Where To See Santa Near Nutley This Christmas Season

NUTLEY, NJ — Santa Claus will be back in New Jersey this holiday season after a couple of years of COVID-19 restrictions.

Visits and pictures with Santa are at the heart of many families’ holiday traditions, but the coronavirus pandemic gave them a lump of coal. Malls and other places took social distancing measures in both 2020 and 2021 to help contain the spread of the virus, moving Santa meet-ups largely online.

Virtual visits are still an option in many places, but there’s nothing quite like seeing jolly old St. Nick live and in person. Read More: Santa Is Coming To Nutley (And He's Taking A Helicopter)

Here are some places in the Tri-State Area that will be hosting Santa across the U.S. this year:

• Belleville will hold a winter festival and Christmas tree lighting event on Saturday, Dec. 10.
  According to a municipal notice, the event will take place from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at Belleville High School, 100 Passaic Avenue. The tree lighting will take place at 8 p.m. The event will also include train rides, music, food, a bounce house, a candy cane maze, face painting and pictures with Santa Claus. Read More: Belleville To Hold 2022 Winter Fest, Christmas Tree Lighting Event
• In Bloomfield, local business owners and the Bloomfield Center Alliance will welcome shoppers to Bloomfield Center to participate in the third annual Holiday Hunt event on Saturday, Nov. 26, which will include music, activities and prize giveaways. Read More: Family Friendly Holiday Event In Bloomfield Returns For 2022
• Montclair’s annual holiday tree lighting event on Thursday, Dec. 1 will include an appearance from Santa. Read More: Montclair Holiday Tree Lighting To Return For 2022
• In West Orange, holiday revelers will be able to see Santa at the West Orange Christmas Tree Lighting on Saturday, Dec. 3. Kids can also visit Santa at the popular “Holiday Lights Spectacular” at the Turtle Back Zoo, which runs until Saturday, Dec. 31. Read More: Popular Holiday Lights Show Returning To Turtle Back Zoo For 2022
• Santa will be at Macy’s stores in New York City others nationwide
• Santa is coming to Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack stores in New York City
• JC Penney stores are offering professional portraits with Santa through Dec. 18

This article contains reporting from the Patch national desk

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