.
See More: 8 Christmas-Themed Activities in New Jersey
Photos with Santa at Westfield Garden State Plaza | 1 Garden State Plaza Parkway, Paramus
Ongoing until December 24th
Located near the Planet Playskool on level one, Santa is available for photos at GSP. There are also special events scheduled for certain nights, like a pajama party, an ugly sweater party, and more. Reservations are encouraged, as space is limited. Times also vary depending on the date, so check out the website for more information here.
Alcohol-Free Activities in Hoboken + Jersey City
Even though Hudson County is known for its incredible nightlife scene, sometimes a person needs to mix it up. With many people exploring the sober-curious lifestyle, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite alcohol-free activities to enjoy in Hoboken and Jersey City. From learning a new skill to trying out an adventurous hobby, there are plenty of choices for a fun way to spend the day or evening. Read on for some of the best alcohol-free activities in Hoboken and Jersey City, NJ.
Make Coffee an Event
Bwè kafe has coffee and so much more. The Hoboken Ukulele Appreciation Society meets every Thursday at 7:30PM in the Bwe Kafe at Washington and 10th. With a donation of $20, beginners can borrow an uke and join in the circle. “Cheaper than therapy, more fun than going to the gym,” says Dave Lambert who organizes these happy events. All kinds of pursuits — be they intellectual, athletic, or social — are way more satisfying when amped up on copious amounts of caffeine. Finding your fit for a coffee home is easy in a place where ambiance abounds. The signature sparkling espresso drinks at Sober Shot will definitely fire up neurons, motivate, and inspire.
Try an Only-Safe-When-Sober Skill
Some activities — such as rock climbing at Gravity Vault, go-kart racing at RPM Raceway, Jet-Skiing with New York Harbor Jet Ski, and archery at Aerow Archery are not advisable inebriated. Beginners and experienced rock climbers can stretch their limits at the Gravity Vault in Hoboken. At Jersey City’s RPM Raceway, thrill seekers can go fast and furious on 3,000 feet of lightning-fast straightaways and 90-degree hairpin and spiraling ramps. While jet skiing, you'll cruise up and down the Hudson River, around Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, with the potential for a full loop around Manhattan. Aerow Archery delivers a unique and healthy way to move your body in an 8,000-square-foot open loft space that features 24 lanes of tournament-style targets ranging from 11 to 22 meters.
Read More: 9 Team-Building Activities to Try in Northern New Jersey
Do Something New
Patrons can book a virtual cooking class with a chef at Tony Baloney’s or an in-person cooking class at Hudson Table. Or, learn to box for fun and fitness. Budding artists can take a painting class at Urban Arts at Monroe Center. Collect some friends for an open studio sewing session at Galastella Studio in Hoboken, or if you're into fashion, visit Youssoufiani in Hoboken — a leather craftsmanship studio that lets you create your own designer bag. Workshops at Blue Sky Pottery are ninety minutes of stress-free, messy fun with a take-home prize to be proud of. Despite the name, Tipsy Tie Dye, doesn’t serve alcohol and is BYOB for those who want to participate tipsy. The ticketed events — private party sessions are available — include tie-dying sweatshirts, sweatpants, t-shirts, hoodies, towels, baby onesies, dog outfits, you name it. Painting does not require sipping at Art Mango in Jersey City.
Learn All About the Area
The constant calendar of events at the Hoboken Historical Museum runs a vast gamut between regionally reflective artists, film showings, lecture series, and exhibitions that tell stories of the Mile Square City in more ways than there are residents. The Jersey City Free Public Library’s New Jersey Room holds a trove of documents, artifacts, and new and old tomes telling tales of regional history for the history curious. A search for information about the former homeowners of a property can become a romantic mystery for current-day residents wondering what those walls have seen.
A Hoboken Food Crawl
With all of the tasty treats in Hoboken, one could easily organize a different food tour each weekend. Salty, sweet, or savory could each be the theme. Maybe the crew missed the summertime MutzFest — just pick a handful of Hoboken’s fantastic delis and compare the mutz. Perhaps mortadella or meatballs is more your speed. There are easily a dozen spots in Hoboken and Jersey City to do an ‘around the world’ style taste test. Or organize your own pizza tour, comparing slices from all around town.
