Where To See Santa In Ocean City This Christmas Season

OCEAN CITY, NJ — Santa Claus will be back in Ocean City this holiday season after a couple of years of COVID-19 restrictions that made it difficult for kids to crawl up 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 Ocean City, kids have several chances:

• Head to Music Pier from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on these dates to take pictures with Santa: Nov. 26, Nov. 27, Dec. 3, Dec. 4, Dec. 10, Dec. 11, Dec. 17, Dec. 18
• Meet Santa at the Hamilton Mall in Mays Landing through Dec. 24.
• The annual Christmas parade returns on Dec. 2.
• On Dec. 2 and 3, Santa will visit St. John's Lutheran Church during their Annual Christmas Bazaar.
• Enjoy brunch with Santa on Dec. 11 at the Deuville Inn.

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