guides

Santa Sightings

All the Places Your Kids Can See Jolly Ole St. Nick

By Melissa Wudzki, Publisher, Toms River Macaroni Kid November 16, 2018

Santa Claus is coming to town. We have a list -- and we've checked it twice -- of places from Brick to Bayille, Toms River to over the Bridge, where your kids can catch a glimpse of the Big Guy before the Big Day. 

Make sure to check back often as we'll update this list as we hear of more Santa Sightings!

πŸ“·Pictures with SantaThrough Dec. 24

Where: Ocean County Mall

When: Check here for hours

Cost: Free to sit on Santa's lap, but photos must be purchased. No personal photos or videos allowed.

πŸ“·Caring Santa @ Ocean County Mall November 18

Where: Ocean County Mall

When: 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM

Cost: Free to sit on Santa's lap, but photos must be purchased. No personal photos or videos allowed.

Details: Ocean County Mall will make necessary adjustments to the environment to support the sensory, physical and other developmental needs of children of all abilities for this special event. Make your reservations here.

🍴Breakfast with Santa & Mrs. Claus November 24

Where: The Scone Shoppe, Brick

When: 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Cost: 

Details: Come and join Mrs. Claus and Santa for breakfast. Reservations are highly recommended for this event but are not required. There will be a special menu for this event for both children and adults. Please call (732)-899-4070 to make your reservation today


🍴Breakfast with Santa December 1

Where: Applebee's, Toms River

When: 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Cost: Adults: $12

Details: Spirit Factory Fundraiser

🍴Breakfast with Santa December 1

Where:The First Assembly of God, Toms River

When: 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Cost: Adults: $8 Kids: $5 Under 2: Free

Details: Breakfast, games, crafts and unlimited pictures with Santa.Hosted by Boy Scout Troop 175

🍴Breakfast with Santa December 1

Where: Sand Dollar Pancake House and Restaurant, Lavallette

When: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Details: Face Painting, Crafts, pictures with Santa and a delicious meal

πŸŽ„Casino Pier Holiday Festival December 1

Where: Casino Pier, Seaside Heights

When: 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Cost: FREE

Details: Celebrate the holidays at Casino Pier Arcade. Wear your Festive Holiday Sweater for their contest to win a prize. Bring your creative minds for arts and crafts. You will be making special pictures and sending them to Service Members. Lots of fun including an INDOOR SNOWBALL FIGHT! And of course a visit from Santa! Please bring non-expired canned goods for donations to the Fulfill of Monmouth and Ocean Counties.

🍴Breakfast with Santa December 2

Where: Beachwood Volunteer Fire Dept.

When: 8:00 AM - 12:00 pM

Cost: Details to Follow

Details: Details to Follow

🍴Breakfast with Santa December 2

Where: Bayville Elks Lodge #2394

When: 8:00 AM - 12:00 pM

Cost: Adults: $8 Kids (3-11): $5 Kids 2 and under: Free

Details: Breakfast and visit with Santa. Hosted by Boy Scout Troop 83

πŸ“·Caring Santa @ Ocean County Mall December 2

Where: Ocean County Mall

When: 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM

Cost: Free to sit on Santa's lap, but photos must be purchased. No personal photos or videos allowed.

Details: Ocean County Mall will make necessary adjustments to the environment to support the sensory, physical and other developmental needs of children of all abilities for this special event. Make your reservations here


πŸŽ„SEASIDE PARK'S ANNUAL TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY AND HOLIDAY PARTY December 2

Where: Seaside Park Police Department

When: 5:00 PM

Details: Refreshments, fun and BYOB! 


πŸŽ„ISLAND HEIGHTS TREE LIGHTING December 2

Where: Memorial Field

When: 6:00 PM

Details: Hot Cocoa, Cookies and a visit from Santa


πŸŽ„BEACHWOOD TREE LIGHTING December 2

Where: Beachwod Municipal Complex

When: 7:00 PM

Details: Hot Cocoa, Cookies and a visit from Santa


πŸŽ„Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony December 7

Where: Boro Courtyard, Seaside Heights

When: 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Cost: FREE

Details: The Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony takes place Friday at 5:00pm in the courtyard in front of Borough Hall.  Festivities include the lighting of the tree, light refreshments and a very special appearance by Santa!

