On-trend with everything else this year, the holiday season will look a little different, but it doesn’t have to be any less magical when it comes to visiting Santa in New Jersey. While Santa won’t be at Macy’s for the first time in nearly 160 years, he is still around in exclusive locations and virtually able to hear the Christmas wishes of the young, old, and furry. From selective shopping malls to alternate reality experiences and video chats, Mr. and Mrs. Claus will be accessible to everyone with a wish. Keep reading to learn more about how and where you can visit Santa safely in New Jersey in 2020.
{Photo credit: @littlehoboken}
Virtual Visits With Santa
JingleRing
Virtually visit Santa from a safe distance and in the comfort of your own home. This affordable and personalized visit will make your child feel extra special and everyone will be thrilled knowing there is no wait time. No app is required, simply create an account on any device with an internet connection to reserve one-on-one time with Santa.
Cameo From Santa
Families can request a personalized video message from St. Nick to be directed to each child in their family so they know Santa cares. In the written request be as specific as possible so Santa knows exactly what each child is hoping for this year.
Macy’s Santaland At Home
Macy’s has reimagined Santaland this year for a festive online experience everyone can enjoy. Get ready to set off on a personalized, interactive journey through the North Pole to visit St Nick. Virtual visits with Santa will begin on November 27th and until then, families can navigate through an illustrated history of Santa at Macy’s {starting in 1861} on their website.
Visit with Santa
Awaken the goodwill of the Christmas spirit in your home with a delightful, heart-to-heart with Santa. Skip the long, cranky lines that always feel less-than-magical, and instead, use technology. Visit with Santa delivers captivating, live video-visits with Santa Claus, providing an enchanting experience for the child in all of us. Booking your video visit is easy, just click here, and then share your experience with loved ones with your personalized keepsake video.
Hoboken Virtual Christmas Tree Lighting + Santa Tribute Concert + Santa Visit
Mayor Bhalla, the City of Hoboken, and Hoboken Business Alliance are hosting three socially distanced activities. Families are invited to observe Santa and his friends visiting the Mile Square, traveling up and down Hoboken streets {North/South} on Sunday from 1PM – 4PM. Santa’s visit will be followed by a virtual Christmas tree lighting broadcasted on Facebook at 6PM. The Hoboken Cultural Affairs Office will also host a virtual Sinatra Tribute Concert on Saturday at 7PM, which can be viewed on the City of Hoboken’s Facebook page.
Letters To Santa
Chatbooks Letters to Santa
Parents can coordinate a personalized letter from Santa with this mad-lib style letter via Chatbooks. Fill in the blanks of the provided letter and it’ll come in the mail, addressed to your child, for a holiday surprise. Now all that’s left is to listen up for that special something they really want so the magic of the season can stay alive all winter long.
Read More: Holiday Toy Drives in Hoboken and Jersey City for December 2020
Letters to Santa Online
This year you can send your letter directly to Santa and receive a free personalized photo in return. The letter your child gets from Santa in return will have their name and photo {optional} and makes for the perfect way for your child to know their letter got to the North Pole safely.
Letters to Santa in Hoboken
Outside the Little Hoboken shop at 702 Clinton Street, sits a bright red vintage letterbox. Children can drop in their letter to Santa {including a self-addressed and stamped envelope} and the elves from Santa’s Workshop have guaranteed all the letters will make it to his desk. The real excitement comes later when kids receive a letter in response from the big man himself.
Package from Santa
Plan ahead to keep the magic of Christmas alive for your little one this year. Coordinate with Santa to have your child get an overstuffed and personalized package from the North Pole. There are three package options with items like reindeer food, Mrs. Claus’ sugar cookie, Rudolph’s brass bell, a Nice List certificate, and more.
USPS Operation Santa
Now you can read letters from Santa’s mailroom and answer the ones he can’t. USPS launched an initiative for people to “adopt” a letter sent to Santa and make a holiday wish come true. Letters come from hopeful children and families by answering one, it could mean all the difference for a child who believes.
Safely Visit Santa In-Person
Hoboken Fire Department Santa Claus Town Visit
HFD has coordinated a route around Hoboken for a firetruck to drive Santa Clause on to safely visit and wave to the kids on the sidewalk. It will take place on December 22nd, beginning at 4PM. The route will roughly be as follows, Jackson Street to 7th, Madison to 14th, back down Willow Avenue, down to Observer Highway, up to Washington Street to 14th, back down Garden Street to 4th Street Park, Clinton Street to 6th to Grand Street.
Breakfast with Santa at Inn of Cape May {7 Ocean Street, Cape May}
Held on Saturdays and Sundays from December 5 through December 19, Breakfast with Santa is held inside the Inn of Cape May at Aleathea’s Restaurant. Enjoy a delicious breakfast while having the privilege of seeing and talking with Father Christmas. Seating will begin 10 minutes before the time listed on your tickets. Masks are required when you are not seated at your table. Parking is limited in the lot across from the hotel so plan in plenty of time. Click here to book a time slot.
Holiday in the Park at Six Flags {1 Six Flags Boulevard, Jackson Township}
Holiday in the Park began November 14th and will be open weekends and select days through January 3rd. Santa will be on-site for visits until he goes back to the North Pole. The Holiday Royal Court will have appearances around the park each night. Enjoy walking around the winter wonderland as festive street entertainment amazes guests of all ages. Jolly Jamboree will be an exciting place to be, located in the park’s catering area, where you will have the chance to roast s’mores, play holiday games, and even see Mrs. Claus and Santa. Everyone must follow safety protocols while in the park, including wearing a mask and following social distancing guidelines.
