Where To See Santa In Manchester This Christmas Season

MANCHESTER, NJ — Visits and pictures with Santa are treasured traditions for many Manchester area families. For them, there’s nothing quite like seeing jolly old St. Nick live and in person.

In the Manchester area, kids have several chances:

On Friday, Dec. 1, Santa will help light the Manchester Township Christmas tree at town hall, 1 Colonial Drive. There will be music and treats with Santa. The festivities begin at 7 p.m.

On Tuesday, Dec. 5, the Lakehurst Volunteer Fire Company is hosting Pizza with Santa at the Lakehurst Community Center, 207 Center St. The event is from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. and costs $7 per person, which includes a slice of pizza, chips, and a drink. Additional pizza, drinks and chips will be available for purchase.

On Saturday, Dec. 9, head over to Harry Wright Lake for Manchester's Christmas in the Pines. It's set for 2 p.m.-7 p.m. and will include a visit from Santa, a tree lighting, music, food, vendors and firepits with s'mores, sponsored by the Manchester Recreation Department.

On Saturday, Dec. 16, you can have Breakfast with Santa at The Barn on Route 70. Tickets are being sold through Eventbrite for two seatings: 9 a.m.-10:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.-noon. Enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet.

Also on Saturday, Dec. 16, Santa will be on hand at 3 Bs Bar & Bistro in Lakehurst for breakfast from 9 a.m. to noon. Reservations are required, call 732-657-4113.

(Know of other Santa visits in the Manchester and Lakehurst area? Send an email to karen.wall@patch.com with date, time, location and other information.)

At the Ocean County Mall, Santa is sitting for photos through Dec. 23. There is a special session set aside on Dec. 3 for those with special needs, and you can reserve photos with Santa for your pets. There also is a cookies with Santa event. Reservations are encouraged.

Santa arrived Nov. 5 at Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Santa’s Wonderland and will hold court through Christmas Eve, including at the Atlantic City store. Reservations are encouraged.

Santa will also be at Macy’s stores in New York City, Chicago, San Francisco, Philadelphia and Orlando. Santa will be at Macy's in Philadelphia through Dec. 24. Reservations are required.

JC Penney stores, including the store at Ocean County Mall in Toms River, are offering professional portraits with Santa. The Toms River store is offering them Nov. 27 and Dec. 22. The JC Penney at Freehold Raceway Mall is offering the portraits with Santa on Dec. 15.