Where To See Santa In Barnegat-Manahawkin This Christmas Season

BARNEGAT-MANAHAWKIN, NJ — Visits and pictures with Santa are treasured traditions for many Barnegat and Manahawkin families. For them, there’s nothing quite like seeing jolly old St. Nick live and in person.

In Barnegat and Manahawkin, kids have several chances:

• Santa is at the Ocean County Mall Mondays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 6 p.m.
• On Nov. 25, Dec. 2, Dec. 9 and Dec. 16 you can meet Santa and get a photo at Tuckerton Seaport.
• Barnegat's Santa Run starts Dec. 2, and Stafford's starts Dec. 1. Find more details here.
• Barnegat hosts a Holiday Market at Fred Watts Gazebo Park from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Dec. 2, featuring carolers and holiday music. The tree lighting at at 4:30 p.m.
• Enjoy Stafford Recreation’s third annual Holiday Wonderland & Christmas Market on Dec. 9 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Heritage Park.

Santa arrived Nov. 5 at Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Santa’s Wonderland and will hold court through Christmas Eve. Reservations are encouraged.

Santa will also be at Macy’s stores in New York City, Chicago, San Francisco, Philadelphia and Orlando. In New York City, Santa will be at Macy's Herald Square through Dec. 24. In Philadelphia, Santa will be at Macy's Center City through Dec. 24. Reservations are required, find more for NYC here and for Philadelphia here.

JC Penney stores, including at the Ocean County Mall, are offering professional portraits with Santa through Dec. 18.