The sweet tooths of the group aren’t left out of the fun. Hoboken is home to New Jersey’s top-rated chocolate chip cookie at Baking Mama. Pick up competitors from other local bakeries like Chip City or Dolce + Salato to see how they stack up. And if you’re one of the people who thinks ice cream is a year-round treat (let’s be honest, it is), Hoboken and Jersey City are lucky enough to have several top-tier ice cream shops. From il Laboratorio del Gelato and Morelia Ice Cream Paletas in Hoboken to the classic Jersey City shop Torico, the choices are anything but bland.
Photo Credit: Morelia Gourmet Paletas
Why not roll from one easily walkable great food location to another with a taste-testing mission? Fresh mozzarella aficionados will attest to the superiority of one mild velvety ball over another. What could be more delightful than a great sober date themed around a tour di mutz stopping at Fiore's, Vito's, Biancamano's, Lisa's, and Luca Brasi's? Try one shared plate from each to tally which is creamy but firm, milky sweet, and most irresistible. Or compare sizes — the bocconcini slightly smaller egg-sized balls versus ciliegine slightly smaller cherry-sized bites. If that’s too much dairy, you and yours might center an eating outing on shared cupcakes. Pit delicious bites of moist vanilla bean lusciousness at Baking Mama, Annie + Em’s, and Carlo’s Bakery against one another. Everyone wins.
There are actually professional foodies ready to take the crowd on a walking tour showcasing four or five of the best and most unique restaurants in town. Beyond the Plate seats walking tour groups around a table, to chat with chefs and owners and hear delicious stories about the local food scene.
Jersey City Art Crawl
Jersey City has a serious art scene. What could be more uplifting than gathering a group of besties to discover contemporary art by regional artists? The best-laid plan for art enthusiasts is to jump on any JC Friday or attend the popular JCAST, Jersey City Artist + Studio Tour, when nearly 150 art spaces provide a weekend of performances, installations, studio tours, and art exhibitions.
Catch a Show
Jersey City Theater Center boasts two adjacent professional theatrical venues that host an impressive lineup of local and regional artists and performers for a fun ticketed night out. Snagging a seat at a local production set in the black box theater of Mile Square Theatre is not particularly difficult, but very rewarding. The global music, vibrant regional theater productions, and raw and innovative dance acts at Nimbus Arts Center are way more memorable than barstool antics. Shows are typically similar in cost to a movie.
Pursue a Challenge
Free pickleball or very affordable ice skating at Newport Skates in the winter is a great reason to hang out in Jersey City’s Newport area near the Hudson River waterfront. Push your limits by joining a local run club and elevate your fitness routine.
Play Well with Others
From billiards to board games, Play! Hoboken is a great place to have fun with friends. Symposia Bookstore has so much going on that a general theme is impossible to pin down. Open mic nights, trivia, philosophy discussions, book groups, craft-making events, and you name it — Symposia will host it.
Treat Yourself
We all need a little help taking care of ourselves. Everybody loves a luxury treatment experience and a spa day with friends is a terrific treat for celebrating healthy living. Facial treatments, massages, and sand and pumice stone full-body exfoliation are the rewards we all deserve. Some spas to check out are Zahara Day Spa, Mia Spa, and of course, the growing list of medspas in the area — Evolve, Attain, Aspen Prime, Hello Hydration, and more. We also have a list of spas in Northern New Jersey Jersey here.
See More: A List of Fun Outdoor Activities in New Jersey
Explore Your Home Sweet Home
A group photo walk may be just the thing for exploring our picturesque city streets. Capture the beauty of cozy corner cafes and stately architecture and document the fact that Hoboken and Jersey City are home to stunning landscapes and vibrant cityscapes. Bowling in the basement of the Barrow Mansion or a trip to historic Harsimus Cemetery are very cool ways to experience local splendor. Planning for a picnic party in a stunning setting is always a great activity, too.
Take a Nature Bath
Hoboken and Jersey City hold many unique park corners and green nooks to restore and refresh among the trees. There are also a few excellent locations for full nature immersion. For tips on how to get the most eco-explorative experience of Liberty State Park, it’s best to start at the Nature Center at Liberty State Park. The year-round center features exhibits focusing on the natural history and ecology of the Hudson River Estuary and has all kinds of cool programs for exploring and learning. Lincoln Park West is home to a wonderful preserved natural habitat for birds. Jersey City Reservoir No. 3, a decommissioned reservoir atop Bergen Hill in the Heights of Jersey City just south of Pershing Field, is another great place for finding the peace that only comes in nature.
