Where To See Santa In Hillsborough This Christmas Season

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Visits and pictures with Santa Claus are treasured traditions for many Hillsborough families. In Hillsborough, kids have several chances to see jolly old St. Nick in person.

Here are the details:

• The 2024 Hillsborough Township Christmas Tree Lighting will be held on Friday, Dec. 6 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Municipal Complex. Santa will arrive to light the tree at 7 p.m. There will also be hot cocoa and cookies (while supplies last), holiday characters, train rides and inflatables, kids can drop off letters to Santa, food available for purchase, music, a fire pit, dancers, and more.
• The Hillsborough Township Volunteer Fire Co. #3 is hosting its annual Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 7. The all-you-can-eat breakfast will be held at the Hillsborough Township Volunteer Fire Co. #3 at 324 Woods Road in Hillsborough. Doors open for Seating 1 at 8 a.m. Doors open for Seating 2 at 10:30 a.m. Seating is limited and reservations are required. The cost is $15 per person over the age of 2. (2 and under are free). For reservations, email WoodsrdFireaux@gmail.com and include your name, phone number, number of tickets, and preferred seating.
• The Hillsborough PBA 205 is hosting its 4th annual Christmas Movie Toy Drive at Hillsborough Cinemas on Saturday, Dec. 7 at 3 p.m. Doors open at 3 p.m. to kick off the event with hot chocolate, snacks, a photobooth and a visit from Santa himself. Movies will begin at 5 p.m. This year's feature films are Elf, and A Christmas Story. Entry fee is one, new and unwrapped toy per guest in attendance which will be donated to @embrella.nj, which is celebrating 50 years of supporting adoptive and foster families throughout New Jersey. For more information click here.
• Santa will be visiting Hillsborough Twp Station 37 Fire's primary response area on Saturday, Dec. 14, beginning around 8:30 a.m. Be on the lookout and listen for our firetrucks and lead vehicles as Santa drives by. Again, this year Santa will be making some predetermined stops in certain areas so you can grab a candy cane.

Santa is also holding court at several shopping malls in the local area, including:

Santa will be available for photos in a new home in the Bridgewater Commons, set amidst 25 garland-topped light curtains (each adorned with thousands of white, glistening lights) and candy-cane-inspired twists cascading from high above.

Kris Kringle will sit in a grand velvet chair in front of a redesigned set that includes a majestic new 30-foot tree with a 5-foot topper, additional 10-foot trees and scenic elements as well as new "Elf Training" interactives on the line to entertain kids (and their parents) while they wait.

Photo packages will be available for purchase. Santa will be at the center from Nov. 16 through Dec. 24. Reservations for photos will be available Monday through Thursday from Nov. 15 through Dec. 12. Fridays through Sundays during that period will be walk-ins only.

From Dec. 13 through Dec. 24 also will be walk-ins only. For more information and to make a reservation, visit www.bridgewatercommons.com.

In addition to helping those in need at Santa’s birthday party, other events include:

• The Salvation Army hosting its Angel Tree program, which provides Christmas gifts for thousands of children and seniors around the country. Once a child or senior has been registered and accepted as an Angel, their Christmas wish list will be shared with donors in the community who purchase gifts of new clothing and toys to put under the Angel’s own family tree. Shoppers can pick an angel off Bridgewater Commons’ tree and return the unwrapped gift with the Angel to the red bin located next to the Angel Tree, located on the Main Level by L’Occitane.
• The long-awaited return of Pet Night with Santa for our furry, four-legged friends, from 3 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 3 and Thursday, Dec. 5.
• The free Santa + Friends, where Santa is joined by his famous holiday friends for a meet and greet, photos, story time and autographs. Meet Elsa and Anna of Disney’s “Frozen” from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7; and Disney Princesses Belle and Cinderella on Saturday, Dec. 14 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.