Santa Back In West Deptford For Christmas: Where To See Him

WEST DEPTFORD, NJ — Santa Claus will be back in West Deptford this holiday season after a couple of years of COVID-19 restrictions that made it difficult for kids to sit on his lap and make their case that they’ve been good boys and girls over the last year.

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. In West Deptford and around the county, kids have several chances:

East Greenwich Township’s annual tree lighting is Tuesday, Nov. 29 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Thompson Park. Santa Claus will be escorted by the East Greenwich Fire and Rescue Department to help turn on Christmas lights, and the whole night is capped off by a fireworks display.

Santa’s sleigh has also been parked at the Deptford Mall since Nov. 10. He’s there for the traditional photo experience and is also available for pet photos on select dates, and sensory-friendly visits on Dec. 4. Click here for more holiday events at the mall.

And, Jefferson Health is lighting up its Tree of Lights at the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, the first in-person event since the start of the pandemic.

The 13th annual Tree of Lights Remembrance Celebration is set for 5 p.m. at the Cancer Center (900 Medical Center Drive, Sewell, NJ) on Tuesday, Dec. 6. The celebration will include music, light refreshments, and a tree lighting ceremony, where honorees’ names are recited aloud.

Kris Kringle is also making stops at some national chain retailers.

He arrived Nov. 12 at Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Santa’s Wonderland and will hold court through Christmas Eve. Reservations are encouraged.

JC Penney stores, including stores in Cherry Hill and Deptford, are offering professional portraits with Santa through Dec. 18.

Santa will be at Macy’s stores in New York City, Chicago, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Boston and Orlando. In Philly, Santa will be at Macy's Center City at Dickens Village. Reservations are required.

Santa is coming to Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack stores in Seattle and New York City.