Middletown's Santa Ferry Ride Returns; Tickets Go On Sale Monday

BELFORD, NJ — One of the most beloved and unique events in Middletown is the Township's Santa ferry ride, where children can ride a ferry boat around the Statue of Liberty with Santa Claus.

And ticket sales begin Monday, Nov. 14 for Middletown residents. (Out of towners can buy tickets starting Nov. 21.)

The Santa ferry ride will be Dec. 3 this year with three different time options: 8:30 a.m. - 10 a.m., 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

The yearly Christmas-season event is a partnership between the Middletown Township Recreation Department and NY Waterway, which for the past 20 years now has operated the ferries out of the Belford terminal. Completely unrelated, NY Waterway is in the midst of a major battle right now with Monmouth County, as Monmouth County is intent on giving the Belford contract to Seastreak. Read that story: NY Waterway Files Appeal To Keep Running Belford Ferry Service (Nov. 10)

All that aside, the Santa ferry ride did not happen for the past several years due to the coronavirus pandemic.

But in 2022, it's back and tickets just started going on sale Monday, Nov. 14. Tickets are $25/adult (18+), $20/child (1-18), $5/infant (Under 1). It's $30 for those who live outside Middletown.

Writes Middletown Township:

"We're back on the bay to celebrate Christmas! The yuletide ride features Santa and friends, caroling, entertainment and a scenic ride around the Statue of Liberty. Ferries leave and return to the NY Waterway Belford Ferry Terminal.

Pre-registration required and is in-person only, see below for more info.

Registration is in-person ONLY at Poricy Park Nature Center, 345 Oak Hill Road, Red Bank NJ 07701. Every passenger needs a ticket. Please complete a registration form and bring with you to expedite the process. Cash, check (made out to Middletown Recreation) or credit card (Mastercard & Visa) are accepted. Credit card process fee of $2.95, appears as a separate transaction.

Limit of 10 tickets per adult. Need 15 tickets? Bring two adults. Both adults must be residents for resident presale dates.

When you can buy tickets at Poricy Park Nature Center:

Monday, November 14 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Thursday, November 17 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Friday, November 18 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Monday, November 21 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Tuesday, November 22 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Wednesday, November 23 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Non-residents can register starting Monday, November 21 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Poricy Park

Limit of 10 tickets per adult.

We will sell out, plan to register early!

Important information

• Every passenger MUST have their ticket to board the ferry. No ticket = no ride. Tickets will not be reissued after purchase, do not lose them. Those under 1 still require a ticket. Proof or receipt of purchase will not suffice.
• Ferry departs and returns to the NY Waterway Belford Ferry Terminal, 10 Harbor Way, Belford NJ 07718. There is NO fee to park.
• Each ticket is assigned to a specific seat on the ferry. You will only be permitted to sit in your assigned seat. Seat # is located on your ticket.
• An infant/child's ticket cannot be used for an adult. An infant ticket cannot be used for a child. Passengers with incorrect tickets will not be allowed to board.
• NO STROLLERS ALLOWED! Car seats are permitted.
• NO OUTSIDE FOOD IS PERMITTED ON THE FERRY. Food will not be available for purchase. Please eat before or after your ride.
• No transfers, no refunds. All sales are final.

Food Drive

All passengers are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item for our Holiday Food Drive benefitting the Middletown Food Pantry. Help give residents in need a great holiday season!

Ferry ride info

Ferry Date: Saturday, December 3, 2022

Ferry Rides: 8:30am-10am, 10:30am-12pm, 1pm-2:30pm

Location: Belford Ferry Terminal, 10 Harbor Way Belford NJ 07718

Resident Fee: $25/Adult (18+), $20/Child (1-18), $5/Infant (Under 1). Tables are an additional $10 per group, must have 8 people per group. Tables are extremely limited.

Non-Resident Fee: $30/Adult (18+), $24/Child (1-18), $6/Infant (Under 1). Tables are an additional $12 per group, must have 8 people per group. Tables are extremely limited.