Where To See Santa Near Newark This Christmas Season

NEWARK, 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.

In Newark, Christmas revelers can get into the holiday spirit at a popular winter village with ice skating, go-karts and heated “igloos” will return for the 2022 holiday season. Read More: Newark 'Winter Village' Has Ice Skating, Heated Igloos, Shopping

Santa photos will be a part of this year's Dasher’s Lightshow at the Newark Moonlight Cinema. Read More: Drive-Thru Christmas Light Extravaganza Returns To Newark

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

• 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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