Santa Claus Is Coming To Point Pleasant, Point Pleasant Beach: Where To See Him

POINT PLEASANT, NJ — Visits and pictures with Santa Claus are treasured traditions for many Point Pleasant and Point Pleasant Beach families.

In the Point Pleasant area, kids have several chances to see jolly old St. Nick in person.

Here are the details:

Dec. 6: Point Pleasant's Christmas Tree Lighting and Market in the Park will be held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Community Park. Tree lighting and festivities begin at 5 p.m. and Santa arrives at 5:30 p.m. There will be photo opportunities, bounce houses, vendors and food trucks. Community Park is at the corner of Bridge Avenue and Beaver Dam Road.

Dec. 7 and 14: Brunch with Santa at the Lobster Shanty, 83 Channel Drive, 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Call 732-899-6700 for tickets

Dec. 13: Brunch with Santa at Prime 13, 7100 Arnold Ave., Point Pleasant Beach, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

Dec. 14: Brunch with Santa at Point Lobster Bar & Grill, 521 Arnold Ave., 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Dec. 20: Brunch with Santa at Round Dough with a Hole, 400 Richmond Ave., 9 a.m.-noon

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.