It’s Christmas season, which means Santa has arrived in New Jersey and is ready for photo ops. From local restaurants hosting holiday brunches to malls across Northern New Jersey providing visits with Santa, there are plenty of opportunities for families (and pets) to take photos with the big guy himself. Read on for a list of places to visit Santa in Northern New Jersey for 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: These Restaurants in the Montclair Area Have the Best Holiday Decor

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 the 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.

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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.