Santa Welcomes Kids, Pets And Families For Photos At Ocean County Mall

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Santa Claus has come to town, and if you've been waiting to get photos with the Jolly Ol' Elf, Ocean County Mall has plenty of opportunities to do so in the coming days.

Santa will be posing for photos and listening to children's wishes daily from Friday, Nov. 25 through Friday, Dec. 23, according to the website where you can reserve your photos with Santa.

For children who need a sensory-friendly experience, the morning of Dec. 4 has been set aside for a more low-key visit with Santa. Called "Caring Santa," the experience is exclusively for children with special needs and they are collecting donations for Autism Speaks. Reservations are required for the event, which is from 830 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

People who want to include their furry family members in their special Christmas photos can join Santa on Dec. 11 for Pet Night. During Pet Night they are collecting donations for the Humane Society of the United States. Pet Night runs from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and reservations are suggested.