Where To See Santa Near Mendham, Chester This Christmas Season

MENDHAM/CHESTER, NJ — Santa Claus will be back in Mendham and Chester this holiday season after a couple of years of COVID-19 restrictions that made it difficult for kids to crawl up on his lap and make their case that they’ve been good boys and girls over the last year.

Visits and pictures with Santa are at the heart of many families’ holiday traditions, but the coronavirus pandemic gave them a lump of coal. Malls and other places took social distancing measures in both 2020 and 2021 to help contain the spread of the virus, moving Santa meet-ups largely online.

Virtual visits are still an option in many places, but there’s nothing quite like seeing jolly old St. Nick live and in person. In Mendham and Chester, kids will have several chances.

In Chester, Santa Claus will be stopping by the Chester Volunteer Fire Department on Dec. 3 starting at 11 a.m. In Mendham, Santa Claus will stop by the Phoenix House, ready to take photos with your families and spread holiday cheer throughout the neighborhood.

Here are some other places in Morris County and the Tri-State Area that will be hosting Santa across the U.S. this year:

• In Long Valley, Santa will be at the Schooley’s Mountain Firehouse on Dec. 4 between the hours of 8 a.m. and noon ready to enjoy some pancakes with all the good boys and girls in the neighborhood. He will also be stopping by Long Valley's annual Holiday Happenings celebration.
• In Morristown, Santa will be stationed at the Morristown Green during the annual Christmas Festival.
• Santa will be at Macy’s stores in New York City others nationwide
• Santa is coming to Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack stores in New York City
• JC Penney stores are offering professional portraits with Santa through Dec. 18

This article contains reporting from the Patch national desk.