Where To See Santa In New Brunswick This Christmas Season

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ — Visits and pictures with Santa Claus are treasured traditions for many New Brunswick families. In New Brunswick, kids have several chances to see jolly old St. Nick in person, plus many other Christmas and holiday-time events.

Here are the details:

Dec. 5: New Brunswick tree lighting. Join neighbors and friends at the City’s Tree Lighting event at Monument Square Park, 2 Livingston Ave. on Thursday, Dec. 5. The fun kicks off at 5:30 p.m., featuring the best holiday music around and the lighting of a stunning 30-foot-tall tree in downtown.

Families are invited to arrive early for all the fun. From 4 to 4:45 p.m., there will be holiday music and ice skating. Children will be able to write letters to Santa and send them off in a special mailbox. The tree-lighting ceremony will feature two extraordinary performances.

Ice rink opens: Get ready to glide and twirl under the winter sky. The popular ice skating rink (made with a synthetic surface) returns for a second year. Pre-registration is required to secure your spot on the ice. Go here to book your time slot. The cost is only $10 per person for a 30-minute skate session and skate rental.

The New Brunswick rink will be open these days and times:

• Thursday, Dec. 5: 4 to 10 p.m.
• Friday, Dec. 6: 1 to 9 p.m.
• Saturday, Dec. 7: 1 to 9 p.m.

Dec. 5 - 8: Gingerbread House Decorating Contest - Gingerbread House entries will be on display at the New Brunswick Performing Art Center, 11 Livingston Ave. Public voting ends Dec. 8. Voting is in person only.

Dec. 7- Jan. 7, 2025: American Hungarian Foundation’s 36th Annual Festival of Trees - More than two dozen trees decorated by local organizations representing various cultures worldwide will be on display throughout the city of New Brunswick. Check them out at the American Hungarian Foundation gallery, 300 Somerset St.; NBPAC, 11 Livingston Ave.; Amboy Bank, 350 George St. and The Heldrich Hotel, 10 Livingston Ave.

Dec. 8: Mercado Esperanza Holiday Market & Christmas Tree Lighting - Come out for a special holiday market and the lighting of the Christmas tree. There will be local food and craft vendors, as well as live music and dance, from 2 to 5:30 p.m. at War Memorial Park, 1 Jersey Ave.

Dec. 14, 15, 17 and 19: Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides - Family carriage rides will again be trotting through the downtown. All rides will begin at The Hyatt Regency at 2 Neilson St. Tickets will be available online starting Dec. 4. Check here for details.

Dec. 14: Hungarian Christmas Market - The annual Hungarian Christmas Market benefiting the Hungarian Scouts, and featuring Hungarian foods and artisan products, takes place at the American Hungarian Foundation, 300 Somerset St. from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Dec. 14: 22nd-Annual Rutgers Big Chill 5K - Get ready to jog through the streets of the City or cheer on the participants during this charitable event that has served the Rutgers University-New Brunswick community since 2003. The race begins at 10 a.m. You can still register to run the race here.

Dec. 14: Holidays Around the World - Children in grades K-6 are invited to participate in a program of crafts, snacks and fun to celebrate holidays around the world at the New Brunswick Free Public Library, 60 Livingston Ave., from 2 to 4 p.m. Register for the event here.

Dec. 19: Community Kwanzaa Celebration - Join fellow residents for the annual celebration of Kwanzaa, hosted from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center, 3rd Floor exhibition area.

Dec. 21: Selfies with Santa - Step inside the lobby of the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center, 11 Livingston Ave., from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a selfie with Santa.

Santa at the Woodbridge Center Mall: Here's the info on photos with Santa at the mall, plus sensory Santa and pet photos with Santa: https://www.woodbridgecenter.c...

Also, check out the Barron Arts Center's Holiday Model Train Show 2024 on view Dec. 2 - Dec. 30 (closed Dec. 25)

Featuring the set-up and design of Mike Gelesky Now in its 34th year at the Barron Arts Center. Free admission, donations welcome.

Reservations Required on all weekends and Christmas week (Dec 23-30) Weekend Hours: Sat & Sun 2-4pm To make your weekend reservation call 732-634-0413

No reservations needed Monday - Friday (Dec 2-20)
Weekday Hours: Mon-Fri 11am-4pm