Visiting Santa At Bridgewater Commons: Here's What To Expect

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Santa Claus returns to the Bridgewater Commons beginning Monday. Here is what you can expect if you plan to visit him amid the coronavirus.

Things will definitely be different than in years past as the Safe Santa Celebration will include masks, sanitization stations, and social distancing.

First off, all visits will be by reservation only, which can be booked online bridgewatercommons.com. While booking parents can include their child's name, age and their top 3 wishlist items. This will help Santa become more familiarized with the child.

Upon entering the mall, guests — who must wear a mask at all times —will enter a velvet-rope lined path with snowflakes marking 6 feet distances. They will then check in with an elf using an iPad before stopping at Santa's mailbox. Families will then be able to see Santa, who will be wearing a mask.

Santa will be seated on his chair about 7 feet back and children can talk to him through a two-way, high-end wireless communications system with a headset, microphone, and speaker.

Photos will then be taken at the end where Santa will sit in his chair and the family will stand or sit on the other side of the frame. There will be no sitting on Santa's lap this year. Santa will remove his mask for the photo but guests must keep theirs on.

"This experience still allows kids to enjoy the magic of Santa and in today's time it gives us hope to still be able to keep this tradition for children and families," said Karen Fluharty with the Bridgewater Commons.

The Safe Santa Celebration will run through Thursday, Dec. 24. Select hours have been reserved for live Virtual Santa appointments via Zoom, as well.

Safe Santa Cares

Coinciding with International Day of Persons with Disabilities on Thurs., Dec 3, Bridgewater Commons, in partnership with The Arc of New Jersey Family Institute, will open Safe Santa Celebration prior to regular mall operating hours. From 9 to 11 a.m., the Safe Santa Cares sensory-friendly event will welcome children and adults within all spectrums of special needs to visit and take photos in a quiet setting. Families should reserve their time slot in advance at bridgewatercommons.com.

Pet Photo Schedule

Dogs and cats are welcome at Safe Santa Celebration, too, and also are required to make a reservation. The annual pet photo with Santa will be conducted every Monday from Nov. 16 through Dec. 16, 5 p.m. to close.

Safe Santa Celebration Photos

Touchless point-of-purchase will be available at Safe Santa Celebration. Beginning Sunday, Nov. 1 visit bridgewatercommons.com for photo packages and pricing.

Safe Santa Celebration Operating Hours

Nov. 16 through Dec. 17

• Mon.-Thurs.: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Virtual Santa appointments)
• Mon.-Thurs.: 1 to 7 p.m.
• Fri.-Sat.: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Sun: noon to 6 p.m.
• *Monday, Nov. 16: no Virtual Santa appointments; program begins Tuesday, Nov. 17
• *Friday, Dec. 4: noon to 8 p.m.
• *Saturday, Dec. 5: noon to 4 p.m.

Dec. 18-23, 2020

• Mon.-Wed.: 10 a.m. to noon (Virtual Santa appointments)
• Mon.-Wed.: noon to 8 p.m.
• Fri.-Sun: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Dec. 24, 2020

• 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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