πŸŽ„Annual Christmas Tree LightingDecember 7

Where: Downtown Toms River

When: 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Cost: FREE

Details: Join Downtown Toms River at their annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. Live holiday entertainment!  Check back for the schedule!

Reading of "A Christmas Carol" by Mrs. Claus. Santa arrives on fire truck at 7:00pm to light the town tree.  Photos with Santa after tree lighting. 

Hot chocolate and cookies for sale by Fire Co. #1. Food & Dessert truck.  Downtown restaurants will be open!

πŸͺπŸ₯›Santa's Arrival Cookies & Milk Party December 7

Where: Ocean County Mall

When: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Cost: FREE

Details: Join in as the Ocean County Mall welcomes Santa to his workshop.  Enjoy free cookies and milk for kids, holiday activities, giveaways and story time with Mrs. Claus.  Entertainment provided by 100.1 WJRZ.

🍴BREAKFAST WITH SANTA December 8

Where: Lucky Leo's, Seaside Heights

When: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Cost: $12

Details: Breakfast Buffet Meet & Greet with Santa with pictures* Letters to Santa Gift from Santa Story time with Santa Giveaways all party long Grand Prize Giveaway - FurReal Munchin Rex at 1pm $12 per person - OPEN TO ALL! *Santa from 10-12pm*

πŸŽ„Santa's Coming to Advanced! December 8-9

Where: Advanced Furnace & Air Duct Cleaning, Bayville

When: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Cost: FREE

Details: Advanced Furnace & Air Duct Cleaning is hosting its 3rd annual "Santa's coming to town" event. They are turning their shop into Santa's workshop. All children come and sit with Santa and are given a gift! At this event they also give refreshments, popcorn, and have a projector movie going! 

πŸŽ„Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony December 10

Where: Downtown Toms River

When: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Cost: FREE

Details: The Borough will hold its annual Tree Lighting event starting at 6PM with caroling, Santa's arrival and a holiday party with toys for the children and refreshments for kids of all ages.

🍴Breakfast with Santa December 15

Where: East Dover Banquet Hall, Toms River

When: 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Cost: Adults $15; Kids $12

Details: Breakfast with Santa; Full Breakfast Buffet; Face Painting; Bring your Camera.

οΏ½πŸ“·Photos with Santa December 15

Where: The Downtown Shops @ 53 Main, Toms River

When: 10:00 AM - 12:300 PM

Cost: FREE

Details: Please join the Downtown Toms River Business Improvement District for free photos with Santa.  Bring your own camera.  

Santa will have his workshop set up in our back activity room with free crafts, hot cocoa, & goodies for the kids. Need any last minute gifts?  The stores within The Downtown Shops will be open as well as the other downtown stores & restaurants.

πŸŽ„Santa's Coming to Advanced! December 15-16

Where: Advanced Furnace & Air Duct Cleaning, Bayville

When: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Cost: FREE

Details: Advanced Furnace & Air Duct Cleaning is hosting its 3rd annual "Santa's coming to town" event. They are turning their shop into Santa's workshop. All children come and sit with Santa and are given a gift! At this event they also give refreshments, popcorn, and have a projector movie going! 

⛸️Santa Skate December 15

Where: Ocean Ice Palace, Brick

When: 1:45 PM - 3:45 PM

Cost: Admission $8; Skate Rental $4

Details: Santa, Mrs. Clause and Elf will be there to skate around with you to get you in the Christmas Spirit! FREE face painting with paid admission!

Concession stand will be open! Skate aids available on a first come/ first serve basis $5

πŸŽ„Santa's Coming to Advanced! December 22-23

Where: Advanced Furnace & Air Duct Cleaning, Bayville

When: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Cost: FREE

Details: Advanced Furnace & Air Duct Cleaning is hosting its 3rd annual "Santa's coming to town" event. They are turning their shop into Santa's workshop. All children come and sit with Santa and are given a gift! At this event they also give refreshments, popcorn, and have a projector movie going! 


This calendar will be updated as Santa sightings continue to pop up! If you know of a holiday event that isn't listed here, please submit it here!