Santa Claus Is Coming To Manchester: Where To See Him

MANCHESTER, NJ — Visits and pictures with Santa Claus are treasured traditions for many Manchester families.

In Manchester, kids have several chances to see jolly old St. Nick in person.

Here are the details:

Dec. 6: Manchester Recreation is hosting Christmas in the Pines. The event is from 2 p.m.-7 p.m. at Harry Wright Lake Park. There will be food and craft vendors, firepits, smores, hot cocoa, and live Christmas entertainment from 2 p.m.-5 p.m. Santa Claus will be on site from 3 p.m.-5 p.m. and there will be lighted walking trails from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. Rain date is Sunday, Dec. 7.

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

Ocean County Mall: Santa Claus arrives at the mall on Hooper Avenue on Dec. 4 and will be welcomed with a celebration from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. He will "make a grand entrance on a fire truck, followed by a holiday story time and a special surprise visitor you won’t want to miss," according to mall officials. There will be music, crafts, and plenty of holiday cheer, mall officials say. The celebration and the Santa Photo Experience are at Center Court at the mall. If you're looking to take photos with Santa, reservations are required. A special sensory-friendly Santa photo experience for children with special needs and their families is set for Dec. 7 from 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Reservations are required.

Freehold Raceway Mall: Santa Claus is welcoming children and families on the lower level of Freehold Raceway Mall in Zara Court daily through Christmas Eve. Mall officials recommend reserving your visit; doing so comes with a free personalized digital message from Santa before the visit, "powered by Portable North Pole," and a free 3-month trial to Crayola Create and Play, mall officials said. There also are two pet photo nights, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Dec. 1 and Dec. 8, and the Santa Cares sensory-friendly event from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Dec. 7, for those with special needs and their families.