Hudson Yards Santa Station
Guests at Hudson Yards can download the Membit app for free, and be transported via AR to the North Pole by stepping inside the open-air phone booth on Level 3 by Lululemon in Hudson Yards. Santa is busy in his workshop but will take a break for a video chat. You can virtually walk through the snow, explore candy cane lane, pose for pictures with animated winter wonderland animals like polar bears, elves, penguins, and Rudolph. The Hudson Yards Plaza will be embellished with 725 decorated trees and more than 2 million lights.
Lazy Susan Tree Farm {184 Sharon Road, Robbinsville Township}
You can find Santa at this Christmas tree farm on December 5th, 6th,12th, and 13th from Noon until 2PM. Chat with the man himself and let him know you’ve been nice this year. He will also have a Letters to Santa mailbox if children would like to make sure Santa doesn’t forget what they ask for. While at the farm you can conveniently browse available Christmas trees and holiday wreaths to bring the magic of Christmas home with you.
Lights. Camera. Santa! At Newport Centre Mall {30 Mall Drive West, Jersey City}
Super close to home, Santa will be in the area for quick, convenient visits. Santa will be around every day to meet with little ones and to take photos from November 3 to December 22. Santa and his helpers will be socially distanced and all participants must wear masks. You can even bring your dog for a quick snap with St Nick.
Paramus Park Mall {700 Paramus Park, Paramus}
Celebrate the holiday in a fun and festive way at the Paramus Park mall. In the South Court, guests can find Santa waiting to have his picture taken with anyone who still believes in the magic of Christmas. Santa and his helpers want everyone to feel as safe as possible so masks are required during your contactless visit. Time slots are open from November 20 to December 24 and reservations are required.
Santa’s Flight Academy at The Mall at Short Hills {1200 Morris Turnpike, Short Hills}
Santa’s Flight Academy is open daily during select mall hours November 27 through December 24. This no-contact, socially distanced holiday experience will still be fun and jolly, with help from Santa’s elves. All photo sessions are by reservation only and require that you pay in advance. All guests ages 2 and older are required to wear a mask.
See More: Where to Buy a Real Christmas Tree in New Jersey + New York
Santa Visits at Kale’s Garden Center {133 Carter Road, Princeton}
While traditional visits with Santa aren’t possible this year, excited children will still have fun having their picture taken sitting in front of Santa at Kales’ Garden Center. He may also be venturing through the Christmas tree yard for onsite photo ops. Jolly Old St Nick will be at Kale’s on select dates beginning November 27th.
Safe Santa at Bridgewater Commons {400 Commons Way, Bridgewater Township}
The mall at Bridgewater Commons will feature a “Safe Santa” who will be available for a socially distanced chat and photos. Elves are reimagining the Christmas season with a no-touch, walk-through experience full of holiday magic and wonder. Santa will even take a picture with your pet on Mondays, from now until December 16th. “Safe Santa Cares Day” will be on December 3rd, which is a sensory-friendly holiday experience for children and adults within all spectrums of special needs. This gives them the chance to take pictures in a more quiet, relaxed setting from 9AM to 11AM. Reservations are required and can be made on the Bridgewater Commons website.
Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shop {30 N Christopher Columbus Boulevard, Atlantic City}
This is a great way to responsibly continue the tradition of seeing Santa who will be on-site starting November 7th through December 24th. Families who visit Santa will receive a free 4×6 studio-quality photo and a free shareable video. Additional photo packages will be available for purchase following your time with Santa. Enjoy the amazing aquarium and wildlife displays for a twist on holiday fun at Bass Pro Shop. Reservations are required but it’s easy, free, and available up to seven days in advance.
The Santa Express at Richland Village {1272 Harding Highway, Richland}
Operating every weekend from the Saturday before Thanksgiving, The Santa Express takes riders on a 60-minute trip from Richland Village or Tuckahoe Village. All trains will feature Santa himself, along with his helpers, entertainment, snack service on the Cafe Car, Lounge Car, and Observation Lounge Car.
Santa is Back! at Cumberland Mall {3849 S Delsea Drive, Vineland}
To protect shoppers and Santa alike, reservations are required if you’d like a photo op with St. Nick, but you can also visit Santa virtually through Cumberland Mall for $29.99. In-person photo packages are also available and range from $19.99 to $39.99. You can bring your pet for their very own picture with Santa on Pet Monday, December 14.
Santa IS Coming to Town at Marketfair Shoppes {3535 US Highway 1, Princeton}
Marketfair is hosting Santa from November 27 through December 24. Visitors can make magical memories while sharing with Santa what they would like most this holiday season. Reservations are required to help maintain CDC guidelines to keep everyone safe and healthy. Each child will get a complimentary gift and kids meal coupon to use at Corner Bakery Cafe.
Help A Child In Need This Holiday Season
USPS Operation Santa
The holidays are a popular time for people to look for ways to serve others in their community or give back in some way. This year, for the first time, Operation Santa by USPS is available nationwide. The program allows for children in need to write a letter to Santa, asking for toys or clothes, etc., and for adopters {starting December 4th} to be able to answer those requests. All letters received before December 15 will be uploaded and processed for adoption so if there is someone you know who could use a little extra cheer this year, let them know they can send a letter to 123 Eld Road, North Pole, 88888 and Santa Claus will reply.
