Where To See Santa In Lacey This Christmas Season

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

In Lacey, 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.
• Forgotten Room (901 Lacey Road) hosts a German Christmas Market on Dec. 2 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Santa will be there from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Lacey's Christmas Parade kicks off Dec. 3 at 3 p.m.
• Santa is coming to Lanoka Harbor starting Dec. 5, and to Forked River starting Dec. 8. He's coming to Bamber Lakes on Dec. 16 at dusk.
• The Bamber Lakes Vol. Fire Co. hosts their 4th Annual Hot Cocoa and Cookie Social on Dec. 9 at 6 p.m., with their "special guest" arriving by 8 p.m.
• Take a sleigh ride with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Lacey Elks Lodge's Christmas Vendor Fair from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Dec. 16.

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.